Years End

Yet another year draws to an end... We have had one of the busiest months ever this month, December. We hosted our first YWAM team, and we had a blast serving the Lord. As a fellowship we baked and passed out about 400 cookies, sang countless Christmas Carols, about 12 hours worth, did an English camp, Christmas "camp" and spent an amazing time with some new Burmese friends, just to name a few. I name those as those were the highlights. You can see all the pictures below. For my family and I the Burmese outreach was phenomenal! We have been praying and trying to get into the local Burmese work camps now for almost 3 years, the Lord finally opened the door! We decided this would be our (NBCCP) BIG project for the Christmas season. Turns out there are just over 200 adults and about 10 kids under 3 years of age. As a fellowship we were able to amass a fund of nearly $700 to bless this camp. Although I am sure, without a doubt, the inhabitants of the  camp were blessed, those that were able to attend were blessed far beyond measure. With the funds collected we were able to purchase a "hygiene" gift bag for every person, man, woman and child, that lives in the camp. Each bag contained toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and a Christmas Gospel track. In addition to this everyone that showed up got at least 1 Kilo (2.24 lbs) of rice. The children each received a hygiene pack, rice, a large wash basin, a rubber jumper, and a stuffed animal. The YWAM team performed a gospel drama, and we had a team of Burmese Christians to sing Christmas carols in their native tongue. Pastor Ehkhaw make the trip down from Ban Nam Khem to assist with the Gospel and translation. After all was said and done two amazing things happened. When we offered prayer for anyone who needed it...EVERY man woman and child rushed up for us to pray for them. I even asked Pastor Ehkhaw did he offer to pay them or something? I have never seen that large of a group of people rush forward for prayer before, especially the Burmese who are usually much more reserved than that. Talking with Pastor Ehkhaw afterwards I asked him what happened and why was it like this, he answer was very simple yet profound, "Because they know they need it." The second amazing thing is we are invited back Sunday January 8th to show the Jesus film and once again present the Good News, that Jesus the Messiah, saves.

God Bless each and every one of you, our friends, family and supporters! We hope you had a wonderfully blessed Christmas, and a just as blessed New Years.

Everyone receiving Prayer

Look at this group! Surrounded by the saints in prayer

Brother Jack introducing and sharing

These are our new friends

Singing Carols in Burmese

Some of the men out for the party

Enjoying the gift

Mostly paying attention

Christmas Eve Worship on the Beach

A Very warm welcom

Christmas Morning @ New Beginnings Calvary Chapel Patong

Bouncy toys

Going away blessed

Yes it is CHRISTMAS! Notice the cold weather clothing?

Pressing on

As most of you know by now Thailand is in a state or mourning. The longest reigning monarch passed away October 13. Things are carrying on mostly as normal, although there are some changes, for example, it is requested for this month all our clothes honor the mourning process, so we are dressing in dark colors. The entertainment industry was shut down mandatory 3 days and was then extended out to 7 days with differing stipulations. It is a sad time, especially for the Thai people but having spent the last 5 years here has taught us alot about the kind of leader he was, and there is also a sense of sadness for us, not only that of a sympathetic manner. Please continue to pray for Thailand during this time, the "official" mourning is for a year so we will see what the time brings.

Ministry is doing well, always ups and downs. We have been having alot of conversations about the possibility of a "home" for women, what it would look like, how much it would cost, who would run it and who would the partners be. This has been a huge area of great success and there is currently only one other ministry that is praying about and walking slowly in faith to work with these women. We live in one of the top sex tourism destinations in Thailand and this is a very pressing issue. Our goal is always the Gospel and God Word. Please pray for this as well and more information will be given as we have it. The church, as it seems with most, take 3 steps forward 2 steps back, always progressing always pressing in to Jesus, and always being tested. The Lord is good and leadership training continues, outreach continues and we are always looking for opportunities to share His word. We have been visiting the local university again and that is always a wonderful time of building relationships with the next generation of public school teachers. Excited to see what comes of this in the future.

Lastly but not leastly WE HAVE A NEW MAILING ADDRESS for donations. Please send all donations to the new address: Grace Across Asia PO box 1852 Diamond Springs, CA 95619. We are with the same organization they have just changed their address.

We covet your prayers, so please keep them coming!

One of the classes at Phuket Rajabhat University

Craziness

Things have been pretty hoppin here in the South. A total of 11 bombs have gone off all around Southern Thailand, even 2 here in our town of Patong. All told there have ben 4 deaths and about 40 injured. We are very thankful that while the action was in our town...we were not. In addition to the 11 bombs there have been multiple incendiary devices many that have been effective and even more have been retrieved and disposed of. I think the damage from these devices is upward of 40,000,000 baht or just over 1,000,000  USD. The attacks appear to have stopped although daily they are finding a device or two, again all throughout the south. The latest reports have said the bombings are at the command of a single man, carried out by several individuals. One man is in custody as the search continues for more. The information we have been given is that they are not from an international group but rather a local anti-government group. Although at first this was all a little unnerving upon the release of information it became clear we were in no real danger and life would continue at a fairly normal pace, heightened awareness, and avoidance of public areas if possible aside.

As mentioned above during all this madness we were not in town, actually we were north a few hours where we led the Thai/Burmese church several years ago, Ban Naam Khem. We are now ending the 3rd year of studies at a Bible training center that has began at Calvary Chapel BNK.  This year I had the privilege of teaching through the Pastoral Epistles, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. The time was very fruitful and a huge blessing to be able to spend there with young Burmese Bible students.  We traveled there as a family and stayed one week, while Marty and team held down the fort here in Phuket.

Please remember Thailand in your prayers as the time is uncertain, especially with the bombings. Thank you and God bless

We're back!

As I sat to write this update I realized the last update written was for exactly one year ago. Sorry for not keeping you all informed of the great things the Lord has been doing through this time. As most of you know we were able to go to the US for about 10 1/2 weeks, for the months of April and May. It was a really blessed time of much needed relaxation. We have now returned to Thailand and have settled in. No promises but we hope to keep you all better informed in the future.

During our time of rest, there was a lot of prayer regarding what to do, how to move forward. The Lord so heavily laid on our hearts to train up leaders, something we have always had the heart to do, just haven't really done it. As we began to pray for who and how, we were given clear vision of who this should be and what it should look like. Of course that also means that they must have a desire to be raised up and also they needed to hear from the Lord on their own. As we returned there were several meetings needed in able to meet with each individual and share what the Lord had shared with us. We are so thankful that each of the people the Lord had shown us also had heard from the Lord. Currently there is a pastor and assistant in training, an outreach leader, and also a worship leader. Each of these have stepped up in their respective areas and are doing a really great job. Currently the pastor and assistant are getting "pulpit" experience leading communion, prayer, announcements, offering and other church activities while the teaching is mostly my responsibility. The new worship leader has great organizational skills and in the short time since taking on the ministry has done really well. The outreach leader is another Calvary missionary and is heading up our continued English outreaches in the community.

As a fellowship we are really growing, not so much in numbers but spiritually. It is so nice to see people stepping up and out as the Lord directs. There is something to do every night of the week, except Monday, and the whole ministry shuts down for a day of rest on Saturday. School is well under way with the children finishing up the first book, of ten, in their studies. This year we have 6 students ranging from K-9. If you are reading this then I assume most of you also have Facebook....I encourage you to like our church FB page, New Beginnings Calvary Chapel Patong to keep up and see all the pictures of what goes on around here. Also there are usually bi-weekly devotions posted that are challenging and encouraging.

Thank you for you patience, interest and prayers as we continue to serve the Lord in Phuket, Thailand.

The Nelson's Have Arrived!!

I realize that this is a bit late since they have already been here for about a month but I didn't want the time to slip by without a quick update. We have been having a super blessed time with Joe, Sarah, and all of the kids! It is a time of much needed rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation for them all. We have been enjoying their company immensely and we feel just a bit selfish in wishing they could stay for good. However, the Lord has work for them in Thailand and we stand behind that 100%.

While they've been here, we've had a lot of fun playing games, sitting around talking, eating, drinking coffee, eating, napping, eating, doing some projects at some of the homes, eating, and did I mention eating? Last week Joe made us a wonderful Thai meal called Keng Keaw Wan (guessing on the spelling). It translates as sweet green curry. It was delicious. He made a mild version and a spicy version. I accidentally took the spicy version and I can't eat spicy food. It's been about a week and I'm starting to get feeling back in my mouth and I think I can feel my tongue again. :-)  In all seriousness, it was delicious!!

Just last night we played a fun card game called Spoons. I think we've all pretty much recovered from our injuries from the game. You'll only understand what I mean by that if you've played the game. Sarah "the Crusher" Nelson was in rare form drawing blood from at least two of us and next time we'll have to make a rule for Joe that at least one foot must remain on the floor at all times.

Today is Mother's Day and Tim, Lisa, and I had a great time going out for lunch with Joe, Sarah, Mike and Evelyn. I also would just like to take a moment to recognize all of the moms out there who could never be repaid for all of their love and sacrifices through the years of raising children. Thank you to all of the mothers out there who gave selflessly through the years and may the Lord bless you richly. And may the Lord also bless those who are motherless for whatever reason and give them comfort as well.

Joe and Sarah have about four more weeks before heading back to Thailand. Please don't miss out on inviting them out for dinner or over for coffee and a homemade meal if you are able. The time will go very fast and so let's make sure they are totally blessed and refreshed before heading back. Please continue to lift them up DAILY in your prayers and be in prayer for the following items:

1. Steadfastness in the Lord
2. The gospel to go forth through their ministry
3. Strength and protection over their family
4. Evangelizing opportunities
5. Financial needs

Thanks to all of you who support Joe and Sarah. As the Lord prospers you, please consider increasing your donation or, if you aren't giving now, please consider giving for the sake of the Gospel in Thailand, a nation with a Christian presence of about 1%.  Your contribution to their work there will pay eternal dividends!!

May the Lord's peace rest upon you!!

Mike and Lisa Larsen