This update is from Rod Matthews, GCI mission developer in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Thailand
We are saddened by the recent death of Moo Lah Shi, the long-time, faithful pastor of GCI’s congregation of Karen people in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is greatly missed. Malaysian senior pastor, Wong Mein Kong and I recently visited the Karen congregation (pictured below), which has about 30 members. In Moo Lah Shi’s absence, a faithful member named Goro who is in his 80s coordinates the meetings, even though he lives about 100 miles away.
We arrived at the church building just inside the camp boundary to a warm welcome of smiles and sign language, since only a couple of the members speak English. Though we expected only a discussion of the group’s plans for the future, we were treated to a worship service. Sharing communion reinforced our shared heritage and long association. It was a delightful gathering.
The Karen congregation’s future depends on the vagaries of the difficult political situation, including plans for refugee resettlement. Most importantly, however, is what God has planned. Seeking to follow God’s lead, we are arranging to have a Karen-speaking Christian teacher from Myanmar, who is a friend of GCI, visit this group, helping them as a translator. Our prayers are with the health and capacity of Goro to provide for their pastoral care in the interim. In my message, I reminded the congregation that people around the world are praying for them and they are never forgotten. Their appreciation was evident.
Bangladesh
The Spirit’s work in the lives of people in southern Bangladesh is especially encouraging in a country with exceptional challenges. In November I joined National Director John Biswas, in travelling to our mission base in Sathsimulia. We were joined by GCI members Geoff Sole from the UK and Pastor Chris Starkey from Canada.
On the way, we visited rural schools in Malihara (pictured at right) and Batajor. These and 11 other schools are run by our Bengali mission, which is named the Bengali Evangelical Association (BEA). A visit from BEA director John Biswas along with other international visitors was, for them, a big event. These schools are tuition free to the students. In each case, the head teacher is paid a small salary from BEA’s donation-raised funds.
Upon arrival at our mission base at Sathsimulia, we were given a royal welcome. The scheduled events included the official opening of a new community building (pictured below) that has recently been completed. The local community joined in the dedication, with over 300 people sharing in a light lunch of celebration. The building is a much-needed replacement for an older wooden building that had to be demolished. It will be used for church meetings and classes for nurse’s assistants and gospel workers. Donations from the GCI home office and from church members all over the world helped fund the project.
The next day, a worship service held in the city of Barisal confirmed the establishment of a new GCI congregation there. About 40 of us met in a rented hall (pictured at right). The international visitors gave messages translated into Bengali. In the afternoon, Geoff Sole chaired the first Life Club meeting to be held in Bangladesh. Over 20 attended.
On our return trip to Dhaka we visited another of BEA’s rural schools. In these visits, the generous hospitality of our hosts was overwhelming. Despite their poverty, we were given more fine food than we could consume.
Taking the gospel to Bangladesh involves serious challenges and necessitates a sensitive, discerning and respectful approach. The BEA mission center trains and sends nurses’ assistants into the surrounding communities to provide health care and advice as an expression of the love of God for every human being. The gospel workers are trained to be ready to share the gospel with interested people and to use discernment and wisdom as a reflection of God’s respect and love for all people.
The rural congregations and the associated schools for children are an investment in the future of the families and local communities as well as the entire nation. Over 1500 people attend these rural congregations. The program of gifting families with a goat for milking and breeding has raised the health and living standards of the people.
Interest in and respect for what BEA does in this area is spreading steadily–much like what Jesus said about the kingdom in Matthew 13:33. We are learning that effectiveness is not dependent on size. Thanks for your prayers.
