Outreach - Global

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Thailand

GOALS FOR COS INVOLVEMENT

1. To assist Boonchu Pongdamrongsap and other Karen leaders in building a network of Godly leaders.
2. To encourage and help Boonchu and Sea-pon carry the load they now have.
3. To increase Biblical literacy.

POSSIBLE YEARLY GOALS FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FIVE YEARS:

1. One conference of need determined by Boonchu and village leaders

• Boonchu feels that conferences have been and are the most efficient ways to reach and teach the Karen people.
• He feels that in about five years, they should have leaders ready to do the teaching themselves. Many are in Bible school now and others have finished and, according to Boonchu, have to be watched to validate their testimonies.

2. 100 Bibles (approx. $6 each) and some hymnals for villagers, some commentaries for leaders.

• Many villagers do not have Bibles or hymnals. When we were there, we found that many had trouble reading. This is partly because of a lack of education, but perhaps even more because they don't have opportunity to practice.
• Without the Word, apart from the Holy Spirit, learning depends wholly on the leaders and memory. False teaching has been one of the main concerns and battles Boonchu and Godly leaders have had to face.
• Hymnals are very important to this musical people. Singing hymns and coral music seem to be a part of their Spiritual heritage since the time of Judson (1830's).
• Boonchu has expressed the need for the pastors and lay leaders to have commentaries to enhance their study. A commentary is available in the Karen language.

3. Ongoing outfitting of the Ministry House

• COS has supplied the money for building the structure only. If the house is going to be used extensively for living and ministry, then many things need to be supplied from the very expensive to the lesser.
• Basics for living are needed: appliances, furniture.
• Items for ministry are needed: Internet, computer/s, printer/s; chairs for visiting leaders.
• Online Bible courses (i.e. RBC, Source of Light, Moody Bible)
• Tax money

4. Tuition for at least one new or continuing Bible school student

• To combat false teaching and to train godly indigenous leaders, good Bible training is vital.
• Many pastors have had little to no Bible training.
• Pastors need additional well-trained leaders within the church: teachers of men, women, youth, and children.
• To replace the need of having foreign teachers lead conferences.

5. Internet Bible training at Boonchu's Ministry House

• To make Bible school training available to more pastors and lay leaders: not all leaders can go away to school for two to four years because of cost as well as because they are often the only leaders in many of the newly formed congregations as well as in the old ones.
• This kind of learning allows for extreme flexibility.
• We may have to help get materials translated for these courses which could be an additional expense. It would be well worth it.

6. One pastoral visit

• Boonchu carries a huge load. He needs pastoral counseling and teaching. He needs Christian men to help carry his most personal burdens.
• He needs men whom he can feel free to call after they leave.

7. Village aid (i.e. medical, bridges, church buildings, businesses, school needs)

• Ongoing needs in villages have often been matters of life and death, especially the need for bridges to cross rivers swollen during the rainy season. People have died because of not being able to get across for medical care.
• Visiting medical personnel along with outreach teams have been successful in meeting medical needs as well as spiritual.
• The need for church buildings and for replacing and expanding old ones is growing.
• Village schools have many needs (i.e. Meh-Oh village school needs twenty desks immediately).
• Ways for remote villages to make money honestly remains a huge need.

8. Emergencies (i.e. Spy's health; IJM rescue of village people; Boonchu's car)

• Spy (Boonchu's son) seems to get bronchitis and pneumonia easily. He spent three days in the hospital while a COS team was there in 2011.
• Kidnapping of tribal people for labor and sex-trafficking is not uncommon. International Justice Mission has been in Thailand and surrounding countries at various times.
• Boonchu's car has frequent repairs due to tremendous use and the damage caused from terrible road conditions in the jungle. By God's grace, it's still running! However, it looks as though a replacement will be needed soon.

Here are several pictures from the recent Thailand missions trip... 

Updated October 19, 2011