The Speights: Missionaries in Thailand for more than 35 years. - News-letters from Thailand

Sept. / Oct. 2023

9/5/2023

During the “covid-era” in Thailand, our public outreach and church meetings were temporarily canceled. But we learned how to continue ministering to the Thai people using many different “on-line” platforms. That gave us the ability to interact with and minister to our Thai friends no matter where we were located.

This has been a great help during our temporary time in the USA. We continue to meet together with Thai Christians each week. Of course, we prefer to meet in person. But these internet connections make it possible for us to evangelize and make disciples in Thailand from anywhere.

Recently one of our Thai churches held a baptismal service at the ocean. Eighteen new believers boldly expressed their commitment to follow Jesus. Thai Christians often experience persecution from their families. Please pray as these believers are encouraged and discipled to continue in their walk with the Lord.

In person or on-line, there are no restrictions on our ability to share the good news of Jesus. In the USA or Thailand, using English or Thai, the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. Thank you for continuing to partner together with us for Thailand.

July & Aug. 2023

7/8/2023

More than 20 years ago we helped plant the Streams of Blessings Baptist Church in the Bangkok area. Since that time they have continued to grow and thrive. Under Thai leadership they have actively been involved in evangelistic outreach and planting new churches.

This is just one example of how God has used our partnership together with you for church planting in Thailand.

The apostle John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” What an encouragement it is to know that the gospel continues to go forward in Thailand.

But even after all of these years, the majority of folks in Thailand still have never heard the good news of Jesus. There are still towns all over Thailand that have no Christian churches. Though we praise the Lord for all that has been accomplished, there is still much to be done.

Please continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into His harvest. We thank the Lord for allowing us to spend our lives serving the people of Thailand. Thank you for continuing to labor together with us in the Thailand harvest.

Caring for our Mother

5/5/2023

Joy's parents, Worth & Hazel Worley, faithfully served the Lord as missionaries in Korea, Singapore and Russia for more than 50 years. They have greatly encouraged us during our many years of service in Thailand. In December 2017, Worth Worley went to be with the Lord.

Since that time, Joy's younger sister has been caring for their elderly mother. But the situation has changed and Mrs. Worley now needs 24/7 care. So, we have become her caregivers at this time.

We have told the family we are committed to caring for Mrs. Worley through August. But, of course, the situation may change between now and then. Our tentative plans are to return to Thailand sometime this Fall.

Please pray that we will have the wisdom to love and care for our mother in the best way possible.

After all these years, we think of Thailand as our home. But we are continuing to learn that our actual home is anywhere that God leads us to serve others. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our family and the people of Thailand.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ~ Gal. 6:10

Joy & her mother, Hazel Worley

Thank You!

3/1/2023

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good:
for his mercy endureth for ever.

Through all these years, in easy times and hard times, when the work is moving forward or when things seemed stalled, at various locations in Thailand and during our furlough times back in the USA, our faithful supporters have stood with us and continue to stand with us as we serve the people of Thailand. Thank you.

The phrase “one another” is used 100 times in the New Testament! While we are aware of our complete dependence on Christ, we also know that Jesus supplies our needs through you. We are extremely grateful for your continuing to “one another” with us.

Many of our supporters have partnered together with us for more than 30 years! Others have joined hands with us at different times along this journey. But each and every one of you has been a vital link in expanding God's kingdom in Thailand.

We are humbled and grateful to know that many of our supporters have sacrificially given out of a love for God and a desire that others will know Jesus. As Paul said, “Not because I desire a gift:
but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Thank you for your evident love for others.

At this time we are still ministering temporarily in rural Alaska. We are overseeing a mission church here from mid-January till mid-March. Asia or Alaska, folks still need Jesus!

In the past, we have often thanked those who partner together with us. But it is my hope that the Holy Spirit will give you a special, deep awareness of how grateful we are for your continued commitment to Thailand and Jesus's kingdom.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” Philippians 1:3

Dec. 22 - Jan. 23

12/19/2022

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

During this holiday time of year I am reminded again that there are still many who have never heard the gospel. In Thailand the department stores will make much of Christmas in order to promote sales. But Thai people do not celebrate Christmas and most of them have no idea what is being celebrated.

The people of Thailand with their many idols are happy to worship kings, monks, spirits and multiple deities. But they know almost nothing about the one, true, mighty God!

 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

This past year has been a fantastic time of spiritual growth and learning. And there is every indication that 2023 will offer even more exciting opportunities for serving our Lord.

Please be praying for us as we have been invited to minister to a small community in S.E.Alaska. We will be over-seeing a mission church there from mid-January till mid-March. Temporarily ministering in S.E.Alaska will be an extremely different experience from all our years in S.E.Asia!

No matter if we are in Thailand or N. America, we are constantly interacting with people who need to hear the good news about The Prince of Peace. Thank you for continuing to partner together with us promoting the Kingdom of Jesus!

Yours for Thailand
David & Joy Speights

“We talk of the Second Coming;
half the world has never heard of the first.” ~ Oswald J. Smith

Sept. - Nov. 2022

9/21/2022

In Thailand, we experience only 3 seasons each year. The HOT season is from mid-Feb. to May. Monsoon season is between June to Oct. and then we have a “cool” season from Nov. to Feb. “Cool” is a relative term. Actually I believe Thailand's three seasons should be referred to as “Hot, Hotter & Hottest!”

But here in N.America we are now entering into the autumn time of year. I am reminded again of how important it is to closely follow Jesus as we adjust to different “seasons of life”.

Since returning the the states, the Lord has reminded us of how important it is to hone our skills and focus as we continued in service to Him. It is our desire to be meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. There may be some at our age who would consider slowing down. But we want to continue reaching forth unto those things which are before, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The work in Thailand continues on during our temporary furlough time. Please continue to pray for the faithful Thai followers of Jesus.

Pray for the new churches being planted by the Streams of Blessings Baptist Church.

Pray for physical and spiritual health for the SongSiri family in Nonthaburi. Pray that Tong and Goy will come to Christ.

Pray for our friends Dr. Bhirom and his wife Su to soon become followers of Jesus.

There is no “furlough” when it comes to following and serving Jesus. His kingdom continues on and the fields are white already to harvest. Pray that Jesus will send forth laborers into His harvest.

“God isn’t looking for people of great faith,
but for individuals ready to follow Him.”   ~ Hudson Taylor

Real Freedom! (July & Aug. 2022)

7/2/2022

Greetings from the highways of North America. We have now returned from Thailand for a time of furlough. Reconnecting with family and friends who we have not seen in years has been a wonderful blessing. Thank you for praying for the Lord's leading and safety as we will be spending much time on the road.

July 4th weekend in the USA is a time where we hear folks talking much about “freedom”. Many seem to think that living in the USA is synonymous with what it means to be free. Living outside of North America I've found that freedom is not related to our country of residence.

Of course ever country has some obvious cultural differences. Some places in the world are more oppressive and tyrannical than others. Some countries do allow their citizens more leeway. But none of the kingdoms-of-this-world are interested in allowing their citizens to enjoy true freedom. True freedom is only found in Jesus!

According to Matt. 4:8&9, all of the kingdoms-of-this-world are controlled by Satan. Jesus said that Satan comes only “to steal, and to kill and to destroy”. Satan doesn't want anyone in any of his kingdoms, whether America or Thailand, to know true freedom. But Jesus has come so we can have life and have it more abundantly! Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life”. Jesus said you “shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.

As others celebrate their citizenship in a kingdom-of-this-world, may those of us who know Jesus continue to declare our allegiance to the kingdom of Jesus alone. Let's continue to proclaim in America, Thailand and around the world that true freedom can only be found in Jesus.

May 2022

5/1/2022

Dear Praying Friends,

This past month was Thai New Year. Celebrated each year on April 13-15, it is a time of vacation and family reunions. Unfortunately, it is also notorious for being a time when traffic fatalities on Thailand's infamously dangerous roads sky-rocket! During what is called the “Seven Dangerous Days” (April 11-17) there are more traffic deaths than any other time of the year.

This year 278 people were killed in traffic accidents during this time. This is a very sobering thought especially when you consider how few Christians there are in Thailand. Viewed statistically, at least 264 of these people were Buddhist while no more than 3 of them claimed to be Christians. Yes, there are STILL millions of people in Thailand (and around the world) who need to hear the good news of Jesus.

Latest Family News
The last time we visited the USA was back in 2018. This particular term has been very unusual with all of the on-going, government imposed covid restrictions. But we thank God for all that has been accomplished during these past 4 years. Jesus has used us to minister to others and we have seen some amazing growth in our relationship with Him.

Joy and I now have three grand-daughters who we have never met! So we hope to remedy that situation very soon. This month we will be traveling back to the USA for a furlough time. Please be praying for safety as we travel and that the Lord will give us clear direction each step of the way.

Thank you again for continuing to partner together with us as we proclaim the good news of Jesus among the people of Thailand.

WAR in EUROPE!

3/1/2022

We are all hearing of the recent war between Russia and Ukraine. Jesus already told us, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” ~ Matt. 24:6
This is simply “business as usual” for the kingdoms of this world.

But some seem unaware that there is an ongoing war happening here in Thailand and all around the world. THAT war is not with physical weapons, but with spiritual weapons.  Eph. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Those who claim to be followers of Jesus can not allow ourselves to be distracted by the wars being waged by the kingdoms of this world. Our war is a spiritual battle against “spiritual wickedness in high places”. We have been fighting THAT war in Thailand for decades and continue to do so.

The vast majority of our Thai neighbors still worship and give their allegiance to spiritual “principalities, powers and the rulers of darkness”. Please continue to pray for endurance as we fight this war for the souls of Thai people.

And as you pray for us, we are praying for you. That you may bring all of your thoughts into obedience to Christ. Not being distracted by carnal wars in this world, but focusing on the real battle and the victory we have in Jesus!

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ~ 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Merry Christmas From Thailand

12/7/2021

Many places in the world will be celebrating Christmas as a public holiday but not here in Thailand. Even though the shopping-centers decorate as a way of promoting more sales, Thailand doesn't celebrate Christmas. Most Thai people call Christmas “The Foreigner's New Year” and have no idea that Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ.

The biggest Thai holiday this month is “Father's Day”. It is the birthday of Thailand's former king. He is honored as one of the greatest kings in Thailand's history and worshiped by many Thai people.

As citizens of Jesus's kingdom we look forward to the day when the majority of Thai people will have heard of Jesus's birth, life, death, burial & resurrection! To that end, we continue to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Just yesterday I sat with a Thai doctor who was willing to acknowledge the existence of God but he was unfamiliar with Jesus. As I shared with him the unique character of Jesus's divinity, he responded with a thirsty soul and exclaimed, “I believe that!” We look forward to many more opportunities to introduce others to Jesus.

Thank you for continuing to allow us to promote Jesus here in Thailand. May God richly bless you and your family as you celebrate the birth of Jesus and follow Him.

“We talk of the Second Coming;
half the world has never heard of the first.” ~ Oswald J. Smith