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

April / May 2021

4/1/2021

FINALLY! After months of restrictions on mailing letters to the USA, once again we are able to send “hard copy” news-letters through the mail. For those of you who have missed receiving news-letters from the Speights family, thanks for your patience.

More than 30 years ago we began a ministry in the northern city of Chiang Khong. I recently reconnected with one our first converts there. Sian told me that he often thinks of himself as the lost sheep who Jesus went to find. Please pray that Sian will continue to grow in Christ.

COVID RESTRICTIONS:
Like many other places in the world, the government of Thailand has instituted travel and business restrictions in an effort to deal with Covid. These restrictions have cost millions of jobs and have been disastrous to the Thai economy which was doing poorly even before the beginning of Covid. Many Thai people have suffered greatly from the loss of income.

Even before Covid, Thailand had one of the highest suicide rates in S.E.Asia. But in the first half of 2020, suicide rates in Thailand were 22% higher than the same period in 2019. So far in Thailand, more lives have been lost as a result of the economic devastation than have died from Covid.

When folks lose hope and are overcome by depression, they don’t know where to turn. We are praying that the Lord will use our ongoing proclamation of the gospel to reach those who have lost hope. (Christ in you, the hope of glory. ~ Colossians 1:27) Thank you for continuing to stand together with us as we actively share the good news of hope in Jesus.

Sian was the first to be baptized in Chiang Khong.

New Year 2021

12/31/2020

In 2020 Joy experienced some difficult health issues (unrelated to covid) that God has used to draw us much closer to Himself. We are praising God for His many blessings.  As 2021 begins we are fired up and looking forward to a great new year!

The end of 2020 & beginning of 2021 we are celebrating some amazing anniversaries. On Dec. 28, 2020 Joy and I celebrated 43 YEARS of marriage! Jesus has been so faithful and gracious in His care for us. Also, since January 1986 we have now been serving as missionaries in Thailand for 34 YEARS! And the best is yet to come.

For the past two weeks we were traveling in Northern Thailand visiting in rural areas where we ministered as church planters 30 years ago.  We were super thrilled to reconnect with pastors who were just children when we were there years ago.  Words cannot express our praises to Jesus as we consider this long-term fruit that has resulted from gospel seeds planted decades ago.

We consider it an awesome honor and responsibility to preach the gospel in places where the gospel was never heard before. We look forward to continuing to partner together with you proclaiming Jesus in Thailand for many more years to come.

Staying Connected

10/1/2020

For more than 30 years we have worked hard to stay in close contact with all of our supporters. Being on the other side of the planet, we consider sending regular news-letters to be essential.
Prov. 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Unfortunately, since the early part of this year, we have not been able to send our news-letters through the post-office. You will notice that the postage stamp on this particular letter is a USA stamp.  We were able to make arrangements to have these letters mailed from the USA even though Joy and I are still here in Thailand.

Since the early part of this year we have been attempting to stay in touch through e-mails and videos sent via the internet.  But, we are still unable to find an e-mail address for some of our supporters.

If you have not been receiving e-mails and video updates from us, that is because we do not have your e-mail address.  Could you please send your e-mail address to us? Thank you in advance for your help with this matter.

Our e-mail address is:

davidspeights@hotmail.com

You can also see our updates at:

https://davidspeights.weebly.com/index.html

Sometimes it can be difficult to stay in touch with others. But that doesn’t stop our ability to pray for one another. God bless you as we continue to serve the Lord together.

“The history of missions is the history of answered prayer.”
  ~ Samuel Zwemer

Video Update

9/30/2020

July 2020

7/1/2020

We are still not able to send letters back to the USA through the Thailand post office. So for now, we can only connect through e-mail.

Bit by bit things are getting back to “normal” here. There are now fewer restrictions on meeting in public and this month our church meetings will be re-opening. Please be in prayer as we continue to adjust to changing schedules.

Praise & Answer to prayer!
This past month we were once again able to renew our one year Thailand visas. The visa renewal process is normally a very time consuming, frustrating experience that involves mountains of government “red-tape”. But this year the process was as quick and painless as we have ever experienced! Thank God.

Lately the news we are hearing from North America is full of civil unrest, violence and division. We are reminded again of how unstable and wicked the kingdoms of this world can be. Jesus said; The thief (satan)cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  But thank God, we are citizens of Jesus’s kingdom. Jesus has come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ~ John 10:10

Our friends and neighbors depend greatly on social order and stability. But when that disappears, who can they turn to?  More than ever we are reminded of our mandate from Jesus to LOVE others (including our enemies) as Jesus has loved us.  May we take great advantage of this world’s current troubles to share with others the hope that is found in Jesus.

In peace or turmoil, health or pandemics, stability or civil unrest … in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37 Thank you for continuing to stand together with us for Thailand.

“This generation of Christians is responsible for
this generation of souls on the earth!” – Keith Green

May 2020

5/7/2020

I have heard it said that for a missionary, being flexible is not enough. You have to be fluid!

Here in Thailand just like lots of other places in the world, we are faced with a new situation. We are all trying to find ways to adapt, change and continue serving the Lord as He leads. Just like all of you, the government imposed “shut-downs” here in Thailand have had a major impact on our normal routines.

Curfew: No one is allowed to travel outside from 10:00 in the evening till 4:00 in the morning. Travel Restrictions: Some provinces are completely cut off from the rest of the country.  Tourism (one of Thailand’s largest industries) is completely shut down. No international flights in or out of the country.  No letters are being mailed from Thailand to the USA.  Thousands of folks are out of work.  The biggest holiday on the Thailand calendar was CANCELED this year. (Thai New Year. April 13-15)

Our church-meetings are now “on-line”. I have been recording and uploading more Thai language Bible teaching videos than ever before. Joy has been baking breads and making sure our neighbors are fed. At our new church plant, many folks are receiving boxed meals each day along with gospel literature.

No matter what is going on in the world, loving others with acts of service is always the thing we should be doing. We praise God for the current “unusual situation” that gives us so many new and different ways to share the love of Jesus with the people of Thailand.

“Coronavirus Concerns”

3/6/2020

Being so close to China, the coronavirus is big news here in Thailand. The media is full of rumors about school closings, potential quarantines and travel restrictions. The Thai people are being bombarded with dire reports and many of them are seriously concerned. Tourism is a major industry here but many tourist destinations are now deserted. Potentially this could have a devastating impact on the Thai economy. Pray for wisdom as we serve our Thai friends during this time of distress.

We have been invited to take part in a missions conference this month at the Heritage Baptist Church in Singapore. Please be in prayer as there may be possible travel restrictions due to the coronavirus. Thank you also for continuing to be in prayer for Joy as she continues to recover from her surgery. (See our January 2020 news-letter.)

Recently a friend commented that it would be wonderful if the gospel spread around the globe as fast as these viruses & diseases seem to be spreading. Consider this. The media is going out of their way to spread the news about the coronavirus. But they are completely silent and unconcerned about the spread of the gospel. Actually, the gospel IS spreading faster than the coronavirus! God is doing great things all around the world that the media is unaware of and not reporting.

The news is full of danger and disease. People have much to fear. But far more serious than any physical disease is the tragedy of having never heard the gospel. We thank God for the continued opportunities to tell our neighbors and friends about the hope to be found in Jesus. Thank you for continuing to hold the ropes in prayer for the people of Thailand.

“A Brand New Decade!”

1/1/2020

2019 has been an excellent year for Joy and I here in Thailand. In addition to many opportunities for evangelistic outreach, we are working with two church plants. On Sunday mornings we continue to be actively involved with a new house-church.  And on Sunday afternoons I have been preaching for a new church congregation.

More than ever before, the Lord has been graciously teaching us to trust and depend on Him as He leads us into new areas of surrender to Christ. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 3:14

Pray for Health & Healing

Recently Joy developed a fast growing
tumor on her forehead. We visited 4 different hospitals and consulted with 5 different doctors. After an inconclusive biopsy, we opted for surgical removal.

Joy is now recovering from the surgery and her wound appears to be healing well. The trauma of the surgery and recovery has caused a considerable amount of anxiety for Joy. Please hold her up in your prayers during these weeks of recovery.

Joy & surgeon, Dr. Wechian

As we begin a new decade, we are so excited to see how the Lord will lead and direct. Jesus is still the Lord and there are still many Thai people who have never heard the good news of life in Christ. Thank you for continuing to partner together with us in Thailand.

Fruit that Remains!

11/6/2019

Recently I was preaching at a new church plant just outside of Bangkok. After that meeting they posted a picture of me on social media. To my surprise, I was soon contacted by someone who I had not heard from in more than 30 years!

All those years ago, Joy and I were working in the far north of rural Thailand along the Laotian border. Mr. Sohn was just a young boy who used to play with my children. I discipled his dad who is now in his 80’s and STILL serving the Lord.

Mr. Sohn wrote and said, “I want to thank you for planting the good seed of faith in our family.” He went on to say that he is now married and has been serving the Lord there for more than 20 years. He is involved in helping local farmers and overseeing several house churches.

It is impossible for me to express what a tremendous encouragement this is for us. Jesus said, “... I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:”

This is the fruit of all of you who have stood together with us as we reach Thai people for Jesus. Lord willing, our present efforts will continue to bear fruit that will remain for all eternity!

Sept. / Oct. 2019

9/11/2019

For the past several months Joy and I have been holding Sunday morning church meetings at a local family's home. One of the members of this family is a long time Christian friend but all of the others are Buddhist with little knowledge of the gospel. The Lord has helped us to develop a close relationship with this family and we hope to plant a church in this community.

Luke 10:5,6 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it:

Though the family has been happy for us to conduct church meetings in their home, except for the one Christian, they have not shown any interest in “joining in”. In conversations with the Buddhist members of the family, it is obvious that they are often listening in during our church meetings. My friend Mr. Tong seems to really enjoy hearing our worship songs.

Recently I invited Mr. Tong to begin having Bible studies with me each week. Just this last Sunday we experienced a wonderful break through. Mr. Tong and his wife both stopped their normal Sunday morning activities to join together with us during our church meeting!

We have great hopes to see how God is going to transform this family and others in this community. Please be in much prayer for our friend Mr. Tong and his family.

I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.
~John Keith Falconer