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

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

Oct. / Nov. 2021

10/4/2021

At the time of writing this, since the beginning of Covid, there have been a total of 1,647,362 people who have tested positive in Thailand. That is less than 2.5% of the entire population. (Less than 0.025% of Thailand's people have died from Covid.)

In spite of the low percentages, the fear of covid has had a major impact on Thai society. The government imposed lockdowns on travel and business have had a devastating impact on the economy and lives of the Thai people. Fear is rampant!

Tourism is a major industry here. Travel restrictions have caused thousands to lose their jobs and the tourist industry has been decimated. Thailand's bankruptcy court recently approved a business rehabilitation plan for the largest airline in Thailand, Thai Airways. Needless to say, these kinds of financial disasters have a huge impact on many families.

Joy and I were recently talking to a Thai couple who had spend several years living and working in the USA. They expressed a great deal of frustration about the fact that so many governments around the world have acted in ways that hurt the public. I shared with them how wonderful it is to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Our allegiance to Jesus and citizenship in His kingdom has completely changed the way we view current events.

They were happy to hear some “good news” and told us that even though they are Buddhist they have an adult son who is a Christian. God is continually opening up new doors of opportunity for sharing the gospel.

Pandemics come and go. Governments rise and fall. Economies flourish or fail. But the message of the gospel of Jesus keeps changing lives. Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we proclaim the good news of Jesus here in Thailand.

“I will go anywhere, provided it be forward.” ~ David Livingstone

July / Aug. 2021

7/1/2021

Friends and family back in the USA are saying that in some states covid restrictions are being relaxed. Here in Thailand, the restrictions continue to be “off again / on again”. The government's handling of the distribution of vaccines has many Thai people fearful and concerned.

Just like many other places in the world, restrictions have challenged the way we do ministry. More than ever before we are reaching out “on-line” preaching and teaching. Almost every Bible lesson I teach or preach is now video recorded to be watched “live” or posted onto the internet. We are currently working on a Thai language video series through the book of Matthew.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIJimU12CRq6Sisn5nTeG88gX4ohFL5Eg

This has also opened up the opportunity to minister to those who I was unable to reach before. I am now teaching in a Thai language, on-line Bible school for pastors. Laos is a communist country next door to Thailand that tries to restrict the spread of the gospel. Though the physical borders into Laos are closed, I recently spent several hours via a “Zoom call” teaching Bible to a group of Laotian pastors.

Attempting to proclaim the gospel when our travel and interaction with others is restricted can be a huge challenge. But when things seem difficult, perhaps those difficulties are creating new opportunities. It reminds me of the words of Joseph in Genesis, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” God is still in control and the good news of Jesus continues to go forward!

Thank you for continuing to pray, support and stand together with us as we proclaim the good news of Jesus here in Thailand.

“If God’s love is for anybody anywhere, it’s for everybody everywhere.”
~ Edward Lawlor

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 35 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