The Speights: Serving as Missionaries in Thailand for more than 30 years. - News-letters from 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

“Multiplication & Long-Term Investment”

7/7/2019

Years ago Joy and I played an instrumental role in planting the กระแสพร Church (SBBC) in Nonthaburi. They have grown to become a thriving, self-supporting Thai congregation. There are still members who have remained faithful from the start and many new faces.

SBBC has a goal to plant 30 new churches in their province. Rather than focusing all of their energy on their own congregation, they want to grow by multiplication.

As a confirmation from the Lord, recently the Christian owner of a large factory in Nonthaburi has “donated” a building on his property to be used for a new church plant. With the owner's blessings, we have unlimited access for outreach among the factory employees. What an opportunity!

Many years ago when Pastor Ohm went to the US to receive his master's degree, he actually lived at my mother's house. Here in Thailand, relationship is everything and building relationship takes time.

We praise the Lord for allowing us to continue to serve the Lord here in Thailand for all these years. What a thrill to see the fruit of long-term, life investments.

Still Have Never Heard

5/7/2019

Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

One of the things I love about living in Thailand is having the opportunity to share the gospel with folks who have never heard. Christians sometimes assume that most people in the world have at least a basic understanding of the gospel message. But in places like Thailand, it is still “normal” to talk to people who know almost nothing about Jesus.

Recently Joy and I had the opportunity to talk about “Easter Sunday” with some of our Thai friends. None of them had ever before heard of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. They were completely amazed to hear that this is a foundational belief for Christians.

Even my friends who have studied religion simply assume that “All religions are the same, they all teach you to do good.” Recently I met a young Buddhist monk who pronounces his name almost the same as mine! (We had an immediate connection!) I look forward to helping him understand that being a follower of Jesus is vastly different from simply being religious.

Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Thank you for allowing us to continue proclaiming the gospel to those in Thailand who have never yet heard the wonderful news of Jesus.

“Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice, before everyone has heard it once?” ~ Oswald J. Smith

This World's Kingdoms

3/17/2019

Recently Joy and I have been working on our visa renewal. Every year it seems that there are new policies and requirements. The steps for renewal have been more tedious and complicated than we have experienced in the past but we do see light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you so much for your prayers as we patiently navigate the government procedures.

On March 24, Thai voters will be electing a new parliament. This will be the first elections after being under direct military rule for five years. Thai people are glad for the upcoming elections but also apprehensive. The military government has changed the constitution and put many “safe guards” in place to assure that no matter who is elected to parliament, the military will still have control of the government.

1 Tim. 2:1,2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Living under a non-elected military government for the past few years we have realized that all of the “kingdoms of this world” are basically the same. It doesn't matter what type of government we might live under in this world, our citizenship is in God's kingdom. Please pray that we will continue to have the freedom to proclaim the gospel as we “lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty”.

Governments rise and fall. Earthly kingdoms continue to exert their control over this world. But ultimately, Jesus is still the Lord over all. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to serve as ambassadors for Jesus here in Thailand, encouraging others to become fellow citizens of God's kingdom.

Eph. 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

February 2019

1/24/2019

Since returning to Thailand, Joy and I have been holding church meetings in the home of a long time family friend. For many months her dad had been bed-ridden and since she was his primary care giver, she was not able to leave the house. Our friend, Tig and her dad (Po Chan) were the only believers in their home.

Though Tig's Buddhist family did not join us in our church meetings, they were apparently listening as we shared Jesus with one another. Tig told us that she often heard her brother singing the Bible songs that he had heard us singing together on Sunday.

Last month Po Chan was admitted to the hospital. We were able to be with him each day and after several days in the hospital, Tig's dad died at peace with Jesus. That opened a very unexpected opportunity for sharing the gospel. Since the majority of the family are Buddhist, of course they wanted a Buddhist funeral at the temple. But since Po Chan was a Christian, they allowed us to have a preaching time at the temple each evening also.

After the Buddhist monks had spent time chanting and leading the people through their religious obligations, I preached the good news of Jesus for Po Chan's extended family. For three nights I preached on the certainty of death, the reality of the spirit world and the inadequacy of religion. Many who had never heard the gospel, were exposed to Jesus on those evenings.

Knowing how Joy and I spent time with their father during his sickness, the family has received us warmly. We are continuing to have church meetings at Tig's home and planting gospel seeds with members of her family. Please pray with us that the Lord will pour His richest blessings out on this family and that they will soon come into relationship with Christ.

Is missionary endeavor worth the sacrifice?

12/5/2018

Recently, a young American missionary, John Allen Chauwas killed while attempting to contact the people of North Sentinel Island. Through the years countless expense has been made and lives have been lost in an effort to bring the good news of Jesus to those who have never yet heard. Is it worth the effort and expense?

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”~ Jim Elliot

Here in Thailand we are surround by so many who still have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel. Most Thai people worship their idols, religion and nationality. They continue to believe that all of their spiritual and eternal worth is determined by the amount of effort they can put into “making merit”.

Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Do we agree with Jesus concerning the eternal value of our soul? What about the value of the souls of others?

Some might say; "Certainly most everyone has heard of Jesus by now. Surely missionaries have been sent to every country. Haven’t we almost completed the Great Commission?" It is estimated that of the 7.47 billion people alive in the world today, 3.15 billion of them live in unreached people groups with little or no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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

As many of us will soon be celebrating the birth of Jesus during this Christmas season, I am reminded of the words of David Livingston who said; “God had only one Son and he made that Son a missionary.”

New Beginnings!

10/10/2018

Oct. - Nov. 2018
We are happy to be back home in Thailand! Since arriving back, it has been a hectic time of travel and whirlwind activity.

We spent several weeks traveling to different places in Thailand reconnecting with friends and churches who we have known for many years. What a thrill to see God continuing to work through so many that we had the pleasure of discipling and working together with years ago.

We have also begun the process of re-establishing our legal, visa status. It has been a maze of government red-tape but the approval is coming through soon.

And through it all, the Lord has strongly challenged our hearts for a “new start”!

We have relocated to the Bangkok Metropolitan area and are now in the process of moving into our apartment here.

This is the first time in decades that we have lived without any kids. Also, while living in Phuket we spent a lot of time with English speaking expats. For the next few months we will be “re-learning” life in Thailand and doing intensive, refresher Thai language study.

Please continue to pray specifically for ...
… financial supply for ongoing ministry needs.
… continued health and stamina for the task.
… continued love for the lost and a passion to advance Christ's Kingdom.

Thank you for praying as together we continue to follow Jesus into the fields that are white already to harvest.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”~ C.S. Lewis