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

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

Waiting to be Rescued.

7/8/2018

As I write this letter, in the province of Chiang Rai, 12 Thai students along with their teacher are trapped in a flooded cave. Thailand authorities are not yet sure how they are going to be able to rescue these students.

Seeing the plight of these trapped students, I can't help but think of our many friends in Thailand. More than 95% of the Thai people are Buddhist with little or no knowledge of the gospel. Worse than being physically trapped in a flooded cave, they are trapped in spiritual darkness.

Heroic efforts involving manpower and financial resources are now underway to rescue these trapped students. One rescue diver has died while trying to save them. How can we who know Jesus, not also give our all in order to reach the lost? How could we not continue on while so many still need to see the light of Jesus?

Joy and I are now only weeks away from our return. The next letter you receive from us will be mailed from Thailand. Please be in prayer specifically for ...

… children & grand-kids we are leaving behind.
… financial supply for airfare and setting up again in Thailand.
… clear direction and open doors as we relocate.
… continued love for the lost and a passion to advance Christ's Kingdom.

Thank you for still “holding the ropes” as together we continue our rescue efforts in Thailand.

Yours for Thailand
David & Joy Speights

“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

May 2018

5/1/2018

May 2018
Dear Praying Friends,

We continue to visit supporting churches here in the United States. As I have been speaking in different churches, my desire is to motivate folks to follow Jesus and consider missionary service. Here are some suggestions:

Be Available- Abandon yourself to God and to His call on your life. Tell Him you will go anywhere and do anything that He shows you as His will for you.

Be Informed- Don't hide behind ignorance. Gather all the information you can so you can pray and seek the Lord intelligently. If you know where the needs are, it will be easier for you to meet some of them.

Be Inspired- Watch missionary videos and get hold of some inspiring missionary biographies. You'll find out that most "missionary greats" are just common people who decided to let their love for God and their love for the lost overrule their own desires in life - allowing God to use them in bold and wonderful ways.

Expect An Open Door- Expect God to give you an opportunity to fully serve Him through this new information you are exposing yourself to. Then when He opens the door - walk through it!

Continue to pray for us as we make our preparations to soon return to Thailand. Joy and I will be returning to Thailand for the first time without any of our children. The Lord has greatly blessed during the past 30+ years of ministry and we look forward to many more years of sharing the gospel in Thailand.

Yours for Thailand
David M. Speights

“Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” ~ William Carey

January 2018

1/4/2018

This past month my father-in-law, Worth Worley died. Rev. Worley faithfully served the Lord as a missionary in Korea, Singapore and Russia for more than 50 years. Worth Worley was a huge encouragement to us during our many years of service in Thailand. The Lord used him for the advancement of the gospel in the lives of countless people.

I thank the Lord that we were able to attend Bro. Worley's funeral. It was a time of celebration and praising the Lord for a life well lived in service to Jesus. Though we are all sad to see him go, we have experienced great peace to know that he was ready and anxious to meet our Lord.

I am reminded once again of the wonderful hope we have as followers of Jesus. During my many years in Thailand, I have attended several Thai / Buddhist funerals. It is common practice for monks to chant and display four banners that say: "Go, never return / Sleep, never wake / No resurrection / No escape."

ไปไม่กลับ / หลับไม่ตื่น / ฟื้นไม่มี / หนีไม่พ้น

This proverb gives a pretty accurate picture of the certainty of death. “No escape.” Indeed. But it breaks my heart to consider the hopelessness of death for my Thai Buddhist friends.

I thank God that followers of Jesus have the blessed hope of the resurrection! We look forward to continuing to share the wonderful gospel of HOPE with the people of Thailand.