| Due to the sensitive nature of this ministry, some details, photos and videos have been removed from the below update that was sent to our prayer partners. Prayer Partners: Thank you for your support! Reminder: All of January, I am planning to be back in Pennsylvania and would be blessed to share at your church. Please reply if interested. Neighborhood Youth Ministry – Blessed with Special Guest Speaker: Soccer is hugely popular in Cambodia. Several of our youth dream of playing professional sports. After we studied how Gideon tore down the altar to Baal (Judges 6), “C” stepped up to share testimony. While Cambodians commonly offer sacrifices to appease demons (e.g. avoid curses, gain good luck), witchcraft is commonly practiced in C’s country of Cameroon, Africa. He was told he would never make it in professional sports unless he practiced witchcraft (i.e. bow to the “god of this world,” 2 Cor 4:4; Matt 4:8-10). Refusing to worship Satan, “C” chose to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, by the Lord’s grace, he is a pro soccer player for a Cambodian team. Praise the Lord! C’s hard-hitting testimony encouraged our youth not to return to idol worship that is so deeply ingrained in Cambodian culture. He urged them to worship only the Lord Jesus Christ. It greatly resonated, especially with the teenage boys. Praise the Lord! “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Youth Ministry Update – The Lord Spares a Fatherless Boy’s Mother: Recap: Fatherless student “P,” with us from the beginning, is the poorest of our kids. His mother, who struggles with a number of ailments, was not able to eat or sleep due to a vast array of neglected dental issues. Losing weight and in severe pain, the Lord led to step in. He is Father to the fatherless. “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.” Psalm 68:5 Especially in a developing country, extensive dental work can be a long, arduous process. From tooth extractions to molds and a partial denture, we were up around 15 dental visits by the end. For example, molds and partial dentures are mailed to capital city Phnom Penh and back, fitted, tweaked… back and forth several times before finished. She is finally able to eat more than yogurt and porridge and looks much healthier. The family is overjoyed. Praise the Lord!! Please pray for salvation for the family. “P”s sisters are only living back home now because one of them recently had a baby. Typically it is just “P” and his mom. This boy needs a mom. Thank you for your support!! “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 Youth Ministry – J’s Dad: Another teenager with us from the beginning, “J”s parents have been divorced for years. His dad drinks like I used to drink. Over the years, I have shared the gospel and testimony with him several times, ‘The Lord Jesus can help, but you must repent and truly believe in Him.’ One time, he replied, ‘I know. My son (“J”) tells me that all the time.’ “C” said his son “J” evangelizes him using his Bible. “J” is 15 years old. That is genuine fruit. Praise the Lord! Like my grandma used to say, ‘Some people never look up until they are on their backs.’ I can relate. After being released from the hospital on alcohol related problems, “C” was willing to listen. He prayed to give his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. PRAISE THE LORD! We have been studying the Bible together. He seems to have a hunger for the Word. Please pray that he fights forward up the mountains of Buddhist indoctrination and breaking old life habits to VICTORY IN JESUS! “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 Evangelizing the LGBTQ – Another Story Demonstrating How the Lord Leads: I heard that one of my former students who had professed to know Christ was now living as a monk at a mountain monastery. So I prayerfully set out to find him. My understanding was that there was only one monastery in that area. I was wrong. From one monastery to another… the Lord used that misunderstanding to open door after door to share the gospel. One would imagine that sharing the gospel with a head monk at his monastery would draw fire. In this case, the Lord gave them a fascination with my height and nationality. They listened to the gospel message, even when I differentiated karma from Biblical salvation. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ! At the end of the day, I went to the closest town to eat and stay the night. There the Lord led into the LGBTQ. “L,” pictured below with a lion on his sweatshirt, recently lost his dad and mom to tragic circumstances. “L” has since delved deeply into Buddhism, dresses as a ladyboy and participates in Buddhist festivals. After listening and comforting, it was the right time to share the gospel message and Christian worldview around homosexuality with him – to tell him about the God who loves him enough to give his life for him. Recently I returned and met L’s friend “V.” Influenced by another believing friend, “V” has been reading the Bible. Around lunch, they took me to see ancient Hindu rock carvings. People offer sacrifices (e.g. incense, food) in front of them. After browsing the carvings, they asked what I thought of them. I explained that I enjoyed the surrounding nature and mountain but that the God who created the heavens and the earth is the One true, living God. Other “gods” are deception from Satan (John 8:44; 2 Cor 4:4; Rev 12:9-11). Often we as believers are called to speak difficult truth that people would rather not hear. Had I silently endorsed Hindu gods by not speaking up, it would have been sin. As believers entrusted with The Truth, we are called to lead, rather than follow. Please pray for salvation for “L” and “V.” Praise the Lord! “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Acts 17:33 Evangelizing the LGBTQ – Ladyboy Prostitutes: “Ladyboys” (a term that Thai and Cambodian men who live as women call themselves) gather along the river in my town to sell themselves in the evenings. We ate together at a food truck in the area. We prayed together before eating. One used to attend church. Another sang a Christian song for the group. Another seemed to be very convicted when asked to read Scripture, specifically the call to repentance. The Lord was working there. Please pray for salvation, specifically for “K.” Praise the Lord! “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14 Evangelizing the LGBTQ – Tourists from Thailand: On the way into a coffee shop, an employee who didn’t know my past joked, ‘Those two in front of you are gays from Thailand.’ (tourists here to visit the temples) I played it cool until they ordered and sat down. Then I introduced myself and asked it if was ok to sit with them. I shared the gospel. They replied that basically all religions seek to make us ‘a good person.’ So I shared key differences between Christianity and Buddhism. One of the two seemed to be more convicted when asked to read God’s Word. At the end, I prayed for them. And they said, ‘Thank you for sharing the right path.’ Praise the Lord! Please pray for salvation. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6 “Grade A Nation” Podcast: This is not a Christian podcast. Chris is a skeptical unbeliever, who sought to discredit both messenger and message. Yet the Lord used it. Chris had thoroughly researched and asked deeply personal questions, drilling into great subject matter. We discussed a wide range of issues covered in my books and ministry updates. Praise the Lord! “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 Corinthians 10:5 Any of us could die at any moment. Click Here to find out how you can know enduring peace, God’s purpose for your life and be sure you will go to heaven when your brief time on earth is up. PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! Ways to Partner: 1. Pray for: – Conviction, eyes to see and ears to hear for the LGBTQ. – That seeds would bear fruit, that the Lord would raise up Cambodian evangelists. – Revival for the U.S. church – that we would stand for difficult truth in these days no matter what the cost. – Pray for our marriage and the promised son. – Financial support to keep me in the field doing what I am called to do. 2. Click to Donate via PayPal (tax deductible)! |
Tag Archives: prostitutes
Witnessing in Southern Thailand & Salvation Story
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” – Acts 17:32
Immediate responses to the gospel could be classified as: (1) Yes, (2) No and (3) Maybe Later.
Thailand’s capitol Bangkok and beach towns Pattaya and Phuket are high priorities on the evangelism hit list because they are popular hubs for LGBT+ culture and prostitution.
We live and witness in Bangkok. Seeds were scattered in Pattaya (closer to Bangkok) earlier this year. This week, I hit Phuket for the first time.
Conversations typically begin with small talk, then testimony, then often the gospel. Additional armament includes tracts in Thai and the Bible in virtually any language via Bible app.
We try to connect with as many on Facebook as possible and post Scripture regularly so that they will be exposed to the Bible and lines of communication remain open.
Facts:
Majority of folks engaged: Thai Buddhists
Most common response to the gospel: ‘You (Westerners/Americans) believe in Jesus. Thai people believe in Buddha.’
Example seemingly appointed engagement:
Transgender male-to-female- met outside her workplace. In response to testimony, she said, “So you are a real man now, not just a gay.” Pouring down rain, she asked me to come back to discuss- shared the gospel and tract, read the Bible, discussed previous exposure to Christianity and clarification of salvation requirements and Christian living. Asked me to send her things on Facebook (ex. Scripture) and basically ended with- ‘I will hear you again on this matter.’
In general, the lay of the land is a city with:
1) An area(s) known for transgender male-to-female (“ladyboys”)- strip bars, massage parlors and old fashioned street prostitution.
2) An area known for gay bars- resembles what is common in US cities.
3) A pedestrian-only street(s) that is a mixed bag- hosts party/sex tourists from around the world.
All 3 of the above areas and everywhere in between contain ladyboys soliciting outside massage parlors. The Lord’s timing is perfect. It is rainy season. Business is down, and folks have a few moments to spare.
Prostitutes speak the language of sex, so God works from there. Some say my eyes look kind and they feel good talking to me. You and I know that is the Lord.
Sharing Christ with jeering prostitutes can seem pointless. Nonetheless, this is what we are called to do- if for no other reason than to give each human being, created in God’s image, an opportunity to repent and get through the gates. The Lord has gone so far as to resurrect men and send them back into the pit on a rescue mission. Having been warned of coming judgment, all will be without excuse.
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.'” – Jonah 3:1-2
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:2
Eyes welling up with tears as we shake the dust off our feet, we reflect on those who have rejected Christ, peer down at our watches wondering how much longer we have… and utter, “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.”
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Back in Bangkok Sunday afternoon, the Lord led to join a medical clinic. Specified assignment was to “play with the kids”. That was part of it and was certainly a blessing, but I knew better- that the Lord was doing something else. Our assignment is always to lead people to Jesus. So we scouted the area and found that it was also a ministry for juvenile (and adult) offenders. In the common area was a 14-year old playing guitar with his friend. The third seat in the small circle was empty. I sat down. After the ‘where are you from’ small talk, we got into business. He said that when he got locked up, he asked Jesus to help him and started to believe with his head but that he had never prayed to repent and give his life to Jesus. So he did! Please pray for “G”.
After many “No” responses, the Lord rewarded with a “Yes”!
THIS IS THE WHY- why the believer in Christ remains on the earth after coming to know Jesus- to fulfill the Great Commission.
Join the fight. Pray for training wheels. It’s scary at first, but the Lord gives the passion and leads. His heart is for evangelism. Be bold. Get close to the heart of Jesus.
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.‘” – Jesus (Mark 16:15)
As an old friend of mine used to say, “We serve an awesome God, brother.”
Praise the Lord!
Castaway Ministries 