Bangkok's First BSF class started tonight!

After much prayer and waiting, the time has finally arrived. We finally started the men's BSF class tonight. Praise God for his goodness and provision. We had a total of 79 men attend! Our class is on Monday nights at the Saphan Luang (Yellow Bridge) Chineese/Thai Church.
Here are a few pics of tonight's class.

BSF LEADERSHIP TEAM

Above is our BSF leadership team. Top row (from left to right); Montree (Thai), Paul (Thai), Harun (India), Ferdinand (Philippines), Wichai (Thai), John (Kenya), & Howard (Hong Kong)
Bottom row (left to right); Mark (Singapore), Thirayost (Thai), Hyou (Thai), Delbrin (Philippines), Paul (Kenya), Gary (USA), Mike (Canada). The one leader missing from the picture is Wiworn (Thai).

We've been training for 3 weeks with one more week to go. I just love these men and their willingness and faithfulness to serve. We'll take off December and then the class will begin 18 Jan for 5 weeks (through 15 Feb).

Currently, we have 95 men & 7 children registered. At the end of the 1st 5 week class (Philippians), we will continue with 2 more 5 week classes. (Ruth and Colossians). At the end of each 5 week class, the men have a chance to register for the next class.

God is good!

Gary

BSF October PRESENTATIONS : God is doing a new thing!

It's been a wild and busy October. We've been in Thailand for over a year preparing and praying for this moment. We've had prayer meetings & we've made as many connections as we could to tell men about BSF. Now, October has become the ONE month where it will be decided to say whether we're done or whether we are ready to move forward.

During October we've had 8 separate presentations and God has richly blessed us....beyond measure, beyond my own expectations. To date, we've registered 88 men & 6 children. All I can say is praise God! We had a goal of 75 men when we started. I must admit I thought it was unobtainable. But, God proved bigger and more able than my ability to dare to dream.

Not only has God given us these men, but he has richly blessed us with men who are willing to commit to leadership positions. Currently, I have 11 leaders with 2 more who are still considering it. That leaves me with 3 more leaders to obtain (16 in all) by Nov 16 (our first training date for leaders). I trust God will continue to provide for us by this date.

My prayer has been for God to not leave us short on men, or short on leaders or short on children to come for our children's program. God has not disappointed. God is good. I stand in awe and amazement in seeing HIM work.

So, what's next? We will be training the leaders for 4 weeks beginning Nov 16. Then, we're off for the month of December. Our 1st 5 week Pilot class date is now scheduled for 18 January (Monday night)- February 15. We are indeed excited to be moving toward the goal of having our 1st pilot class for men in Bangkok. To HIM be the Glory!

thank you for your interest in our ministry and for your prayers.

Gary
Isaiah 43:19 "See I am doing a new thing! Now is springs up; do you not perceive it?"

BSF update

Since we've been back to Thailand, we've continued our work with BSF. As of Tuesday night (Sept 8), the women's class met for their first lesson in the book of JOHN. Even though it rained last night (which snarls traffic and kept some ladies from coming) they had 25 women attend the Introduction class! That a tremendous turn out for 1st time ladies interested in joining the class. With the addition of the new women, they will be opening their 8th discussion group! God is good! Claudia was excited to finally meet the women in her discussion group. Claudia is one of the discussion group leaders.

Regarding the children's program, the women have one level open; (Senior level; ages 14-18) with 8 students.

As for the men, things are getting close to launch. Mike Wellings (my co-partner from Canada) and I will be traveling back to the USA (San Antonio, TX) Sept 19-25 for additional training. When we return, we will immediately begin registering men for the upcoming 5 week pilot class. We are excited to see how God will work. The month of October is already shaping up to be a busy month for us.

There is much to do before we actually start the class, but at least we are moving forward. Our goal is to register 75 men, find enough qualified leaders willing to commit, then train these leaders for 4 weeks prior to the class starting & also find a host church. No problem! Oh well, the Lord never promised things were going to be easy. In the meantime, we "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me (us). Phil 3:14

Finally, an update! Sorry for the delay

Sorry for such a long delay in updating the blog! A lot has happened and the more time I let pass the worse it became in trying to update. However, without trying to recount the past 4-5 months, let me just give you a brief summary with a few highlights.

CAITLIN GRADUATES from ISB June 10, 2009. She did such a marvelous job in her studies. Caitlin is my new HERO. For the past 2 years Caitlin has handled herself with diligence, perseverance and of course, with excellence...all without a single complaint. She definitely rose to the challenge of being in 2 different schools & in 2 different countries (Greece and Thailand) over the past 2 years to finish her high school career. Her experience in living overseas has and will continue to shape Caitlin in her world view. Who really knows the true impact her overseas experience will make on her future path in life. Only God knows.

Now, she has enrolled at Baylor University (Waco, Texas) and started school August 24. This is Caitlin (before her she got her hair cut) and her room mate Caroline in front of their dorm at Baylor .
Caitlin and Caroline in their dorm room.


BACK in the USA from June 12-Aug 24. What can I say but it was great to be back during our summer break. I must say we spent most of our time visiting family and friends. Living overseas you forget what NORMAL looks and feels like. It took all of about 10 seconds to feel normal again. It's really nice to be able drive and get around by car anytime your want.

While we were busy visiting Tara & Isaac in Dallas, moving Erica and Chase from Norman to Edmond in their new house and with a brief trip to California to see my mother and sister, we spent the majority of our time in Tulsa. We stayed out in Coweta with some new found friends Scott and Kim Burnett. We stayed in the BARN next to their BIG HOUSE. However, you need not pity us for being so mistreated as homeless missionaries. God was good and provided us wonderful Christian friends and wonderful accommodations.


Some summer pics; our 3 girls at a wedding & my 4 girls at the musical WICKED in Tulsa.


Our last night the USA; eating Mexican food at Haciendas in Dallas with Tara & Isaac, Erica & Chase & Claudia (I'm taking the pic).

NOW, we're back in Thailand as of August 25. I will write another blog to update you later on what's happening in Thailand.

Blessings!
Gary

Songkran celebration in Thailand

For 3 days Thai's celebrate Songkran which is their New Years celebration. The ritual includes spraying water on each other and coating themselves and others with a white paste over a period of 3 days.

On our way to dinner tonight at a nearby restaurant, we unexpectedly went directly into hoards of people celebrating Songkran. The streets were filled with 1000's of people. As we walked toward the restaurant, celebrants would throw water on you or spray you with water as well as paint your face with a white paste.

Even though it seemed like a chaotic mess, the Thai's were respectful to us as "forangs" (i.e. westerners)and politely approached us. All in all, it was fun once you got over the initial "splash" of cold water. Below is what we looked like when we arrived home.

Below is what the crowd was like; picture taken from the restaurant.

Below is what we looked like when we arrived at the restaurant.

Green Light: Transitioning to Phase II (Pilot phase)

Prayer group meeting 19 March. This group of men (which is not all of our prayer group) represent 7 different countries (Thailand, Philippines, China, Japan, India, Canada & USA) and 7 different churches throughout Bangkok.
Here's the latest on our efforts with BSF and the men's prayer group. We have been meeting since late October as an official prayer group in an effort build a "core group" of men willing to help us pray and support our efforts in the future to get a BSF class started in Bangkok. As a result of our efforts and by God's power and grace to draw men to us, BSF headquarters has given us a "green light" to begin registering men in Sept-Dec for a 5 week pilot class. This is definitely good news to know for certain that we will be here next year to continue our efforts. The PILOT phase is the 2nd phase in moving toward establishing a permanent class in Bangkok.

Mike Welling (my co-partner with BSF) and I will be traveling back to San Antonio Texas Sept 19-25 for additional training. When we return, we will begin our concentrated effort to begin registering men, finding leaders and locating a host church. We can't wait to see how God will unfold all of this in our next step of faith.

thank you for your prayers and interest

Gary