Peter and Ineke Cook - Thailand |
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Prayer letter May 2008
We have been back in Thailand for a few weeks now after our break in the UK. We had an excellent time at home with family and friends, this time being able to spend more time with the boys and Pete’s mum and dad. It is wonderful how we can just fall back into friendship with so many so easily. If we missed you sorry – maybe catch you next time?
It has been a good time coming back to Bangkok too. We got home on the Thursday evening and caught our breath. The Assistant Bishop of Singapore came to stay with his team on Saturday – for confirmation service on the Sunday. Bishop Rennis is a great preacher and is bold for the gospel. We only had 4 confirmations this time, 1 from Vietnam, I Thai, 1 from Malaysia, 1 from Sweden. As Rennis confirmed them he also prayed for them and spoke words of prophecy and encouragement over them. It was a very powerful time. At the end of the service and before the final hymn he asked people to stand if they wanted to know more of God’s power in their lives. Slowly 1 then 2 then a few moments later over half of the church were standing – and I was amazed by some who did stand! God was at work in a wonderful way – one of those ‘break through’ moments. Thank God for bishops! Following that service I (Peter) went with the bishop to the last session of our Thai congregations teaching camp weekend – about 3 hours north east of Bangkok. On the Monday we had the Anglican Church of Thailand Assembly (AGM) then in the afternoon travelled about another hour north to one of our church plants and had confirmations there – and another great time of ministry. So a pretty busy start back.
We also got back to the completion of the church building restorations and inside painting. It looks beautiful. The new PA system is in place. The electrical wiring still needs replacing and while doing that we aim to renew and modernise the lighting. Also we have been converting some rooms under the vicarage for use by the growing youth work and for a place of prayer, Alpha etc. And then just yesterday I made the decision to stop use of the church aircon! There had been talk of particles coming out of the vents. On inspection the insulation in the huge pipes is coming loose and fibre glass has been blowing out! Thankfully we also have fans in the church – but at temperatures of at least 35 degrees outside it is still a bit hot inside! We are getting quotes in for repairs. So with all that we now have to pay for it all, so we are having a week of giving with 2 gift Sundays 1st and 8th June. Our target is 1.3 million Baht – which while still being a lot of money isn’t as much as it sounds – approx 21,000 pounds.
To go with this we have begun a new sermon series on the book of Nehemiah – the themes of building for God and restoration and renewal in the life of the church. The Lord continues to be at work and we are still growing.
Ineke is getting stuck into the children’s work big time (along with all her other things) and is organising a holiday club for our Sunday mornings through July and August (when our regular leaders will be taking a break). The crèche has now grown to 2 groups 0 to 2’;s and then 2 to 4 and Ineke has a new team with the older group while she does the younger ones.
Today we have started a new Alpha course – this time Sunday lunch after the 10.00 service – we are trying all angles at getting people along.
We are off to Singapore this Thursday for Diocesan Synod which is on Friday and Saturday. Pete is preaching at St Andrews Cathedral Singapore at the main English speaking congregation on the Sunday morning – then we whiz off to one of their new church plants and he preaches there later in the morning. Should be fun.
Hoping you are well. We would love to hear from you and your news.
Prayer Points
- Give thanks to God for all he is doing at this time and the signs of his life and power at work.
- Trip to Singapore 22nd to 26th May – Pete’s preaching 25th May.
- Gift week and gift days 1st to 8th June – that God would raise faith and ownership of the church through this time.
- PCC meeting Tues 3rd
- Newcomers evening 7th June
- Trip to the Border Refugee camp 18 -20 June
- Week of prayer for the church 22nd to 29th June
- Please pray for the preparations for the holiday club and kids work.
- Our worship needs to continue to develop – pray for more musicians to join and offer their gifts.
- For ongoing energy and vision for us.
- Pray for the release of more workers and for new staff to come and help. We are in contact with a number of agencies and there is some interest. We particularly need to find a replacement for John Cooper and especially the part of his work which administers our Karen ministry.
Pete and Ineke