What we are doing: literature distribution
Well, all my google instructions are appearing in Japanese on this computer. so I'm hoping I post this using gueswork on the buttons.
Much of our work here has been handing out booklets and video cds with members of the local church. This does several worthwhile things: it sets a precedent of outreach for the local believers and helps them make connections and advertize their church, and it puts material containig the good news of the gospel in a lot of people's hands.
A word on what we are handing out: in my history, the closest thing related to this is handing out tracts, something I've never cared for for several reasons, first it seems like a way to weasel out of actually talking to people (something I admit I am often tempted to do), and the tracts themselves I have seen are often shallow and crass. They focus on getting to Heaven and avoiding hell, sometimes using second rate comic book images to bluntly make their case. They rarely include what to me is the essence of the gospel- abundant life (John 10:10)- life involved in God's transforming mission in the world; working for justice and peace and holiness and goodness to bring about God's kingdom on earth (thy Kingdom come, thy will be done).
Yet here, what we are handing out to people is better. It is books and video cd's full of testimonies of well known Thai people (cultural and political figures) who know Jesus telling what difference knowing God has made in thier lives. It is completely Thai and so completely culturally relevant, it is relational, focused on knowing Jesus, and it is focused on what difference knowing him makes here and now, not just after death. I'd be happy to read something like this and I'm happy to give it to others to read. We offer them and say "Pome high kuhn. Dee Mok!" or I'd like to give you this, it's good!"
Unlike the tracts I grew up with, people seem to enjoy getting these. Walking up the street or through the market afterwards we see people holding on to them and many people reading them. Very few are thrown away. It's good. Each has contact info for the church here.
PLEASE PRAY that the hundreds of people we are giving these to will read and consider the worth of life with Jesus. That this introduction to knowing him will spark interest, curiosity, and desire, and that the holy spirit will draw Thais to himself through this outreach, and that he will encourage the Thai believers to continue the habit of this kind of outreach.
Thanks.
We are tired from the walking and the heat, pray for our stamina.
Thanks,
Craig
Much of our work here has been handing out booklets and video cds with members of the local church. This does several worthwhile things: it sets a precedent of outreach for the local believers and helps them make connections and advertize their church, and it puts material containig the good news of the gospel in a lot of people's hands.
A word on what we are handing out: in my history, the closest thing related to this is handing out tracts, something I've never cared for for several reasons, first it seems like a way to weasel out of actually talking to people (something I admit I am often tempted to do), and the tracts themselves I have seen are often shallow and crass. They focus on getting to Heaven and avoiding hell, sometimes using second rate comic book images to bluntly make their case. They rarely include what to me is the essence of the gospel- abundant life (John 10:10)- life involved in God's transforming mission in the world; working for justice and peace and holiness and goodness to bring about God's kingdom on earth (thy Kingdom come, thy will be done).
Yet here, what we are handing out to people is better. It is books and video cd's full of testimonies of well known Thai people (cultural and political figures) who know Jesus telling what difference knowing God has made in thier lives. It is completely Thai and so completely culturally relevant, it is relational, focused on knowing Jesus, and it is focused on what difference knowing him makes here and now, not just after death. I'd be happy to read something like this and I'm happy to give it to others to read. We offer them and say "Pome high kuhn. Dee Mok!" or I'd like to give you this, it's good!"
Unlike the tracts I grew up with, people seem to enjoy getting these. Walking up the street or through the market afterwards we see people holding on to them and many people reading them. Very few are thrown away. It's good. Each has contact info for the church here.
PLEASE PRAY that the hundreds of people we are giving these to will read and consider the worth of life with Jesus. That this introduction to knowing him will spark interest, curiosity, and desire, and that the holy spirit will draw Thais to himself through this outreach, and that he will encourage the Thai believers to continue the habit of this kind of outreach.
Thanks.
We are tired from the walking and the heat, pray for our stamina.
Thanks,
Craig
posted by Craig at
6:04 PM
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