This summer, First Church celebrates one year since the Kim family was sent to Thailand as First Church missionaries. The Epistle wanted to check in with the family and see how things are going for them.
In what ways has your church community helped strengthen your ability to be on the mission field?
Jenna: The congregation’s kindness and love filled me up with God’s love and truth. As Pastor Doug says, my church community “filled up my gas tank,” so I was ready to love others out of the abundance of agape love I had received. Our First Church family’s cards, emails, and care packages have also encouraged us and given us a sweet glimpse of home. I would not have adjusted to Thailand the way I have without our church community.
Joshua: The church community’s generosity helps me be more generous and kinder to my siblings and kids at school. I learned a lot of Bible verses in Sunday school, and now I can teach others the verses they don’t know that well.
Timothy: They pray for us, and God keeps us safe through their prayers.
What were the biggest surprises this first year?
Jenna: Being welcomed into high school and a new friend group surprised me. Moving to a big city like Bangkok, I was also unsure what to expect, but I was surprised at how busy and industrialized the city is! My classmates wearing long pants and hoodies in the brutal Bangkok heat also surprised me.
Nicole: Before we moved, I feared an international school would be too much for me to keep up with, and we wouldn’t have good friends. It has been amazing to see God answer prayers, and I think we have transitioned well.
Isaiah: The biggest surprise is how easy it was to transition. I thought moving to Thailand would be a slow, painful process, but it has been a grace-filled time. School, although challenging sometimes, has been wonderful. Learning the language has probably been the hardest part. Because it is tonal, you can accidentally communicate something opposite to your original intent if you say something incorrectly.
Joshua: I was surprised at how well we adjusted. I thought it would be very hard, and school would also be hard. But school is really fun!
Timothy: I thought Bangkok would not be as good as it is. It’s better than I thought.
What is your prayer for the country you are serving?
Jenna: I pray that my classmates personally know God and that as they grow, they change Thailand for God’s glory. I pray that God moves in the Thai youth, so their passion leads others to Christ. I pray God is known, proclaimed, and honored in Thailand.
Nicole: I pray that God blesses Thailand and that the Thai people would come to know God as their Savior, especially the kids at our school.
Isaiah: I pray that God helps Thailand. Many people are homeless, beggars, or living on the streets. I pray that Thai people’s eyes miraculously open to see what they are doing wrong and change their hearts.
How have you encountered spiritual warfare?
Su and Christina: We encounter it all the time. There is a large shrine we walk by to and from school that many Thais worship. On a bustling street near our home, you can witness Thais making merit by giving money or offering food to monks. On one trip home from language school, we rode in a taxi playing loud Buddhist prayers. The atmosphere felt different and almost repressive; we both prayed for the Lord’s protection because the stronghold was apparent.
