Kanchanaburi, a province in western Thailand, became world-famous
after the movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai” hit screens
in the 1950’s. The bridge helped to join Thailand and Burma
on what was known as the Death Railway, built by the Imperial Japanese
Army during WWII. This building project was responsible for the
deaths of over 80,000 laborers, 13,000 Allied POW’s and thousands
of Japanese soldiers. A half century later, Youth With A Mission
(YWAM) Thailand has a vision to see a very different bridge built
in the same province. This new bridge would be responsible for bringing
the Gospel of Jesus Christ into western Thailand - saving lives
rather than taking them.
Today Kanchanaburi’s rugged countryside, wild jungles, and
mountain rivers draw thousands of tourists each year. It is home
to some of the most pristine waterfalls and possibly the most beautiful
wildlife sanctuary in Thailand. Although it is a beautiful place,the
approximately 800,000 people of Kanchanaburi are still waiting to
experience the love of the God who created them and their surroundings.
"Return
home and tell how much God has done for you." Luke 8:39
Soon after becoming
a Christian in 1996, Arun Phummarin (far right)- a young Thai man
born in Kanchanaburi - started to dream about the transformation
that Jesus could bring to his home province. Arun and his wife,
Pang (red shirt), have now started a new YWAM Thailand ministry
in western Thailand in March 2003.
They
have already seen God transform the lives of Pang’s parents
through their own faith, and now they believe that God is calling
them to start this new project by bringing the Gospel to Arun’s
family in a small village in Kanchanaburi near the Burmese border.
Pang's parents (At and Noot - pictured on left), who are now growing
into mature Christians, have joined in the adventure as well. Their
excitement to share what God has done for them is inspiring!
YWAM Kanchanaburi
- Initial Goals
- Continue
building relationships with people in the village and sharing
the Gospel with them
- Disciple
the new Christians in our village church
- FurtherÊimprove
ourÊcommunity development project to teach people goat farming;
advise local farmers in areas of goat health andÊnutrition
- Invite short-term
YWAM outreach teams to do cultural exchanges with villagers, and
to teach English in the local military-run elementary school (Approximately
120 short-term YWAM teams visit Thailand each year)
YWAM Kanchanaburi
- Long-term Vision
- See missionaries from the village church flow into neighboring villages
- Grow the
ministryÊfrom the village into the city to reach university students;
expand ministry throughout western Thailand, including provincialÊuniversities
- Support ourselves as well as other missionaries through the farm's income by 2010
- Open a YWAM trainingÊcenter in western Thailand
- Send Thai
missionaries into Burma
YWAM Kanchanaburi
- Initial Needs and Future Dreams
-
 Prayer
for the people of western Thailand and our team of Christian volunteers
-
Monthly support for living expenses (about US$500 per month for
4 people)
- Long term
volunteer(s) to teach English at the local school
- Capital to
invest in the community development project A
- Thai speaking
volunteers to help in areas of evangelism, discipleship and worship
How
to send tax-deductible financial donations
If you would like to financially support YWAM Kanchanaburi,
please send checks payable to “YWAM” (Please do not write
anything else on the check but include a separate note designating
your donation to “Arun and Pang Phummarin”) to YWAM Montana:
YWAM Montana
501 Blacktail Road
Lakeside, Montana
59922 U.S.A.
Prayer Points
- Pray for
God's wisdom as the team develops relationships and programs in
the community
- Pray for
Arun's family to accept Jesus quickly and to develop a solid faith
so they can help bring the Gospel to others in the village. Their
changed lives will be a powerful witness
- Pray that
we develop good relationships with local officials and school
leaders
For more info, please contact:
YWAM Kanchanaburi
Arun & Pang
C/O Box 20
Bangkok 10263
Thailand
E-mail: arunandpang@yahoo.com
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Meet
The Team
Even though 95% of Thais are Buddhist, almost every
home has at least one spirit house...
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