Prayer Requests for Thailand

 We have some very exciting news. Tomorrow we will be heading to the mountainous province of Omkoi, in northern Thailand, with a group of about 50 on-fire Thai believers to prepare for a huge crusade in this city of 50,000 unbelievers (mostly).  The crusade will be led by Spirit of Revival Ministries, with Ryan and Audrey Aitkins. We’ve known them for years and speak at their Evangelism School every year.  We’ve been with them these last two weeks as they finished up their current school. Everyone is praying and fasting for this coming outreach in Omkoi, many of whom have had visions, dreams, and prophetic words about what amazing things God is going to do – salvations, healings, deliverances like never before.  We would love your prayers too! 

Could you please pray for the following:

1. Our team – spiritual protection, anointing, health…

2. The people in Omkoi – salvations, healing, deliverances

3. The local pastors in Omkoi – we have been given the assignment of training as many as 100 local pastors on how to disciple the new believers from the crusade.  (Many of these pastors will be walking a full day’s journey from even higher mountains above Omkoi, where they mostly have small house churches.) 

                Teaching at the School of Evangelism in Bangkok 

 

Thank you so much!  We’ll be posting on facebook during the crusade (if we have internet).  If not, you’ll see it after the crusade.    

First Harvest School in Cambodia!

We had an incredible time ministering at the very first Harvest Missions School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia! I had the opportunity to dive into topics like culture and language learning, the power of perseverance with 'If you don't stop, you win,' and how to hear God's voice. Lorena inspired everyone with her sessions on children’s ministry, the power of joy, and the story of Lazarus. What an amazing group of passionate missionaries and eager students! Tomorrow, we’re off to Thailand, filled with anticipation for what’s next!

worshipping and enjoying the glorious presence of God

Teaching at a neighborhood discipleship group

   

The Iris Phnom Penh Harvest Mission School Gang

A neighbor enjoys his delicious chicken feet!

The awesome students from 6 nations!

I was blessed to see these new believers healed!

Far left: She was beaten and couldn't walk without great pain.  Jesus took all her pain away and now walks fine. Middle: Filled with stress and anxiety, this lady had neck, shoulder, knee, and leg pain. As God lifted her anxiety and stress, all her body aches and pain disappeared.

We love you Jesus - you are so loving and kind.  What an honor to serve you and see your glory and power poured on all who come to you.

75 Year Old Witch Doctor Finds the Truth!

 

Just one month ago, Rosario, a 75-year-old witch doctor, and his 65-year-old partner, Elena, made a life-changing decision: they chose to give their lives to Jesus after reading our booklet, Truth. This booklet shares the gospel and reveals the truth about a person's value and identity as seen through God's eyes.

 

For their entire lives, Rosario and Elena had served as the community's witch doctors, collecting money and engaging in practices that kept them and their community bound to darkness. But as they discovered the truth of God’s love and forgiveness, their hearts were transformed. With the support of the local pastor, they gathered all their witchcraft paraphernalia and, in a powerful act of faith, burned it all in front of their house.

 

Not only did they embrace their new faith, but they also took the beautiful step of asking to be baptized and married. We are thrilled to report that, this past weekend, they celebrated both milestones, marking a fresh start filled with hope and purpose!

Seminars, Distributions and Conferences our teams conducted in August and September

 

Crossing Continents

 I hope you had a wonderful summer! After we last wrote to you from Nepal, we headed home to Redding, California, but not before stopping in Japan on the way to see our daughter Danielle, Cody, and little Asher!  Ash is growing so quickly, now 19 months old. You might remember we spent 3 months taking care of him last year when he was 6-9 months old, while Danielle started a new job at the Christian International school. Missing family, friends, and home are difficult sacrifices missionaries face, but we are also blessed when opportunities come along where we get to visit and be with you a bit! 

After leaving Redding, we went to an all-expenses paid missions conference in Mexico, then on to Arizona, California, and Washington before flying back to Thailand two weeks ago.  Next week we’ll be ministering at Ryan and Audrey Aitkin’s Evangelism School, attending an international church planting conference in Bangkok with CMC, then flying to Cambodia to speak at the Iris Global Missions Training School. We covet your prayers for what’s coming up, that we may be fruitful and impactful as we minister to all these precious students. 

 

 We have been deeply moved lately by the words in 2 Peter 1:2: "May grace and peace be yours in ABUNDANCE through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." As we come to know Christ more deeply, we are filled with His boundless grace—grace that covers every failure, lifts every burden, and empowers us to live in victory. His peace surpasses all understanding, guards our hearts and minds, and gives us strength and courage to face every trial life may bring. Hallelujah! May we all be filled with his joy and shine as lights in this world of darkness, excited to share the beautiful hope he puts within us!

 

We so appreciate your friendships, support, and prayers.   Please let us know how we can pray for you as well!

 

Lots of Love,

 

Lorena and Brian

Pictures from Australia

Sunset in Alice Springs

Swimming Hole in Alice Springs

Beautiful wild birds in the outback (our frontyard)

The mission school in Alice Springs

Sunday morning worship 

Free lunch after church

Beautiful sunsets every night in the outback!

One of many "gaps" in this beautiful Northern Territory

Aboriginal church members preparing kangaroo tails for everyone - their special delicacy!

Shabbat meal - all church Friday night potluck with communion before our Saturday day of rest. 

These colorful cliffs scrape off into fine dust, forming natural paint colors when added to water. Only aboriginals are allowed to touch these walls.  All others will receive a huge fine if
caught touching them.

Ghost Gum Tree

Brian had the honor of praying with this girl to receive Christ.  
After church she got immediately baptized!

Church kids enjoying the baptismal afterwards.

The mission school gang

Wild Aussie parrots in our frontyard!

Sunday church - growing each week with aboriginals from 5 different tribes living in this town. Many move here to enjoy an education for their children and free medical care.

The Beautiful Outback

Kulap is lifeless and unresponsive due to a stroke… But God!

Among the many lovely gypsies we met, was Kulap.  Kulap almost died five years ago due to a stroke.  She was completely paralyzed and could not even lift her head. Kulap stayed in the hospital for four more months with no improvement.  Finally, the doctors sent her home with a feeding tube and said there was nothing more they could do.  Kulap’s husband recounted, “She was unresponsive, like a vegetable.” 

 

One day Jay came by their house.  He prayed for Kulap as she lay there still and lifeless.  “Suddenly her leg twitched!” her husband exclaimed. Kulap told us she was taken to heaven in a dream while Jay was praying for her.  “It was very beautiful. I saw an angel with big wings. The angel pointed to the side and then I saw a man in white.  He said, ‘I love you and I want to heal you.  You will have evidence of your healing when you can move your little finger.’ He touched me and I felt so loved.  When I woke up, I could move my little finger!” 

 

“This gave me hope!” she exclaimed. A few days later, she pulled the feeding tube out of her throat, believing God for her healing. From that day forward, she ate on her own. Within three months, she was 100% healed! Jay led Kulap to the Lord and now five years later, she is still a faithful believer. 

 

When we sat with Kulap to hear her story, she called her husband over to join us.  Her husband was still an unbeliever, but as he joined in, we could see such joy on his face as he recounted the miraculous healing he personally witnessed in his wife. With puzzlement, we asked, “What is keeping you from following Jesus?” Our conversation continued (too much to explain), the Holy Spirit touched his heart, and he finally gave his life to Jesus. We’re so happy to he has now come into the family!