Cook, Peter and Ineke, Thailand
Cook main pagePrayer letter April 2007
Dear friends
We have been here now for just over 4 months at Christ Church….. and we run on…
It is such a blessing to have John Cooper (who heads up outreach ministries, like the Karen Border work
and Noh Bo Academy as well as Bangkok outreach work, like the Orphanage (If you want to read more on this work please visit their UK website and read some amazing stories
www.desper8.co.uk/4life/frame1.htm He also works closely with Peter, with helpful information and backgrounds which are so helpful to the work here. John has 1 more year left before retiring. He needs to be passing on his knowledge and needs replacing before he goes.
GROUPS
Ross and Sonia are a God-send. They co-ordinate the small groups and Alpha, and Peter is now working with them to set up Pastoral teams. They do a job share, which makes continuity a little difficult, but possible. They hope to be with us whilst Ross explores the possibility of Ordained Ministry, so Pete has a mentoring role with him, too.
KINGDOM
As a church, we have just finished “40 days of purpose” by Rick Warren, and many people have joined fellowship groups because of it. Peter preached, linking the book and Bible with the message the Church needed to hear for today. God is doing much! Alpha finished last week and as a result seven people were baptised (two Malaysians, one Thai, one Vietnamese, one Burmese Karen, one Nepalian and one English)! We are now preparing for Confirmation on 29 April with Archbishop John Chew.
EXPERIENCE
We have some wonderful people stay with us for R&R, including all five Crosslinks mission partners from nearby at various times. Peter’s parents came to stay for three weeks, which was no mean feat, as they had not flown for over 30 years. I think it was a brilliant experience for them, especially to meet and see first hand what we do here. Dan, our eldest son, has just returned yesterday after a two week break with us here. We had a couple of days in Kanchanaburi (River Kwai) with him. The time flew by so quickly. But we are looking forward to seeing all three of our sons, family and friends in July, when we go back to the UK for our holiday.
HEALTH
As far as our health issues, Peter is suffering from kidney stones, which seem to travel at the most inconvenient of times, rendering him to being violently sick from the pain and absolute agony. He has passed one stone, and has one more to go. The pain seems to strike at vital times of his ministry, like when we were at the Burmese border uncovering some shady dealings (more of that another time), just before the AGM and Baptism service, and in between services where the subject was the Great Command and commissioning of Jesus’ disciples! The doctors are keeping a close eye on him. He is drinking more water too!
POINTS OF PRAISE:
- That we are still here, despite…
- That the Lord is doing a new thing here in Bangkok, and that we have the privilege of being part of that.
- That we have some wonderful people in the church, who are behind us, as the Lord leads us forward.
- That the Lord is so faithful to us and our family
- That He has found a way for us to go to New Wine, despite it being full
- That we have a good PCC and Wardens elected
POINTS OF PRAYER:
- That we would continue to know His calling for us here…
- John’s replacement to be found and trained in time for his retirement
- An associate minister to come and share the work (Pete works too hard!)
- For clergy cover while we are in the UK (for at least one week).
- For last stone to leave Pete’s kidney!
- For a car to use while we are in the UK, so we can visit friends and New Wine
- For Ineke as she is looking into heading up the Welcome Ministry of the Church
With love from us both,
Peter and Ineke
Our contact person in the UK is:
Gillian Hobbs
Email Gillian.hobbs(at)btinternet.com
Phone 01206 854981