Tham Rai's Story

Here's a real story written by Craig Parro, President of LRI, from this past Nepal TNT training - May, 2009


Tham Rai’s story

An obviously weary man came trudging up the road just after the sun had risen over the mountains. I was walking down the same road, heading to our 1st meeting with a new TNT (Training National Trainers) group in eastern Nepal.

As the man looked up, I greeted him “Jayamasi!”—the traditional greeting among Nepalese believers, meaning “Praise the Lord!” Although he spoke no English, I persuaded him to follow me to the meeting room. He was the last of the 15 men to arrive for the training.

I kept watching him that first day…something was wrong…he kept to himself and seemed disengaged. I actually mentioned it to Alan Ginn, our team member who heads up our Nepal work. “Well, perhaps he has lots on his mind…or he’s just tired.” It turns out, both explanations were right-on.

Tham B. Rai had been traveling for four days…the first two days by bus and the last two days, walking through the mountains. Nepal is plagued by numerous road blocks…it’s the way disgruntled people express their displeasure. It makes travel in the country tortuous. So yes, Tham was tired….dead tired.

But he also had lots on his mind. He’s been pastoring a church for 18 years. During that time he’s started 10 daughter churches. But he was discouraged…really discouraged. The denomination had stopped paying his salary 4 years ago. He had six kids…3 in high school and 3 in college. His wife had a small shop in the village and they both farmed…trying to make ends meet. But they just couldn’t. His church provides some travel funds so he could visit the other churches, but little in the way of salary.

So Tham had reluctantly decided to leave the ministry—to move into town and get a decent job so he could provide for his family. But the decision weighed heavily upon him…he loves the ministry and those untrained pastors who shepherd the daughter churches crave his help and counsel. But what could he do?

Meanwhile, Pastor Steve Brandon brought the opening lesson that morning, preaching from Jonah 1, about the disobedient prophet who refused to follow God’s call. During the break that followed, Tham was outside, sitting by himself, while all of the other TNTers were talking, laughing and enjoying sweet tea together. What was going on?

God’s Word had struck Tham like a sledgehammer! Was he forsaking God’s call? He told me about it the next day over breakfast. As he brushed a cockroach off our table (really!), Tham shared how he saw himself in Jonah. God had convicted him that to quit the ministry would be to disobey the Lord. Tham repented (unlike Jonah!) and told the Lord that he would continue in the ministry.

As Pastor Tham learned more about TNT, he realized that we were going to equip him to be able to train the 10 pastors under his care….to help them become effective teachers and preachers of God’s Word. Hope rose in his heart. He didn’t know then, but he learned later in the week that we were also going to provide a bit of funding to help him do this.

After that precious breakfast, I told our translator: “Men like Tham are the heroes of the faith. The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is built by men like these. I feel so honored to be in the presence of a man like this.”

So that’s why we (myself and the rest of our LRI international teachers) endure the hard travel, the many days away from our families, and the cockroaches. To help mentor men like Tham, so that he might mentor others, to the glory of God. That’s how the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is built.

Thank you for being such a key part of this precious ministry.


( Tham Rai is in the first picture below at the bottom right with the sweater vest)

Nepal TNT training: April-May, 2009

Praise God for the launching of the first TNT Training in Eastern Nepal and our 2nd TNT training in Western Nepal!




Here are testimonies of some of the TNTers:

*Kuber: Organized outreach program to remote mt. places for 69 days...Shared the Gospel with 3,000 people!

*Tanka: Since working as a postor, we have 12 daughter churches to form a Baptist missions organization. I walked 14 hrs. to come to the training (because of the strike)

*Suraj: I was a drug addict since my teen years even though I was a youth leader in the church. My father was a pastor. I was at the top of the "red" list meaning the Moaist will shoot me on sight. My parents fasted and prayed for me. I helped out with the worship music because I felt pity for my hardworking father. God delivered me from drugs & alcoholism and I found a new happiness in my heart. I am now doing ministry in Khawa.

*Amar: I was born into a family background steeped in the practice of witchdoctoring. I lived in fear and tried to commit suicide several times. When I accepted Christ I was rejected by my village. I left home and started a ministry in a different place. About 4 years ago, everyone in my home accepted Christ. Even my father is a pastor now! I am coordinating 13 churches.


Praise God for His work in the people in Nepal! Please keep these families in your prayers!

REJOICING IN GOD'S HANDS!

FEBRUARY-MARCH CREATIVE ACCESS MINISTRIES UPDATE

Our God is an AWESOME GOD! Rejoice with us as we praise Him for His Protective and Powerful hand in all the events of this past trip.
*God's blessing in bringing unity among LRI staff and TNTers thru 4 Training sessions!
*Multiplication and new training centers throughout the country
*Health and protection in "sticky situations"
*Changed lives and strengthening of leaders through the teaching of the Word of God

PRAY for the upcoming ministry to NEPAL - April 15th... that God will allow TNTers and team to travel to the training and that the political strikes would be lifted.

Our Feb.-May 2009 Calendar

As we embark on a new year, we covet your prayers for us and all God has planned!

Please pray for Alan’s speaking and teaching schedule.

Feb. 26-Mar 2 SINGAPORE: Preaching at Leng Kwang Baptist Church –15 hrs ahead

Mar 3 - 7 Creative Access Country
Mar 8-12 TNT
Mar 12-14 Exploratory TNT

Mar 15-18 Pastoral training
Mar 21 Beverly-Missions Conf Women’s breakfast @ Maranatha Bible, San Ramon

April 15-18 NEPAL: Kathmandu, Preach Sat
Apr 19-24 TNT in Western Nepal
Apr 25-May 1 New TNT in Eastern Nepal
May 2-4 Kathmandu, Preach Sat

May 11-13 USA: LRI Staff, Chicago
May 13-15 LRI Staff Workshop on Biblical Exposition
May 16 BEV - River Ridge Neighborhood Ch., Women's luncheon
May 17 Chicago Church, preaching on Sunday
May 23-24 So Calif Church, preaching on Sunday

ACTS in action

God opened new doors on this Creative Access Country's Fall ministry. This is the first time the wives of TNTers have been included in direct ministry! Bev’s presence helped open new insights about the TNTers' need for more pastoral care and support. Prior to Bev’s coming, I was involved in two weeks of training in the Word (around Mark and I John) in two regions. The faces of many were lit up -- as we taught, they caught God’s Word.


NEW DOORS: We met with two separate parties about training opportunities. After they shared, our co-trainer from LRI staff (first time in CAC) said “This is amazing! It’s like the Book of Acts with all these doors of opportunities!” After each meeting, we spent time in prayer, asking God to reveal His plans. In March 2009, we will be exploring working in a new city to begin a TNT training that will impact 40 pastors! In another place, we will be gathering 12-14 key leaders-teachers from eight provincial training centers, which will impact over 100 pastors!

Please partner with us in prayer in regards to these new doors from the Lord. Please beseech God to provide the financial resources to fund these new groups. In a time when others are scaling back and down-sizing because of the economy, we need to be ‘bold’ and ‘carpe diem’ (seize the day!).

Asia trip - Oct.-Nov. 2008

Greetings from the Great Wall! Beautiful clear day, gorgeous views!

The Lord oversaw all the details of this trip! He opened many new doors for LRI-TNT training as well as opportunities to minister to the Body!


Enjoy the pictures!

Sharing at Couples' Fellowship

Terra Cotta Warriors Museum -- fascinating!\

Getting together with Mary!

Thanksgiving Church with Jason Kim

Trike for hire!

Shopping anyone?

Sunday Fellowship

Ken, Paul & Bev enjoying fine dining!

Encouraging couples together!

Visiting Dad Fong's home in Tai Shan Village

FALL SEASON TRAVELS

Our summer wrapped up with our kids participating at the CBM Youth Camps as camper, counselor, workshop teacher and Alan as the final night's speaker!


We had our last summer vacation in the Salinas/Monterey area and enjoyed a fun and restful week!




The Lord blessed the FBC Women's Retreat as Bev spoke on "Transformation". Thanks for praying for her!

We have just returned from a wonderful LRI Staff Retreat in Chicago/Indiana. Meeting other LRI staff members from all over the world was a blessing. God has truly blessed us with the privilege of being part of the LRI Family where the emphasis on good relationships are a key ingredient! :o)


Now we are embarking on a strenuous travel schedule!

• Oct. 12-Nov. 4 Alan will have two TNT training groups in a Creative Access Country (CAC)
  
• Oct. 23 Bev joins Alan in training of TNT pastors and their wives! A First!
• Nov. 16 Alan speaks in Chicago at a Missions Conference
• Nov. 30-Dec. 14 Alan will be in Vietnam and Nepal - TNT training

We covet your prayers for us: safety in travel, health, Spirit's annointing and multiplication and mentoring to take place!

For His Kingdom and glory! Thanks so much!