Christmas 2011

This past December finished with a whirlwind of activity. The students did outreaches in the Pattaya Praise which is every year at the end of November. Pattaya is the Las Vegas of Thailand. The students participated in performing live music and local outreach in the shopping areas. Also in the week leading up to Christmas we did an outreach in the city of Bangkok by participating in music in one of the largest malls in Bangkok. I think the students really liked the attention as the locals watched them perform in music and drama. The students also visited the local hospital with gifts for the children. We also went back to Pattaya and cleaned the jail. We have been cleaning the jail over the past three years and it is a way to be a witness to the local community that we care about those who are in jail over the holiday season. Jesus said in Matthew 25:36, "Naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." It is our goal at VBCI to teach the students numerous life lessons that they will carry with them into their future.

"A Verse A Day Volume II"

We have just completed publishing Pastor Tim Davidsons new book "A Verse A Day Volume II" Right now we are using Pastor Tim's book "A Verse A Day Volume I" and right now here in Thailand two other Bible schools are using this same book. Pastor Rich Conte a Pastor in the Philippines is so excited to use this new book as he told me that Volume I was one of his best equipping tools. We are trusting that Volume II of A Verse A Day will also be a blessing all over Asia. Thank you Pastor Tim Davidson and Word Of Faith Church in Bismarck!

Burma (Myanmar)

At the end of October I went to Burma on a Visa run and I had the opportunity minister for Pastor Daved and Nancy Baikkung. Pastor David took me out to Mobi which is quite a few miles from Yangon (Rangoon). He has a Bible School and also a local church there and I was blessed to see how well they are doing under such difficult circumstances. I plan to return to Burma sometime near the end of January or the middle of February. Burma is going through some changes right now and I fully expect the country to be opening up more to many future opportunites.

Sound Doctrine

This past October I ministered on the subject of Doctrine. For me that was my first time teaching on this subject. The challege of course is to keep it from being dull and boring. I believe we miss the importance of sound doctrine is for our lives. Paul said in Ephesians that we are not to be carried away by every wind of doctrine. Doctrines are like pillars in a building and for us they are pillars in the church. I can say that I enjoyed teaching the subject and I believe I was able to bring life to the students. On weekends I have the students leading life groups so for much of the year the outlines for the students will have something to do with foundational truths.

Jeremiah's Birthday

Last week we celebrated Jeremiah's birthday. Wow...one year already. He is so cool. It is hard to believe that I lived so long without a child. He is alot of work and alot of fun! It was fun watching him try to blow out a candle. We showed him the best we could on how to blow a candle out. All I can really say is that it has been a wonderful first year with Jeremiah and Elizabeth!

Thank You Supporters

I want to thank all of you that have been supporting me and my wife thru prayer and finances. Without you it would not be possible to be the Dean of this Bible School. Also when you help me you are also helping the students that me and my wife are supporting here at VBCI. By joining with me you are also helping four Burmese students pictured here (Ruthie, Sarah, Samuel and Solomon). I fully expect that they will impact the area of ministry or market place that God places them in the future. The support they are recieving right now will impact them for the rest of their lives. Thank you much.

A New Move And A New School Year

This past summer went by very quickly for quickly for me and my family. I went home this for the month of May and many of you already know that my older brother Butch passed away suddenly from a heart attack while I was home. Butch is missed by all of us very much and he holds a special place in all of our hearts.

Upon my return in June the family moved to a much bigger house and we are very grateful for this house. We signed a lease at very good price! The home provides us the much needed space that was needed by all of us. During the month of August I went up to northern Thailand to minister with a former student and also at a Bible School. The trip up north opened up the way for future ministry for the students this coming school year.

Now for the school year. We have students from seven different Asian countries and one from England. We have a great set of students. They all seem to have so many talents and are eager to learn. I know that one of the things they are learning is to tap into prayer. I think some new students were a little surprised at the aggressive prayer that we have. From the very first day of school we get the students involved in devotions, prayer and chapel. So many of our students this year have musical talents so chapel worship has been better than the past couple of years and we have only had one month of school. I can only imagine how good they will be by the end of the year.