BGEA television producer Larissa Miller blogs from Thailand as My Hope broadcasts the Gospel message to this nation of 60 million.
More than 40,000 Christians representing over 1,900 churches across Thailand are experiencing My Hope in homes, churches, schools and various venues all over Thailand December 17-19.
During these meetings, hosts called Matthews show evangelistic programs, then share their personal testimonies. The programs include sermons from Franklin and Billy Graham dubbed into the Thai language, as well as testimonies and songs from Thai Christians.
Please pray for the meeting hosts and those in Thailand who are hearing the Gospel for the first time.
BGEA television producer Larissa Miller brings us along on her journey through Thailand as the country prepares for this eternally significant event.
Day 10, 8:19 p.m. – Have I mentioned yet that it’s been HOT over here? It’s been in the 90’s all week. I’m just now getting used to the summer weather and I’ve heard it’s snowing and icy back home. Hope I don’t freeze on my way from the airport to my house! Well, after 20 more hours in a plane, 2 layovers and a bunch of jet lag, I’ll be home just in time for Christmas!
PS: Please keep Thailand in your thoughts and prayers! The My Hope follow-up and discipleship will now begin!!!!
Day 9, 2:45p.m. – I just got to experience a Thai church service for the first time! They started out by singing “How Great Thou Art” in Thai of course. It was their Christmas service so they also sang a bunch of familiar Christmas tunes. After church, we did follow-up interviews with five of our new Thai friends. Now I’m packing so that we can check out of this hotel and head back to Bangkok. Our flight doesn’t leave until 8:30 p.m. so we’ll have to find something to do in the mean time…hmmmm … the pool is looking pretty good! I think we are all exhausted!!
Day 8, 9 p.m. – We got to hang out with our new friend Anothai again today. We were doing a story on her friends who own an Internet Café here in Phisanulok. We didn’t realize that she’d be helping them out; what a great surprise. The couple that we were following, Noon and Sambat, held a My Hope event at their Café. We know of three people who prayed to accept Christ, but there were probably more. It’s amazing to see first hand what God is doing through this ministry!! People’s lives are truly being changed and we are so blessed to be witnessing it. I’m starting to wonder why we don’t do My Hope in the States?
Day 7, 8 a.m. – Yesterday we did a story on a farming couple, Nute and Pon. They were amazing to work with and are on fire to spread the Gospel. When the invitation at their event was given, 11 people raised their hands to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. After Nute and Pon’s meeting we drove back to Phisanulok. We didn’t get back until 11 p.m. It was a LONG day but well worth it! Today we’ll be following a Captain in the military as he opens his home to share the My Hope program. Better run. Another 14-hour day awaits!
Day 5, 7:30 a.m. –We have a busy day ahead…we’re driving to Phetchabun which is about a 2-hour drive from Phisanulok. We’ll be meeting more “Matthew Hosts” there. I think we’re going to find a hotel there for the night. We probably won’t have any cell phone reception or Internet. Should be a fun challenge for me, I hope=) I may not be able to blog for a few days but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of fun stories to tell when I get back.
Day 4, 8:45 p.m. – Earlier today we went around Phisanulok shooting some B-roll. Basically, B-roll is footage that we can edit in to help tell our stories. The A-roll would be the interviews. After that, we met with Anothai again to interview her at work and then at her house. Things went very well except when I was bitten by a bunch of fire ants! It felt like I was getting stung by 20 bees, Ouch! Anothai’s sweet Grandmother put some ointment on them.
Day 3, 7:30 p.m. – It was a long day but we were able to capture a great story!! Anothai is such a sweetheart and has such a passion to spread the Gospel. The school is about an hour away from Phisanulok in a village called, Bang-ra-kum. It’s a poor school but has an amazing principle. He asked us to pray for the school as they need many different resources for the children. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Day 3, 7 a.m. – Wow! So much has happened since we landed in Phisanulok. Last night when we arrived we met with Pastor Samerjai to discuss different story possibilities. He told us about a young youth leader, Anothai, who is planning to take a DVD with the My Hope program on it to a public school in the morning. In addition, he set up some meetings for us with some other local “Matthew Hosts” (people who open their homes to show the My Hope program to their unsaved friends and family). Today we’ll be following Anothai, also known as Dtuei, as she takes the DVD to the school. After that we’ll meet with the three different “Matthew Hosts.” Please keep us in your prayers!
P.S. – I only got 4 hours of sleep last night…yikes!
Day 2, 4 p.m. – Bangkok to Phitsanulok. My crew and I are now headed back the airport so that we can travel to our main location, Phitsanulok. We’ll also be meeting Natalie (our translator) there so she can journey with us. It’ll be awesome to have her around. We’re here to see a first-hand view of this week’s My Hope telecast for an upcoming BGEA TV program. We’ll be going to Phitsanulok and Phetchabun to meet with various “Matthew Homes” – an important component of My Hope. We’ll then plan to do a feature with three different people during the broadcast events later in the week. I’m soooo ready to get on the ground there and get this party started!!
Earlier I went on a Bangkok expedition and snapped a few pictures along the way.
Day 2, 1 p.m. – I had a very interesting lunch experience. Both TV crews decided to eat together and needless to say we are all American. I’m still not exactly sure what I ate…hmmmm. Angie, our videographer, had an odd dish as well….wish our interpreter had been there. I think my stomach does, too!
Day 2, 9 a.m. – The people here in Bangkok are delightful. The 2nd TV crew will be stationed here all week. I was able to join their meeting this morning at breakfast. While I was eating my delicious fried rice and eggs, I met a couple that will be hosting a showing of our My Hope TV program. They were both so nice to meet and I know that God is using them to reach their friends and family, and the many other Thai people who will be attending their meeting. They are holding their event at a local coffee shop on December 17th. Please keep them in your prayers!
Day 1 (1:46 a.m. local time, 1.46 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 12) – Charlotte to Bangkok. Well, after more than 20 hours in the air, two layovers, and a 12-hour time difference, we’re finally in Thailand! I’m not sure what time my body thinks it is but I’m so excited to be here! I haven’t been able to see much yet but on the drive from the airport to the hotel I noticed that the billboards are HUGE! I want to completely experience the city of Bangkok before my crew takes off for Phitsanulok tomorrow evening. It’s 1:46 a.m. so I’ll have to tame my excitement for now and try and catch some zzzzzz. I’m off to bed, I hope.
Read more about the launch of My Hope Thailand here.
Learn more about the global reach of My Hope Through World Evangelism here.
