November 2024 Prayer Letter

Written by: Karl Dahlfred on 29 October 2024.

DOWNLOAD PDF - NOVEMBER 2024 DAHLFREDS PRAYER LETTER

Dear Family and Friends,

This October was the mid-term break at Chiang Mai Theological Seminary and I was looking forward to some down time after a very busy first semester. But by God’s providence, October did not turn out as expected.

Chiang Mai Floods

As some of you might have seen in the news, there were multiple rounds of flooding in northern Thailand in September and October. Chiang Mai flooded twice. The second time was worse than the first, and the waters were higher than they had been for decades. Most of the flooding was in eastern Chiang Mai in the area along the Ping River but we live in the southwest, so our house was spared. But we know many people who were impacted. Some areas received more than a meter of water in buildings.

We wanted to take a break in October but with the floods, we felt compelled to do something. The international church we attend on Sunday evenings prepared and distributed boxes of food (with gospel tracts) in flooded out areas. We help with this on a handful of occasions. I almost stalled out the church van in a flooded street and our kids enjoyed riding in the back of a pickup truck passing out food to people. It was a lot of work, but it was great to be able to provide relief to flood victims in some way. As the waters went down, I (Karl) joined up with cleaning teams from our Thai church as we sprayed and scrubbed flooded houses of church members. When the water goes down, a layer of nasty, sticky, brown sludge is left behind. Thankfully most Thai houses have tile floors and concrete brick walls so, unlike many American homes, there were no carpet and drywall to rip out. All the same, lots of people lost a lot of possessions. After the water went down, there were huge piles of destroyed furniture, bedding, trash, etc. all along the roadside in previously flooded areas. It looked like a war zone.

For our whole family, it was a good experience to get out and help our Chiang Mai neighbors of various faiths in practical ways, showing the love of Christ. I think it was good for our kids see the value of loving others, not just in word, but also in deed.

flood food distribution Nov2024 3

flood food box Nov2024 2

flood cleanup Nov2024 7

flood cleanup Nov2024 9

flood rubbish pile Nov2024 8 1000px

English Learning Through Bible Storying

In August and September, Sun and I led a weekly class to help people learn English through oral bible story telling. Our attendees included a couple of Thai staff from the seminary, but most participants were from a large neighboring country. Everyone was really engaged and enjoyed learning, both English and Bible. In November, we will start another 6-week course covering more Bible stories. The class is designed for both evangelism and discipleship in a semi-informal atmosphere. Please pray for this upcoming class, and especially for Sun as she does much of the Bible story telling, English teaching, and admin, in addition to homeschooling our younger two kids.

storying Sun teach Nov2024 6

The Marks of True Revival

I want to share with you a brief story about the way in which teaching at the seminary makes a difference in the life and ministry of students. This past term, I taught a Church History Survey course at CTS. As part of our study of the First and Second Great Awakenings in America, I introduced students to the main arguments from Jonathan Edwards’ book The Distinguishing Marks of the Work of the Spirit of God. Edwards was involved in genuine revival, but some questioned the revival. Therefore, Edwards wrote 1) a list of factors that neither prove nor disprove that a revival is genuine, and 2) a list of factors that are sure evidence that the Spirit of God is moving. Irrelevant factors include bodily manifestations, controversy, stirring up of imaginations and emotions, and strange actions. Factors that indicate genuine revival include exalting Jesus, the interests of Satan’s kingdom are opposed, greater interest in the Bible, repentance, reconciliation, and a desire for truth.

I wanted to make sure my students understood the wisdom borne from Edwards experience of revival because lots of Thai Christians want to see revival in Thailand, and sometimes there are claims of revival. During the oral interview component of the final exam for the course, I ask students, “What did you find most helpful during this course? Why?” I was particularly struck by the answer of one student who cited Edwards’ marks of true revival. He explained, “I come from a Pentecostal church and a lot of Edwards’ irrelevant factors happen in our worship. So, I found it really helpful to know what are the true signs of God working, and bringing revival.” I was really encouraged to hear this because it gave me hope that as this student enters into full-time ministry, he will have a better grasp on how to lead people to seek a genuine move of God among them, and not focus on the unusual, the miraculous, or the emotional. Thai churches are growing, and it is really important that they grow in a healthy Christ-centered, Bible-driven direction. Pray with me for the students at Chiang Mai Theological Seminary, that they will grow into Biblically anchored humble servants of God that will lead Thai churches and care for God’s people with faithfulness.

Thank you for praying with us, for us, and for the Thai church. The second semester at Chiang Mai Theological Seminary starts in November, and church events for Christmas will ramp up in December. Pray for endurance, faithfulness, joy, and wisdom in balancing many demands on our time and energy as we head into the end of the year.

by Christ's grace,

Karl & Sun Dahlfred

PRAYER POINTS

English learning Bible Stories course held at CTS
Pray for spiritual growth and Biblical faithfulness for Thai seminary students
Endurance, faithfulness, joy, and wisdom in balancing many demands on our time and energy as we head into the end of the year
Budget shortfall of 10-20% monthly