Dear Friend,
Greetings to you from Chiang Rai, North Thailand. I hope and believe that you are enjoying your days/life in the presence of the Lord.
I’m fine and having a blessed time in Chiang Rai. I’m attending a Discipleship Training School in Chiang Rai, right now. The weather is cold and very pleasant in Chiang Rai. So far everything is going well except I'm not getting enough sleep haha. Ten of us, men, are sharing a big room. Things are not always the way we expected it to be but the Lord is good and helping us to respect and learn from each other.
DTS is an exciting 6 months program. It is an international bi-lingual program and about 34 students from 10 different countries are attending the program. Coming from different backgrounds and cultures make it difficult for us to adjust with one another for about two weeks. But the Lord is knitting us together as a family. We are beginning to love each other, enjoying each other and having fun together. The Lord is leading and guiding us to learn more about Him from each other.
The schedule is tight and demanding. Our daily events starts at 6 AM and ends at 9 PM. It is tough and tiring, but we are all persevering to finish the race because DTS is preparing us for evangelism and missions, giving us the opportunity to hunger for more of Jesus and for each of us to experience His healing hand upon our lives. Our DTS theme is “Run With Perseverance” based on Philippians 3:7-14. I’ve felt the Lord urging me to be deliberate in seeking Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength because It is so easy to get distracted and to be chasing after things that are appealing to me, but is this really what God has called me to? Many times His call upon my life requires me to press in, to persevere, to run the race and not to give up. With this thought of perseverance in my mind, I’m surrendering my life daily to the Lord to learn more about Him, because I want to know more about Him to make Him known better to others.
We are getting different teachings on particular topics every week. Last week we learned about sin and repentance. It was a great week for most of us because many of us broke down and repented of our secret sins and re-committed our lives to God. This week we are learning about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. God is teaching me many new things and I’m getting excited.
We’ve just finished our first month of DTS and this week we are praying and preparing ourselves for the first outreach. We are divided into five groups and we will be heading to different villages on the mountains, north Thailand, next week to do different ministries.
1. Journey to Chiang Rai: I started my journey on 17 January 2007 by taking a flight to Chiang Mai. I stayed in Chiang Mai two nights (17 & 18) with a Naga Missionary family. On 19 January morning I took a bus and went to see the works of this Naga missionary in Pua, Nan. I visited a student home run by this family and shared my testimony with the children. I spent one night with the family in Pua, Nan. The next morning (20th January) I took a bus from Nan and reach Chiang Rai at 2 PM. The journey was long but I enjoyed it because it is like traveling on the mountain back home in Nagaland. The mountains look very much like Nagaland, India.
2. Our DTS started on 21 January 2007 and it will go on till 22 July 2007. Some of the things we have done so far are: The first week we had our orientation, second week we were taught how to listen to the voice of God and intercede, third week we learned about the Nature and Character of God, Fourth week we learned about sin and repentance, this week we are learning about the Ministry of the Holy Spirit.
3. Friday ministry: Every Friday night we go out to different location in Chiang Rai and do ministries. I’m into Campus ministries, so we go to the university campus and make friends with the students. Once we make friends with them we invite them to a coffee shop run by YWAM, play games, share testimony, Bible study, and eat. One student gave his life to Jesus last Friday night.
4. Outreach: From 26 February – 9 March we are going to different villages on the mountains in Chiang Rai to carry out our first outreach. The students are divided into 5 groups. There are 10 people in my group from 5 different countries. My group will be ministering in one of the Mawi village for the first week and to another village in the second week.
5. Second outreach is from April 16-27 April 2007. We don’t know which place we will go during this time. We are asked to pray and ask God to give a place where we can go and share the gospel.
6. Our major outreach starts from June 11-July 13. Our team will be going down to south of Thailand to help a community and share the gospel to them.
Thanksgiving
1. For His monthly provision.
2. For His unfailing love.
3. For family members, church members, friends, and supporters, for their faithful help & support.
4. For the things I’ve been learning at DTS.
Prayer Request:
1. Pray for my health. I’m coughing and having sore throat for the last four days.
2. Pray that God will humble my heart to learn more from Him and serve Him better.
3. Pray that God will use my friends and me to minister to the Hill tribe people in north Thailand during our first outreach.
4. Pray for God’s protection over my life.
Thank you so much For supporting and keeping me In your prayer. May God bless you.
InHim, Nico Nagi
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Peter T. Kent with the Karen People in Maela Refugee camp
(Visit my blog www.petertkentmissiodei.blogspot.com)
Since July 2005, I have been with the Karen people in the Kawthoolie Karen Baptist Bilbe School and College in Maela refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. They are one of the major ethnic 
groups of people who have been facing intense and active genocidal persecutions from the Burmese junta for around five decades.
This camp is one of the seven major camps along the border inside Thailand. There are around 55,000 refugees here in the camp alone. They are confined in the camp and hardly have the oppurtunity to earn their living--though some do small scale business.
These displaced people (refugees) are supported by many NGOs. They get their daily rations in terms of rice, charcoal for fuel, cooking oil, fish paste, and bamboos and leaves for houses. Besides these supports, they are also supported in terms of education--schools and the stationaries for school; health clinics; vocational schools; computer education; engineering college, and bible schools.
For many of them, their whole lives circle in and around the camp. Decades of years have gone by with the hope to return to their homeland but no sign of political improvement inside Burma, rather a continous displacement of people in huge scale from inside their homeland. Many people who cannot make it to the camps have to opt to stay in the forest in groups and have to be "On the Run" (a documentary on the Internally Displaced People inside Burma) relying on their physiological abilities to digest and assimilate anything they eat for their food as the means for survival.
The UN has been helping these people by working hand in hand with many organizations. One way of giving them a better chance, besides the camps,for their future is to send them to the third countries which are willing to accept them. Many have been sent to the States, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Australia.
groups of people who have been facing intense and active genocidal persecutions from the Burmese junta for around five decades.This camp is one of the seven major camps along the border inside Thailand. There are around 55,000 refugees here in the camp alone. They are confined in the camp and hardly have the oppurtunity to earn their living--though some do small scale business.
These displaced people (refugees) are supported by many NGOs. They get their daily rations in terms of rice, charcoal for fuel, cooking oil, fish paste, and bamboos and leaves for houses. Besides these supports, they are also supported in terms of education--schools and the stationaries for school; health clinics; vocational schools; computer education; engineering college, and bible schools.
For many of them, their whole lives circle in and around the camp. Decades of years have gone by with the hope to return to their homeland but no sign of political improvement inside Burma, rather a continous displacement of people in huge scale from inside their homeland. Many people who cannot make it to the camps have to opt to stay in the forest in groups and have to be "On the Run" (a documentary on the Internally Displaced People inside Burma) relying on their physiological abilities to digest and assimilate anything they eat for their food as the means for survival.
The UN has been helping these people by working hand in hand with many organizations. One way of giving them a better chance, besides the camps,for their future is to send them to the third countries which are willing to accept them. Many have been sent to the States, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and Australia.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Dear Friends
Greetings and trust you are doing well. I have a good news! Last December Kenesa (alumnus, 1996)donated Rs. 1000 for the OTSAF. Thank you so much for this gift. May God bless you, Ken. Kenesa, by the way, is married to Jim Hinen and now resides in the US.
Another information that I thought you guys should know is about the proposed OTSAF general gathering in March, 2007. As of now the build up to this gathering is not very positive. But very soon I will give the concrete information about whether we will be able to have this meeting.
I will sign off here. Blessings to you.
Sashi
OTSAF Co-ordinator, Dimapur
Another information that I thought you guys should know is about the proposed OTSAF general gathering in March, 2007. As of now the build up to this gathering is not very positive. But very soon I will give the concrete information about whether we will be able to have this meeting.
I will sign off here. Blessings to you.
Sashi
OTSAF Co-ordinator, Dimapur
Asinlo Khing - Ordination
Dear friends in Christ,
I and my family would like to share this big task
entrusted to us for God's ministry. I will be getting ordained
on 11th of Februarye 2007 through the Rengma Baptist
Churches Council at new Town church, Tseminyu,
Nagaland. On the one hand, it is a joy to be affirmed by our
people for God's ministry, but on the other hand it is also
scary to shoulder such a huge life time responsibility
for God's ministry. We need your constant prayer for our lives and ministry. Please remember us in your prayers.
Partners in Christ,
Asinlo and Amen
Note: Asinlo and Amen with their two toddlers are based in Siliguri, WB. Both of them are first batch graduates from OTS.
I and my family would like to share this big task
entrusted to us for God's ministry. I will be getting ordained
on 11th of Februarye 2007 through the Rengma Baptist
Churches Council at new Town church, Tseminyu,
Nagaland. On the one hand, it is a joy to be affirmed by our
people for God's ministry, but on the other hand it is also
scary to shoulder such a huge life time responsibility
for God's ministry. We need your constant prayer for our lives and ministry. Please remember us in your prayers.
Partners in Christ,
Asinlo and Amen
Note: Asinlo and Amen with their two toddlers are based in Siliguri, WB. Both of them are first batch graduates from OTS.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Blogsite for OTS Alumni
Greetings from OTS!
Trust you have had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. May you continue to cherish the peace of Jesus Christ as you look forward to the year 2007.
I also want to inform you all that James Longkumer has come up with an internet blog for the OTSAF. Thank you for your wholehearted contribution. This is what James had to say concerning this blog site:
“just created a blog site for OTS Alumni. I think this is much better than a website because it is accessible to everyone easily and at the same time one can also make comments and give feedbacks instantly. We can also upload photos too! Moreover, it is easier than maintaining a website and at no cost! Check this out: www.otsalumni.blogspot.com.”
Rush to this blog site and update about yourself! Don’t hesitate to write anything and everything which you think is fun, informative, and necessary.
Let’s try to enjoy this gift. Thank you James once again. Indeed this will make OSTAF world more connected and compact.
M. Sashi Jamir
Coordinator, Dimapur.
Trust you have had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. May you continue to cherish the peace of Jesus Christ as you look forward to the year 2007.
I also want to inform you all that James Longkumer has come up with an internet blog for the OTSAF. Thank you for your wholehearted contribution. This is what James had to say concerning this blog site:
“just created a blog site for OTS Alumni. I think this is much better than a website because it is accessible to everyone easily and at the same time one can also make comments and give feedbacks instantly. We can also upload photos too! Moreover, it is easier than maintaining a website and at no cost! Check this out: www.otsalumni.blogspot.com.”
Rush to this blog site and update about yourself! Don’t hesitate to write anything and everything which you think is fun, informative, and necessary.
Let’s try to enjoy this gift. Thank you James once again. Indeed this will make OSTAF world more connected and compact.
M. Sashi Jamir
Coordinator, Dimapur.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Kohima Meeting October 26, 2006
Report on the latest OTSAF meeting held on 28th October, 2006 at Kohima
Dear Alumni Friends,
Warmest greetings to you from OTS! It is indeed a joy to write to you in spite of the incessant business that I have to attain. I am aware that a long winding write-up is usually burdensome to the reader, in fact, some get instantly turned off by it (I suppose, I am not falling into the pit!). Therefore, I will try to stick to the main points.
The meeting was held on 28th October, 2006 at Kohima Ao Baptist Church through the courteous invitation of Tzuwainla (2003; 8th Batch) who is serving as the Youth Director (A big thanks to Aien!). It was such a pleasant day—cool and fresh air permeating us coupled with the excitement to gaze and marvel at the picturesque vista of Kohima from the meeting room! In all there were eleven of us who devotedly attended the meeting.
We first had a short and meaningful fellowship. Imli (class of 1996) led the fellowship and Neiwete (class of 1996) shared, basing on “friendship.” We took time to pray for all the alumni—our ministries and endeavors. After this time of fellowship we entered into the discussion of the agenda. Here are the highlights:
1. We discussed about the structure of OTSAF. The issue of the structure of OTSAF becomes imperative if we want to sustain our alumni fellowship. OTSAF grows in number exponentially every year and unless and until there is some sort of concrete structure it will be difficult to survive as an intentional and meaningful group. Of course, we cannot certainly draw a rigid and overpowering structure. This is because we all have our priorities. It is here that the aims and objectives of OTSAF become significant. Therefore, we discussed that OTSAF has to adopt a minimalist approach towards formulating our aims and objectives. Thus we came to a consensus that OTSAF should exist to provide a common place to meet one another and in the process deepen our friendship, share Jesus’ love with one another, and even enhance our theological and practical knowledge. Apart from this, OTSAF should exist to provide a helping hand to our alma mater in whatever ways we can possibly do whenever the need arises. Having these aims and objectives actually provide OTSAF some noble reasons to have a structure, a meaning to exist. We need that structure to get us together. And therefore, we came up with this basic structure:
First we will have an OTSAF website/internet link and for this we agreed to approach our dear James Longkumer (the first Coordinator) to create one since he has done before and since the networking will be faster and cheaper there in Singapore—we hope you will agree!
Second, we decided to have OTSAF centers in Kohima and Dimapur to carry out information about OTSAF. The centers in Kohima will be Ao Baptist Church (c/o Aien, Youth Director) and Archies’ Shop (c/o Akolo Mero class of 2004); and in Dimapur it will be Hallelujah Book Store (c/o Vizi, manager—class of 2002) and Adelphia (residence of sisterhood network, c/o Ayang, class of 2001).
Third, we agreed to have separate Coordinator and Assistant coordinator in Kohima. As such Thejonye (class of 2004) was selected as the Coordinator and Neno as the Assistant Coordinator for Kohima. It is our understanding that as of now these two centers will try to reach out to the other areas.
Fourth and the final, we decided to select class representatives. They are: Imli (1996), Asen (1997), Azungla Imsong-James (1998), Phomlee (1999), Sashi (2000), Ayang (2001), Titus (2002), Aien (2003), Awalo (2004), Longdapou (2005), and Apise (2006).
2. We discussed on the issue of Timothy Elementary School (TES). Here is a brief account of TES for those who have not yet heard about it. OTS has initiated this school, Timothy Elementary School. It has three classes— preparatory and two nursery classes, basically for children whose age range from 4 to 6. It is just a year and a half old school established to meet the need of the kids of the OTS teachers and staff. As you know OTS is situated away from the city (20 Km away from the nearest city), it is difficult for the parents to ply down their children to the city everyday because of time, money as well as inconvenient transportation. The alternative to this difficulty is that the whole family has to move down to the city and leave the OTS teaching staff in bizarre condition. This is one of the main reasons why TES was started in the first place. However, the need for this sort of primary school goes beyond the OTS’ endeavor. There are hardly any schools around leave alone the issue of choosing schools. OTS as a caring community could not just observe the need of the children inside the village. Therefore, this concern has equally become an important reason for the opening of TES. Last summer both Dr.Wati Aier as well as Dr. Keyho asked whether OTSAF could help TES. Keeping this in mind we brought this issue to the table and decided to focus on the “pledge card” which TES has already printed and circulated. If you get some of those pledge cards, please help this vision venture of OTS by earnestly promoting this school.
3. The last agenda was on the issue of the general gathering of the OTSAF. For almost two years this proposed meeting has been postponed and therefore we discussed about this and decided that we will try to have this “general gathering cum seminar” next year in the month of March during the week days—possibly from Wednesday to Friday. The Coordinators will be working on the schedule and inform you once it is done. We did decide that a sum of Rs.100 will be collected as registration fee. This is everything we discussed.
It will be great to hear your feedbacks. Also, your contribution will definitely strengthen our OTSAF family. Let us continue to pray for one another, for TES project, and for the proposed general gathering in March 2007.
By the way, one of our special members, Akokla (class of 1997) had a heart surgery. She is recuperating and looking forward to work with NMM. OTSAF had the privilege to give Rs. 500 from our fund as a token of our love and solidarity with her in her recovering stage. Let us continue to pray for her.
OTSAF indeed is growing exponentially! Imna (class of 2000) and Aola are parents to a wonderful baby boy, Atensanger; Cho-o (class of 1996) and Anung (class of 1998) had another member added to their family—a beautiful baby daughter, Anelu. Congratulations to both these families.
Well, the report has grown long; however, take time to go through as I have taken time to put this into writing! It is my hope and prayer that our God will continue to bless and keep us wherever we are and whatever we do.
Shalom,
M. Sashi Jamir
Coordinator, Dimapur.
Dear Alumni Friends,
Warmest greetings to you from OTS! It is indeed a joy to write to you in spite of the incessant business that I have to attain. I am aware that a long winding write-up is usually burdensome to the reader, in fact, some get instantly turned off by it (I suppose, I am not falling into the pit!). Therefore, I will try to stick to the main points.
The meeting was held on 28th October, 2006 at Kohima Ao Baptist Church through the courteous invitation of Tzuwainla (2003; 8th Batch) who is serving as the Youth Director (A big thanks to Aien!). It was such a pleasant day—cool and fresh air permeating us coupled with the excitement to gaze and marvel at the picturesque vista of Kohima from the meeting room! In all there were eleven of us who devotedly attended the meeting.
We first had a short and meaningful fellowship. Imli (class of 1996) led the fellowship and Neiwete (class of 1996) shared, basing on “friendship.” We took time to pray for all the alumni—our ministries and endeavors. After this time of fellowship we entered into the discussion of the agenda. Here are the highlights:
1. We discussed about the structure of OTSAF. The issue of the structure of OTSAF becomes imperative if we want to sustain our alumni fellowship. OTSAF grows in number exponentially every year and unless and until there is some sort of concrete structure it will be difficult to survive as an intentional and meaningful group. Of course, we cannot certainly draw a rigid and overpowering structure. This is because we all have our priorities. It is here that the aims and objectives of OTSAF become significant. Therefore, we discussed that OTSAF has to adopt a minimalist approach towards formulating our aims and objectives. Thus we came to a consensus that OTSAF should exist to provide a common place to meet one another and in the process deepen our friendship, share Jesus’ love with one another, and even enhance our theological and practical knowledge. Apart from this, OTSAF should exist to provide a helping hand to our alma mater in whatever ways we can possibly do whenever the need arises. Having these aims and objectives actually provide OTSAF some noble reasons to have a structure, a meaning to exist. We need that structure to get us together. And therefore, we came up with this basic structure:
First we will have an OTSAF website/internet link and for this we agreed to approach our dear James Longkumer (the first Coordinator) to create one since he has done before and since the networking will be faster and cheaper there in Singapore—we hope you will agree!
Second, we decided to have OTSAF centers in Kohima and Dimapur to carry out information about OTSAF. The centers in Kohima will be Ao Baptist Church (c/o Aien, Youth Director) and Archies’ Shop (c/o Akolo Mero class of 2004); and in Dimapur it will be Hallelujah Book Store (c/o Vizi, manager—class of 2002) and Adelphia (residence of sisterhood network, c/o Ayang, class of 2001).
Third, we agreed to have separate Coordinator and Assistant coordinator in Kohima. As such Thejonye (class of 2004) was selected as the Coordinator and Neno as the Assistant Coordinator for Kohima. It is our understanding that as of now these two centers will try to reach out to the other areas.
Fourth and the final, we decided to select class representatives. They are: Imli (1996), Asen (1997), Azungla Imsong-James (1998), Phomlee (1999), Sashi (2000), Ayang (2001), Titus (2002), Aien (2003), Awalo (2004), Longdapou (2005), and Apise (2006).
2. We discussed on the issue of Timothy Elementary School (TES). Here is a brief account of TES for those who have not yet heard about it. OTS has initiated this school, Timothy Elementary School. It has three classes— preparatory and two nursery classes, basically for children whose age range from 4 to 6. It is just a year and a half old school established to meet the need of the kids of the OTS teachers and staff. As you know OTS is situated away from the city (20 Km away from the nearest city), it is difficult for the parents to ply down their children to the city everyday because of time, money as well as inconvenient transportation. The alternative to this difficulty is that the whole family has to move down to the city and leave the OTS teaching staff in bizarre condition. This is one of the main reasons why TES was started in the first place. However, the need for this sort of primary school goes beyond the OTS’ endeavor. There are hardly any schools around leave alone the issue of choosing schools. OTS as a caring community could not just observe the need of the children inside the village. Therefore, this concern has equally become an important reason for the opening of TES. Last summer both Dr.Wati Aier as well as Dr. Keyho asked whether OTSAF could help TES. Keeping this in mind we brought this issue to the table and decided to focus on the “pledge card” which TES has already printed and circulated. If you get some of those pledge cards, please help this vision venture of OTS by earnestly promoting this school.
3. The last agenda was on the issue of the general gathering of the OTSAF. For almost two years this proposed meeting has been postponed and therefore we discussed about this and decided that we will try to have this “general gathering cum seminar” next year in the month of March during the week days—possibly from Wednesday to Friday. The Coordinators will be working on the schedule and inform you once it is done. We did decide that a sum of Rs.100 will be collected as registration fee. This is everything we discussed.
It will be great to hear your feedbacks. Also, your contribution will definitely strengthen our OTSAF family. Let us continue to pray for one another, for TES project, and for the proposed general gathering in March 2007.
By the way, one of our special members, Akokla (class of 1997) had a heart surgery. She is recuperating and looking forward to work with NMM. OTSAF had the privilege to give Rs. 500 from our fund as a token of our love and solidarity with her in her recovering stage. Let us continue to pray for her.
OTSAF indeed is growing exponentially! Imna (class of 2000) and Aola are parents to a wonderful baby boy, Atensanger; Cho-o (class of 1996) and Anung (class of 1998) had another member added to their family—a beautiful baby daughter, Anelu. Congratulations to both these families.
Well, the report has grown long; however, take time to go through as I have taken time to put this into writing! It is my hope and prayer that our God will continue to bless and keep us wherever we are and whatever we do.
Shalom,
M. Sashi Jamir
Coordinator, Dimapur.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)