Here is the most recent news from Joel and Marilyn Khopang serving with North Burma Christian Mission in Thailand!
KHOPANG NEWSLETTER
October 2018
Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings to you all in the wonderful Name of Jesus! We have been lifting all of you up in prayer as we hear of so many troublesome events happening there in the States, like the storms and flooding. We continue to keep you in our hearts and in our prayers that God's protection is over you. Here in Southeast Asia, whether inside or outside the country, or whoever we meet, there is always the opportunity to share the Gospel. There are still so many people who need to hear the Salvation Story and get saved. We thank God for all of you and that we are privileged and blessed to be able to go about our Father's business. After accepting Jesus as their Lord, we still have the responsibility to follow up on teaching them and helping them grow spiritually. We encourage the ones here to attend the short term (3 months) Bible Schools. For other countries, Burma, China or India, we encourage them to get some Biblical education as a foundation at least, and if possible, to continue the 3-4 years study so they can also go out and teach, preach, and evangelize in their own villages, or wherever the Lord may lead them to go. That is why we are working hard to build Bible School facilities in many areas and countries, so that these new believers, as well as other long-time believers will have the opportunity to study the Word of God. Joel was gone to the North country for 3 weeks, so we have much to share with you about these matters this month.
Emmanuel Bible School(North Country)
This school has been in operation for 10 years now. When it first began, it was just a small bamboo makeshift structure that slowly grew as the need arose to accommodate the increase of students. They studied in this bamboo structure for three and a half years, from 2008-2012. The pictures below are the first stages of growth of the Emmanuel Bible School.
Began with classes outside
Classroom with bamboo walls
Music and choir practice outside
Drama and dance classes outside
The second stages of growth of Emmanuel Bible School from 2012-2018, present day. You, our supporters, along with the local and Christian community collected donations to help build this second one-story building.
Students working on the outside and inside of the building
Bible student's classroom with desks! Also used for VBS and Sunday School
All the students take responsibilities to carry their weight by working hard in their studies, but also doing their share of the chores.
Some kill the pig and clean it
Some have cooking duties
Some have wood chopping duties
Others continue working
Thanksgiving Service, Dedication of Emmanuel Bible School's new building and it's 10th year Anniversary. Joel was specially invited to come and attend the combined celebrations of: (1) Twenty years in this village; (2) Emmanuel Bible School 10th year anniversary, plus dedication and opening of the new building; (3) Celebrating New Harvest Thanksgiving Service. He was greatly moved to see the growth, unity, love, and hard-working dedication of all God's children. The amount of people was an amazing sight to behold. The organization and provision was done by all their own donations of food and livestock, with whatever they could give or share. There was preaching, singing by different tribal groups, all day services, programs that continued on into the evening services and programs. This gathering lasted for three days. Joel said it was fantastic and very fulfilling to attend. He was able to say a few words of encouragement, but was careful not to draw attention to himself. Below are some pictures to give you a glimpse of what it was like.
Drama and dance performances
Special choirs and songs by Lisu
Day time attendance
Two meals a day provided
Evening service attendance
More special music performance
The new 3 story building
The teachers of Emmanuel
There are 130 students who have registered for the Emmanuel Bible School, but there is no more room and there is still a waiting list to get in. The 4th floor really needs to be completed so that they can accommodate more students. As we have mentioned in previous newsletters, they still need to complete it. Please continue to pray for them. Because land is so pricey, they need to build UP instead of spread out.
These five men are on call 24/7 as teachers, evangelists, pastors, counselors, advisors, president and dean of students (right). Because they are at the school full time, they have no other job or source of income. Sometimes someone may help out when they visit on an evangelism trip. These men are very dedicated in teaching the Word of God and rely solely on Him to provide for their needs from day to day. They are so worthy of your help and support. We need to spiritually feed these students and help them get established in the Word of God so that they may stand firm in their faith. Please help us help them. May God bless you all.
With sincere thanks,
Joel and Marilyn Khopang
Forwarding Agents:
Jon and Marissa Osterkamp
1117 Emily Court Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Jon: (636) 255-8508
Marissa: (314) 605-9340
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Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
men are on call 24/7 as teachers, evangelists, pastors, counselors, advisors, president and dean of students (right). Because they are at the school full time, they have no other job or source of income. Sometimes someone may help out when they visit on an evangelism trip. These men are very dedicated in teaching the Word of God and rely solely on Him to provide for their needs from day to day. They are so worthy of your help and support. We need to spiritually feed these students and help them get established in the Word of God so that they may stand firm in their faith. Please help us help them. May God bless you all.
