Baptism Testimonies

Madgee and Mangue

They are 13 years old and in the first grade. Have lived at KT for 3 years. Before coming to KT, they lived with their older sister in MaeThaWa. When they were babies, their mother died of a sickness, and their father was killed by bombs. They did not know about Jesus until coming to KT. Madgee and Mangue came to KT because they wanted to get an education and learn western culture. They got baptized because they want to know their Savior. They believe Jesus is the son of God who came to earth, died, and rose again. Now they are saved from sin. They know they have new life in Christ. 

In the future, they hope to be teachers for their people in Karen State. Now that they are baptized, they want to preach God's word to their people. 

TiNuPaw

TiNuPaw is 11 years old in grade 2. She has been at KT for 3 years. 

Before coming to KT, she lived with her mother in a village on the Thai side. After her youngest sister was born, her father left them for another woman. Now that she and her sisters are all at KT, TiNuPaw's mother is working in Bangkok. She is unsure when she will return. TiNuPaw wanted to come to KT to get wisdom. She chose to be baptized because she wants to be saved and know her Savior. She said she came go school and heard the teachers talk about Jesus, then when we worship, and she raised her hands, she felt God touch her heart. TiNuPaw wants to attend Bible college and then be a missionary to Karen people. She wants to help them find salvation. 

TiNuPaw is praying that the rest of her family will be saved and baptized soon too. 

KawPawShee

KawPawShee is 12 years old in grade 3. She has lived at KT for 2 years. 

Before coming to KT, she lived in DoWah with her grandparents. After her younger brother was born, her father left for Burma and her mother for Bangkok. She had not heard of Jesus before coming to KT. 

KawPawShee wanted to come to school because she loves wisdom. She chose to be baptized because she loves Jesus and wants to live with Him in heaven forever. She knows that Jesus died and rose again and now her heart is strong. When she heard the story of her uncle being baptized and saw the pictures, God spoke to her heart and said she too should be baptized. 

In the future, KawPawShee wants to be a missionary in Karen state and tell them about God's word. 

Ay Ay Tway

Ay Ay Tway is 11 years old in grade 4. She has lived at KT for 2 years. 

Before coming to KT, she lived in Mae La with her father and sister. Her mother died of a sickness 5 years ago. Before coming to KT, Ay Tway knew only a little bit about Jesus from a teacher. She came to KT to get wisdom and learn more about Jesus. She chose to be baptized because she wants her sins to be washed away. She knows God made her and she loves Him. 

When she is older, Ay Ay Tway wants to be a soldier in the KNLA. She wants to help her people resettle in their homeland. She prays for her people that they can know Jesus, too. 

What you've missed!

Hello friends,

I'm sorry it has been almost 2 months since my last blog. Since I have last written we have celebrated Christmas, welcomed the New Year, lost students and welcomed new ones. My family has visited and finally been able to see and understand what I love and why I love it!  God has closed some doors but opened others. I'm excited to fill you in on as much as possible-- without this being ridiculously long!

The children excitedly beginning to open presents on Sunday morning. 

Christmas was wonderfully weird. It was hot and dry and I wore shorts and flip flops and played volleyball. In Karen culture, each village puts on their own Christmas celebration so our school was expected to do the same. 300+ people, 30 kilos of fish, and hours of games later, we had our Christmas party. In the evening we had karaoke style singing that lasted from 7 until way past my bedtime. Everyone loves the chance to show off their best singing and occasional dance moves, especially the kids. I too had to get up and embarrass myself, first singing a Christmas song in Karen (praying the whole time my pronunciation was correct) and then, of course, my cousin and I had to bring to Justin Bieber to the party so I could show off my amazing rapping skills. Needless to say, the people were quite impressed.

The next day we had worship with the kids and teachers and opened presents. Wish you all could have seen the joy on their faces! It was such a good day. The kids could not stop squealing and smiling! Thank you to all who helped to make this a Christmas to remember! Thank you to all who helped shower these children with love! 

After church, we had a baptism. Six of our students made the decision to get baptized. It was so amazing. (I will post their stories and testimonies soon.) Seeing the smiles on their faces as they came out of the water brought tears to my eyes. Every struggle or doubt or hardship of being on the Thai/Burma border was forgotten. Days like this made it all worth it. God is so good! 

Several more of our students wanted to get baptized but their parents told them no. Please pray for the children and the families that the parents may be softened and the children can shine the light of Jesus to their families! Pray that there is a revival in this land that brings abusive fathers, orphaned children, and wounded mothers to their knees! May they see and understand that what they need is Jesus and His saving grace! More than food or shelter-- Only He will satisfy!

Thank you to all who prayed for our children that needed medical care! Everyone is currently healthy and happy. All funding has been provided for. God bless you friends! 

Many of you have heard me speak of Pastor Jimmy. He and some other leaders in Karen culture have approached me and asked for help. They want to build two Christian Karen schools in Karen state for Karen children. There are still thousands of people living in Karen state but it is very hard to go to school. If the children attend Burmese school, they do not learn to read or write in their own language, they have to pay a lot of money, and they also get prejudiced against- sometimes even abused. The children want to learn and the leaders want to provide a safe place for them to do so. I am working on gathering more details so I can send specific requests out, but please be in prayer for these schools. They are hoping to start work on them soon, but still need a lot of funding. If you would like more information about this, please contact me! 

It is time for me to go but please, pray for me. God has made it quite plain that some big changes are going to happen soon. Pray that I can have clarity of heart and mind. That He continues to open and shut doors according to his will and that everything I do can bring glory to his name. I will tell more about what God has been speaking to me soon! Until then, pray for me! contact me! I'd love to hear from you.

God is so good and I have such peace in my heart. I am overwhelmed with the giving that has come in and the peace in my heart that could only come from prayer. Thank you thank you thank you for joining with me, standing beside me, and encouraging me. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed me! 

Your far away sister,

Kelsey

Saturday evening [part 2]

Saturday evening, Mommy Paw arrived (Mommy is our head of ministry). With her she brought some of the most joyous news I have ever heard.
Background Story:
For those who have been following me for some time, may remember when we had trouble and vandalism at our school a few months back. One of our students, TaPoeTu, was behind a lot of it. TaPoeTu is 15 years old. Most boys his age have dropped out of school and started working, or "bumming" (aka living like many Karen men by mooching off their parents or relatives and using any money for drugs or alcohol). TaPoeTu started to get influenced by many of his friend outside of Shekinah Children's home. He started sneaking out at night and not coming to school. When he and his relatives showed up drunk one night, it was too much. He had to be expelled.
Last year when I came, TaPoeTu was a student that I got to know personally because he can speak English very well. He loved Jesus and served him best when playing the guitar. TaPoeTu is an extremely talented musician and was our regular worship leader. He called me "big sister" and I called him "little brother," and I loved him like it was true. Watching him being pulled into darkness was heartbreaking and when he was expelled, I was absolutely crushed.
A few weeks after the event, I was visiting a family in his village. He heard I was there and sought me out. We had a long talk by the side of the road. I'll never forget him looking at me and saying "I don't want to do these bad things. I want to do good, I want to follow Jesus. But if I stay out here with my friends I will never change."
We prayed and I encouraged him to keep praying and standing up for what he knew was right. I saw him a few times before I left for the U.S. in August and his eyes were shining again. He was working for his father and taking care of his family.
In early November, Mommy was able to get TaPoeTu a spot with a Christian Karen organization based out of Chiang Mai. He is now receiving on the spot medical training in Burma helping the Karen and other tribal people in need.

Saturday evening, Mommy Paw arrived. With her she brought some of the most joyous news I have ever heard.
Earlier that day, she received and email from the head of the ministry TaPoeTu is working with. He said it has been an absolute joy to have TaPoeTu helping there and that he is working hard and serving well. Furthermore, TaPoeTu expressed the desire to make his commitment to Christ public and permanent. On Saturday afternoon, TaPoeTu was baptized and fully committed his life to Jesus Christ.
Mommy shared the story and the pictures with the children at worship that night. The last time the kids saw TaPoeTu was when he was being expelled from the school. They know what he has been and were overjoyed and in awe of the transformation God had done in him. KawPawShee, TaPoeTu's niece, ran up and hugged me exclaiming "Teacher, I'm so happy!!!"
We are having a baptism after our Christmas service on December 23. Already, about a dozen students have expressed that they wish to be baptized at this time. There is excitement in the air at what God has done for TaPoeTu and for our students! Jesus IS worth giving our life to! And no one is beyond saving.

Please pray TaPoeTu as he continues to grow in his relationship with Christ. Also for his family that they too may come to know the Savior who has redeemed their son.

Please pray for our students who wish to be baptized. That they may understand what it means and truly want to commit their lives 100% to Jesus Christ. Also, that their parents support their decision.

God is Good, All the time! All the time, God is Good!


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Saturday Morning [part 1]

This week has been one of the hardest and most fulfilling weeks of my time on the Thai/Burma border. On Saturday morning,  I reached the point where I was weeping and considering leaving, where Sunday evening, I had tears streaming down my face in joy for God's faithfulness.
Let me try to explain without airing all our dirty laundry.
On Saturday morning, some of our Karen staff left our school. There's a lot that goes with that, but the only part you need to know is that alot of it was because of me. I love to joke and play and be "the fun one" most of the time, but I have a lot of pride. Sometimes, when my pride felt challenged, I would lose my temper. Because I allowed myself to be run by my emotions, I offended some of our Karen staff. Though apologies where given and pleas were made, it was too late. They were decided.
I was absolutely and totally heartbroken. My primary goal in coming was to learn the culture and become a part of it, but here I was offending the very thing I came to understand. Because of that, I hurt several people.
I cried and cried all morning. I asked God if coming was a mistake? Maybe I'm too young? Too immature? Was me returning to America and explaining my failure to all my supporters God's plan for making me humble?
While Satan whispered in my ear and reminded me how inadequate I am, God spoke up. Yes, I messed up. I messed up big time. And there are consequences for what has happened. But God did send me here. He does have a purpose in my coming. And I should not abandon ship now.
God showed me my sin and how I can work on it. How I can react to similar scenarios in the future. How to be humble. That I came here to serve and to love. The best way to do that is by learning the culture and that takes WORK. That takes a lot of work. It takes years of learning and serving and loving and failing and apologizing. I have a poor history of shying from hard work. But that ends now.
I love the Karen as though they are my own family. I would willingly and joyfully give my life for them if it would help them get a better grasp of how much I love them. They are worth the work. They are God's gift to me. So for them, for the privilege of serving my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I will give them my best and lay down my pride.
I ask that you please pray with me in this. I want to be strong and courageous and bold! But most of all, I want to be humble.

I tell you this, brothers and sisters, because I love you and I need you. Without your prayers, encouragement, and discipline, doing this would be impossible. So thank you for having faith in God's work in me and in the Karen people on the Thai/Burma border.

God bless.

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16


Saturday evening [part 2] coming soon

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

"What other nation is so great as to have their god so near to them as the Lord our God is to us whenever we pray to Him?" Deuteronomy 4:7 

It has been amazing to return to the Thai/Burma border and see the many prayer requests and heart cries that God is fulfilling. 

After living here 6 months, I witnessed a lot of failure in the Karen men. So many abusive, alcoholic, absent fathers... It is heartbreaking to see the effects it has on their wives and children. Even more so when the sons are headed in the same downhill direction. 
For many months I have been crying out to God to raise up strong, Godly men to lead these people. Upon returning to the border, I found out that our friends from NohBo academy school (Lahkuhtoo and LerGay to name a few) have started a student led boys' Bible study. They meet 1-2 times per week to read and discuss God's Word. The Holy Spirit is working in these young men. I have talked to several who wish to attend Bible school post-graduation (specifically a YWAM program nearby). Many are interested in ministry work. Some even aspire to be leaders in the Karen community. It is so awesome to see these guys grow in their walks and hunger to know Jesus more. Please continue to lift them up in prayer as God continues to raise them up for His glory! Some of their family members discourage them, and temptation is always lurking nearby. May they be strong in the Lord and leaders even now in their young age! May they be able to experience God, not just in the rituals and traditions that many Karen Christians practice, but in a true and unique, Bible-believing way! 1 Timothy 4:12

LerGay, Htat Htay, LahKuHtoo and I at NohBo Academy

Jordan and Jenny Silva getting the kids ready for worship with some ice cream!

On a more selfish side, I had been hoping and praying for someone, a friend to join me. Someone who understands Western culture and the hardships or hilarity of certain situations. I am so overjoyed at how God has supplied not only Western friends for me, but Montana-folk! A couple from the Bitterroot, stevensville area, have answered and the call and committed a year to working at Shekinah Chldens home. Now not only do I have someone who understands my culture, but they are young 23 & 25) they understand Montana life, Andersen are Star Wars nerds! I am so blessed! 




Thank you to everyone who has partnered with me in prayer! I hope you are as encouraged as I am by God's continued faithfulness! Please remember to lift us up! And I pray that you too will be able to see your heart cries fulfilled! Both here and at your homes! 

-Kelsey

DaBlu PaDoh! (A Big Thank You)

Thank you to all have been in prayer. I seriously cannot thank you enough. Believe me when I say that constant prayer cover is both desired and needed. Life out here is a constant stream of crazy and unexpected. It seems like every time we are about to have a routine figured out, something happens and plans are changed. PRAISE THE LORD that He is faithful and NEVER CHANGES. Through all the stresses and surprises, there is always comfort in our God who is constant.

For the past month, a lot has gotten done. My house is finished and the bathroom is well on its way. I absolutely love my house. It is small, beautiful and perfect. I even have a deck with a view of the river. My neighbor and self-proclaimed father has built it for me. He and his family are so wonderful and hilarious. Just the other day, he was saying that if any boys that liked me came by, he would fight them. This is a highly respected Karen man! So don't worry, mom and dad, I'm in good hands. My house is about a football field away from Shekinah and about 30 feet from the river. Just the perfect distance that I am close, but can escape when possible. It is such a blessing! Thank you thank you thank you to all who helped supply the funds for this. The total for the house and bathroom is about 25,000 Thai baht which equals a little over 800 USD.

Aaaaand we're back! I can't believe it's only been 2 weeks since I left the U.S. Things never slow down here so as soon as I arrived back at camp last Monday, it was back to work as usual! Thank you all so much for your prayers! Traveling was very smooth, no delays, and no problems. I even had two check-in bags, one was overweight, and I had no baggage fees at all! Praise God for providing!
When I arrived at KT, a team was there led by the first ever KT volunteer, who may as well be a legend the way she is remembered and talked about. Three years ago, at the age of nineteen, she came to Thailand and lived at the old KT, or as we call it, "death hill." This location was on a steep hill, there were no buildings, no school, no place for the kids to play, and it was overrun with animals and fecies. She had a vision for a new KT and drew a picture of a school and real buildings for the kids to live in, and a place for kids to play. How awesome to see God transform Shekinah Children's home from "death hill." How our God loves to bless us! How our God takes care of His children! What a good God we serve!
Things are already looking a lot different, due to the amazing volunteers God has drawn to Thailand. At KT, we now have a young couple, (also from MT) that will be acting as dorm parents for the kids. Because a lot of my previous responsibilities are now there's, I will be going to Pastor Jimmy's school on Tuesday through Thursday of each week to teach English to the 24 students there. This school has never had a consistent volunteer before, and the kids are very behind in their English skills. More than that, before I left, I prayed that God would give me an opportunity to visit the kids at Jimmy's more often. He answered that quickly and specifically by my "boss" telling me that I was now their English teacher. I look forward to getting to know and love these kids more! They are ages 5-14. I have no experience in teaching English, but God never seems to let me stay comfortable for long, so I ask that you pray for me as I try to figure out this new adventure of teaching ESL!
My house now has a frame and a roof! The walls should be up soon, and hopefully in less than two weeks,  my house will be finished! Thank you all again for the support for this! I can't wait to see how God will use this house! It is dedicated to Him and His work! May He use it as He wills!
In about thirty minutes, I will be picking up Amy and Kyle (my sister and brother-in-law) from the airport! They are just beginning their adventure here in Thailand for six months, teaching English to hill tribe children up north. This location has two hundred kids and Amy and Kyle, as well as one more volunteer who just arrived, are the first help they've ever received. Pray as they adjust to life and routines here! Pray they connect with the kids easily and find ways to communicate! Pray teaching comes naturally and is something they look forward to each day!
I am so excited to begin life here again. Thank you all for your prayers and support! God is moving in Thailand and in my life! Praise God from whom all blessing flow!