Greetings from the Powell
family! Hi this is Ron, July 2009
We give thanks to God for you
and the many blessings you have shown to us. Not only have you been praying for
us, but many of you have given generously toward our ministry in Thailand. I
want to share some exciting changes as well as encourage you to continue with
us in this journey of serving Him. Much of what we do in life is a process. We
make our plans and God directs our path.
2003: God used my first trip
to Thailand to give me a greater passion for the lost. I was overwhelmed by the
fact that 95% of the people in Thailand are Buddhist. I saw crowds of hundreds worshiping
idols. The words in Matthew 9:36 - 38 spoke so loudly to me. When I returned
home, I knew I had to be involved in missions in some way.
2004: Laura, Kimberly,
Melissa and I served in Thailand for a short term trip. It was such a blessing
to see them work side by side with people I met the year before.
2005: I connected once again
with Thai nationals and missionaries serving in Thailand. I also saw first hand
the effects of the tsunami that occurred December 26, 2004, which took the
lives of approximately 8,000 people. I was amazed to see how God even used this
for His glory!
2006: We were tested, examined
then commissioned by ABWE (Association of Baptist for World Evangelism) to
serve in Thailand as full time missionaries.
Between then and now we have
come so far and yet still there is so much more to accomplish.
2009: Prayerfully, with the
leadership of both ABWE and FCC (Faith Community Church) we have recently made
a transition. We transitioned from full time missionaries preparing to live in
Thailand to Assistant Missionaries where we will serve in more of a supportive
role. There were several factors that went into this decision. One of them
being that our family all have the same desire to live full time in Thailand.
For now, we see God using us on short term trips and encouragement from the
States. Also, I will be able to continue building into my retirement with the
Sheriff’s department which will help with future support. Along with the
economy, the fall in the housing market, some incurred debt and the need to
help my mom have all weighed in on this decision.
We are excited about this new
position because it will afford us many opportunities. The first opportunity
will be the ability to stay connected with our Thai friends and missionary team
members in Thailand. We will be able to do this by serving on or leading a
couple of short term trips a year. This also allows me to be a voice for our
team, “City on a Hill” here in the States. I will be seeking to recruit people with
a desire to not only partner with us through prayer and finances, but actually
serve with us in Thailand.
Ask yourself how you can be a
vital part in furthering the kingdom of God. Whether it is in your local
neighborhood or on the other side of the world seek to be a doer of the word
and not just hearers only. If we do not engage the culture around us with the
living hope of the gospel our culture will engage us. Those of you faithfully
partnering with us financially, thank you for your continued support. If you
would like to make a special donation or to begin giving on a regular basis
please visit www.abwe.org/give. There are instructions
on how to donate on-line or by mail. It will be helpful to include our name and
account number. C/O Ron & Laura Powell, # 0133763 if you have any questions
or if you have any specific prayer request please let us know.
We are more than half way to summer! It may seem strange to think about summer already when we have just begun the New Year! However, I am asking for your prayers now! I want you to know about the vital ministries I will be involved with next summer. I will be working with a team of eleven members from Faith Community Church (FCC) in the Philippines. We will be serving in several areas in and around Manila. I believe God will use me in the Philippines much as He has used me in Thailand. For example, some of the strategic ministries I will have a critical role in will be Jail ministry, Street Evangelism, a Youth Rehab and praying with sick children in the Hospital. Along with these, I will have opportunity to preach and share my testimony in one of the five-outreach churches.
I hope you are looking forward to how God will use you in the upcoming year. I want to challenge and encourage you to seek the Lord and see how He may use you to further His kingdom. A Barna research survey stated the following: Only 2% of Christians share their faith. Romans 10:14 & 15 reminds us that we must proclaim the gospel. “ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
We must engage the world with the “Good News” or the world will continue to engage us. One person can make a difference. Will you be one to help make a difference?
Many of you know I have had many opportunities to serve in Thailand on short-term mission trips. Following our time in the Philippines, Dan Ritter, an FCC member and I will continue ministering in Thailand serving with our ABWE Thailand team City on a Hill.
Although the Powell family is not moving to Thailand next year, I will be participating in many exciting and certainly challenging ministries both in the Philippines as well as in Thailand this summer. I would like to ask for your fervent prayers and your consideration to how God may use you to partner with me in these ministries.
God often reminds us to be thankful and to praise Him. Psalm 136 is one chapter of many that exhorts us to give thanks to Him. Psalm 136 has 26 verses and every verse includes “His love endures forever”. God really wants us to know, “His love endures forever”. However, only those who have repented of their sins and put their trust in God may truly experience His enduring love. Just as His love will stop for nothing, our gratefulness for that love should stop at nothing in a desire to share the gospel. I cannot stop thinking of the 95% of those living in Thailand who are Buddhist. Most will never know God’s enduring love. They will step into eternity separated from His love forever.
I pray daily that I will take advantage of the opportunities God gives me to share the gospel. I am being faithful in the here and now as to be faithful in the there and then! Please consider how God may use you to help us reach the unreached people of Thailand.
Powell Family Prayer Requests and Ministry Needs
· Praise and prayer: Our monthly support is approximately 18% . Our O&P (Outfit & Passage) has reached 76%. (Both need to reach 100%)
· We need to complete several assignments before going to the field. We are excited to be learning many new things in preparation for the field. Please pray for continued diligence.
· For opportunities to share with church leaders, and that they would catch our vision for Thailand.
· Pray for Kimberly and Melissa. The demands of life in ministry can be many, and especially so as we prepare for missions. We appreciate your prayers for their growth in Christ and in their love for Him, and for them to be molded and shaped by Him for His service.
· For the possibility of support from some who have indicated such a possibility.
· Please pray for committed partnership from these wonderful believers and for His continued direction as we seek more people to partner with us.
· Pray for the ministries at Faith Community Church of Palmdale. Laura and I are serving together in music and Jr. High ministry. I have served on several evangelistic outreach opportunities as well as teach in a bible study.
· Kimberly and Melissa are a part of the junior high group and continue to seek ways of growing in Christ.
· We look forward to the many more great things God has in store for us as we continue to be used for His kingdom.
If there is anything we can do to minister to you please let us know , and remember we would love to know how to pray for you as well! Please feel free to forward our e-mail to introduce us to a friend who may also have a desire for missions.
If you would like to help specifically with this summer ministry:
*** All donations for this trip must specifically note in the memo section of the check***
“2009 Philippines/Thailand- Ron Powell” ID # 0133763
If you would desire to stand with us financially please send checks to: Missionary Finances, ABWE, P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585 or contact ABWE directly at 717-774-7000, mention our full names and account #0133763.
Make checks Payable to ABWE for a tax deduction to apply
