Thailand

MANDATE MINISTRIES UPDATE

(March 18, 2024) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, particularly regarding Ross’ health…

Health update
Ross was recently diagnosed as having stage 4 oesophageal cancer which has metastasised to theliver and lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. We have temporarily relocated to Brisbane so he can receive chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment.

We are taking all that medical science can offer and are also believing for a miracle of healing. We would appreciate your prayers for the obliteration of all the cancer cells in Ross’ body and for full and total healing and restoration.

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MANDATE MINISTRIES JULY HIGHLIGHTS

(July 31, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Thank you to those who have given generously
Due to the generous giving of our friends and partner churches we have been able to arrange for three supply runs across the border over the last month.

The need is so great and we can only do what we can with funds that come in.

As well as providing much needed material needs, it was a joy to be able to pray for them and encourage them to continue to have faith and hope.

Tito the survivor
Last month while Donna and I were at a local market, we met a man named Tito shuffling along with a walking frame. He has had several operations to remove brain tumours, and it has affected his motor skills and speech.

I asked if I could pray for him and he was very eager for me to do so. We invited him to church and have taken him four times now and he absolutely loves it! He has since committed his life to Christ and I meet with him during the week.

We go out for lunch or coffee, talk about his walk with God and have lots of laughs. Although Tito struggles to communicate, he is one of the funniest and most intelligent guys I know. He also loves my dad jokes so he is officially my new best friend.

Prayer needs…
Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support of our ministry to Asia. Please pray for –

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Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, have been missionaries to Asia for many years. Based in  Chiang Mai, they work with local pastors and church-planters, developing in-service leadership training programs that address challenges and issues unique to this area of Thailand. Link via OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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MYANMAR/THAILAND MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

(June 26, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Ka-ren people
We continue to help the people of Ka-ren State, Myanmar with food, tents and other provisions, as well as prayer and encouragement.

The bombing and ground assaults continue, so we do what we can to alleviate their suffering. We can understand soldiers fighting soldiers, but when women and children are tortured, raped and brutally murdered, that has to be demonic. It’s a humanitarian crisis but also a spiritual warfare.

Recently a Ka-ren friend of mine was talking with two ladies in Ka-ren State. They were both 70 years old and said that they had never known a time in their entire lives when they were not fleeing from war and the Burmese (Myanmar) troops.

It’s hard to imagine, as we take our freedom for granted.

Karenni people flee
Another ethnic group in Myanmar that is suffering under the brutal illegal government is the Karenni. Due to the constant attacks on their villages, many have had to flee across the border into Thailand. However, their plight is by no means without its challenges. There is very little food and shelter available to them.

These war refugees are in great distress and have had to carry the bedridden, sick, elderly, disabled, and children to safe locations.

Our team from Thailand was able to bring rice and other foodstuffs, as well as tarps for makeshift shelters to these groups. Next week our team is taking blankets to a group of 160 Kar-en and Karenni who they recently brought to the Lord. These beautiful people are extremely grateful for any help they receive.

Golden Triangle Lahu Training
Last week Pastor Ian Peters and Ross conducted a 3-day leadership training program in Chiang Rai for Lahu pastors and church workers. They came from Lao, Myanmar and Northern Thailand, so we called it the Golden Triangle Leadership Training Program.

It was a wonderful time of teaching, impartation and prayer with these men and women who are so hungry for God. They have very little opportunity to study and learn together in programs like this and were deeply appreciative.

In the Mountains of Chiang Dao
Recently Ross and his Ka-ren friend Weerachai were invited to conduct ministry at a village high up in the mountains of Chiang Dao. It was humbling to spend time with Pastor Suphan, who pastors the Ka-ren church there.

A faithful servant of God, he even gave Ross his favourite traditional Ka-ren shirt!

On the way to the Ka-ren village in Chiang Dao, we stayed overnight in a Lisu village. The food was great and the mountain views even better.

Needs
Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support of every kind of our ministry to Asia.

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Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, have been missionaries to Asia for many years. Based in  Chiang Mai, they work with local pastors and church-planters, developing in-service leadership training programs that address challenges and issues unique to this area of Thailand. Link via OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN!

(April 22, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Hunger for God
Our team, which included Pastor Phil and Tracey McCourt, recently held a training program for Hmong pastors and workers in the mountains of a neighbouring province.

The theme of the sessions was Fire on the Mountain and the fire certainly did fall!

So honoured to minister to and with these beautiful people who have such a hunger for God.

Hilltribe Village Outreach
For over a year now, Donna and I have been visiting a village which is comprised of several different hilltribe groups, mainly Long-Neck Kayan, but also Akha, Lisu, Ka-ren,and Palaung.

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TRAGEDIES! BUT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

(January 20, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Last weekend another Karen village was bombed by government jets in Myanmar, forcing the villagers to live in the jungle!

No crops, no shelter, and seemingly no hope as the world looks on indifferently.

Thank you to all who contribute to our efforts to help. Thanks to our rapid-response team, we were able to get food products, rice, dry foods, and oil, as well as solar-charged batteries for their torches (flashlights) to these desperate people.

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ASSISTING THE DISPLACED KA-REN PEOPLE

(July 8) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share greetings – and concerns – from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

With a boat load of supplies for the displaced Ka-ren people living in Myanmar, we travelled with our team up-river from the Thailand side to a camp on the Myanmar side.

For decades, the Ka-ren people have been under attack from the Myanmar military. Aerial bombing and ground troop attacks have decimated many of their villages. Many men, women and children have been killed – and now land mines are being placed around churches.

Last week a young boy went to a church to ask for help, stood on a mine and had his leg blown off!

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