Koinonia

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” 

- Philippians 2:1-2

Each new day has brought different adventures and deeper community with the church in Lampang. For those reading from Westwood, I hope you know that you are a part of this community as well. Speaking with the church members, they feel as if we are their family. Though we each have personal relationships with the members here, we are also representatives of you and your relationship with our sister church here. It comes up frequently how they are praying for us, praying for Westwood, and are encouraged by the stories of God at work in Prince George. As a member of Westwood I am so blessed to be a part of our church community there and here with our Khmu brothers and sisters in Thailand. Our team is committed to building relationships with this church, as they are with us. I am so grateful and encouraged by the way many of you have joined us, through prayers, through financial support, through messages of encouragement, and through even taking the time to read these updates and get a glimpse of what God is doing. Whether you were on the 12 hour plane ride here or not, you are a part of this partnership, included in this relationship and fellowship. This is koinonia, a Greek word in the Bible which means: “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.” 

Though it may seem like there are many differences between Westwood and the church in Lampang, we share the most important thing; Jesus. In hearing testimony, praying together, and worshipping together I have seen how God is at work in each of their lives, just as he is at work in Prince George. We all first have koinonia with Jesus; 

 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” - John 1:6-7

We are united through Christ, having the same purpose and serving alongside each other. What a gift it is to have Koinonia with believers all over the world, to learn from each other, encourage each other, and love out the gospel together. Our trip is not the start of this relationship, it has been built upon the foundation of past relationships and teams, and we are tasked as a team and a church with carrying it forward. 

That has been on my mind lately. I have so enjoyed the fellowship with the church members here, being in their homes, meeting their children, and sharing meals together. But what does fellowship look like once we step onto that plane next week? What does it look like for Westwood? I don’t have a full picture of that, but it is on my heart and mind. Right now I am committed to continue reaching out though social media, to continue praying, and to continue to listen to the Holy Spirit for how we are to move forward together. What does it looks like for you to engage with our sister church in fellowship? I don’t have a great answer for that either, but both you and I can be in prayer asking the One who knows more than we can ever comprehend. Please join me in prayer over this together  

Thank your for all the messages of encouragement and prayer, it has meant so much to the team, especially on the long full days. Today I would ask that if it is on your heart, take a couple minutes to lift up the prayer requests below and send a message of encouragement. This could be a message for the team or a message for the church. It would be wonderful for them to hear how the church in Canada is supporting them even from a distance: https://westwoodthailandteam2026.blogspot.com/p/prayer-support.html?m=1

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Sombat and his family - his son is starting an internship for computer science in Bangkok for four months. His son will not get to see his family during that time and they don't know if he will be with any other believers. Also pray as Sombat and his family are planning on building a roof in the backyard of their house so that they can host more people at their house for outreach events even in the heat of the day. Also pray for his younger son as he is still in school. 
• Pray for Somkit and his family - his wife is expecting their third child and had developed diabetes with their second child. Please pray for a healthy pregnacy. Also pray for Somkit in his job, pray that his boss will be kind to him. 
• Pray for Sompon and his family. Sompon has been mistreated at his job, but through that God has given him opportunities to share the gospel and pray for them. Pray for his daughter Faa, as she is getting ready to go to university in the fall. She will be pursuing a degree in communications - she does not know other believers at school and is nervous for how that will go. Many of the parents with kids going off to university have asked for prayer as they are worried about their kids faith as they go off to school. 
• Pray for the family of Simtam. Him and his family were kicked out of their village for turning to Jesus. They now live separated from the village and are also outside of Lampang. They are a bit isolated and it is not easy for them. Also pray for their oldest daughter as she is trying to study the bible while going to nursing school and working as an assistant nurse. 
• Pray for Gong and Jeep. Jeep has been in a lot of pain after having a c-section with some complications afterward. Pray that she would be relived of the pain and for their safety as they preach the gospel in Lampang. 
• Pray for Faa as she continues to translate both Thai and English. Pray for good rest and for a clear mind as she continues to bridge the language gap for our team and the Lampang church. 
• Pray that we would be able to find diesel for the church van and for church members as they try to find it as well - there is a shortage in the country due to panic buying and the war in the middle east.