Words Have Meaning

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1

เพราะฉะนั้น เมื่อเราถูกชำระให้ชอบธรรมโดยความเชื่อแล้วเราจึงอยู่อย่างสงบสุขเฉพาะพระพักตร์พระเจ้าทางพระเยซูคริสต์องค์พระผู้เป็นเจ้าของเรา

โรม 5:1

The passages above are in both English and Thai language. Learning to read Thai has brought us blessings and challenges in studying and teaching the Bible.

For example the single word in English, "justified", in Thai language is translated in various ways as a descriptive or explanatory phrase. For example:

The Thai Standard Version (THSV) uses "ถูกชำระให้ชอบธรรม" that literally means, "caused to be washed to be righteous".
The Thai New Contemporary Bible (TNCV) uses "ถูกนับเป็นผู้ชอบธรรม", literally "counted as a righteous person".
The Thai Easy-to-Read Version (ERV-TH) uses "พระเจ้านับว่าเราเป็นคนที่พระองค์ยอมรับ" literally "God counts us as people that He receives."
The Thai KJV version says, "เมื่อเราเป็นคนชอบธรรม" literally, "when we are righteous people."

We, and I'm sure most cross-cultural workers, spend a fair amount of time thinking about words and phrases like these. In your mind, what are the pros and cons of the various translations above? If you were teaching Thai people Romans 5:1 tomorrow, which Thai version would you use? Let us know!

Theology matters and language matters -- a lot -- for a host of reasons. One big reason theology matters is that it underlies and shapes the nature of our ministry, and indeed how we live out our Christian lives. Language matters because it informs our understanding of Thai culture, allows us to communicate in the heart language of the people, and impacts how and what we teach them about God.

Therefore, we will try to continue to joyfully wrestle with theology and language, with the strength and help that God supplies. We do this that we might win more people to Christ and obey the great commission command of Christ to make true disciples. May you and many Thai people have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Water of Life church held our annual retreat in the north last month. We enjoyed plenty of rest and reflection on God's goodness through songs, fellowship, food, laughter, and enjoying nature.

Dr. Gary Moberg led us in lessons on spiritual warfare from Eph. 6, and God even provided us some real-time examples! Todd led us in a reflection exercise about how God has moved in our lives in the last year, and then a time of prayer for things that came out of the exercise.

Resulting from this trip there seems to be a deeper sense of community with each other as well as a deeper understanding of God and his means of dealing with spiritual warfare in our lives.

Short-term laborers still needed to help at the evangelistic English center!

God is providing! However, we still have openings in 2020. We are also looking for a new site director (long-term service) to allow us to pursue other ways God has gifted and is leading us. Please pray!

For more information about serving, please click here .

A harvest is happening! For the current list of seekers - people who’ve received a Bible, new believers, and church members - who need your prayers, please click here: I will pray

**If you need information on ways to financially support us,

please click here: Support info.

Coming Soon

After many trips over many years, and requests for help, we are exploring the potential of bringing a long-term church planting team to Uttaradit province in Northern Thailand. Vision trips will be in January and beyond as the Lord leads. Please pray that:

We correctly discern the Lord's leading and accurately count the costs.
God would raise up the right people to be part of the church planting team(s).
God would continue to open doors for effective service.
God would be moving in the hearts of many people there who we have ministered among for many years.
God would bless the small network of Thai pastors and missionaries in that province with unity, and give us and them wisdom as we explore how we might partner together.

To donate to our monthly support needs please click here.

As always, we thank God for you and your partnership in spreading the gospel in Thailand.

Yours in Christ,

Todd and Karen