We wanted to take time to share with you exciting church growth that is happening in one urban community in Chiang Mai. Many of you will remember that survey work in 2000 in the growing slums of Chiang Mai resulted in the Health Project staff responding to the stated needs of the those tribal communities.Youth work and a day care center were started.Some of the tribal staff also began supporting the work of a tribal pastor who was planting a church within the slums.Help with preaching (in Thai and Lisu) and teaching worship music and Sunday school as well as doing vacation Bible schools has encouraged and supported the church growth.

Praise:

• Praise God for the growth of the tribal church.Five years ago, there were 4 people meeting in Pastor Chaiporn's home.Now, there are 70 Christians in the church, and about 20 children in Sunday School each week.
• The church is grateful for a donation from the US that purchased hymnbooks, Bibles, and a guitar for worship.We also praise God for the number of youth that are interested in learning guitar and drums to help lead worship!

Prayer:

• When Pastor Chaiporn started the church 5 years ago, he moved his family to the slum and began doing construction work with the tribal people in order to relate to them in a deep way.Now with the church well established and growing, Pastor Chaiporn could work for the church full-time if he had financial support. These past months have seen the church growing stronger and becoming more mature in their faith.Members are starting to tithe, but it is an extremely poor community. The pastor is teaching 10 young people guitar but more guitars are needed, and a drum set would really be helpful.Please join us in praying for the needs of this growing ministry.
• The church growth means that the congregation is out-growing its present site.Please pray for wisdom as decisions are made regarding a move.
• Kim is in the US for a family wedding and spending time with her mother as well as taking care of some family needs.Please be praying for travel safety.

We welcome any feedback or suggestions you many have—just contact us at info@imemf.org.To be dropped from this email letter, just let us know at that same address.