 Hello from Thailand. In this New Year MSNT has a renewed focus and commitment to God’s plan in Thailand.
In the last nine months through research, trial and error, practice and even dumb luck, I have learned a lot about what works and what does not work in Thailand. Not every impulse can be considered God’s prompting but you still must keep your good ear out for His leading.
Many great projects have been completed with your support in 2011. We have helped renovate an abandoned property so a local Mien Church would have more opportunity to grow and flourish. We have sponsored many visits to Hill tribe villages to teach and reach the youth who would otherwise not be able to hear the Word of God.
Our mission statement is as follows: “To support and encourage salvation, education, and Mien cultural preservation in Thailand”. One thing that I hope we have made clear from the beginning is that our wish to “support and encourage” in regards to “Salvation and Education” is for everyone.
Where there is a need, we hope to be able to provide what is needed weather it is love, compassion, encouragement, and/or physical or financial assistance.
It is only in the “cultural preservation” aspect where we have made a commitment specifically to the Mien in Thailand. We will continue fulfilling our commitment to the Mien by passing on a portion of all our donations tohttp://www.mienradio.com/ (spreads God’s Word to South East Asia via Radio) and http://www.mcya.net/ (we hope to help MCYA in their efforts to send Mission teams to Thailand). If you feel lead to support either of these ministries please do so directly. I am just expressing my support for these ministries and will share a portion of our blessing with them.
This year as I hope to personally focus more on my own education (to help secure and maintain long term residence here in Thailand), we as an organization hope to also focus on providing education assistance to those who would not otherwise be able to afford a higher (or even basic) education. Education leads to opportunities. It is our wish that children can grow up knowing that their futures are wide open, not just inevitable.
The same goes with Salvation. If someone never hears the “Good News”, then their eternity is set.
We sincerely pray that the sharing of the news will give the option for what so many of us
take for granted. I am sure all of you had someone who first shared with you the Love of Christ. Imagine if that person or persons never crossed your path. Where would you be now?
How grateful are you for that first introduction to Christ?
As you recall how grateful you are for your Salvation and educational opportunities, please consider sharing with those who may never see the same. Please donate at MSNT.org
We no longer will be the old newsletter service. Future newsletters will be posted on the blog http://msnt.org/blog1/ and on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/charles.msnt
I have enjoyed using the Benchmark service but after one year the cost per recipient is not a productive use of MSNT resources. Thank you to all those who have been receiving the newsletter and I hope you will continue to receive the information via the blog.
Thanks to all those who support MSNT.
This has been a wonderful first year on the ground. I hope to continue to follow God’s leading in Thailand for years to come.
Thanks again
God Bless
Charles Mills-President MSNT
For my birthday I have no needs that outweigh my desire to continue the work God has put on my heart to do. That is why I ask that you join with me to support and encourage salvation, education, and Mien cultural preservation in Thailand. As president on MSNT it is my wish to raise $3000. This will cover three current projects. 1-Purchase land in the Mien village to build Sunday school / church building. 2- Purchase sound equipment for our growing youth ministry. 3- Build picnic area at church for community outreach.
I know this is an ambitious goal but this is a birthday wish! It think it better to wish big and fall short than to wish small and accomplish that small goal. Please share with anyone who has a heart for those God Loves.
I am turning 43 so if 73 people donate $43 we will achieve our goal but please do not let that statement limit your donation, we need every penny God puts on your heart to donate.
Thank you,
God bless,
Charles Mills MSNT
This will show who, what, where, and why in regards to Mien Support Network Thailand. Please watch and share. Thanks Play MSNT.org WWWW now!
Sorry I have been away from the blog for a while. I have been mostly using facebook, LinkedIn, and the newsletter to keep everyone updated. But I am back.
So for those who have not heard the church MSNT sponsors in Chiang Mai (Mien Mission Church) lost their lease when the owner sold the building. In a rush we found a new building. God had it covered all along. The new building is even cheaper but we found out why. There were and still are many repairs and improvements needed seeing the building was abandoned for years. So far we have spent over $1500 and still are in need of another $1000 to finish. We have raised the first $1500 and hope (with your help) to have the remaining $1000 raised by the end of October.
I have also set a goal for MSNT. Some would say it is over ambitions but I say nothing is to ambitions for God and his people when He has his hands in something. Right now we have 3 monthly donors and one of them is me. I would love to have 30 monthly donors by the end of this year (2011). That means we need 27 business, churches or individuals willing to donate at least $10 a month to help support salvation, education, and Mien cultural preservation in Thailand. As always it would be 100% tax deductible. It is supper easy to sign up for at MSNT.org or with facebook causes. Also the company that handles our online donations (Network for Good) will even send you and email 10 days prior to each monthly withdrawal.
We hope to continue the good work started here for a long time. There is much work to be done, many souls to reach, many children to teach, and few resources to accomplish these goals with. God can do miracles with what we give (He can do them without them also but then you miss out on being part of the miracle) but just as He multiplied the fishes and loaves we must remember that zero x anything = zero. Be a part of the miracle, be the blessing, take part in the joy that is helping others, and greet the brothers and sisters in Christ that you have helped to know the Good news on that glorious day when we all go Home.
Starting to get into a good routine. Tutor, School, Tutor, School, Church and service projects. Still far short of any financial goals. Spending a large percentage of my very limited income to keep things going. We have paid the rent for Mien Mission Church the last 3 month, purchased an amplifier for monthly mission trip to the Mien villages, helped finance the mission trips by purchasing gas and food, and paid to service/repair the sole vehicle used for the 6 hour round trip visits to the villages. We are looking into water filtration for the villages, purchasing a large house or dormitory for Mien youth who come to Chiang Mai to attend collage, and trying to find a more hospitable place to have our church services. The current location is small, no parking, and not well suited for worship and childcare. Please consider signing up for monthly donation (at msnt.org) Even $10 a month (times many people) can make a huge difference. Last month I put out that prayer request and so far we have 2 generous people who give monthly. Praying for 100 people to open their hearts to helping the Mien and Mien Mission Church here in Chiang Mai. God Bless and take care.
Your brother servant in the field,
Charles
Wow I am 2 weeks into my Thai class and I feel like I am a month behind. Got a tutor just to try and keep up. so many letters. 43 vowels and 44 consonants. each letter has its own name, for example – sara ai mai ma la is the name of one letter and not from the soundtrack from moulin rouge.
You can say the right word but in the wrong tone thus making it the wrong word after all. It just takes practice and I am sure over the time I am here it will get better. In the past I have had the same dissatisfaction with all my jobs, I expected they would get easy after a while. the truth is things never get easy, you just get better at doing difficult things.
Making friends is not hard, even if you don’t speak the language. Respect and kindness go a long way when you can’t communicate verbally.
I have found a few English speaking Thai people in my building along with a hand full of falang. Not completely sure about all the social do’s and dont’s but will just have to muddle through.
I have what I think is a date with a lady (think its a date, know she is a lady) Wednesday. First date in about 10 years. Will find out then where she stands on religion. Good sign today, she is working and it is a Buddhist holiday.
Well not much time for socializing. Spend most of my day studying Thai, trying to raise money, and planning service projects.
If you did not get the newsletter then check out the web site (MSNT.org) for all the new projects we have going on. We could really use your support. God has given us the direction we just have to walk in faith.
Sorry for the long Blog absents. Been really busy starting a new life on the other side of the Globe. So you guessed it, I am in Chiang Mai Thailand. Have been here since April 9th.
The travel was a nightmare. First flight was delayed just long enough to make me miss my connection. The connecting airline said sorry for you luck and the trip I had already booked was no more. It ended up costing me another $850 and two nights longer to get where I was going. Also Delta not only supplied the delay they lost my luggage. On the bright side I flew Cathay air and it was wonderful. the food, service, comfort, and entertainment was in credible. they even had outlets so I could plug up my cpap machine a sleep without snoring.
So Norfolk to New York was the delayed flight. Ended up having to spend the night in NY. Made Delta pay for that. Next day it was Cathay from NY to Bangkok. Again that was a wonderful flight. Landed in Bangkok, got a recommendation for a hotel room and a cab from one of the airport kiosks. quick cab ride, bell boy carries my bags up to the room, and before he leaves he offers me a young girls for the night. I politely declined and sent him on his way. Wow, was not in Bangkok an hour and was offered this, I thought at least if i were looking for that (and I was not) that I would have to go looking for it. well enough about that.
Next day flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Bangkok Air. Again great service. Bangkok air is also the ones who found by luggage for me. It took them almost a week to undo what Delta had done with my bag.
First night in Chiang Mai I found the hotel I had booked on line. They were nice, wifi in the lobby, nice quiet area, great free breakfast. They ran about $30 US a night but that was right in the middle of the Songkran Festival (Thai New Year). Spent a few nights there then by luck (Gods hand) I found a nice apartment close to where I will go to school. It runs just under $9 US a night. And like I said it is within a quarter mile of Walen where I will take Thai Language lessons for a year. Classes start May 10th.
Starting to settle in, know where to eat, where to shop, and how to smile real big when you don’t know what to do or say. Right now I get by with knowing how to say Hello, goodbye, thank you, and how much in Thai. The people here are so nice and understanding. Even if I overpay they make sure to give me the right change back. There is something about their 10 sound like my 20 or vice versa, I really need to figure that one out.
Have made a few friends by just walking around talking to people. Most who speak English like to practice with native English speaker. My southern accent either entertains or confuses people. I need to figure that one out also.
Reaching out to the Mien community the best I can for now. Going to the one Mien church in Chiang Mai this sunday. Have been reaching out to Campus Crusade for Christ representatives here in Chiang Mai. Will start on Chiang Rai as soon as I get transportation. Trying to come up with enough money to buy a used scooter. Wish me luck.
Now that I am back on the blog I will try and stay more caught up. Love this country, her people, and the God Who made it all.
God Bless
Charles Mills
I have updated my date for leaving in order to be in country when the Mien youth camp is in full swing. This new year brings great challenges and opportunity. I we shift more towards service projects in Thailand we will adjust our distribution of online donations. As of January 1st we will tithe to MCYA and also Mien Radio. As projects get underway we pray for Gods guidance and blessings. Love you all, Thanks.
Charles
Getting excited and nervous as the same time. Trying to raise support is necessary but tedious. Please consider partnering with MSNT on a regular monthly Basis. This will benefit MSNT, MCYA and Mien Radio.
God bless you and yours.
thanks
Thank you to all my brothers and sisters in Christ who have given to this cause that God has placed upon my heart. I have served with many of you in one way or another over the past eight years and have seen God’s hand and heart at work in so many lives. I call you friends not only to fill up facebook but because I truly consider you all to be a friend. I have many friends who are Mien and roughly the same amount of non-Mien (from Forefront) who have made a commitment to do whatever we can do to seek and save the lost among the Mien.
The upcoming holiday season brings great opportunity and great challenge. We become more generous around the end of the year but we are also faced with commercial and social pressure to spend more than our means. My prayer is that we all can look beyond the American Dream and remember those who could not even conceive of the lifestyles we attempt to maintain. On average each American will spend over $700 on Christmas. That same amount would send several children to school for an entire year. In most of the South East Asian countries if the family is not well off then they will have to choose which child get to go to school and which child will work. This lack of opportunity is a major cause of generational poverty. We need to help break that cycle.
Mien Support Network Thailand is here to support and encourage salvation, education, and Mien cultural preservation. This is no small task and it will take support (financial and prayer) to make this happen. One way we intend to support education is by helping to provide money and resources for schools and students in Thailand. Without assistance many children will never see a school at all. Even those lucky enough to go to public school will never see secondary education or university as a possibility and will end up joining the work force at age 12.
MSNT splits our online donation between MSNT, Mien Christian Youth Association, and Mien Radio.
MCYA’s goal is to be the role model for thousand of Mienh youth all over the West Coast of United States of America. Each year, we make an effort to attract 300 to 350 campers. In the past these campers have come from as north as Vancouver, Canada and as far south as Long Beach, California. We have an average of 300 campers per year. The majority of the campers are from the San Francisco/Bay Area. Nearly 80% of the campers live in impoverished inner-city situations. Many of our campers are from non-Christian homes and as a result, many of them turn to the streets seeking attention and support from wherever they can find it. Gangs are a very typical alternative form of family structure. Once into the gangs, many kids get caught in a web of crime, drugs, fornication, etc.. Whatever the “crack” in society they have fallen through; there is little hope for them unless we bring them into the family of Jesus Christ. That is the primary purpose of MCYA-USA.
Mien Radio is touching lives. Radio knows no boundaries. It crosses religious, political, natural and man-made barriers-entering the homes of people who may not be reached in any other way. Radio is personal. It speaks to the deepest spiritual needs of each listener. Radio uses your resources efficiently. A few dollars pays for one minute of airtime to touch the lives of those living in areas so remote that most have never seen a pastor, teacher or missionary. And the skills of just a few workers can reach thousands who have never heard the name of Jesus. There are over 1,000,000 Mien in China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Over 99% of these Mien are not Christians. Many have never heard of Jesus! But they can now hear the Gospel on their short wave radios.
For those who can I would ask that you dedicate one day’s work a year to the Mien. This would entail dividing your annual income by 3120. This amount would be your monthly donation. Automatic monthly contributions are easy to set up through our web site MSNT.ORG on the donate now tab.
If that is not for you we are also working on getting 100 people to set up an automatic monthly contribution of just $5. Just imagine if 100 of your brothers and sisters in Christ put forth only $5 per month then that would provide $2000 per year for MSNT, MCYA, and Mien Radio.
I encourage you to share this with your friends and loved ones. Many hands make light work.
Please visit MSNT.org and consider taking part in God’s Great Commission.
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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