Over seven unforgettable days, 9 to 15 December 2025, 12 trippers from Wesley Methodist Church’s diverse ministries journeyed into the heart of the Nong Bua Lamphu (NBLP) community.
Bound together by a shared covenant, they carried one clear mission: to serve God, one another and the people of their host nation with humility, integrity and unity. What unfolded was more than a trip. It was a living testimony of faith in action. This is the story of how, in Nong Bua Lamphu, faith found its hands and feet.
When 12 hearts unite under one covenant, ordinary days become extraordinary testimonies.
DOUBLE PORTIONS OF GRACE
On this missions trip, blessings seemed to arrive in twos.
Two Schools, Two Sets of Students
The team taught at Ban Namafueang School, with nearly 200 eager learners, and at Nong Pla Khao School, with about 60 students. In both places, the children joined the trippers in lively icebreaker songs and games, ably led by Kristian Ong and Sarah Chan, our youth trippers. The students watched a skit that opened the door to English immersion activities and created origami flowers mounted on cards, personal notes they could gift to friends or family.
Desmond Yiong, Team Leader, shared this about one of the school visits: “Fantastic trippers lead to fantastic experiences for me, both as their team leader and as a tripper myself. Guided by the message of 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, “One Body, Many Parts,” this verse truly came alive throughout the mission.
I witnessed it in action when the unexpected happened. While we had planned for 180 children to attend the school programme, more than 200 children turned up for the event. The task was overwhelming, but together we rose to the challenge and saw it through.”
Pastor Mook of Christ Methodist Church, Khon Kaen, who served as translator, reflected on how the team handled the ‘crisis’: “Expect serious things to happen on the part of God. His seriousness is something usually very powerful when we do things seriously.”
Another translator, Wiyada Thongkaew, affectionately known as Lidia, observed the strength of the team’s shared purpose: “I see all of you work together in God’s work. Even when you sometimes misunderstand each other, in the end you still understand each other. When there is trouble, you also help. This is God’s love that all of you have been showing to me, and I’m sure that others in the church have also seen this.”
Expect serious things to happen on the part of God. His seriousness is something usually very powerful when we do things seriously.
Two Skits, Two Messages of Fun and Love
Beyond the schools, the team performed a second skit at the church funfair. Using props and storytelling, they portrayed Jesus as the Good Shepherd who searches tirelessly for His lost sheep, even while 99 remain safe. This dramatisation embodied the trip’s theme, Precious God, Precious You.
Skit Director Danny Lin shared about the conception of the story: “I knew God likes to work in my heart step by step, to process and prune me. It was a journey like walking the hills unhurriedly, with ups and downs, to understand the Good Shepherd’s heart. I started to see how precious God is. He took the step to come down to save each person, the sheep whom He created and knows deeply, to carry them and rejoice over them, allowing them to have an intimate relationship with Him. And we, the sheep, are certainly precious to the Lord, for Him to sacrifice Himself like a lamb to fully redeem us. Thus, the idea ‘Precious God, Precious You’ appeared.”
As in past trips, the team visited villagers, offering gifts, songs and prayers. Whether seasoned or first-time trippers, all shared in the joy of giving. In turn, the trippers received twofold blessings there.
Two Responders
At the Nongsan Preaching Point, tripper Sally Seow shared her testimony after sensing a nudge from the Holy Spirit. The night before, she had laughed off the thought of an altar call. During her sharing, however, the conviction returned, this time with the impression that two would respond. Indeed, two villagers stepped forward, confirming the Spirit’s presence. Sally’s reminder, etched on her water bottle, “Make Heaven crowded,” came alive in that moment.
Two Little Ones and Two Pastors
The NBLP community was graced with a double blessing in the form of its youngest members.
Andreas, the infant son of Kung Naruemon, another translator, and Theo, the newborn son of Pastor Kluay, brought joy and a sense of continuity to the fellowship.
Kwong Shiu Yoong, Country Coordinator for Thailand, reflected warmly: “I’ve been in the mission field for two decades now. Going to NBLPMC is like a homecoming. This time, to meet the latest addition to the community, Theo, brought such a warm feeling. I thank God for this privilege.”
His wife Kim shared a similar sentiment: “Meeting Theo was like welcoming the latest addition to the family. I’ve known Kluay since she was 12. I’ve seen her grow up, become a pastor, get married and now be a mum. A precious journey to be on with her.”
After two decades in the mission field, returning to NBLPMC feels like coming home. I thank God for this privilege.
Assistant Team Leader Daisy Tan also spoke with affection about her visit with Pastor Kluay and her encounters with the two little ones: “Coming on trips to NBLP, I’ve seen Pastor Kluay grow and enter different seasons of her life. Visiting her as a new mum is like going to visit family. I also had the pleasure of ‘babysitting’ Andreas. It was a joy to see him perched on his mum’s back as she went about her translation work. It augurs well for the future.”
That same spirit of homecoming and family was felt by Hope Kelly and Peggie Chan, who have been teaching English online to the NBLP pastors.
Hope reflected, “It was beautiful to see everyone working together in the church to prepare for the village outreach, the funfair and the Sunday service. When the church carries on while the pastor is on leave, it’s a testament to the effectiveness of the equipping of the saints.”
Peggie echoed this sense of joy in shared growth and partnership: “Meeting Mon and Kluay and seeing their partnership brings great joy. Mon zips around taking care of things big and small on Kluay’s behalf, while Kluay steals time to be with us.”
A WEEKEND OF SHEPHERDING LOVE
The mission trip unfolded into a weekend rich with fellowship and meaning. The funfair drew close to 100 people who came together to enjoy food ranging from crêpes and Singapore-style curry chicken to sweet-and-sour chicken and popcorn, alongside games, a rummage sale, a blessings draw and a skit. It was an evening of joy, laughter and community.
Desmond’s Sunday sermon echoed the message of the skit, the Good Shepherd who never abandons even one lost sheep. This continuity deepened the impact for those who had witnessed the dramatisation the night before.
Testimonies added another layer of encouragement. Trippers Matthew Chan and Lim Siew Keng, a married couple, shared how their journey of faith was marked not by dramatic events but by the steady assurance of God’s love for them and their family, and the courage to persevere against the odds.
Sunday concluded with the team spending time with the church community, children, youths and seniors, presenting thoughtfully prepared Christmas gifts tailored to each group. These gestures of care and cheer embodied the covenant that guided the trip: to serve with compassion and humility.
Our journey of faith was marked not by dramatic events, but by the constant reassurance of God’s love for our family and the courage to persevere, even when the odds were stacked against us.
(Photos by Desmond Yiong)
