What a Blessing Today!
We rented the scooter and off we went to church, following the signs to the International church and finally found it - we were there.... and on time! Thank you Lord! Nick & I were welcomed by Pastor Anatcha & his wife and also the assistant Pastor..with a warm welcome! We received a cup of coffee & a cookie and sat at the table outside waiting for others to arrive!
Pastor asked our names and where we were from! As the people began to arrive..a Filipino man who had just arrived on the island & town - first time since 1992 he said, and was so' surprised how built up Koh Samui had become, he said he didn't recognize the areas anymore! Also a man from Belgium, that lived in the area. Nick spoke French with him. Others were believers from this local church. Everyone warmly welcomed one another and hugged one another in the Lord!
Church started at 1:30 and everyone began to go into the sanctuary..and worship began - we started by singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" ....oh I immediately felt right at home! and then "God is so' Good"
Pastor asked our names and where we were from! As the people began to arrive..a Filipino man who had just arrived on the island & town - first time since 1992 he said, and was so' surprised how built up Koh Samui had become, he said he didn't recognize the areas anymore! Also a man from Belgium, that lived in the area. Nick spoke French with him. Others were believers from this local church. Everyone warmly welcomed one another and hugged one another in the Lord!
Mercy Church - Koh Samui
As we began to sing...the Pastor invited us to welcome one another - in the church...so people went to each other - warmly greeting one another...so' very friendly...what a blessing - no matter where you are in the world...the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of men & women in the Lord! You see the smile - you feel the warmth...such a pleasure!
As Pastor opened the service he welcomed the newcomers - and then asked me to come and open the service with prayer...my!
I first looked over my shoulder and then he nodded & said Ellen ...I went forward...wanting to be obedient to God's call to pray...but my..... how humbling is that? - I thank the Lord for His words! He is always faithful! He gives You the words faithfully and on time!
Pastor Anatcha shared with us a GOOD WORD..and even though the air conditioner and light's dropped out several times - he continued to share with us the message of Ephesians 4: 4-13. We were most encouraged!
After the service was over - this little boy was blessed with a Birthday cake and song for him...
"Happy Birthday to you!"
....He was so proud! A Very big smile!
Nick & I had the great pleasure of meeting this sweet couple...Paul (from England) and his beautiful wife Anniina Rogers from Finland and their little girl! Let me tell you the story: They live already 5 yrs on the next little island we are heading to tomorrow....Koh Phangan and they have a home-stay there.
They also have a "house church" there...sharing God's love to the people around them!
8 yrs ago Paul was heavy into drugs and wandering in Thailand with a Thai girlfriend. He was there in 2005 when the Tsunami hit Phi Phi / Phuket / Krabi area...he was in the water and was drawn back into the ocean and was even under water for 5 minutes...yet he came out of it..and was spared! He said he "knew" something was or had spared him and it got him starting to think..he said he had had a whole lot of "religion" back in England and decided at the age of 12 - this was not for him! He left England and hung around Asia - doing a lot of stuff - and then Tsunami hit and even then he said he continued his lifestyle until he fell and injured his shoulder very seriously. Paul who was an electrician by trade, had had a bad fall and he said he was suppose to have surgery and was afraid to do it in Thailand..and should go back to England to have it repaired...bandaged up and making plans to go home...he heard a voice say "move your arm" and Paul said he did - the other arm...and he heard the say again "the other arm" and so he did..and he moved it...and then lifted up his arm and rolled his shoulder he said...and Paul said "it didn't hurt!!!" Paul said he knew something weird had happened and ....was this God? He said he questioned it but.... he was healed!!!! Paul said in the next few days he said...(I got the goose bumps about now!) He began to see & be aware of many things....animals...trees, the bugs, ants...doing their little busy work on the ground...he began to notice & become aware of so many things all around him!!!!!
He continued to share his story and how the Lord revealed Himself to Paul...and it was such a precious story! He did say he called his "mum" in England and she said "son, God is revealing Himself to you" and Paul said you mean.. Jesus? and she said yes...that might be Paul...and Paul said "Lord let it be so" and Paul shared he was all at once filled with great LOVE and great awareness of God's love, goodness & grace!
A sweet story - just had to share it with you! He meant Anniima in Croatia with the ministry OM..and did electrical work on the ship...
Wow!..... again....what a story!
He said the Lord called him back to this island Koh Phangan to share with others the Love of God and His grace ~ My... special acquaintances!
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