Reflections from Thailand

10 years ago, Kim and Jason Seville, alongside several other families also serving in their city in China, took a trip together to Thailand to rest and to give themselves some space to dream and strategize about how to better reach their city with the gospel, together.

Over the years, this time of rest and refreshment has become the Healthy Churches Asia conference, now an annual gathering of missionaries, pastors and families from across Asia. For the past several years, Frontlines has been able to send a staff member to teach a session during the conference and offer counseling and encouragement to the gospel workers gathered there.

This year, Kim Seville attended on behalf of Frontlines Ministries and Del Ray Baptist Church, enjoying sweet fellowship with missionaries, pastors and families from over twenty countries. Read below for some reflections from Kim about her time in Thailand.

I've just returned from Bangkok, Thailand, where I had the incredible privilege to gather with missionaries, pastors and families from over twenty countries for the annual Healthy Churches Asia conference. 

The highlights included having the chance to connect in person with 10 different people Frontlines has had the privilege to counsel in recent years.

One father said, "Your ministry has been such a blessing to our family. We are deeply thankful for the changes we've seen in our daughter."  Another person said with tears that the difference counseling has brought about in his wife has been profoundly healing. Another couple, whom we counseled last year, reported that they are thriving in marriage today. This is certainly not change that we can take credit for, but we thank God for the privilege of being used as His instruments to bring about healing and growth in the lives of these people He loves. What a blessing it is to serve Him in this way!

I also had the opportunity to teach a breakout session alongside my husband at the conference about "Having Hard Conversations." It was a special joy to talk about what it looks like to walk in obedience to God and have hard conversations in different cultural contexts. 

These are treasured conversations with precious people. I was reminded afresh of the difficulties facing many of the people we serve. Several friends from Cambodia were unable to join the conference at the last minute because of political tensions at the Thai border. Friends in India also spoke of political instability and uncertainty. Friends in other SE Asian countries talked about challenges related to lack of medical care, spiritual darkness, and difficult team tensions. 

Thank you so much for your continued support that makes our work possible. We are so grateful to get to partner with you in extending faithful years for these dear ones in difficult places.

Thank you for helping to make it possible to provide direct encouragement and care to missionaries, pastors and their families through in-person opportunities like this, and through continued counseling and church relationships!