A Blessed Gift for Which We Give Thanks

by M.L. Smith

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!”
– Psalm 118:1

These words of the Psalmist give voice to the joy of the Church whenever the Lord blesses His people with His Life-giving gifts. There was particular reason for thanksgiving among the Shan people in the Chiang Mai area of Thailand this September.

At Sahathai Mission Station, the first infant was received into the Lord’s family through the waters of Holy Baptism.

It is a beautiful thing to see a child brought to the font. There is nothing the child brings to Christ except his need. Yet Christ gives everything. Through Holy Baptism, this little one has been washed in the water and Word, marked with the holy name of our Triune God, and received into the household of faith.

Rev. Niran Temsakun, Mission Director of Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC), performed the baptism, assisted by Manoo Maneewan, a TCLC deacon, and Rapeephan Wongmengrai, who is studying to become a pastor of TCLC.

For this child, we give thanks to God. We pray that the Lord will keep him steadfast in Christ Jesus and allow him to grow in the grace and knowledge of his Saviour.

We also give thanks for the ministry at Sahathai Mission Station and for what the Lord is doing among the Shan people. In this place, Christ is being proclaimed, people are being gathered regularly around His Word, and His Life-giving gifts are being offered to those whom He has called to Himself. Through the faithful service of Rev. Niran and the workers of TCLC, the Gospel is being carried into homes and communities in the Chiang Mai area.

This first infant baptism is a precious example of what we pray the Lord will continue to accomplish in His mission-field. A child has been baptized. God has given His gifts. A family has rejoiced. And the Body of Christ has received another member

We give thanks, too, for the partnership of Lutheran Church–Canada in this work. Through the prayers and offerings of our members, we are able to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Thailand as they proclaim the Gospel and serve Christ’s people. What a joy it is when we can see the fruit of that fellowship in something as precious as a child receiving the gift of Holy Baptism.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” Indeed, God is good! He has gathered another little one to Himself, and in the midst of the Shan people, Christ continues to give what He alone can give: His Life-giving Word, His forgiveness, and the sure hope of salvation. For these blessings, we give thanks to the Lord.

Rev. M.L. Smith is Lutheran Church–Canada’s Director of International Missions.

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