Let’s Go Fishing

 

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4.19)

Seven hundred men, standing on rickety platforms in the middle of a lake, poised, waiting, waiting for the signal to cast their nets and start fishing.  This was the scene we witnessed last week in the district of Tron in Uttaradit province and then, as they let down their nets, we saw fish large and small being caught in every direction. Some jumping out of one net only to land in the next one, no escape, and an air of joy, laughter and excitement all around.

To be honest we feel a bit like those men standing on their platforms, just itching to get going! The good news is that after praying, surveying, reflecting and gradually narrowing down the choices, we have now settled on the village of Ban Wang Daeng in Tron district, Uttaradit as the place to set up our rickety platform and start fishing – figuratively speaking of course. We hope that our presence there will bring joy, laughter and excitement as many people are transformed by Jesus Christ and as they experience His abundant life (John 10.10).

The main reason we chose Wang Daeng was not because it was more suitable, friendly or needy than the places in Phrae we had looked at. It was more to do with the welcome we received from the other churches in Uttaradit and their desire to work with us, to pray for us and to be a mutual encouragement one with the other.

We have found several places for rental in the village through the kindness of local people volunteering to show us around, and in doing so have already made friends with some of our soon-to-be neighbours (no estate agents or even signs outside properties here). Only one house really fits the criterion: two-storey, in the heart of the community, with land. Actually it doesn’t have much land, just a small patch out the front, but that will have to do. Hopefully we will be moving in at the beginning of May after doing a bit of DIY, buying furniture and so on as it is just an empty shell at present – not even a kitchen sink!

So after driving 4,000 kilometres round 2 provinces, exploring 7 districts, finding 5 sub-districts, visiting 9 churches, selecting 2 villages, looking around 12 houses and finally plumping for 1 big pink house in Ban Wang Daeng… we have finally finished stage 1 of our project. Now for stage 2!