First Fruits

“Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field.” Exodus 23:16-17, NAS.

One of the periodic joys of long-term missionary service is when one of the people you lead to Jesus leads their first person to faith. About three or four years ago, when Jack and Lynn Kinnison were still living in Chachoengaso Province (eastern Thailand) and helping with a new church plant in Prachinburi, a Thai teenage girl named Fon came to faith. She had been attracted to the Kinnisons through the English teaching ministry they had at the ministry center in Prachinburi. She attended a class co-taught by Jack Kinnison and fellow IMB missionary, Deidre Cotton.

Two years ago Fon went to the States as a foreign exchange student. She lived with a wonderful Baptist family in Georgia. Fon's English speaking abilities increased greatly during that year - she talks like an American now! Fon is a very active member of an evangelical church in Bangkok, where she is completing her senior year of high school.

During her school break Fon worked as a translator for an American doctor who was on a Southern Baptist volunteer team helping with a mobile medical clinic in northeast Thailand. The Baptist clinic in Chachoengsao Province does mobile medical clinics several times a year.

Fon called the Kinnisons and said, "Uncle Jack! Today during the mobile clinic in Korat, I was able to lead a Thai lady to the Lord!" She was so excited!” After Jack hung up the phone he thought, first fruits! The Kinnisons were so excited for Fon, and delighted that God is using her for His Kingdom purposes. Fon will finish high school this year and eventually plans on going to medical school to serve God in medical ministries.

Pray that:

Long-term missionaries will be encouraged by many multiplying disciples like Fon.

God will continue to grow Fon in her faith, and use her to increase His Kingdom in Thailand.

Short-term medical teams will be blessed both personally and with new Thai Christians as they show Christ’s love to the Thai people.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.