Volunteer Reunion

“When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.” Psalm 102:22, NASB.

Stateside assignment is a time for Pacific Rim personnel to connect with local Southern Baptist churches. It is also a time to catch up with family and prepare for the next term of service. For Scott and Valerie Payne it was a chance to catch up with their volunteer family. During their last two terms they had worked with 38 summer and semester volunteers who joined them in Thailand to reach the Isaan people. In their mission housing in Franklin, Tennessee, the Paynes hosted a first ever Isaan volunteer reunion.

Ten volunteers from five different states gathered to reminisce about Thailand. They represented teams that served between the years 2000 to 2007. They were happy to learn about the current status of the work.

“It was encouraging that the volunteers still have strong connections with us and with the Isaan people,” said Scott. “These volunteers have been an important part of our work and in our life as a family, so it is meaningful to know that they don't just go back to the U.S. and forget about us and what is going on in Isaan.”

Several volunteers shared that after serving in Thailand they found themselves doing things in ministry through their churches, campus ministries, and Bible study groups, that they would not have been comfortable doing previously. In some cases they had not even considered doing those ministries prior to their service among the Isaan. They grew in confidence and became aware of things that they could do through their service overseas. Some mentioned having on-going opportunities to witness to people in the US as they shared about their experiences serving God in Thailand. Others have sensed God's leadership to further service overseas - three former volunteers to the Isaan area had already completed Journeyman terms (two of those were not at the reunion).

One of the volunteers who had served in 2006 shared about signing a university student's friendship book. As she signed the book she noticed what had been written by two former semester missionaries in 2002. The student had not been a believer at the time, but now he was a follower of Jesus. This experience helped the volunteer to realize that her work was part of a bigger plan that God was working out in the lives of the Isaan people.

It was fun for everyone to remember their experiences in Thailand. Most everyone missed the good, inexpensive Thai food. More importantly they missed the people and through this time of sharing they had their passion rekindled to pray for the Isaan.

Pray that:

Volunteers to the Pacific Rim will use their experiences to further the Kingdom of God in their local churches.

God will call out workers for the Isaan and other unreached people groups in the Pacific Rim.

Pacific Rim workers, like the Paynes, will stay connected with former volunteers and help them remain a part of the ongoing task of reaching the lost in the region.

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