A Great Light Has Dawned in Phuket

"the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned" Mathew 4:16

On one of our first few trips to Thailand we drove from Chiang Mai in the north of the country to the island of Phuket in the south. We were traveling with one of our son's and his wife and family who were planning to launch a new ministry in Phuket once they learned the Thai language. 

On the island we knew of only two Thai churches and no international churches. In those days we could literally feel the darkness of spiritual oppression everywhere. Perhaps it was because we were experiencing spiritual darkness and demonic oppression for the first time. However, the long history of resistance to the Gospel in Thailand would suggest the sense of spiritual darkness was real. 

As we crossed the bridge onto the island we declared: 

"the people living in darkness
    have seen a great light"

As it turned out our Scripture prayer was lining up with what God was about to do on this island. Today there are at least 5 international churches and over 50 Thai speaking churches as well as churches among other ethnic groups such as the Burmese. 

There is still a lot of darkness to be pushed back but a great light is shining in Phuket, Thailand and that light is Jesus who is the light of the world. 

As we enter into the celebration of Christmas let's reflect on the impact of Immanuel - God with us - and the fact that we are called to carry his light into the world. This is an amazing privilege. Wherever we go people of darkness are exposed to a great light and that light is Jesus.