I'm back!

[chrischar]

Hey Mike,

Good to see you back. It sounds like you had an adventure. Tell us more about it!

Chris

[mike]

Let's Start Talking ministry uses teaching English as a means of sharing the gospel. FriendsSpeak is the method used for secondary English speakers in the United States; usually in university cities.

Overseas, a lot of people have taken classes in English in school, but want to read and speak with a native English speaker to improve their skills in our language. It is amazing the number of folks who desire this. The LST teams advertise free English reading & speaking sessions, using the book of Luke. The fact that the reading is from the Bible is included in the advertising (no traps).

Some people never develop any interest in Christianity, but still get help in reading English better. Others are impacted by the power of the Word, and ask questions. All, hopefully, develop an improved view of Christians. Prayer support is used liberally, and a surprising number of people are convicted by the Spirit.

Although there are some long term teams, and most overseas LST teams work with full time missionaries locally, there are many options for those of us who wish to go on short-term mission projects.

My group put on two 3 day camps in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand. Our primary goal was to help establish or strengthen relationships between local native Christians, and the readers who had been working with the main LST team for 6 weeks. Our secondary goal was to share the gospel in a non-confrontational manner, and our third goal was to continue fostering English skills. We had about two days off for rest and sight-seeing, but the rest of the trip was pretty rigorous work in primitive conditions (at least for us).

Overall, a great experience. I had the opportunity to do a little medical mission work there as well. Our church also coordinates the support of a missionary in Thailand, so our group was able to visit and encourage them, as well.

The Let's Start Talking website is:

http://www.lst.org

If only I can get over jetlag before time to go to work tomorrow!

Mike
:D

[janine]

Welcome "home".

Sounds like a great time of ministry.

I'll bet you got as much out of going & doing it as they got out of you helping them.

[mike]

I've been in Thailand the past few weeks, on a mission trip with the Let's Start Talking program. Very exhausting but very rewarding work.

Sure is a lot to catch up with on the board. I missed the interaction with my online family.

Mike
:D

[Barb1957]

Mike, welcome back.  Let's Start Talking ... is that the same as or similar to the FriendSpeak program? I'm not involved, but a lot of folks at my church (West End CofC in Nashville) are -- several sessions go on in the building on Wed. nights, and I believe there are members who meet with people in the program at other times, if Wed. night isn't convenient for them.

[nerdneh]

Mike, sounds like a great ministry and an effective way of serving while offering exposure to the Word. I like the non-manipulative approach. Glad you are back safely.

[Booty]

MIKE!!!

We are now touch with LST and perhaps when we firm up with them you might come here next!!