Valentines @ The River

The River loves to celebrate!  For Valentines Weekend our theme was...LOVE!

On Friday night The River Youth had a party on The River grounds. The message about "The Greatest Love of All" was beautifully expressed through the way The River Team prepared for the event, then personally visited homes to invite teenagers and their friends to an amazing night of joy and friendship. In the society of relational brokenness and confused perceptions about "love", our "Valentine's" was life-changing for many! These teens, who are looking for love in all the wrong places, are welcomed, accepted and valued at The River.

On Saturday morning the River Kid's Club was full of energy! Balloons, chocolate, music and games... all bearing the message that "God loves you and He created you for a purpose!"



On Sunday morning, The River celebrated again! 

Roses for everyone...handed out by the girls. One of the girls was rescued from abuse and now on a journey of restoration.

May I have one too?

Welcome everyone!

Flowers, because you are worth it...

There is always room for you...

A chocolate heart for you to enjoy...

Let's give high praise to God, who is LOVE! 

A message on the Greatest Love...
During this time, one man made a life-changing decision to enter into a living relationship with God. Many people also made a recommitment to follow the Lord.

He gave His life for us, so that we may have LIFE...... Full Life Begins!

Greatest day in history...death is beaten... you have rescued me....Oh happy day.....

We give generously, so that others can share in this same joy!

The "Valentine's" Sunday was linked by Skype to our work in the southernmost part of Thailand.

Thank you for loving and supporting The River work!

New Life Begins for Virot's Family!

Virot  and his wife Fong, are well-known wood artisans and furniture makers in Hangdong.

For the past 20 years Virot and Fong searched for theTruth... Virot studied religious books and also involved himself in politicallly motivated activities. He wanted change, because he felt deeply unsettled in his heart. 

One evening, he brought his son to an event held at the local school's sports field.  The River was running a concert in collaboration with the local community. Virot watched from the sidelines as his son joined in with the other kids in the fun activities. While seated on his  motorbike at the edge of the field, Virot was overwhelmed by the joyful atmosphere and the way the crowd responded.

Although suspicious, Virot could not resist the curiosity growing inside him. A couple of The River Team members walked over to greet him. They were unusually kind...and strangely humble. Who were these people? Why would they serve the Hangdong people without expecting anything back?

Virot decided to allow his son to attend The River Kid's Cub. 

Each Saturday morning, The River bus came to pick up their son... and ALWAYS, a kind lady, called Nit, came to personally greet the parents. Soon, Nit and her husband Nu, started visiting their home, offering to help them in practical ways. Before long, other team members joined in and the practical visits became even more unusual: Meals cooked together were enjoyed with deep conversations, which touched the hearts of Virot and Fon.

Virot and Fon had never experienced such love and care before. As small business operators, they suddenly found themselves amongst people, they could trust. What really impressed them, was that these people cared for them and wanted to be their friends regardless of their faith.

They noticed the change that was beginning to happen in their son. His times at The River Kid's Club were making him a happier child. One day, he came home from the River Kid's club with exciting news: "Mom and Dad, I am a child of God!" Their son's life decision was soon followed by the parents:

 Virot and Fon received the One, who is “ the way and the truth and the life". They have found the Truth and He has set them free to truly LIVE!

 

Today the family loves God and serves Him in their local community.

They also host one of the strongest weekly The River small groups in their own home! 

New Life Begins!

Thank you for your partnership with The River.

CHRISTMAS 2013 AT THE RIVER!

Close to 1000 Hangdong people came for

 The River Christmas Special 

on December 22, 2013!

The River Team went carolling in the community. They kept up their visits to people's homes and then  put out an Awesome Party for All!

Sunday, December 22nd began with The River Christmas Worship Celebration. This was a beatutiful family event with lots of music, learning about the True Meaning of Christmas and exchanging of gifts.  A delicious rice meal and sweets were served afterwards.

As the sun was going down, the grounds of The River Centre quickly filled up with people coming from the communities closeby. The numbers swelled to nearly 1000! Everyone ate together and then watched youth and kids presenting wonderful music and drama performances. Their families, friends, teachers, and community leaders were genuinely touched by the joyful and warm atmosphere totally unlike the boozing and coarseness usually seen in such large events. 

Everyone was welcome! The River Band sang songs of praise unto God, which rose to the open heavens and impacted the hearts of all who were present.

The message was one of  joy and hope. The banners and team T-shirts all carried the same message: "NEW LIFE BEGINS!" This is especially important right now, as Thai people are facing a time of serious political turmoil and uncertainty.

The River Band sang "Glory to God in the highest"!

"Our lives are planted on The Solid Rock and we can't stop singing songs of adoration to Him"!

Giving gifts in gratitude towards the Greatest Giver of all....

People from many languages and people's groups....

In the evening, the grounds of The River began to fill up with people....

Nat (rescued from abuse and healed by God's love), wearing the green team shirt, with her friends serving at the fundraising table. "All Proceeds are used to help OUR community!"

The River Kid's Club Kids getting ready for their performance...

Everyone got a noodle meal and something sweet:)

Bek (left) and Ta (right) - one born in an Aussie city, another in a mountain village of Thailand. Today sharing the same hope, peace and joy in God. These girls live to see Thailand healed!

Noom (left) -released from addictions and hopelessness, now serves full-time in The River Team. Here with his cousin from Hangdong community.

Follow the leader..'.So cool'. The crowds loved it! These young men are training to become leaders for the best cause of all!

The grounds of The River were beautifully decorated, depicting the theme: "The Light Has Come".

We've never seen the audience so attentive and captivated by the program. "Our kids can speak English and sing so well!"Although it was rather cold, no one seemed to allow the weather to dampen their spirits.

The River Christmas tree, standing tall by the main road of Hangdong!

The Story of Christmas was also displayed by Hangdong Road.

Thank you for your part in delivering

 God's LOVE and HOPE for Thailand! 

NEW LIFE BEGINS!

Happy New Year 2014!

THE RIVER FLOWS TO BANGKOK!

The River Launches in Bangkok

On Wednesday the 27th of November 2013, at 7:30pm,  The River hosted it’s very first event “The Gathering” in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand! 

The Venue:

"The Gathering" took place at LIDO Theatre, a cinema hall located in well-known Siam Square in Pathumwan district. This was a miracle, as the management never hires the venue out at night when people are free to come to movies! 

The Timing:

Incredibly, "The Gathering" in Bangkok was to co-incide with serious polictical upheaval in the nation!

The news reports around the world continue to report on Bangkok streets being filled with increasing numbers of demonstrators determined to topple the present government! The situation is escalating and already resulting in fatalities.

Demonstrators against the present government in Pathumwan district
 on Wednesday, the 27th November 2013

Let's go back in time a little:

2010 BKK was in chaos due to a prolonged series of political protests by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) (known as "Red-Shirts") against the Democrat Party-led government. The "Red-Shirts" demanded the Prime Minister to dissolve the parliament and call for new elections. The negotiations failing, protests escalated into violent confrontations between the "Red-Shirts" and the military. Some 100 civilians and 6 soldiers were killed, and in excess of 2,100 were injured.

During the height of this dispute, Erik travelled to the epicentre of unrest. He was hugely impacted by the uncompromising and fervent fight for  "a New Thailand" - by the normally unmilitant Thais.

The Red-shirts in Phatumwan in April 2010

This "epicentre" of the battle for a "new Thailand" was the district of Pathumwan. This is where the nation's business, higher education, entertainment,  transportation and technology are centred.

THE BIRTH OF A VISION in 2010

  

Young Thai men and women rising up to invest their lives to bring FULL LIFE to this nation!

A church large enough to reach nations, yet small enough to be a family, which truly cares for and empowers people!

Just like in the lead up to the launch of the work in the South, The River went into a season of unrelenting praise to our Lord over BKK!  Our faith increased to see a church rise up in BKK, which will release young Thais to bring healing to their nation and beyond!

In 2010 we did not have the capacity to even entertain a dream for BKK. Today we do! The River Team has matured. Our values, culture and skills has developed. New people have joined in - some saved in Hangdong! The River  has become apostolic in nature, sending and planting in new areas. We also have the support of an increasing number of believers in Australia and elsewhere, who are strengthening and stretching our capacity to accomplish the task God has called us to!

The Gathering 

The venue for our lanch of Bangkok work was LIDO Theatre, which is in close proximity to the huge MBK shopping mall. 

The River Team travelled from the North and the South of Thailand to undertake an event far beyond their natural ability!

Erik and Sii (who works in the South) at the doorway of LIDO Theatre

Saichon (North) and Yua (South) in Lido Foyer, going over "The Gathering" program

Registration time - everyone received a gift bag consisting of a Welcome Booklet, baked goods made by hand at our The River Cafe in Hangdong, a drink and a wrist band bearing a message, "The River loves Thailand = Full Life Begins!"

"Mr Choc" from Hillsong Brisbane brought smiles to our Bangkok friends!

Erik with Joe, our Bangkok friend, who is helping with logistics 

The River worship band, led by Suwat, at Lido Theatre in the heart of Bangkok!

Passionate worship at "The Gathering" in Phatumwan Bangkok
 on Wednesday the 27th of November 2013

NO OTHER NAME!

Pastor Jerry Kato from Hillsong Brisbane, preached a powerful message on

   “The Unbreakable Hope". 

Young people of Bangkok responded - "We want the FULL LIFE!

We do not have the material resources in our hands as yet, but what we do have is....... 

God, who has captured our hearts!

       EVERYONE MUST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE FULL LIFE IN HIM!

               Your partnership is hugely important right now!!

              THANK YOU and God bless you.