October 11-13- Thailand

October 11, 2012

Today was a travel day.  We flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand this morning.  Chiang Mai is a city of over one million people situated in the northwest area of the country.  It sits in the mountains and has a small-town feel compared to the sprawling metropolis of Bangkok.  Several thousand missionaries make this their base for ministry into northern Thailand and the surrounding areas.

We were met at the airport by Don and Caroline Armstrong, regional coordinators for Asia and the Pacific (Global Missions).  We enjoyed a great lunch along the main river that runs through Chiang Mai.  The evening included a walking trip into the night bazaar.  Vendors set up along a main street around 6:00 p.m., selling wares that include clothes, souvenirs, household items, etc.  The bazaar runs every night until about midnight.  What fun it was to wind our way through the stalls, interacting with the people.

October 12, 2012

Today was another travel day.  This time by van from Chiang Mai to Khun Yuam, a small town in the northwest corner of Thailand, near the Myanmar border.   Again, the scenery was stunning, as we drove on winding roads through mountains and farmland. 

The children in Khun Yuam were engaging from the first moment we drove into the church yard.  They giggled, waved, and smiled as we tried to bridge the communication gap between Thai and English through sign language, smiles, gestures, and eye-to-heart contact.

I was struck again during the interviews at how healthy the children were.  As I compared the interview records of the last visit (especially regarding their health), I was so pleased to see that the issues of concern last time had been addressed, and the children were healthy and strong.  A number of them had had medical treatment and care as a follow-up to the last visit, and with additional attention on a regular basis to their health, were in much better stead than earlier.  I couldn’t help but think what a difference a sponsor’s commitment makes to a child. 

The parents of these children primarily work as farmers.  Most do not own their own land, but work for land-owners.  They grow rice and vegetables, working long hours in the fields.  An education is the only way to provide the hope for a future beyond illiteracy and basic survival.  I spoke with the children about the importance of education.  It is heartbreaking to see that sometimes the families pull the kids from school as they get older because they need their labor to help support the family.  Please pray that these older children will stay in school long enough to finish high school.  It will, in the long run, assist the families so much more.  This is one of the challenges facing the rural programs in Thailand. 

We drove south from Khun Yuam to Mae Sariang, a small town right by the Myanmar border.  This will be our base as we visit a small village known as Mae Kom Pae tomorrow.

October 13, 2012

I was feeling very eager to get to Mae Kom Pae.  I have always loved this village.  Primarily made up of Karen tribe refugees from Myanmar, the people are warm, colorful, and creative.  And the church is vibrant and strong.  Pastored by a strong, committed widow, the congregation is active in ministering in the community, and gives the children the support, love, and encouragement as a close-knit community of believers can do. 

Some of the children arrived in the native Karen dress.  Everyone made sure that their flip-flops or shoes were left on the stairs of the church.  After a song and words of welcome, we interviewed the children.

There are children here who want to be doctors, nurses, and teachers – lots of teachers.  What a great thing for this village’s future. 

We visited several children’s homes after the interviews.  As I climbed the ladder into one home, I was struck immediately by the fact that it was empty.  Space was abundant, but there was nothing in the house.  The family slept on the floor and also used the floor for sitting, but beyond that, there were no other possessions or conveniences.  I couldn’t help draw comparisons to the filled rooms of “things” in my house and in those of all my friends.  We are indeed blessed with conveniences – but this view inside this home reminded me that as the scripture says, “life does not consist of the things we own.”  The happiness, smiles, and joyful interaction underlined this fact as we conversed and chatted with the family.  While they kept thanking me for visiting their home, I kept thinking, “The honor is mine.”  I have again been reminded that simplicity and core values are at the heart of living, that we can find those basic needs of love, affection, commitment, joy, and peace in a small, empty wooden house.  Life indeed does not consist of what we purchase and own.  We see that example in Jesus, who probably owned very little or nothing, yet serves as an example to us of so many important virtues and values.  God’s love and saving grace are our greatest possessions, thanks to His bountiful love.