In the northern province of Nan we spent three nights in a Prai tribal village staying with our friends Dave and Fran. This was an exciting and enlightening opportunity for the team. As soon as we arrived, we were whisked away to attend a funeral. It was very sad to witness the traditions and ceremony of people without any hope. As Buddhists, their best hope is that each new life will be better than the last until they reach the stage of enlightenment (no desire) and have no need to return again. As Animists, their best hope is that the spirits can be kept happy and not torment them. We watched as the spirit doctor chanted over the ties on the wrists of the dead man’s wife. He cut the ties, releasing her from her husband’s spirit, she then had to run into the house before the spirit could catch up with her.
That evening was a contrast as we sat outside around a fire talking with the handful of believers in the village. One lady told us about her 17 year old daughter who was also a believer but had been disciplined in school for not bowing to an image of Buddha. Her mum spoke to the teachers and told them that in Thailand there is freedom to practice any religion. I can’t explain to you how much courage it took for a tribal person to do that. Thai people do not like confrontation, the Prai like it even less. Teachers are highly respected in Thai society – this lady was ‘just’ a tribal woman! How wonderful to hear that she had the courage to do this. The teachers assured her that her daughter would not be disciplined any more – however, she says she still gets some abuse but not as openly.
In this large village there were only a handful of Prai believers. They are lonely and need encouragement. They have some scriptures in their language but work on translation continues. When I asked them if they had a message to send to churches and believers at home, without hesitation they said, ‘Send more people’. Dave and Fran are the only missionary couple in that village and are nearing retirement age. The believers desperately want more help, fellowship and encouragement.
We travelled on up into the mountains to visit another village which is quite remote. In this small village of maybe 20 houses there are 11 or 12 believers. What a privilege it was to share a meal and fellowship with these people. One couple from Jordan’s village travels up here every weekend to teach. It’s a horrible journey, not long, about an hour and a half, but on twisty mountain roads rising about 5,000 feet. They bring their young son with them who just loves the Lord and has been witnessing to his grandfather. They told me it isn’t easy to do this every weekend and they couldn’t do it in their own strength but God gives them the strength. They have very little income but pay their own expenses for these trips. While there, they stay in a very basic house which the believers have built for the use of anyone coming to help the church. What an example for all of us and how exciting to see Thai and tribal believers reaching out to their own people.
We also spent time in Chiang Mai, visiting the school, the mission headquarters and meeting various missionaries. One of our team hopes to return this summer to work as a nurse at the school, so she had the opportunity to see the school and meet some of staff. We also were able to spend a little time with the field committee discussing our return. We also looked at a house we might be able to rent while we are refreshing our Thai language in Chiang Mai.
We are trying hard to adjust from the beautiful warm days we had in Thailand to the cold blast which hit us on the tarmac at Belfast airport! We are thankful for God’s goodness and all that was achieved on this trip.
