Final Thoughts

By Chris Marziale

It has been a journey that will last a life-time in the memories of those who participated in this mission encounter to Myanmar and Thailand.  Seventeen went to Myanmar and sixteen to Thailand.  As I think about what we experienced, I am reminded how God was with us throughout our time together.

From the time we met in Los Angeles, California, till departing our separate ways for home, all of us have stories to share about what we experienced.  Seventeen different stories will be shared for the next two years throughout American Baptist Churches and women’s groups.

We walked the streets and saw the everyday person who live behind their storefronts selling fruit and vegetables,  clothing, and other items;  the traffic and how one line can end up being three or four; the countryside and those working in the fields; small churches among the pagoda’s of Buddha’s not just on the streets but in unexpected hidden places; small little villages where 30-40 families live; 7 Elevens, McDonald’s,  Burger Kings (made you feel at home); special sights giving the history of each country, but most importantly the people and how they made us feel important.  Our pictures taken like we were stars.  When you think about it they are not any different than us here in the states.  We all have families and friends trying to be a part of this world.

A question in our debriefing by Lorna Hansen was asked “How did we experience being served during this time?”  I can think of so many and that is how I am going to end this blog.  We were served by the people in their graciousness, taking care of our every need, cooking meals, the little things like having a stool to get up into vans, walking us from the women’s room so we would not fall on the uneven grass, providing us with water because it was hot, the drivers who got us safely around to each place where we needed to be, women who shared their stories with us and how God is working in their communities and associations, our missionaries sharing their stories how seeing how they live and work among those who appreciate their ministries and lastly we were served in the spiritual sense through music, worship, prayer and fellowship.

These past two weeks have changed our lives and we’ll never be the same in what we experienced.  Each person we met has a story to tell.  Our cultures might be different, but we are the same in God’s eyes.  I am grateful for the way God continues to open our eyes to new things and this mission encounter was no different.

As you read and listen to the stories that will be shared in the coming months or year, I pray your hearts will be open and that you will continue to give to missions whether they be part of the Women and Girls Mission Fund though AB Women’s Ministries or International Ministries.  All of us working together can help as we continue to share the love of Christ.

December 16, 2013

By Janice Mott & Lorraine Brownell

Our last day began in Chiang Rai with an early breakfast and then off to visit the Karen Baptist School. We were present for their opening exercise which included the gathering of the students on the lawn to raise their flag, recite their pledge, the Lord’s Prayer, and sing their national anthem accompanied by their marking band.

Then the principal, Mr. Wichai Songsaeng, escorted us into his office where he shared some history and current facts about the school. This school was founded in 1957 with cooperation of Cecil Carter, an American Baptist missionary, along with the Karen people. The first school had 18 students and 1 teacher. Today they have 2,052 students with 89 teachers, plus additional 24 staff members. Eleven different tribes are represented in the student body. They are now a government school; however are permitted to continue their Christian teachings to the students. Last year there were 38 baptisms.

Throughout our trip we have found the people we visited to be appreciative of AB missionaries and those who support their ministries. After this brief visit (at the Karen School) we said goodbye to Chuck and Ruth Fox and we flew back to Bangkok to prepare for our 2:00 a.m. departure from the Guest House for our blights back to the USA.

This has been an amazing trip and one to be remembered and shared with others as to the faith in Jesus Christ being shared and spread throughout the people with the help of our missionaries.

December 15, 2013

By Roz Slawson and Marcia Logan

Scott Coats, Thailand missionary for International Ministries, shared with us before going to worship about his ministry with the Thailand people. He was raised in Thailand by his missionary parents, Pat and Bob Coats. In 1985 Scott started working in Chang-Rai to empower churches in the area to work together in community. Scott shared an amazing story about a young woman born in the Akha tribe in a village close to the Myanmar border.

Phutchara (pot CHARA) attended a boarding school part of her high school years and then transfered to a Christian home school to graduate. She went on to graduate at the top of her class at the Chaing-Mai University, traveled to the US to attend Indiana University for a Post Education Degree in Law. She chose to take the bar exam in New York state which is one of the most difficult locations to do so and passed successfully. Thailand funded Phutchara’s education so she is required to work for the government for ten years of which she has completed two. Phutchara is currently employed by the Ministry of Justice in Bangkok focusing on international law and women’s rights.

Scott accompanied us to the Huey Kiid Karen church for morning service. The village has 24 homes and 15 families attend the church. There are 65 members and 40 have been baptized. Including the 17 of us, there were close to 100 in attendance, as well as local officials.

The sermon was given by the area pastor in Karen and was then interpreted in English by Scott. The scripture was John 3:16 and was recited by the entire congregation. The message was in part that Christmas is more about Christ than the decorations; God is good because He sent Christ to us and He cares for each of us. We know we are forgiven through Christ and this is God’s priceless gift to us.

The music throughout the service was exciting and uplifting and included guitars and drums. We sang “Joy to the World” with the congregation – they in Karen and we in English. There was a chorus of young women, one of men, and another of men and women together. The Karen’s love to praise God with music.

  

The mission encounter group was also asked to sing to the congregation, so we sang “Silent Night” in two part harmony.

After the service, the chairs were moved back and tables brought in so they could serve us a wonderful meal of rice, chicken with vegetables and another traditional Karen dish that was a hit with many of us.

The Karens are very hospitable people. Besides feeding us so well, we were each blessed with a traditional Karen shoulder bag, a key chain, and were included in their Christmas gifting, in which everyone received a small useful gift.

We took time in the afternoon for much needed down time to rest. Then Ruth and Chuck Fox met us and took us to the International Church in Bangkok for their bimonthly service, which was a Christmas service. The church was filled with many from America, Australia, and other parts of the world. First, the children portrayed the familiar Christmas story with congregation singing between scenes. This was followed by the observance of communion. The final part of the service was a candlelight service with many of the familiar carols being sung in the candle lit sanctuary.

December 14, 2013

By Chris Marziale and Kim Holiday

It rained all night and I was lying in bed wondering about the one thing that I was looking forward to, which was to ride on the elephants. It has been on my bucket list ever since I knew we were coming to Thailand. I am not sure when the rain stopped, but as we were preparing to leave for the Ahka Craft store to shop, the sky started to clear and the sun started to peek through the clouds.

By 8:15 AM we were on the road again. Shopping was our first stop and then off to a small village called Rummit to the elephants. Some went down the Mae Kok River by boat while several of us went with missionary Chuck Fox in the truck by the scenic route. The back way to Rummit was beautiful. We saw many farms of growing rice, corn, and pineapple, and saw bamboo trees as well as rubber trees. We stopped and took pictures of a cave Buddha sight. I’ve learned lots about the Buddha religion since I have been here.

We all arrived at the elephants and with great excitement we went up the steps and there we were on an elephant. Even being afraid of heights did not stop me from enjoying the sights below as we went through the village. I noticed so many things along the way such as newborn chicks and puppies, flowers, and poinsettias. The villagers were weaving and selling their beautiful scarfs. I wondered what it was like for them to see elephants and strangers going through their village. However it was a wonderful ½ hour. All of a sudden the elephant in behind me had it’s trunk at my shoulders wanting food, so I was glad to give him some of what I bought. I had never been this close to one of these beautiful creatures before. Just before getting back to where we started all of a sudden my elephant stopped; I was told it was a potty break for him.

When my ride was over, I went to up to him to give the rest of my food and remember saying “thank you” God for stopping the rain so we might enjoy this time.

Off again back into boats and the truck to where we were going to eat lunch and meet with Larry and Jan Martin. A great morning.

Lunch was at The Riverview Resort on the Mae Kok River. We were joined for lunch by four missionaries (two of which were Jan & Larry Martin) and volunteers. The Martins have been missionaries in Thailand for 27 years. They are currently living in Nan which is 3 hours N.E of Chiang Rae. They are currently advocating home based worship. A “normal” service would consist of; eating sticky rice with hands on the floor, followed by the ceremony with chanting of songs, candle lighting, the telling of a Bible story, prayer request, and ending with a mass prayer. Please keep the Martins in your thoughts and prayers.

We followed the Martin’s visit with a trip to the Doi Tung Factory. The factory was started by the Queen Mother to facilitate vocation training for local Hill Tribe Villagers. The factory specializes in Weaving, paper making, pottery, and coffee.

After our visit, we went to the Doi Tung Gardens. The gardens are the backyard of the Queen Mothers residence. This was a spectacular display 0f European style Gardens.

Our day ended by going to a small Akha village where Ruth and Chuck have a ministry and when they stay have a neat place and visited a pastor where we had dinner and listened to carolers. These carolers go from village to village into the night sharing their voices. Dinner was wonderful and then children from the village came in and sang to our group.

As we were leaving it started to rain and really was pouring by the time we got back to the hotel. Wet and tired, we went to bed having another full day of listening and learning and having fun.

December 13, 2013

By Nora Melger and Sarah Hicks

Our day started right on time this morning. We were early to our first stop where we met up with Becky Mann. She wasn’t expecting us quite so early but nonetheless she was happy to see us and very prepared to receive us. (That’s how God works sometimes, isn’t it?)

In a coffee bean (as opposed to a nutshell), she and her family have been called to a mission in Chiang-Rai. They build water systems for villagers and have come to build a coffee business known worldwide. (You may know their biggest customer, Starbucks???)

The Mann’s have a “whole-istic” approach to their ministry. They don’t club the villagers over the head with the gospel, but they get up from kneeling in prayer and teach the villagers a total way of life. So by “whole” we mean that the Mann’s teach these villagers of God’s love for them, but they also incorporate their indigenous culture so they have an identity here in Thailand as well. The villagers get a basic education, medical attention, they learn money management and how to invest in their village, and they learn to become self-sufficient.

It was very pleasant to hear Becky describe her and her husband, Mike’s passion for this ministry. She shared a lot of their successes and projects that they have completed including schools and medical clinics for the villages that they work with. She shared that God answered her and Mike’s first prayer together immediately the day after.

Becky in her small stature with her warm smile and energetic laughter was the icing on the cake. She gave us a tour of their café and showed us the coffee roasting process. Did we mention that we got a treat when we had croissant sandwiches and coffee drinks for lunch!!??! Yummy!!!

Some of you may wonder how all our activities are missionary work. You must understand that our presence here at these schools, hospitals and churches is just verification for them that there are women that are really praying and supporting them. It’s an opportunity for the people here to see that they are loved by our same God and that we are just the messengers.

We also visited the second sight of the New Life center. The girls, staff, and Trish Magal were happy to know that they were not forgotten since most visitors come to the main site in Chiang Mai.

We ended our night with a Christmas program at the International School under cover of rain where we also met Joel Hoefle.

December 12, 2013

By Grace Holiday and Eileen Smith

We started our day in Chang Mai and headed to the New Life Center and met with Kit Ripley, who shared about her ministry with the girls at the center. The New Life Center was started in 1987 and now is home for 76 girls, ages 12 to 20, who were at risk in an emergency situation and need a safe place. The girls come from tribal areas, many who are born in Thailand but they do not have citizenship. The center helps them apply for citizenship which can take up to 6 to 8 years. The girls have a safe place to get an education, learn life skills, vocational training, therapeutic services, and Christian programing. They have sewing machines donated by the Rotary Club and learn sewing as well as doing training for vocations. Kit gave us a tour of the center and we had a treat that some of the girls just made. Lauren Bethell surprised us by joining us during our time at the center.

Lin took time from work to share how she came to the New Life Center at the age 14 and told her personal story of how the New Life Center has truly given her a “new life.” Through the STEP program and the ladies from Maine helping fund her education, she will be getting her Masters soon. She is now able to support her family and move forward with her life. Lorna Hansen (from Maine) gave Lin a prayer shaw made by one of her church members to let Lin know that she is being surrounded by prayer.

We were then able to shop at the gift store which helps to support the center. We went to a local restaurant for lunch and we had Kit Ripley and Lauren Bethell as our guests. They each shared their current ministries in more detail as we enjoyed a Thai meal.

Our drive to the House of Blessing was scenic of local culture. We were greeted by 40-45 Pre-K students who entertained us with song and dance. They wore ethnic dress for us.  These children come from five slum areas and their instruction is FREE. Their parents can then have day jobs. This Pre-K experience prepares these little ones for entry into public school.

Kim Brown is our missionary at this site and when the little ones went home she showed us a video of the history of this facility. The older children then came home from public school to House of Love.  This haven was established in 1995 for children of HIV parents. We brought to these young people 54 hats, 26 scarfs, and 2 sets of mittens.

A tasty supper was served from the kitchen with the students helping. They then sat between each of us at the table. The meal was finished with ice cream!!

Devotional time with the kids and staff was next. We each introduced ourselves to each other. Singing followed in two languages followed by prayer. Scripture and a short meditation were shared after which two students gave “their story” which was very moving and emotional. It took a lot of courage for these two young people to share a very personal testimony and how God is working in their lives. The House of Love has been their home and they are grateful for a place to stay and know they are loved. When we closed with prayer the kids were allowed to go and see the scarf and hat that we brought to them. Each one was able to pick an item and they will receive them in their Christmas stockings.

Before leaving there were hugs all around. After getting in our vans all of the kids and staff stood outside in the walkway and waved good-bye. It was a great experience being with these two groups of children. We then went back to the hotel for our own devotions and instructions for Friday.

December 11, 2013

by Jane Smith and Twila Wanamaker

It was wonderful to have a more relaxed schedule.  Breakfast was somewhat more at leisure.  We didn’t have to have our bags down in the lobby and ready to go by 9:45.  Can this be real???  We enjoyed some time to visit with one another in preparation for our trip to Chang Mai.  After arriving at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, we made our way through a very smooth check-in process and to our gate.  After arriving at our gate, several made a run to Subway, Burger King and McDonalds for lunch orders.  We had forgotten how great a hamburger could taste.

Thai Airlines is very nice.  We were served a nice snack in a neat little box, coffee and tea, even though the flight was only about an hour long.  Thank you, Ruth, for making a very good choice of airline for this domestic trip within Thailand.

The vans that transported us to the Riverside Bed and Breakfast are quite comfortable and we are soon very pleasantly welcomed at the Riverside and shown to our rooms.  We find a very homey setting with a beautiful garden area full of flowers and foliage.  One would hardly believe we are in a large city.  Our B&B is called the Riverside because it is beside the Ping River.

Half an hour later we shopped at the Thai Tribal Crafts store whose profits help all the missions in Thailand.  Crafts come from the six major tribes including Akha, Lahu, Karen, Hmong, and two others.  The store had great selections, unbelievably inexpensive prices, and space to shop for a group our size.  We all made our purchases and happily piled back into the vans.

We had devotions early and, instead of our usual debriefing, Ruth Fox shared about herself so that we could get to know her.  Some went to dinner on their own, and most of us walked across the “Iron Bridge” to wander the Chiang Mai night bazaar with blocks and blocks and blocks of small stands and shops selling everything from clothing to trinkets to tea to soap, etc.  We put a big dent in our Christmas shopping!

Crossing back over the “Iron Bridge,” we watched someone light a fire in a lantern that floated up into the night sky headed for a brightly glowing Venus.  A couple of ladies went for Thai foot massages while the rest of us went back to the B&B to get ready for an intensive mission day tomorrow with a goodnights sleep.

December 10, 2013

by June Totten and Lorna Hansen

Today is Constitution Day in Thailand, a national holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Thai constitution in 1932.

Lea Lindero, an IM missionary at Kwai River Hospital, has been our gracious hostess, serving here for 30 years. She and another woman prepared for us a hearty breakfast and delicious lunch on her veranda. It seems strange to be eating outside this time of year. Between these two meals, we met with and visited five different mission projects.

After breakfast, families and STEP (Student Tuition Expense Program) children from the village visited us. We were introduced to them and how STEP has been influential in their lives. After conversation and group photos, our Mission Encounter group surrounded the STEP group, laid hands on each others’ shoulders, and prayed together.

Second, we walked across a grassy area to an orphanage/hostel where a group of children were singing. There are 53 children here, many of whom are orphans or come from areas where there is ongoing conflict. A young girl stood up and told us how she came to the hostel; her mother died and her family was split up. No one from her family ever comes to visit her, but she has found a loving home and new friends and “family” and encouragement from God here in the hostel. The house father told us he grew up here and was thankful for the founding missionaries who provided this loving home for children in need. He came back, first as a volunteer because there was no budget for staff. He worked with missionaries to find funding so this hostel could survive and serve more children. Now they have agricultural programs, and teach children how to raise chickens and pigs. This helps support them and also provides food. He has been here 10 years as House Father and is very strong about sharing the gospel. Some students from non-Christian homes come to know Christ, receive baptism, and take what they learn at school to their families when they go to visit.

Next we visited the Kwai River Hospital which was within walking distance. On the way to the hospital, we passed the TB unit where tuberculosis patients are treated when they are released from the hospital. It is a way to see that they take their meds. River Kwai is a 25 bed hospital. There is a waiting room for outpatients and a Bible study is conducted every morning for those waiting to be treated. We met Dr. Scott Murray from Scotland, who has served as the only surgeon there for 3 ½ years. He told us about a patient carried to the hospital for five days to reach medical attention and that cerebral malaria, TB, and infected wounds are common types of cases treated. Fifty per cent of the patients come from Burma. Before we left the hospital, we were introduced to a newborn baby.

Next we traveled in our vans a short distance to a rutted dirt road to visit a Karen Bible School. To reach the school, we had to get into pick-up trucks to ride up to the school. It made the Indiana Jones ride at Disney seem mild next to the jostling around we did up the rutted path. Students who attend the school are Karen and do not necessarily speak Thai, so the classes are taught in Karen. They attend classes until 3:00 in the afternoon and then work on the property. Most students were born in Burma and have come to Thailand during conflicts in their country. Our group was entertained by their beautiful voices as they sang Christmas carols for us, singing in beautiful harmony.

Our last stop before lunch was to the Safe Place project. Residents of this project have been victims of the conflict in Burma, where they were beaten and raped. Police brought them to the Thai border and dumped them. Many suffered emotional and mental disorders and need a safe place to live. We observed several of the 39 who now live there weaving beautiful Karen design cloth. Others work in the shop that sells products they create.

After lunch at Lea’s, we said our goodbyes and prayers and set out for the long ride back to Bangkok. The ride was broken up by two stops. The first was at the war memorial for those who were forced to build the Burma Railroad during World War II. The second was for dinner at the famous River Kwai bridge. Most of us walked over the bridge. Some even were caught on the bridge when a train approached slowly. They squeezed into cubes on the bridge until the train passed. It was late when we arrived back at the Guest House in Bangkok, but our hearts had been blessed by the visits of the day. e

December 9, 2013

By Bonnie Sestito

Our day began together at 5:30 AM so that we could check out of our hotel rooms and board the bus for the trip to the airport.  Upon arrival we said our goodbyes to our new friends Narsharbo, Eh Moo, and Ruby Wah.  When we arrived at the gate, some did some last minute shopping to spend whatever Kyats they had left and/or had breakfast.  Ruth Fox, who is a missionary in Thailand and leading us over the remainder of our mission encounter, introduced herself.  The flight took an hour and twenty minutes to Bangkok and another hour of travel via two vans to the Bangkok Christian Guest House.  We quickly made our way to the third floor where our large suitcases were stored while we were in Burma.  There we dropped off dirty clothes and souvenirs, and we packed for an overnight stay at the Kwai River Hospital in Kanchanaburi.  As each of us finished packing we went down to the first floor to the dining room where lunch was waiting for us.  The last person to arrive for lunch had fifteen minutes to eat before getting back into the vans for our six hour journey.  We stopped very two hours for a potty break, stretching, and snacks.  Many of us slept on the way.  When we were awake there were new and exciting things to see: many, many shrines of all sizes; beautiful mountains, a rice paddy, a huge body of water  spotted with islands and some houses in areas.  We chatted and shared snacks.

One of the vans got a flat tire on the last leg of the trip.  We waited while the drivers changed the flat.  In approximately ten minutes we arrived at the hospital where some of us were assigned rooms for sleeping and six others were assigned to sleep at Jan’s house, a nurse at the Kwai River Hospital.

Dinner was prepared by Lea Lindero, Missionary nurse.  The highlight for me was the homemade banana bread.  It was a taste of home.  After dinner we had devotions on the deck as well as debriefing and instructions for tomorrow.  The day was long and hard.  We sat for an hour and twenty minutes on the plane and were in a bus and vans for another seven hours.  Arriving at our destination we were tired, some cranky, some with swollen ankles and feet.  Why did God bring us to this destination?  What does God have in store for us?  I don’t know.  But I trust by the end of tomorrow we will all know.

December 8, 2013

By Marcia Logan, Janice Mott, and Roz Slawson

Becky is an 85-year-old member of Bethel Baptist Church in Yangon, Myanmar.  She sits up front ready to worship with about sixty other parishioners.  Betsy lifts her voice in praise singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer”.  I know those hymns and am able to join her!  As we share our offering the elder men’s choir singing “Trust and Obey”.

The sermon today is given by Ruby Wah, a Karen student at Myanmar Institute of Theology.  She is the first woman to EVER preach at her home church.  Betsy and I hear Ruby share her message in both our languages for us.  She proposes “What can Christmas do for us?”  Ruby encourages all of us that Christmas is HOPE to the lost, LIGHT to those in despair, and UNION to those who believe!  Our women’s group steps up to the alter and preform “Joy to the World.”  Betsy smiles as we finish and I smile that we are finished, too!

Afterwards Betsy and I meet.  Her English is clear so I ask a very common American question…”Where’s the bathroom?”  She motions to me, “You come to my home.  It’s not far from here. You use it.  It’s a commode.”  She insists and I cannot resist!  Betsy tells me she and her husband moved and  now she shares her home with a granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

Walking into her home Betsy points to the ceiling to show where they added onto the house.  The addition starts where the wooden thatched roof ends and the corrugated metal roof begins.  After a quick tour and the use of the “commode” it’s time to join my group again.

After I put my sandals on we stand on her porch and share a hug and a hope we will meet again.  “Maybe not here,“ I say, “But I know we will meet in Heaven some day!”  Holding my hands she smiles and nods…nods….nods “YES”!

As visiting American Baptist women, we were honored with seats in the front of the crowded auditorium for the closing celebration ceremony. There were 32,000 registered participants but many folks brought family increasing the numbers to an estimated 38,000 or more people. Many of these folks traveled by train, bus, airplane and some even walked for four days to be at the celebration. Churches, schools and orphanages opened their doors and had visitors sleeping on the floor with privacy provided with sheets hung on clothes lines.

The celebration took place at the Myanmar Institute of Theology compound. It was literally wall to wall of people. Since we were clearly visitors of a different color we attracted a lot of attention. The sweltering heat did not diminish their enthusiastic spirit.  The scene was joyfully boisterous. We were blessed to hear a choir of 2000, representing all the tribes of Myanmar with each one wearing their own tribal attire.

Although it has been two hundred years since the arrival of Ann and Adoniram Judson in Burma, the Christians here are grateful to the Judson family for bringing Christ to Burma.