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.