You’ve Lost That Foreign Feeling

The above photo was taken within an hour or so after we first arrived in Thailand in December 2008.  Looking at it again now, a few things come to mind: (1) our kids have grown in so many ways during the past 12+ months; (2) we brought too much unnecessary stuff with us from the States (it’s hard to see, but the truck is full); and (3) looking into the sun is not the best direction for a photograph.

Something else that strikes me as I am reminded of that day is the feelings we had after first touching down in Chiang Mai.  Let me recount, the best I can, some of what we experienced.  December 9, 2008: we disembark our China Airlines flight and enter an airport that is both foreign and familiar.  (Do all airports have indiscernible loudspeaker announcements?)  However, this is where any feelings of familiarity end.  Immediately our senses are on overload with the newness of everything around us.  Our ears take in a language being spoken that we don’t understand.  Unknown smells–some pleasant, others appalling–float through the air.  People (at least the nationals) are calm and easy-going, not your typical airport behavior.  Even the air has a unique Asian feel to it as we step outside.  Everything is so…foreign.

Having been on previous trips overseas, this was something I expected and even looked forward to.  Experiencing a foreign country for the first time brings a unique and enjoyable mix of trepidation and intrigue.  However, what I didn’t expect was what happened in the coming months.  As we adjusted to living here and day-to-day life became more predictable, those foreign feelings began to slowly fade.  It’s impossible to really pinpoint an exact time when this happened because it was more of a gradual, yet definite, process.  Those very things that were initially so strange and unusual became common and ordinary.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this country still surprises us.  There are so many things we’ve yet to encounter and so much we still need to learn.  And honestly, will we ever get used to seeing an entire pig face for sale at the supermarket?  My point is simply this: when living in another country, novelty eventually transitions into normalcy.  To a certain degree this is comparable with moving to another city or house within one’s home country.  Things are new at first, but after a while they lose their luster and become commonplace.

In part this reality makes me sad.  It means we’ve lost something of the wonder and mystery that came with our initial arrival.  At the same time, I view this as a positive thing.  We are becoming accustomed to the Thai way of life and beginning to understand the culture better.

However, this transition is also a reason for caution.  You see, what concerns me about this phenomenon is that, as the old saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt.  When everything was new, it was easier to accept differences and say, “Oh, that’s how it’s done here.  I get it.” or “I’ve never thought of trying that.  Cool!”  But, now that we know what to expect, I have lately found that certain aspects of the culture are becoming less interesting and more annoying.  Sawng thaew drivers that have no regard for other vehicles; the tendency people have to avoid confrontation in order to save face; an apparent lack of respect for orderly lines.  In reality, these cultural quirks are only minor inconveniences.  But, if allowed to do so, they can turn into annoyances, frustrations, and ultimately barriers to loving the very people God has called us to serve.  In other words, my fear is that my passion and desire to see God glorified among the Thai people as they come to trust in Jesus Christ will slowly erode due to my own inability to get over certain customs or practices that bother me.  If this should ever become the case, it will be because I have placed my own rights and expectations above my responsibility to take the gospel to the lost.  May this never be.  Instead, by God’s grace, may I honestly say, “we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12).

At the same time I trust God for patience with certain things, there are other aspects of life in Thailand that I hope will always bother me.  Our neighbors who offer food and burn incense before the spirit house in their front yard; my Thai language teacher who concludes that Buddhism and Christianity are the same; the coffee shop owner who is not upset over the fact that Buddhism does not give her any real hope; the Thai people bowing before countless images of Buddha.  These are the things, I pray, that will always trouble me in my spirit so that I am motivated all the more to share Christ with those who so desperately need Him.

Dear Father God,

I praise You, Lord, for the calling You have placed on my life.  Father, I confess the times that I have grumbled in my heart against the people You love, the people Christ died for.  By Your strength please help me to have Your patience and to love with Your perfect love.  Also, may the things that break Your heart break my own as well.  Give me a holy passion to see the people of this country turn to You, God, from idols to serve the living and true God.

In Christ’s name and for His glory,
Amen

The Pakpingjai Home

About two weeks ago we received an invitation from Khruu Usaa, a Thai language teacher and friend, to take part in a Christmas worship service on December 27th at a rural church in Phayao province.  Located northeast of Chiang Mai, this area is where Khruu Usaa grew up and where her father and six siblings still live.  Although we knew little about this ministry, we said yes and called Khruu Usaa’s brother, Khun Samaan, to confirm the details.  We learned that Khun Samaan is a leader in the church and that the church is closely connected to a children’s home ministry.  Other than that, we had little knowledge of what our weekend in Phayao would be like, but nonetheless, were very excited to serve God in this way.  Here’s a rundown of our weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, we picked up Khruu Usaa at her home and left Chiang Mai, following her directions to the district of Dokkamtai near Phayao city.  Despite an unplanned detour and the seemingly incessant question of “Are we there yet?”, our trip up was a beautiful 3 hour, 200 kilometer drive through mountains, countryside, and a few small towns.  After one pit stop and several audio episodes of Adventures in Odyssey, we reached our destination, the Pakpingjai Home, where we were warmly welcomed by Khun Samaan and several young people.  It turns out that Khun Samaan is the founder and director of this foundation which is a home for children who are orphaned or victims of broken homes.  Started in 1999, the home now houses close to 70 children, ages 7 to 17 and also holds a Sunday morning worship service with 30 to 40 people in regular attendance.  It had been arranged that we would stay on the center’s grounds and eat our meals there, too.  These kindnesses proved to be a blessing as we quickly settled into our room and then sat down to a delicious supper.  Following the meal we visited a bit with our host about plans for the next morning and then went to bed.  It had been a full day.

Sunday morning the center was a whir of activity.  Several children were already talking with friends, walking around the center grounds, and signing up for the afternoon sports competition as our family awoke and readied ourselves for the day.  Upon going outside, our kids found a few swings to play on and were soon enjoying some hot cocoa as Jessica and I sipped coffee to take the edge off the chilly morning.  For several minutes before breakfast, I walked around with our camera, attempting to capture the beauty of the grounds and the people.  However, several shy children turned their heads or even got up and ran away when I tried to take their pictures.  Others, though, gladly gave me their best smile making for some great photos in the early day sunlight.

After a filling breakfast of warm rice soup, we headed towards the meeting hall where several adults and youth were gathering for the morning worship service.  Along the way, we saw that the children were lining up outside in preparation for Sunday School classes.  I casually asked Matthias if he wanted to come with us to the service or go with the other children.  Honestly, I expected him to choose the former since just the night before he had talked about feeling awkward around so many new people.  To my surprise, however, Matthias excitedly replied, “I’ll go with the kids!” and eagerly joined a group of Thai boys his age.  Although the children’s program was completely in Thai and none of the other children spoke English, Matthias stayed with his class throughout the entire morning and even hung out with some new friends into the afternoon.  What a blessing it was to see him step out of his comfort zone and take part in something that was new and unfamiliar!

As Matthias lined up with the other children, the rest of us found our places in the hall for the worship service.  Since it was the Sunday following Christmas, the service was themed around the truth of Christ coming into the world.  We sang several familiar Christmas hymns in Thai, listened as key verses about Christ’s incarnation were read, and enjoyed presentations by both an adult and a youth choir.  For the sermon, I preached on Matthew 1:18-25 (Khun Samaan interpreted), focusing on the meaning of Christ’s names and the fulfillment and meaning that only Christ can give to us.  At the end of the service, a special time of gift giving took place.  The church presented several people with gifts, including the 12 muubaan (village) leaders that attended and needy families within the community.  It was a wonderful to see the love of Christ shared in such a tangible way.  In all, there were around 150 people that attended that morning, the majority of which were not Christians.

Following the service we ate lunch (another delicious Thai meal) and then I shared “The Rope of Life” with a group of children.  This simple object lesson uses a looped rope and takes its listeners through the story of God’s creation, man’s sin, and Christ’s death and resurrection.  Several children have become believers since living at the Pakpingjai home and so they had heard the gospel before.  Even so, it was fun to hear them shout out answers and watch them volunteer at key points of the story.

Mid afternoon included some resting, more playing, and a very encouraging visit with Khruu Usaa and her 87 year old father.  Coming from a strong Buddhist background before his salvation, Usaa’s father trusted in Christ at the age of 37 after hearing the gospel from a German missionary.  Shortly after his salvation, his wife and their 7 children came to know the Lord as well.  All of this took place during a time when believers in this area of Thailand were persecuted for their faith in Christ.  According to Usaa’s father, churches were burned and Christians were mistreated.  Now, 50 some years later, Christians in this region are respected rather than persecuted.  Moreover, Usaa’s father, who has been a widower for the past 6 years, and each of his grown children are still faithfully loving and serving the Lord.  What an awesome testimony to the transforming power of God!

Later Sunday afternoon, we packed our bags and began our return trip to Chiang Mai.  Before we left the Pakpingjai Home, Khun Samaan invited us to return in the future to share again with the children and adults.  We thanked him for the many kindnesses and drove away feeling very encouraged at how God is working through this ministry to touch the lives of so many people.  Truly, how gracious the Lord is!  During our weekend in Phayao, we endeavored to be a blessing to others, and yet we ourselves were so immensely blessed in return.

After returning home, we shared our experience with the Maraats, our co-missionaries here in Thailand.  We decided that sometime in the next few months we will return as a team to spend a weekend at the Pakpingjai Home.  We’re already excited!

For more pics on our weekend in Phayao, check out this album.  Also, if you would like to know more about this crucial ministry or even send a gift, please write to us.  We would be happy to get you in contact with Khun Samaan and let you know how you can play a part.