A Thai Goodbye

Heather's point of view:

Greetings from the Gulf of Thailand! Connor and I have finished our teaching, have submitted our 800+ report cards, and have made it south to the beautiful Island of Koh Chang. Although neither of us are lie on the beach kind of people, we have been thoroughly enjoying our time swimming, kayaking, walking in the jungle, and relaxing. This is the first time since our trip at New Year’s that we have spoken in normal English for an entire day and eaten a meal without people staring at us. It is amazing how restful it has been. We are loving our time as tourists, but we are so thankful that this is not all we know of Thailand.

 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us“ 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Before leaving for Thailand Connor and I studied 1 Thessalonians together. The above verse really stood out to me. Would I really grow to love the Thai people as I had the people of Namibia?  

Upon arriving this question was quickly wiped from my mind and there are many people whom I will dearly miss. My hardest goodbye was with my friend whom I'll call Grace. She owns a little coffee shop that I called “Rung-rienne, Grace”, or “Grace’s school”, as she would teach me Thai and I would teach her English and even a little French. We had so much fun together. Grace really meant a lot to me, but it was not until I said my final goodbye that I realized our friendship meant as much to her too. Thais rarely show emotion. When babies fall they cry for 10-15 seconds and then they stop. No attention is given to them when they cry and so they simply don’t revert to crying. In general, any major demonstration of emotion is avoided, including sadness. Aware of this, I held back tears when saying my goodbyes… that was until my goodbye with Grace. As I was leaving she gave me a big hug (also something not often done among Thais unless you’re very close), and then she started to cry. I couldn’t believe it. She gave me another hug and told me she loved me. She and many others have become very dear to me and it was such a privilege to share life and share Jesus with them.

The book of Thessalonians also emphasizes the importance of not being a burden while living in a culture not your own. Connor and I had prayed to not be a burden to our community, but when we first arrived, it felt like an impossible task. We were here as teachers to help the young people of the community, but we did not know how to say hello, read any signs, or turn the lights on. Despite how much we had to learn, it is wonderful to be able to leave knowing that God answered that prayer. How do we know this? Well, let’s just say we cannot begin to count the number of meals we’ve been invited to, gifts we’ve been given, assistance we’ve been offered, and meaningful words from many expressing their sadness to see us leave and inviting us back to Thailand.

As I this season of my journey in Thailand has finished, I am indeed sad to leave, but I am also so thankful it happened. I’m amazed at all that Jesus has done and am grateful for so many incredible opportunities and stories. I’m reminded of the following famous passage from Ecclesiastes 3:

  There is a time for everything,

  and a season for every activity under the heavens:

       a time to be born and a time to die,

       a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

    a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

    a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

    a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

Cultural Tidbits:

-Koh = Island, Chang = Elephant -> We are on Elephant Island!

-The cheaper the Thai food, the better it tastes. The tourist Thai food we’ve been eating has no comparison to the small town delicious dishes we’ve gotten used to.

-Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai. Most Thai people refer to it as Krung Thep.

-The Greater Bangkok area counts a population of over 14.5 million.

-Over 11 million tourists visit Bangkok annually

Special dinner with new friends. 

These girls are so lovely.

Something exciting is just around the corner...
we never quite figured out what it was. 

Do you want your coffee hot, cold, or blasted? 

A really neat bug.

Morning sign in at school.

Classroom activities.

Let's talk about Canada!

The grads parade in a circle around the outdoor auditorium. Speeches were given by the students in Thai, English, French, Chinese, Burmese, and Japanese.

 The celebration also included a tying ceremony. Each student was given a number of white strings which they ask different teachers to tie around their wrists as good luck symbols and protection from the spirits.   

And another feast... Phad Thai anyone?

Tak from the other side of the Ping River.

Wrapping up in Tak

Connor's Last Tak Entry

It took me four months but I finally found a quiet place to walk where I could enjoy the tranquility of nature. However, on my second trip out I walked by a house that had six dogs. Thankfully, they were fenced in. Then one dog jumped onto a spirit house and over the fence. I expected the rest to follow so I rushed into the woods to find a stick. Thankfully none of the other five dogs realized how to jump over the fence and the dog didn’t enter the woods. I breathed a sigh of relief and I turned around only to see a pack six wild dogs watching my every move. They didn’t attack and I managed to slip away but I know I dogged a bullet that time.

The Thai community in Tak have been incredibly kind to Heather and I despite a gigantic language barrier. They accepted us as part of their community and I am very grateful for that. Here are some stories of their generosity.  

Internet Cafe

Heather and I became friends with a very nice family that ran an internet cafe. Before I left they put up a photo of me in their store, gave me a CD full of photos from shared memories and took Heather and I out to dinner at the best restaurant in Tak. Yet, they weren’t finished. The morning before Heather and I were leaving they stopped by and gave us a bunch of candle holders and they still weren’t finished. An hour later, they stopped by again and gave us some beautiful handmade cloth.

Restaurant  #1

At one restaurant the owner saw us as her grandchildren and often refused to let us pay for meals. She bought both Heather and I Tak t-shirts and even gave us each a gold medallion with a king of Thailand on it that had been in her family for years.  

Restaurant #2

 At one restaurant they really wanted to give us a goodbye message in English. The trouble was the only friend they knew who spoke English lived in Germany. It turned out that didn’t matter and before I knew it I was speaking to their friend in Germany who told Heather and I in English that many people were going to miss us.

Motorcycle Man

One man from the community showed up on my doorstep one day with a big smile. In his hand he held the most surprising gift that Heather and I received. He had handmade each of us a cowboy hat! This was exciting so we spent the morning walking around town in cowboy hats. 


That wraps up my time in Tak and now I'm off to Cambodia!

What a useful information board...

Read the red writing under King Taksin aloud without pausing. Yes, aloud it's worth it.

A Thai Style Graduation

High School Graduates put flowers on their heads.

Mango picking

Construction in Thailand

What you didn't know about toothpaste

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ who gave himself as a ransom for all men …” 

1 Timothy 2: 5,6

Last week I joined a group of teachers on an outing to a couple elementary schools to share about the importance of learning English.  I had such fun with the Thai teachers and loved seeing the young students. At one school the talk turned into a Heather question period as the students and teachers of the small rural school were beyond excited to see a foreigner.  I’m still not used to the instant fame and was surprised when the students lined up to get their picture taken with me. For some reason, students in Canada don’t tend to form a queue when a new teacher walks in the room. 

This past week I received my mark as a local. It is known as the Thai Tattoo and pretty much every Thai can tell the story of when they got theirs.  No, I did not go get myself inked, but rather I burned a nice 3inch red oval on the back of my calf when I accidently placed my leg on a hot exhaust pipe. Anytime someone notices my burn they smile, nod, and say “ahh, motorbike”. While walking home one day, a kind lady ran out of her shop, eager to show the “farrang” how to treat the typical Thai wound. She brought me into her store and proceeded to cover my leg with a white paste. She showed me the aloe plant on the label, but it was the other side of the tube that caught my eye. It had a picture of teeth along with the word “toothpaste”. I thanked the lady numerous times and continued on my way with my toothpaste covered leg. It was indeed a T.I.T. (This Is Thailand) moment.    

A couple weeks ago Connor and I went to a Karen hill tribe village. To hear more check out his blog entry below.  On our way we stopped at a gorgeous look off. When I took my first step on the massive staircase, the words of a song I heard two years ago in Africa came to mind: “My Jesus bled and died for my sins, He spent His time with thieves and the least of these…”* As I stood on the mountain, looking down at the valley farmlands, I couldn’t help but reflect on the awesomeness of God. Although Jesus was already with God from the beginning of time (John 1), He came down to Earth, He was born in a stable, He worked as a carpenter, He healed the sick, He cast out demons, He brought the dead back to life, He suffered and died for people of all nations, and above all that, He is alive.

The word “gospel” means “good news”. Living in Thailand has made me realize even more how amazing, the news of Jesus truly is. “Fear not,” is written 365 times in the Bible. These words from a loving God stand out so beautifully as I live amongst a people whose daily routines, purchases, and home appearances are heavily influenced by fear.  It is interesting hearing Thais speak of the spirits and watching the colour drain from their faces as they do so. The appeasing of the spirits is foundational to most Thai people. I in no way claim or pretend to have a full understanding of this culture, but rather I write simply what I have observed and learned from the Thai people thus far.  In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." How awesome it is that the creator of the universe desires us all to experience life without fear!

*“My Jesus” by Todd Agnew

Cultural Tidbits:

-The nick name for Thailand is “The Land of Smiles”

-ASEAN is the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

-ASEAN is comprised of 10 countries: Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore

-ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will come into effect in 2015

-ASEAN was established in Thailand. The declaration was signed in Bangkok in 1967 by five founding nations.

-The official language of ASEAN is English 

We had a camp to teach students from 12 different schools about ASEAN. Here are a couple photos:

ASEAN will soon be here. These countries will form a union in 2015, or 2558 in the Thai calendar. 

It is so nice to see the kids stop studying and have fun!
(I know this is not a usual teacher comment, but these students are always doing school work) 

Powder makes good face paint

The jungle is just so beautiful

Canada is Big, Canada is Far, Canada is COLD!

Cute kiddos. I miss teaching the younger ones!

...and this is where I developed my stellar Thai counting skills...
from 1 to 8 anyway

Why, hello Burma!

The bridge to cross the border

"Way, hey, and away we go, elephant riding, elephant riding..."

On our way to the Karen Village:

The entrance to the temple staircase which lead to the look off. 

How Great is our God!

Buffalo bath

Dried rice fields

In the Jungle with a Rat Eating Tribe

Heather and I went on a guided hike through the jungle and spent a night in a small tribal Karen village. Life was certainly different. Every house had their own pig, there were buffalo in the road, and the men went to hunt rats for dinner.

This village was also surprisingly Christian. One man I met saw me looking at a cross that a young Karen girl was wearing and asked if I was a Christian. I told him I was. This surprised him and he got excited and embarrassed our tour guide by asking the other foreigners if they were Christians too. Our Thai guide interestingly defined Christians as those that are not afraid of the spirits. Fear of the spirit world is so central to Thai culture that they can’t fathom life without that fear. 

I would like to share with you the story of the Karen people. I hope it is as powerful for you as it has been for me. I draw the story from three books Eternity in their Hearts, To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adonirum Judson, and The Karen Apostle.

The Karen had a powerful and unifying folk religion. They believed there was only one God who was omnipotent and omniscient and who warned about the sins of idolatry. For centuries the inhabitants of Burma and Thailand attempted to convert them to Buddhism but were without success. Since they refused Buddhism the Burmese in particular abused them, exploited them, and killed them. The Karen believed the suffering was due to their transgressions but they still trusted that God would have mercy upon them. Around the campfires at night the men would share tales about the one and only God. A favourite was a prophecy that spoke of God sending a white man who would bring God’s book, a book that would set the Karen free. The Karen had no books and no written language but they spent their lives waiting for the first missionary who dared to enter the jungle with a Bible. It was like an 800,000 person welcome party.*

In 1817, the American missionary Adonirum Judson disembarked in Burma. He carefully learned the Burmese language, dressed like a monk and spoke about the Gospel, yet he received zero response from the Buddhist Burmese. He had so much time on his hands he managed to translate the entire Bible into Burmese. Then one day a Karen man named Ko Thah-byu who spoke Burmese asked Judson for a job. Judson hired him but I doubt he knew he’d hired a notorious robber with ferocious temper that had already murdered around thirty people. Not surprisingly, Ko Thah-byu turned out to be a real problem. Yet after some time the white missionary’s book caught his attention. He began to ask questions about the Bible. He then shocked Judson and the other missionaries by totally preoccupying himself with learning written Burmese so he could read Judson’s translation of the Bible. He knew he was the first Karen to learn that the ‘lost book’ had arrived and he saw it as his responsibility to tell the Karen. He was baptized and went from village to village spreading the Gospel. Many believed and went as missionaries among their own people. When missionaries first made it to a town called Bassein, 300 miles from where Ko Thah-byu was preaching, they found 5,000 Karen Christians waiting to be baptized. In roughly two decades the Karen became a primarily Christian tribe. Nearly two hundred years there are tens of thousands of Karen believers. (Operation World.com)

*The first recorded European encounter with the Karen is recorded in the An Account of an Embassy to the kingdom of Eva by Michael Smyes who calls them Carian. It was written in 1795 before the Karen heard the Gospel and on page 206, the 3^rd last page of the online pdf it describes a people that admit their knowledge of God is incomplete because they don’t have God’s book. 

http://www.soas.ac.uk/sbbr/editions/file64414.pdf 

Bamboo rafting! 

Elephant riding

Met this buffalo on a walk down the main street.

Karen Village

  

My lunch is inside the banana leaf.