Fighting Culture

Today...my student was absent...Not a particularly abnormal thing....Students often get sick and can't come to school....Sometimes parents travel for work and the children have to go too...Today however, when I asked where my student was, I saw the gesture of a head buzz.Then the explanation followed, "his grandmother died so he didn't come to school."...I look at the snack table and see his sister sitting there happily eating and turned back for further explanation...Things weren't adding up.

"Today, he is a monk at his grandmother's funeral, they will burn his grandma today."

And my heart breaks a little inside. My student...a Monk.

My student served as a monk so that, according to his culture,

his grandmother will go to heaven.

And I wonder...

How can I fight a culture so strong?

...And what is the point of teaching about Jesus, if his family will force him to serve as a monk to earn merit for his mother and grandmother?

Can we really make a difference in these children's lives when their culture and religion are so strongly instilled?

How can I teach him that Jesus is the Way, when culture teaches he must make his way?

How can I teach him that salvation in by grace through faith, when culture says he can send his grandmother to heaven by serving as a monk?

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the Gift of God." Eph. 2:8

Please pray with me that he and his family would see the futility of their offerings and ceremonies that they may come to know Jesus as Savior, the Ultimate High Priest, the Ultimate Sacrifice.

Please pray they may know the Free Gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

A Newspaper Article

I have posted a link to a newspaper article that was posted today. It is a sobering reminder of the depravity and spiritual darkness in Thailand. Please take time to read the article to better understand Thai culture and belief systems that you may pray along with me for this country. I am posting this not about the politics it contains, but the view it shows of a Thai persons spiritual beliefs.

Bangkok Post : The wizards of the east
Here is an excerpt:

"Dear readers, today is Halloween, and if you really want to understand Thai
politics and learn what the future may hold, I am here to tell you. Journalists
are clueless. Academics are lost. Analysts and pundits can't help you.

If you want to know, find a witch or a wizard, grab a fortune-teller or an
astrologer, go to famous temples that are reputed to have monks with the gift of
foresight.

The decision-makers of Thailand do not make a move without consulting the
black arts.

Don't jeer. Don't sneer. Do not mock what you don't understand. The black
arts are real. There are powerful forces at work in this universe.

It's Oct 31. It's Halloween. Embrace it and you too may be blessed with a
glimpse into the future.

But the black arts are what they are. Unlike science, which bases its
principles on absolutes, the black arts can be fickle. They can be wanton, even
careless. Hence, one plus one doesn't necessarily always equal two in the black
arts. There are other possibilities.

Have you wondered why so many still cling to their belief in Thaksin?
Especially Thaksin himself? There are perhaps many reasons, not least of which
is this. A famous monk once prophesised: Thaksin Shinawatra will be ousted in a
military coup d'etat in 2006. He was ousted in a coup in 2006.

The same monk also prophesised he will return to glory once again. He was
correct once. Why wouldn't he be correct a second time?

After all, hope springs eternal, as the saying goes. So the fugitive former
prime minister fights on.

Rumours of his ill health and near death? Why worry? He has already taken
part in a ritual to extend his age at Wat SrisatoTng in Nakhon Pathom province.
The bargain is sealed. Death will just have to wait.

But of course, this is not written in stone. The black arts offer different
possibilities, depending on which prophet you consult.

Varin Buaviratlert, soothsayer to the Thai military, predicted: The next
prime minister of Thailand will have a name that starts with the initial ''P''.
Both his real name and his nickname. There's one reason why Defence Minister
General Prawit ''Pom'' Wongsuwon is such a popular man these days.

Black magic. Don't mock it just because you don't understand it. May the
force be with us all."

"It Helps Make Your Fate and Life Better"

Above: A donation box for Buddhists to put in their offering on a particular day of the week in hopes for improving their current life and their future life.

At Immigration, I picked up the newspaper and found an interesting article by a Thai person commenting on Thai's changing practice of Buddhism. The beginning of the article explained the origins of a recent Buddhist holiday, which started when a worker in the King's palace offered the flowers he was going to give to the King to Buddha instead, despite the consequences he could expect for not following his duty to the King. I wrote down part of the article that was particularly striking:

"The DJ said 'What's the lesson from this? Ah, I know: we should do good in the hope of getting more in return.'

Hm, I was shocked by this conclusion thinking about it, I kind of understand why Thailand's happiness index is declining. For years Thai society-95% of which is Buddhist has suffered from violent events. Many people still go to temples but as the DJ intimated, they probably do it out of desire for rewards. They do not offer monks alms purely to support the religion, hoping for nothing in return. Perhaps going without expectation we would be rewarded with the deep satisfaction that cannot be felt within. But will happen only if we gain a more sensitive understanding of Buddha's teaching."

I was struck by this article for several reasons. I thought it was interesting to hear a Buddhist critiquing the changing Thai practice of Buddhism. I was saddened by reading the man's conclusion: that Thailand's happiness is declining because they are seeking good return for their sacrificing...and his solution, is that they should just continue in religious practices without expecting gain. Saddened that the majority of Thai people do good in the hope of a good return...

Then on further reflection, I thought about our faith...Are we really that different from them? Sometimes I think we fall into the same trap...

We attempt to "do good in the hope getting a good return".

We make donations for our future life.

Our tithing looks like theirs...We forget that....

God provided righteousness to meet our need. Jesus was the sin offering for us. The atonement of Christ most assuredly provides the righteousness of God for Us. We who received the Abundance of Grace and the Free Gift of Righteousness, now reign in Life through Jesus Christ. We have the ever present Spirit of God dwelling in us, giving us assurance that we are indeed the Sons of God. We share in the inheritance of Christ Jesus. We don't need to work or donate to make our life better, or to ensure we will reach heaven. It was finished for us at the cross.

Pray that the people of Thailand may know the Hope we have in this life, and the assurance we have for the next. Pray that they might not do good in the hope of a better return, but that they would be moved by the Love of our Savior and rest in the free gift of righteousness through faith. Pray that Thailand would find the lasting Joy of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.

Classroom Discussions....

Teaching my students from the Bible is quite challenging. It seems that if I can actually get them to understand the words coming out of my mouth, the concept gets lost in language.

For example, we're learning about soil science, so we started talking about what kind soil is good for building on. This connected in my mind with the wise man who built his house upon a rock, so I decided to tell the story. After teaching it, I asked the students why this story was in the Bible, my student responded: "Because God wants us to build safe houses." A nice thought, from a very literal thinker :), but not exactly what I was going for...

On a different day I was asking my new student if he believed in God, and he said "oh yes, of course". I continued asking him questions about how his family showed they believed in God and he said "we have a whole room of the statues in our house."

During story time we were reading a book about Moses, mostly looking at pictures. One of the pictures showed the people bowing down to an idol. I asked my students if it was good to do what the people were doing in the pictures. Two students shook their head no, while another decidedly said yes.

Recently, we were discussing Romans 6:23. I was offering the students a free gift, all they had to do was take it, trying to show "the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." I asked the students what they had to do get the free gift, and one answered "Nothing!" Please pray that they would come to truly understand the free gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Its challenging to find ways to teach my students from the Bible, but I enjoy the opportunities, and wait expectantly for the Spirit to do His work in the hearts of the children. I know that my words will never be what changes their hearts. But I believe that the Word of God is powerful. Trusting that the Holy Spirit through the Word of God changes lives, I'm teaching my students the Romans Road in English and in Thai. Pray that Holy Spirit will help the students to understand the words they are memorizing. Please continue to pray for opportunities to share the gospel and pray that I may proclaim the gospel with clarity.

You can watch my students presenting one of their verses below.

We live in a fallen world

Wherever you are, if you open your eyes, you will see that there is brokenness all around you.


These are some statistics that show the depravity of Thailand.

• It is estimated that the number of prostitutes in Thailand ranges from 800,000 to 2 million.



• Rhode Island's population: 1,053,209. There are more prostitutes in Thailand than there are people in the state of Rhode Island.



• Approximately 20% of these prostitutes are 18 years old or younger



• Thailand is currently called the Disneyland of Pedophiles.



• There are up to 600,000 cases of AIDS.



• There are 1,300,000 Orphans in Thailand



• Sex work has been become "normalized" in Thailand



• Thai women believe that prostitution reduces cases of rape.



• 97% of the people here are Buddhist

These statistics are staggering. Overwhelming. Horrifying.

Saturday I met some of the girls that are part of these numbers. Their stories are tragic.

There is a girl who at 5 years old was nursing her parents as they died of AIDS. When they passed away, she was passed around the village, no one taking responsibility for her.

There is a girl whose father died in an opium trade, and now her mom works in Bangkok as a prostitute.

That is just two oversimplified stories of the lives of the children here.

What can we do to help break this pattern? Its an overwhelming question when you think of the millions in slavery, both literally and figuratively slaves to sin. Ultimately it will be Christ who will break the bonds of slavery...But how can we live redemptively? What can we do to help make a change in our broken societies?

Education. "Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army." Edward Everett

Pray that The School of Promise will be a safeguard of liberty, educating children so as to break
the cycles of poverty and oppression that hold so many. Pray that, The School of Promise would bring hope into the lives of our students as well as their parents through the truths of the gospel. Pray that the girls who attend school will see their value before God. Pray that the boys at our school would grow into men of God who treat women with respect and lead their families in paths of righteousness. Pray that each child will come to know Christ and walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Isaiah 58:7-11

Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD ?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

Visakha Bucha Day

Friday was Visakha Bucha Day, a Buddhist Holy Day celebrating the beginning of the Buddhist Era 2,548 years ago. The day celebrates Buddha's birthday, his reaching enlightenment, his passing away and his final release from the circle of rebirth. For this particular celebration, many people make a "pilgrimage" up a nearby mountain to visit a temple and make merit for themselves.

One of the Thai teacher's took us to see part of the ceremony. I felt quite a mix of emotions as I watched the event. I felt a little bit scared as hundreds of male university students dressed in all black with white bandannas chanted and charged by us up the mountain. I felt a bit claustrophobic as we stood trapped between thousands of people where vehicles and motorbikes pushed their way through in both directions. I felt a little suffocated by the exhaust coming out of the vehicles, and the scents of the food being cooked on the side of the road. I felt confused when a Katoey, within breath smelling distance told me "its very hot", but kind of refreshed when he/she began waving a fan in my direction. I felt like a spectacle as people are quick to point and elbow their friends to look at the foreigner.

But most of all, I was heartbroken as I watched thousands of lost people, attempt to make merit for themselves, if only they new that Jesus Christ has already taken all of God's wrath for us and that we can find our righteousness through faith in Him alone! Romans 4:4+5 "Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." Please pray that the people of Thailand might know that they cannot earn righteousness, but learn to trust in GOD who justifies, and by their faith be credited righteousness.

Here are two videos, not at all good, but maybe they give you an idea of what the celebration is like, and how many people there were. The first is very short but you can hear the people chanting around an idol. The second is just alot of people and noise, and a few the hundreds of monks who where there.

An Idol Came Down...

There were three idols on our rented school property, two Buddhas, and an elephant. The land lady and her family would regularly put food in front of the idols, burn incense and pray.We had asked the land lady to remove any idols they could from the property that we rented, but didn't press the issue knowing how sensitive it is.

Today when we got to school we saw the empty pedestal in the place where the elephant once stood and my heart rejoiced. The land lady had the elephant idol removed.

Although the land lady has not made any profession of faith this is a significant step for her to make. The spiritual realm here is real. People continually make offerings to idols and to the spirits that live in their spirit houses. It was a bold step for our land lady to remove an idol; a step that will be watched by the community.

Please pray for the land lady and her family. Pray that God would protect them from evil spirits that they might not fear removing the other idols. Pray that God would protect them to show the community that God is greater than the idols that they worship; to show that God is the One and Only true God. Pray that this would be more than just an outward, physical step but that it would reflect God's work in their hearts. Pray that they might come to know the One true God.

Sorry to refer to a book again...but in "Mountain Rain", the missionary found that when families or communities removed idols they face the worst spiritual warfare they had ever faced. Pray for protection against that.

"In the Air There's a Feeling of Christmas..."

I love Christmas time in the US. White candles in the windows, a wreath on the front door, Christmas trees glowing through the windows, lights on the porch railings or trees in the front yard. Everything is so welcoming, so homey, and inviting. Christmas music is played in every story, even if it is filled with commercialism, everywhere there is this feeling of Christmas.

There are no Christmas lights in the windows here, no wreaths, and very few Christmas trees. One house in my neighborhood almost gives me the feeling of Christmas as I walk by...except their lights are strung all year...around the spirit house in their front yard.

Thailand is almost completely void of the "feeling of Christmas". In our home, we can make it feel like Christmas, and in big stores, there is an attempt to appeal to foreigners with Christmas decor. But the people of Thailand do not recognize the holiday. They celebrate the coming of the New Year, and Children's Day, but they do not celebrate Christmas. Of course, this should be no surprise, why would a Buddhist country celebrate Christ's coming to earth. Still it is strange to be in a land where Christ's birth is not celebrated by all, regardless of religious beliefs. Oh that all those who celebrated Christmas in the United States were genuinely celebrating the birth of Our Savior. Oh that the people of Thailand will come to know Jesus as Savior, and worship Him.

Enjoy the Feeling of Christmas and pray for people's hearts to be turned toward the Lord in genuine worship of Him this season.

This weekend I was reminded of the brevity of life, and the need for the gospel.

One of our Thai teachers, who has become a close friend to us, uncle died. Our friend asked us to come and help out at the funeral. There wasn't a whole lot we could do, but observe, help stick stickers on pens that would be given to the guests, and bag up sticky rice. We tried to help the monk fold banana leaves that would be made into a boat that is be floated down the river. But apparently there is a correct way to fold them and our American hands arent as skilled as they need to be. The wake/funeral is a three day event that takes place at someone's house, this particular house was in the country, alongside a rice patty, with chickens wandering around. Friends and family come to remember the one who has passed away, which they do by eating and drinking together. No one was grieving or showed any signs of saddness, except for those who masked it by whisky and alcohol. From what I can gather from the limited Thai I know, and the rough translation done by those who know a little more Thai, each night a monk will come and pray. The friends and family stay all night long to eat and drink together. The final night of the funeral, the man who died, and all of his things will be burned up. There are many more parts to the ceremony, but I couldnt really understand them, and I am only beginning to understand the Buddist beliefs behind these ceremonies.

The point is, all but three of the people at that funeral believed that this man who died would be rewarded based on the good things he did. The vast majority of people here believe that. In Buddhism, the karma from a person's life comes back into the world in the life of another. The belief is that you are born in debt and you die in debt, but that you should strive to outweigh the bad things you do with good works. This is a belief that is held throughout the world, whether or not it includes reincarnation. The thing that makes Christianity unique, is that it isnt about the good things we do, but instead Resting in the Finished Work of CHRIST. That is our hope, that is our salvation.

Pray for the family that has lost a loved one that they may find the freedom of knowing Christ.

What is a Wat?

Missionaries have been coming to Thailand for the past 200 years, and still only 1-5%(statistics vary) of the population are Christians. The country is steeped in Buddhism and superstition. Everyday, I see monks, some are just young boys, 12 years old at the most, walking down the street in their orange robes. As we drive to school we pass many Wats, spirit houses, shrines and idols. I can feel the lostness all around me, I can see idol worship all around me. There is a darkness here that is somewhat hard to describe, I feel it especially when I went to see some of the Wats, the temples for Buddha where the monks live, or when I see these young boys serving as monks to bring good Karma to their families. People spend so much money and effort working to gain positive Karma. They build beautiful idols and temples for gods who cannot hear, see or save them. Here are some pictures of these temples...may they penetrate your heart and burden you to pray for the people of Thailand.

Pray that the people of Thailand will come to know and worship the one True God, the one God who hears and saves. I hope that one day these temples will be abandoned and these images destroyed as people turn to Jesus and find salvation in Him.

Loy Krathong

Loy Krathong is a Buddhist festival in Thailand that takes place from Nov. 1-3. Taking place in the ritual is very simple. Buddhists build a small boat out of banana leaves, a flowers, candles and coins, which they float down river. The boat floating away is supposed to stand as a symbol for getting rid of bad luck, evil spirits, failures and past sins. Floating the boat is not only supposed to get rid of the bad things in ones life but also to bring good luck and favor from the river goddess. The whole city erupts for this festival. Each night there is a huge parade, that lasts over 2 hours. People are setting of fireworks everywhere. It is almost like New Year's Eve. People also set of lanterns which have the same symbolism as the boats. One of the Thai teachers, Kruu Oy brought us to the festival. Here are some pictures from the parade and the festival. The Parade.......

above: people are releasing their boats, to get rid of their sins and bad luck.

above: this is not a riot... this is a bridge where many people go to set off their fireworks...there is no crowd control no warning...people set off fireworks wherever they want to, right in the middle of a crowd....its mass chaos..

above: we set off our own lanterns...

or at least attempted too...

Going to the festival was a very heavy reminder of the lost souls in this country. 95% of the people here truly believe that floating their boats down the river or sending up a lantern will rid them of their sins. All these people live in fear of evil spirits and uncertainty of whether or not their sins will leave them with this boat they send out. What kind of hope is this?

Pray that they might know Christ, the true atonement for all sins, our Savior.