Heading Up North

Photo by Jeff McDonald

DAY 4 / CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – The fourth day of our team’s mission to Thailand was long, tiring ... and totally uplifting. It was on this day that we departed Bangkok and headed about 400 miles north to where much of our mission efforts will be concentrated – in and around Chiang Mai, a major metropolitan center of Thailand’s mountainous northern region.

We stopped in Chiang Mai only long enough to drop off our luggage and pick up sack lunches, then continued to head northward, towards the city of Chiang Rai. Much of the countryside is rural and we saw many of the images that come to mind when one thinks of ‘southeast Asia’ – farmers working in paddies and fields, water buffalo and Brahma cattle grazing, small towns and villages with open-air marketplaces, and ornate temples with gilded rooftops and statues of Buddha.

But the highlight of the day’s journey was still ahead, when we turned off the road at the town of Mae Ka Chan and arrived at a Christian orphanage there, the Home for Hill Tribe Children Education Project, operated by the New Vision for Life Foundation, and supported by First Presbyterian Church on an emergency basis. At this time they are caring for 55 children, both orphans and children of impoverished or destitute families. At other times, they have cared for as many as 85 children.

Team members were conducted on a tour of the home, which includes the main dormitory structure as well as a kitchen and dining area, washrooms and laundry area, a garden and small orchard, and a hall for worship services and gatherings. It was here that we were greeted with a table of fresh fruit and crispy wafer snacks, and a worship service of prayer, music and testimony led by the youngsters themselves, at the pulpit and on the stage, where they performed on electric guitars and drums. This was followed by music, dancing and games that celebrated the children’s Hill Tribe culture, with drums, cymbals abd traditional costumes made by the children themselves. 

Team members were coaxed onto the floor to join the dancing and the games, with special note given to Cynthia Howard and Kelli Sherman, who tried their hand (foot?) at a traditional pole-jumping game, set to a quickening rhythm of the drums and cymbals.

Team members also took their turn on the stage. Margaret Purvis greeted the children on behalf of the team, and the Midland community, and thanked them for their hospitality. The children were then treated to storytelling by Lucinda Windsor, with Judia Foreman and Karen Winkler, who shared the parable and the message of ‘The Lost Sheep.” Rebecca Nicholson led the children in singing popular Christian songs that had been translated into Thai for this mission. And Susie Foy presented the children with the parable of ‘The Lost Coin,’ along with symbols of our shared faith, and a verse from the Bible written in Thai. At the same time, clergy members of our team were meeting with foundation staff and local clergy.

The day came to an end with a prayer by Reverend Jim Longstreet, and each team member departed with a handful of colorful pictures and Bible verses that the children had prepared for them. The team returned to Chiang Mai long after dark ….. but the day’s activities were not yet finished. Everyone gathered for a shared meal hosted by Mark and Christa Crawford of the Chiang Mai-based Garden of Hope ministry. Also joining us for dinner was Faa, a young woman who has worked with the team during the months of preparation leading up to the mission. The Crawfords welcomed the team to Midland, and briefed on the days of activities that lie ahead. 

QUESTIONS – Emily Holeva e-mailed us, asking for Kaqren Winkler’s first thoughts of Bangkok ….. “My first impression of Bangkok, it surprised me that it looked as Western as it did, the architecture, the buildings – but still Asian,” said Karen. “The motorcycles are everywhere. And it is busy, it is such a busy city. The people are so gracious, and I was surprised at how much English there is, which makes it easier to get around. And another impression – how humbled I am by Annie and Jeff, and the work they do at NightLight.” Bob Cowan also e-mailed us, asking about whether the real jet lag will set in on the return trip, as our team flies eastward toward home. This observation is based in part on Cowan’s own experience with travel to Asia. Team members say they will put that to the test in just ten days, when we depart Bangkok for our return to America. We’ll be sure to follow up on the results. 

By the way, if you have any questions you would like to ask the members of our mission team, please e-mail your question to (missioner@fpcmid.org)