On the Learning Curve

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Our team’s sixth day in Thailand was relatively quiet, relatively settled as we fulfilled (in part) one of the initial goals of our mission - learn more about faith-based ministries among victims of human trafficking, displaced persons, and those fleeing persecution in Myanmar (Burma).

This was done with the help of those who have spent years in Thailand working as advocates for these victims, and establishing Christ-centered relationships with them. The host for the daylong session of instruction, prayer and visits to outreach areas, was Mark Crawford of Garden of Hope, who introduced speakers that brought special emphasis on different facets of faith-based ministries in Thailand.

The first of these was Stewart, a member of Partners Relief & Development, which is dedicated to demonstrating God's love to victims of conflict and oppression. Stewart’s particular emphasis is contact with Buddhist monks as a means of putting Christian beliefs and practices to work in a country that is almost 95% Buddhist.

Stewart covered a wide array of topics that compared and contrasted Christianity and Buddhism. It can be difficult, he cautioned, to bring a Buddhist to understand Christianity. As an example, he demonstrated how a Buddhist might understand (or misunderstand) the message in John 3:16 from the New Testament of the Bible, a passage that says so much, so simply to Christians.

By the way, it should be noted that this is an international effort involving men and women from around the world. Mark, for example, is an American from Hawaii, while Stewart is from New Zealand (where his wife heads Partners’ program in that nation.

Another American, from Oregon, is Brittany Quinn, who outlined the principles and practices GOH’s outreach to to the women in Chiang Mai’s sex industry. These principles are …..
1) we go to the women, we do not expect them to come to you;
2) establishing genuine relationships requires time and patience;
3) we are motivated out of a spirit of Love and a desire to genuinely understand each of the women we meet;
4) we do not project our ideas and solutions onto the women, but allow them to communicate their needs to us; and,
5) we do not create a dependant relationship with the women, but seek to eqip them with the tools necessary to experience a life of restoration, dignity and love.

Next to speak after Brittany, was Liv Allermand, who is from Denmark. Liv outlined the principles of interaction with exploited women and at-risk children, potential Garden of Hope programs and how these programs might be empowered, the more important topics for staff and volunteer training, and the goals that Garden of Hope has set for its people and its facilities.

Time and again, the presentations came back to another member of GOH’s staff, Faa Sumitra Choemue, a Hill Tribe woman of Thailand who has put so much of their principles into practice with her work in the bars of Chiang Mai. Faa’s spirit and her incredible level of energy continues to amaze team members. Many in the Tall City will remember Faa, her enthusiasm and her spirit, from a visit she made to Midland late last year.

Crawford concluded the day of instruction with a discussion of his organization’s plans for capital improvements and development. What facilities might be acquired, and to what use they might be put. He reviewed the different proposals that are under consideration and asked the team for their input, not only through review of the data, but through examinations and prayer walks of the facilities.

Perhaps the most exciting point in this discussion is the drop-in center that Garden of Hope wishes to place in the very heart of the neighborhoods where the women and children live and work. Team members toured a building that could serve just such a purpose. They went through the building floor-by-floor, studying it, praying, and discussing it’s merits with Crawford. Floor by floor, this building was reclaimed for Christ and his disciples.

Team members described the building as an “excellent prospect” and were encouraged to hear that Crawford has entered into negotiations with the building’s owner for a long-term lease/purchase contract.

Early that evening, team members visited and prayer-walked the streets and the bars where many of the exploited women and at-risk children can be found. Among those they encountered in their walk were two young children who had attended the previous night’s party. They accompanied their mother who had secured a place on the sidewalk to beg from those who passed by. For some team members, this brief contact did as much to bring home the problem as could any day – any year – of study and discussion.

The day ended late at night with a devotional from team member Jim Alsup, prayer and music. Tomorrow will begin early with team members pursuing a variety of efforts in and around Chiang Mai.

Bear in mind, there are TWO sources of online information regarding our team's mission to Thailand. In addition to visiting West Texas Missioner, you can also arrange to receive daily e-mail updates by clicking on the preceding text, and providing your e-mail address. And remember, 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)