Here in Phetchabun, Thailand, I am known as a “fa-long.” It’s a slang term the Thai people use to refer to a foreigner, and one of three words I can recognize in a Thai conversation. (In case you’re wondering, my extensive Thai vocabulary also consists of the Thai words for “hello” and “thank you”)
Being a fa-long in Phetchabun is what I imagine the life of a Hollywood celebrity to be like. The VIP air-conditioned vans drive me from place to place, cameras often flash in my direction and I have, on occasion, been entrusted with the key to the toilet stall, so I won’t have the embarrassment of using the squatty potties like the common folks. (I’ll try not to let my stardom get the best of me.)
In actuality, at the heart of Thai culture is hospitality, and throughout our ministry this month, we have been treated with the upmost level of respect and honor, as if we were movie stars rather than simple 20-something-year-old missionaries from America.
Our ministry in Thailand has been to show Christ’s love to the English students of PCR University. Nearly 8,000 students attend the university, and, as far as we know, we are the first group of foreign missionaries to work within the university. (Or in the town of Phetchabun, for that matter.) We live on campus and spend most of our days building relationships with the students. Although our time has been short, we’ve been able to:
-teach a few college English classes
-host 3 English camps
-participate in a Thai dancing class
-create traditional Thai artwork in an art class
-meet nearly every faculty member of PCRU
-attend a traditional Thai wedding ceremony
-visit the local Tamarind festival
-appear on Thai television
-try a variety of traditional Thai food (There’s much more to Thai food than just Pad Thai, so I've discovered)
Our first session of English Camp in the mountains….such a success!
The professors treated us to a Make-Your-Own Papaya Salad dinner…I'm always up for trying new things!
Four of the girls in mine and Becca's English group…they are so incredibly sweet and have a passion to understand English!
We visited an elementary school and the kids performed a song for us….adorable, right?
While Thai culture definitely rubbed off on us, it was our prayer all month for the Christ within each of us to rub off on the people we met. Phetchabun is a spiritually dark place, much like the rest of Thailand. Although the people are extremely friendly and welcoming, it pains my soul to know that they worship false idols.
Each time we make the drive to town, we pass by a giant Buddhist idol on the side of the highway. I always look at it, curious to see what bowing down to a physical idol looks like….and I pray for the people I see. It breaks my heart knowing that their hope in this 70ft golden statue of an ancient prophet is so empty and dark….but at the same time God fills up my heart with the Hope that He is present in the town of Phetchabun, Thailand, and He is beginning a big work in the hearts of his Thai children here.As our time in Thailand comes to a close, it is my prayer that I have reflected the only One worthy of praise, Jesus Christ. After all, He's the Famous One..not me.
The giant idol that we pass on the way to town. Our God is Greater!
"He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all."
John 3:30-31
"Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Spendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary."
Psalm 96:2-6
…that last passage FIRES ME UP! I am so honored to be callled to share His famous name among the nations…the God above all gods, the One who made the heavens!
