Many times this year, I have reveled (and even blogged) about how small this world has become to me. In our adventures, we World Racers have found one astounding connection after another, meeting family, friends of friends, and people we may have even come across in our previous (pre-race) lives. The church community is astoundingly connected. Making those connections is our goal as Unsung Heroes, and once again, God has shown us how close-knit His family really is.
Let’s rewind to day one in Chiang Mai. I received a message from my friend Chrissy.
“Are you anywhere near Chiang Mai? A friend I went to college with lives in the city, doing ministry with his family!”
Why yes, we are in Chiang Mai.
Meet Nick. His family lives in Thailand, operating their ministry Asians for Christ. Asians for Christ focuses on the calling, training, and discipleship of Christian leaders throughout Southeast Asia (specifically Thailand, China, Myanmar, and Laos). The family also conducts tribal ministry, particularly for the Lisu tribe. Having been born into the Lisu tribe and even grown up to be a Buddhist monk before he met Jesus, Nick’s father is passionate about sharing the love and truth of Christ, which completely changed his life, with his people. When they are not traveling to different countries in Southeast Asia, going to the tribal villages, or holding leadership conferences, the family teaches local children or visiting groups that come to them here in Chiang Mai. Sometimes, they even hold barbecues at their house, to which they openly invite the brand-new American missionaries. The Wong family warmly welcomed our team into their home and ministry, allowing us a small glimpse into the wonderful work they are doing for the Kingdom.
A few days later, my father emailed me:
“Hey Deborah, Jack and Judith (my parents’ best friends/practically my aunt and uncle) have some really good friends in Chiang Mai. They would love for you to meet up with them!”
Enter Abel, Ruth, and Mark.
The ministry of the Sairattanyu family is one that has been handed down through the generations. Abel is of the Lahu tribe, and this family has a heart for the villages in the northern region of Thailand. Abel and his wife, Ruth, began their ministry here in 1995, working with the Lahu and Shan tribes. Through them, The Lord has established 8 churches, one orphanage, and seen entire villages come to Christ. They evangelize in several more villages, and praying about planting a new church in one of those soon. They currently have 23 children from ages 5-15 and varying backgrounds in the orphanage, where they can learn English, Bible, and have the chance to heal and grow in the love of Jesus. Mark, their eldest son, is currently in seminary in Chiang Mai. He is very involved with the ministry, and his heart for the children was evident in our conversation. Their other son, whom we did not have the opportunity to meet, is studying music in the States. This Kingdom-focused family has one of purist passions for spreading the love of Jesus that I have ever seen. They were excited to meet us and have even invited us to visit their orphanage this weekend.
Both of these meetings were incredibly special to me, because they gave me another little picture of how we as the church are all tied together. We have friends of friends, mutual acquaintances, and random cross-cultural and international connections, but most importantly, we are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ.
In a particularly endearing moment, I spoke with Abel and Ruth about Jack and Judith. “They have always been there for us,” I said. “They have been at graduations, weddings, and births. They supported my family when we had no one else. Jack and Judith are my aunt and uncle. They are family.”
Mark smiled and looked at me and said, “I can say the same thing. They are my aunt and uncle too.”
“You know what that means,” I laughed. “We are cousins!”
Please join us in praying for both Asians for Christ and the Sairattanyu family and the work they are doing for the Kingdom. If you feel led to support them in other ways, please message me so I can put you in contact with them.
