How long are you staying?
When my family first moved into our house, we would be asked this question frequently. It perplexed us a bit wondering why they would ask such a question. Back in the U.S., where we were originally from, if you were to move into a new neighborhood it would be considered quite odd for someone to ask you that.
We then realized it was a question asked because they will determine, based on how long you plan to stay, whether it is worth building a relationship with you or not. Relationships are quite important in Thai culture. If you have not grown up with them or lived around them for a long time, it is not automatic that you have their attention or trust.
So the next time we were asked this question, we would answer that our term has us in the area for three years but our hope is that we will be here for our whole life. You would be amazed what doors opened up when they heard this and was delighted to see we were here for the long term.
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- Written by Lila Chang
- Category: Personal Reflections
- Hits: 1088
South Thailand Adventure Camp
Last week 12 guys and 4 leaders travelled to Krabi and had a fantastic time on the South Thailand Adventure Camp. Camping in tents, including a night on an island beach, rock climbing, caving, kyaking, eating good food, talking about life and talking about God. Over half the young guys were not Christians but they really enjoyed the camp and are ready to come back in October next year! Want to join us?
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- Written by Jeff Callow
- Category: Serving in Mission
- Hits: 1328
Market Stall Mission
What do you do on a Sunday afternoon? Yesterday five of the OMF South Thailand team spent their afternoon with local Thai Christians cutting up 8 kg of tomatoes and cooking up large amounts of spaghetti sauce then selling it at the local Pak Phanang "Walking Market". Local Christians manned the stall, handing out free literature, selling DVD's and books, chatting to people and selling spaghetti. (As well as buying and eating some too!) The spaghetti was the draw card attracting plenty of people to our stall. It quickly sold out... we better make more next time...
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- Written by Jeff Callow
- Category: Serving in Mission
- Hits: 1105
Drowned Homes but Hopes Alive in Bangkok
A report of our involvement in flood relief in Bangkok in November 2011
We live in South Thailand, such a long way from Bangkok. Surely the people in Bangkok didn't want us to turn up and be a burden on an already burdened city. Early in November one of our close missionary friends, Marten Visser started posting on Facebook photos and stories about the flood relief he and his co-workers were doing.
"Yes, come and help us!" was his reply.
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- Written by Jeff Callow
- Category: Life in Thailand
- Hits: 1224
A funeral
Funerals last for 3-7 days and nights with the cremation after that. People come anytime during the day and leave when they want. The funeral I just went to was at a temple, many are in large tents (marquees) set up in front of people's homes. Food is served (rice, curry, soup etc) at any time for those who come. You share a meal, chat a bit and, if you are Buddhist, you bow before the coffin to pay homage to the spirit of the person who has died, burning incense , chanting and lighting candles. People bless the person saying "May you go to the place that you like". Each night a group of monks will chant Buddhist chants while the guests put their hands together and chant or listen. Each monk holds a oval shaped rigid fan in front of his face. The fans have messgaes written on them - "go and not return", "Die and not live again" and "sleep and not wake up".
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- Written by Belinda Callow
- Category: Life in Thailand
- Hits: 1150
Water........the source of life ....
Bangmuang market had the worst flood in more than at least 60 years.
Water was running like a river through one of the Chriatians houses after it rained non-stop for one week. Reptiles and other dangerous insects were washed out of their holes and was desperate to find refuge. As I was walking kneedeep through the rushing water I noticed a sick lady sitting on a chair in the middle of this rushing water. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a centipede sitting very comfortably on her knee because the lady was not aware of it!!
At that moment someone hit the thing off her leg into the water in which we were standing !!! This made me realize that we were not the only ones in the water!!
That night people had to sleep in their houses being aware of the fact that snakes etc. might be sharing their houses with them. It was a sleepless night for many
A few days after this we went around the market to find out how people were after the flood and had very good conversations especially about the end of the world as all were shaken out of the " feeling safe in their own houses" .
One dressmaker was shocked with the dishonesty of her clients whose cloth was damaged in the floods in her house. They claimed more than the worth of the cloth back from her. Having been disappointed already with an unfaithful husband, this made her even more unhappy with her circumstances and more willing to listen to us.
She is becoming a good friend of mine and I trust that she will come to the point where she will find the water of life in Christ our Saviour.
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- Category: Life in Thailand
- Hits: 1087
God's Tuk-Tuk
Tuk-tuks are well known around Thailand. Any tourist who comes to Bangkok will almost always take at least one ride in these three wheel taxis. Then, have battling the traffic, the noise and pollution they feel a sense of achievement at the end of their journey!
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- Written by Jeff Callow
- Category: Serving in Mission
- Hits: 1182