This morning I walked out of our house to take our youngest son to school when I saw this table full of offerings in front of our two neighbors' houses. In case you can't tell, the table consists of a pig's head with a carrot stuck in its mouth , a bottle of liquor, and pack of cigarettes, as well as some incense sticks.
The community in Phrom Khiri has a interesting mix of Buddhism, Brahmanism, animism and Chinese folk religions.Our neighbors both have a shrine in their house that they regularly give offerings to the spirits.
When I asked about it, they said they were offering it for good luck and for blessing on their houses and businesses.
Two weeks ago I started my early morning exercise routine, which is basically jogging a few laps around our neighbourhood block and getting a good start to the day. I had always wanted to do this but was too afraid. Back home it would be considered dangerous to jog alone in the early hours of the morning.
What’s so special about a name? Well, we once heard that in the past Thai’s would give their children ominous nicknames to ward off evil spirits. But now, most Thai nicknames are cute, one-syllable words (many are even adopting English words like: First, Apple, Cream, Coke, Milk, Big, and Boy). Yet, recently God used Corban’s name for me to share about our faith (by the way, Corban’s Thai nickname is “salapao,” which means pork bun in Thai!).
A few weeks ago I was visiting a Thai friend on a Tuesday morning. I don't generally go visiting in the morning, but this visit gave me a new insight into spirit worship in Thailand. Phi Saaw, my friend, was busy replacing her offerings of fruit and water on her many shelves of idols. Once she had refilled each glass with fresh drinking water, put new candles in front of each idol, she lit a number of incense sticks and prayed in front of each shelf.