Life Outside Our Window

What is life like in the City of Angels, and no, we haven't moved to Los Angeles since you last read our blog. Bangkok, the name by which you the world knows our town is actualy a district of Krung Thep, the real name for Bangkok.

Although census data puts the official poplutaion at around 7 million inhabitants, the reality is that the population of Bangkok is actually around 15 million. This give Bangkok one of the highest population densities in the world.

Our family is very aware of that fact on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis. Our home sits only 20 feet away from Lan Luang Road, a busy 6 lane road that always has traffic. From the constant sound of tuk-tuks, a local three-wheeled taxi whose two-stroke engines make it feel more like a NASCAR race, to the low rumble and diesel exhaust clouds of the city buses, life is never quiet.

Even when we go to the mall or store, there are constant crowds and music. It never seems as if we can avoid the bombardment upon our senses by the urban world around us.

Because of this it is always a joy to be able to escape the noise and crowds of the city and really enjoy whatever times of refreshing that we can obtain, then it's back to the city, and ministry for those 15 million who are still waiting to hear about Jesus.

Sabbath at Pathumthani Church

As part of my responsibilities as zone coordinator, I have the blessing of being able to visit churches here in the greater metropolitan area of Bangkok.

This last Sabbath our family was blessed with a visit to the Hope for Bangkok church plant in Pathumthani. The group is located at Mission Health Food Factory and is comprised of both Thai and Karen people groups. With about 30 people worshipping, it was a joy to be able to ordain and consecrate the church elder, deacon, deaconess, and congregation to making disciples for Christ. Please pray for Pastor Jimmy Shwe and his family as they minister to this growing group.

The Plain of Dura

Thailand is a very diverse country. Some of its diverseness is in the number of religions that its citizens practice.

Over the last week and a half all five major Thai religions, Buddhist, Islam, Sikh, Hindu, and Christian, gathered at Sanaam Luang for a special ceremony in honor of this year's celebrations of His Majesty the King's 80th birthday and for the prosperity and peace of the country.

Each religious group presented a part of the program from their respective areas. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont even attended the ceremony presenting each group with a special plaque commemorating the event.

For the Buddhists, part of the this special ceremony was the casting of Buddha images. With a smelter melting down various metal foils and objects that people were donating, my mind turned to the great golden statue that was cast by King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel and the worship service dedicating the statue. Although we weren't compelled by death in the furance, my mind couldn't help but wander back the time when Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were faced with a test of their loyalty to God or to Nebuchadnezzar.

Would each on of stand faithful to such a test if we were faced with it today?

More pictures from Sanaam Luang may be found under the Photo Links section.

Who Did You Worship?

“Silver bells, Silver bells, it’s Christmas-time in the city…” The strains of this familiar Christmas tune played softly over the speakers of the mall as I shopped, but it wasn’t America that I was finding Christmas-time in the city. In this predominately Buddhist country Christmas is a big celebration, especially in the Bangkok.
Like the United States, much of the Christmas season is wrapped up in the commercial aspects of the holiday. At Central World Mall, Southeast Asia’s largest Christmas tree was on display. Every single shopping complex had Christmas decorations and signs featuring snowmen, Santa Claus, reindeer, sleighs, and Christmas trees.
As I prepared my annual Christmas sermon, I wanted to capture the big banner of a Norman Rockwell painting of Santa Claus. I had seen it every time passing through the central shopping district, and it just highlighted the loss of Christ in Christmas.
It was not until I actually was crossing the pedestrian overpass that the irony of our Christmas celebrations really began to sink into my mind. Located at Central World are two large shrines where many people come to worship. These shrines, dedicated to prosperity, are situated right in front of the big Santa Claus banner.
As I snapped photos of Santa and the shrine the thought was impressed upon my mind of who am I worshipping each year at Christmas time? Is it Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, or has the world replaced Christ as my center of worship? Although the Christmas season is past, we have a whole year before us to stop and consider who did you worship?

It Must Be Yellow Monday

As I write this, it is once again yellow Monday. In leaving the house and heading for three days of the Southeast Asian Union Mission’s annual leadership conference, I stand in a crowd of yellow shirts waiting for a bus. On the bus I am once again surrounded by people clad in yellow shirts. Everywhere one turns you see yellow, yellow, and more yellow.
Now you may be asking yourself why is Monday such a yellow day? It all relates to the Thais’ dedication and love for their king and a cultural heritage that each day of the week has a certain color associated with that day. Because King Bhumiphol’s birthday was on a Monday, yellow is the color of the monarchy.
In honor of the king, almost every Thai citizen can be seen wearing a yellow shirt
with the seal of the royal family emblazoned on it and the slogan “raew rak nay luang” or “We love the King” embroidered on the right shirt sleeve.
Although these are certainly interesting facts, there are several lessons that we as Christians should learn from.
▪ Thais wear yellow every Monday as a symbol of their love to the king, do you put on Christ daily as a symbol of your love for Him?
▪ Thais are very devoted to their king because of what he has done for Thailand, how devoted are you to King Jesus for what He has done for you?
▪ A Thai’s greatest desire is to be able to just see the king, is your greatest desire as a Christian to not just see Christ, but cling only to Him?
Although most of us have never lived in a monarchy, it becomes obvious, if an earthly king can be respected and honored this way, how are we, as children of the King of the Universe respecting, honor, worshipping Him?

Catching Up With Technology

Well, it has been over a year since we arrived in Thailand. During that time we have wanted to get something on the web. After getting some pointers from a fellow missionary, we have caught up with technology. Although we will still be looking at producing a formal newsletter, we are choosing to use this as our main form of communication with friends and family. Hope you will enjoy.