Winding down our time in Chiang Mai

Please remember to pray for us as we prepare to embark on the teaching portion of our trip

Only a couple more days and we say goodbye to our hosts, the Rebneys and the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. The time here has been full with meeting some wonderful people and hearing their stories of life in Thailand. We took advantage of our "down time" here to also experience things that could not be done in the states. Besides seeing and getting up close and personal with some huge Bengal tigers, Moriah convinced her parents that bare-back elephant riding was something that might only come about once in a lifetime. After we all spent the majority of a day traveling to and fro in the back of a truck that actually broke down on the way back, spewing black oil all over us, we were convinced with extremely sore pelvic bones that she was absolutely correct; it would be a once in a lifetime experience.
Gary has always complained in the past about the tenderness of his derriere from riding in the saddle when pleaded with to go horseback riding. Now after bareback elephant rumbling through the jungle, negotiating steep incline paths down the mountainside, fording a river while all the time struggling to maintain balance attempting to avoid the pointed spine and shoulder bones of this enormous beast and all without OSHA safety measures in place, he will say- "Give me a horse any day!" All in all it was an hilariously fun time whose memories should remain with us for much longer that the bruised bones and muscles.

Traveling by truck to our elephant ride

Paved road leading to the jungle

You have to be stylish when riding elephants

Trumpeting call to mount up

Riding is a snap, but where do you hang on?

Look Mom, no hands!

Fun feeding baby elephant who couldn't get enough bananas

Narrow, rocky path to the river

Feeling more that 61 years old after dismounting 

Elephant showing affection after being bathed

Its kind of gives me goose bumps. I hope it doesn't blow in my ear!

Gary is not too sure he likes it, feels like a sloppy, slimy vacuum cleaner  

We believe the elephants would have been more reliable

One of our intended goals while in Chiang Mai was to visit members of the Morse family who have ministered here in China, Burma, and Thailand for three generations since 1921. We were able to arrange a meeting with them for two days and received a seminaries education on how church planting has been successful and not successful in this part of the world. Some of the family's earlier experiences have been recorded in a couple books especially working among the Lisu people group (over three quarters of a million population, who have the entire Bible now in their own language as credit to the Lord working through this family. The books are entitled,  "Exodus To A Hidden Valley" and "The Dogs May Bark…But The Caravan Moves On". It was a thrill to meet several members of this family and learn of all that has been accomplished for the kingdom of God through their ongoing over 90 year ministry.

Organization founded after Morse family was forced to leave Burma

Tom Morse, librarian volunteer, Ron Morse, Pat Morse (Ron's wife)

Class of Bible school students

Library at Bible school for Lisu people

Lisu village church

Adoniram Judson's updated translation for Burmese by North Thailand Christian Mission 

Moriah and Lyndell spent one morning touring Grace International School, one of the Christian schools, here in the city established as recently as 1999. All of the teachers are working here as faith based missionaries and there are slightly more than 500 students K-12. Both were very impressed from what they learned and saw during the tour.

Grace International School foyer and staircase

Foyer with flags representing some of the counties of students 

Grace international school cafeteria

 Since we have all enjoyed eating Thai food so much since we arrived, we thought it would be a great idea to learn how to prepare such delicious meals. Therefore, Lyndell, Moriah and our friend Holli enrolled in an all day Thai cooking school, which began with a stop at one of the local morning markets to purchase the required fresh supplies for five main dishes. They were supplied with a simple recipe book so we can now hopefully enjoy this cuisine when we get back home as well.

Proof that your chicken actually had a head and two feet before buying.
Can't be sure in the USA

Choosing fresh meat, but left the pig's head for another fortunate customer

Tom kha and Tom yum soup, definitely yummy and a Thai's favorite

Spring rolls Thai style (Moriah has made these with our neighbors back home)

Moriah learning to prepare very tasty green curry, one of Dad's favorite. 

Ping River

Gary enjoyed a morning engaging with members of OMF (Overseas Mission Fellowship) at the Mekong Centre just outside the old city and across the Ping River.
He was given an introduction by two of their directors as to their work among the surrounding countries as in Thailand as well. Our current plans of perhaps spending half of the year here and half of the year back in the states would probably not be a match with their current mission statement and vision at this time. Even so there is much to learn from this organization, formerly called China Inland Mission, since it has such a long and effective history beginning with Hudson Taylor back in the mid to late 1800's. I also viewed several of Pastor Piper's books in their library.

Adoniram Judson had once said that making a convert in Rangoon, Burma was "like removing the eye-tooth of a live tiger," so deeply was Buddhism entrenched in the culture. The same might be said in this neighboring country of Thailand. Yet, the gospel is the power of God for salvation. Please pray for this land such that a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit would accompany all those here who preach and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Bengal Tiger

Testing the waters in Chiang Mai

It has already been over a week since arriving here and each day by the time we get settled for the evening to enter something in the blog we find ourselves too tired to stay up and go to bed instead. We are staying with Scott and Holli Rebney who are on assignment with SIM, a mission organization serving Southeast Asia. The three bedroom apartment is across the street from Wat Phra Singh, one of the famous Buddhist wats or temples built around 1345.

Wat Phra Singh across street from apartment

The street leading away from the temple comes alive on Sunday evenings with hundreds of vendors for an all city night bazaar. There is a tremendous variety of ethnic foods, crafts, clothing, and of course foot massage stations. Prices are exceptionally inexpensive with most food items about 30-50 cents. The Minnesota State Fair could learn a lot from these weekly street bazaars.

Sunday evening street bazaar

                                 One of many foot massage stations ($2.00) for the tired walkers Notice Lyndell?

Now let's look at our options, deep fried bugs of various kinds or......

... attractively tempting, delicious fresh sushi.  Not really an option which to choose.  How about for you?

We have spent the majority of our days here either meeting and visiting with various missionaries and other organizations or touring some of the "must see" attractions while in Chiang Mai. One of these excursions included the popular Night Safari, which involved an evening tram ride around a zoo-like venue observing and feeding an array of jungle animals including the white tiger. That event encouraged us to also visit Tiger World where we had a close encounter with three big tigers and pictures taken with them. What amazing animals these huge ferocious creatures are in the wild, yet so mild-mannered when trained for captivity.

Just another big pussy cat.

Who's trying to scare who?

A highlight for Gary has been his two trips to another temple close by for a "monk chat". Visitors are welcome to come and chat with a monk about things like their life as a monk, Thai culture, traditions of the visitor's culture, or anything. Gary chose the "anything" topic so he could involve each monk with a discussion of Christ and the gospel.

New temple area for monk chat. Can you tell what kind of tree this is?

400 year old temple near monk chat area

Open invitation to approach monks for dialogue.  We like the "anything" option.

Young monk introduced to the gospel for first time.

The first monk was Thai whose name was Toon was 24 years old and became a monk so he would get a reduced rate on his college tuition. He had read the Bible, but could not explain anything about the gospel. Gary shared with him for about 45 minutes describing things like the difference between Christianity and all other religions, the reason why everyone needs a savior, and why Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. He said he wanted to avoid hell and thought that becoming a monk for a while would help him do that.  Afterwards he was given a New Testament and "Quest for Joy" tract and encouraged to start with the gospel of John. He has sent Gary two emails since their visit and our hope is that Gary can meet with him again in person before we leave next Monday morning.

The second monk named Chris was 21 years old from Macaw and was scheduled to be a monk in training for only 10 days. His explanation for the short stay was simply that the rules and regulations were too much for him and he thought at least 10 days would help him to become a better person. Gary showed him from the Bible that God requires perfection for anyone to avoid His judgment and no person has ever lived up to that standard except Jesus Christ. He was made to understand that the good news for all mankind is that by repenting of one's bad thoughts and deeds along with trusting in Christ's work on the cross will secure the forgiveness we all need and reap the benefit of eternal life of peace and joy beginning here in this world. He seemed to be taking most of what was said lightly until he heard from the scriptures that it is appointed onto man to die once and then the judgment. He too was given a tract and when leaving he asked for Gary's email so he could contact him later.

Sunday morning we attended the Chiang Mai Christian Fellowship Church whose members are mostly missionary families from various parts of the world. The service was in English and breakfast was provided before the worship time. There were about 200 in attendance.

Lunch after worship service with Scott and Holli Rebney and a SIM missionary wife

 All of us visited SIM headquarters for an indoctrination to Thailand and its culture along with an explanation of the work they are doing here. A couple days later Gary attended a Free Burma Rangers (http://www.freeburmarangers.org) weekly staff meeting learning about the continued fighting that is going on between the Burmese army and the Kachin people group is northern Burma. This organization seeks to help the oppressed people groups of Burma in any way they can physically and spiritually. By doing so they put themselves in great danger at times since they enter the country secretly and even as we were praying word came in via cell phone to intercede for one who was near some artillery fire.

Gary also met with a representative from another organization, Cadence International, ministering to a unique group of unbelievers. Their aim is to reach out to the military members in counties like Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Since corrupt governments are usually held in power by military might they believe that change in the spiritual beliefs of the members of the military could have dramatic impact for the oppressed and provide openings for the spread of the gospel. They have witnessed several generals already convert to Christianity in Cambodia. Gary was invited to travel with them in the future as an evangelist-dentist if the Lord so leads.

Beauty abounds in this "land of smiles", however, the radiance will not be fully realized among these people until the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ is shone in the hearts of those who have been blinded to the truth of God and His Word.

Orchid gardens

Day Train to Chiang Mai

We have been so active traveling to and around Chiang Mai, investigating the cultural happenings, meeting new people, and visiting mission organizations that there has been what seems to be a limited amount of down time to get caught up with our blog.

After reading some reviews online it was thought best by us to travel by train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok in order to have the experience and see the sights. The price was also attractive, only $20/person. 

Moriah excited about adventure on train

Settled in for some reading time while observing the sights

Well, now in retrospect through our experience of riding and stopping, rocking and rolling for what seemed even longer than the actual 14 hours to get there, we could make a somewhat less enthusiastic recommendation for anyone else considering going by train instead of airplane. Our backs, tailbones, and other anatomical parts got quite a workout not to mention our demeanor towards one another as our patience wore thin at times. We began questioning whose "wonderful" idea this was after only being half way to our destination. By that time the "sights" we thought to experience by means of this form of transportation consisted mainly of several hundred miles of rice paddies in various stages of cultivation.  When we did reach the foothills to see something different, like monkeys and lush jungle vegetation, the sun was already fading in the west and within a short time we were gazing through the dust-caked windows into darkness. Another highlight for Moriah was a choice of an eastern squatter or a conventional western sit-down toilet, both a bit tricky to maneuver with the train swaying and lunging during the ride. Might we add that some people were not so successful with their aim!

Western style toilet crammed into a phone booth

The sight of many cockroaches climbing out from behind the garbage receptacles near where we were sitting and especially one climbing on the back of Gary's arm, when it began to get dark, encouraged Lyndell and Moriah to try and find empty seats elsewhere while keeping their feet off the floor. Gary chose to remain where he was and actually was able to sleep for a couple hours. However, Lyndell and Moriah kept their eyes wide open!

The redeeming value of the excursion was the opportunity to share the gospel with a fellow traveler.

Lyndell was initially sitting next to this retired college instructor who was a native Thai, however, now a current resident in the U.S. for the past 30 years. Lyndell initiated a conversation that included much about the Lord and Christianity. After Gary stopped reading a story to Moriah on the Kindle he switched seats with Lyndell, so he could continue presenting the gospel using Romans 6:23 and the "Bridge" illustration. The man commented that although he had a Christian pastor as a friend, he had never had such a clear presentation of Christianity before, however, he thought it might be difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. We then gave him some literature, which he read and then he gave us his address and phone numbers while in Thailand and back in the U.S. in case we needed anything. We trust that a seed planted will bear fruit in God's timing.

Finally arrival in Chiang Mai- the reason for the smiles

Before traveling to Chiang Mai we had made hotel reservations for the first two nights, prior to moving in with Scott and Holli Rebney, based again upon splendid online reviews . We now think that perhaps some of these wonderful reviews are made by the owners good friends, workers, and relatives. Needless to say the accommodations did not match the raving reviews. Enough said about the hotel and train since we confess that as Americans we have become way too soft in our lifestyle expectations and often way too unappreciative of all that the Lord provides to meet our needs. 

Hotel dead-bolt Chiang Mai style

Hotel room "safe"?

View from our hotel room

Hotel free outdoor breakfast of fried rice and noodle soup