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