Thailand Missions (2016) "You Alone Can Rescue"
We weren't allowed to take any pictures, but I will share two takeaways. In an effort to destroy opium, the government (not the current one) ordered metal opium boxes to be melted into Buddha statues. This was ironic to me because I couldn't understand why people would want to worship an idol made out of something that was bound to such evil. It made me realize how great of a hold Satan has on Thai culture. But it also reminded me of how much greater our God is.
In the last section of the museum, the "Hall of Reflection," a reference to the Bible was made in one of the plaques on the wall. It stood alongside other words of wisdom and references to other major religious texts and proverbs in attempt to encourage museum visitors to quite frankly, never try opium or drugs in general. Unfortunately though, the reference that claimed to be from the Bible was in fact not even a verse! It was rather what just seemed like a paraphrase of something that isn't actually found in the Bible. It was an encouraging saying, however it cannot be pinpointed as a specific verse in the Bible. This reminded me of the many Thai people that still don't know who God is, or the truth in the gospel.
We ate lunch nearby the museum with Paul (see picture below), who Kristy introduced in the blog on Monday. He and his wife, Milky, run Shalom House, a center run by Pha Mi Church for kids to stay if their family is broken, or if their parents are unable to take care of them due to drug abuse. Paul shared with us his own testimony, on how he started selling drugs at the age of 14. He then came to know Jesus Christ in a rehabilitation center, and after attending seminary, he started to do ministry within his Ahkha tribe. Many Ahkha people and people within other Northern tribes have struggled with opium addiction and abuse because it was a major source of income leading up to the Opium Wars. The Golden Triangle area was densely populated with poppies. With this drug now deemed illegal, many have found it difficult to change their ways of life. But it is through God's grace that some, like Paul, have come to know the LORD through opium rehabilitation centers.
In the evening, we began teaching our last English class of the trip. The other teaching group (Doris, Alisa, and Thomas) taught middle schoolers this past week. They decided to end the week by sharing the Evangecube with the help of Lillian's translation. And as a result, FOUR students raised their hands in faith and accepted Jesus Christ! Praise the LORD!
Our teaching group (Me, Caleb, Ashley, and Kristy) has been teaching 3rd through 6th graders this past week. We spent our last day learning Making Melodies and Cha Cha Slide. We sang and taught these two songs countless times during this trip, but even through all the repetition, I still find new joy dancing with the students every time! Truly, we were making melodies in our hearts to the King of Kings!
As our trip draws to a close, we are so grateful for all the God has done and will continue doing even when we are gone. Please pray that the seeds we sowed will be watered, and that God would continue to raise a generation of Christian leaders, so that one day, the Kingdom of Thailand might confess that Jesus is LORD.
Kup Koon kaa (thank you) for your support!
-Rochelle
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