This trip was just as much (if not more than) a learning experience as it was a teaching experience. We are all Gods children, and I have learned that we are much more alike, than we are different
The Thai people, besides being accepting and gracious, are a very content and loyal people; They would make good solid Christians, as these are qualities that we as American Christians struggle to attain.
It was such a humbling experience to have individual Thai people come up to me and express their gratitude , by telling me, they see what the love of Jesus Christ is all about, through my example of voluntarily coming to Thailand to teach them (about English, and about Him) at a personal sacrifice to myself and my family who I had left behind in America.
One of Lutheran Hour Ministries programs in Thailand is to bring Christ to the Thai people through technology. They have a website that many people follow (journey into light-Thailand), and a text messaging campaign that many people subscribe to. The Internet, computers, and smart phones have become increasingly popular in Thailand, especially amongst the younger population. Being technology oriented and my interest in these gadgets and the avenues they open, was a way I could really connect with both the Thai Christians who were on the staff at LHM, and with the non- Christian Thai people who came to learn at our workshop.
Just before I left for Thailand I had got a new iPod touch, and had downloaded a Thai translator app, just for my own benefit, so I would know some basic Thai words and phrases. This app was worth it's weight in gold! I had used it on the first day at the LHM center (Friday when we met the staff), and it was an instant hit. It eased any of the anxiety that the Thai staff members and the BLC team may have had, by everyone having fun, playing "How do you say _____ in Thai" and "How do you say_____in English". We all had some laughs as we slaughtered pronunciations from each others language, and words with no direct translation like, "chāng-fai-fáa"(one who carries big spark) for"electrician" and "fák-tɔɔng-gɛ̀-sà~làk-sâi-tiian" (hollowed out agricultural product with candle inside) for "jack-o-lantern". But most importantly we were showing them that by making yourself vulnerable and laughing at your own imperfections is a great way to break the ice and start to build a trusting relationship. This impromptu game continued throughout the week, and was also enjoyed by the Thai participants who attended our classes. I was again humbled throughout the week as several of the staff and participants had approached me to express their appreciation that I was even interested in learning words and phrases in their Thai language.
Besides the rewarding experience of encouraging the Thai Christians who work at LHM, and giving them the confidence in English to share God's Word, I had two other amazing witnessing encounters.
On Monday morning, as the participants started to filter in, a Thai woman in her late 30's sat at my table, and I introduced myself. She told me her name was "Pu", that she lived in Bangkok, and that her mother saw an advertisement flyer for our workshop, and told her about it. Since Pu is working on speaking English better, she decided to attend our workshop. Later in the morning Pu told me she didn't understand why we would want to come all the way to Thailand to voluntarily help them practice their English. I told her it was all about our mission as Christians to spread Jesus's love and Word by building relationships here in Thailand. I asked Pu if she was Christian, and she said she was raised Buddhist, although she has heard the name Jesus before,she knew nothing about Him. I told her that I'd be glad to tell her about Jesus. As our BLC team members gave their presentations on various topics, we would tie in Christian teachings along with Christian songs, which spawned questions at all the group tables. On Tuesday, Pu was asking me about the different apps I had on my i-touch, as she too had an I-phone. She was looking at my apps and saw one of my Bible apps and asked what it was. I told her that the Bible was the book of our Christian beliefs. I told her the Bible was divided in two parts; the old testament ( stories about creation to just before Jesus's birth) and the new testament ( stories of the birth, life and teachings of Jesus along with the foundation of the Christian church). She expressed interest, and I told her it was a free app, that has numerous translations, including Thai, so she could practice her English( and refer back to the Thai version) while learning more about Jesus and Christianity. Pu then handed her i-phone to me and had me try to download it, but I was unable due to a poor cellular connection, so I told her we would try on Wednesday. Pu then asked me to just write down the name of the Bible app, which I did, and when she came in on Wednesday morning, the first thing she told me was that she was able to download it at home and would start reading it.
On Thursday Pu couldn't attend due to her work schedule, and I ended up sitting at another table with a young Thai couple in their early 20's, Chom & -Tao, who were also raised Buddhist. While we were playing our group games, Chom won her choice from the prize table and she chose a bracelet with Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5-6 on it and she asked me what this was. I told her the same thing I told Pu about the Bible, and Chom was very interested so I directed her to the app store on her smart phone and she immediately downloaded the free bible app. She then had me show her where Proverbs 3:5-6 was in both the English and Thai versions.
During Friday afternoons session we all had to say our heartfelt good-byes, and though I told myself I wouldn't get teary eyed, I cried like a blubbering baby (only outdone by Judi). Pu came up to me, also crying and she assured me she would read the Bible, after I re-iterated how important it was, and that she should come to LHM center if she had any questions or needed support from the staff, since most of the Thai Christians there had been previously Buddhist.
Not only did the BLC team become emotionally attached to staff and participants at the LHM workshop, but we have gotten much closer to each other as we worked together to let The Holy Spirit work through us. To God Alone be the glory!
-Brian Betchner
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