Akha women cultural dance.
(Introduction: Northern Thailand Experience)
(Part 1: As the story unfolds)
Part 2: Guo Ming Dang army in Northern Thailand
I watched the senior pastor of the Church. He is from Yunan. He is a chubby, cheerful and nice looking chap.
He married an Akha girl and they have a son of a few years old. This guy is pretty amazing. He does everything from being a handyman to an electrician, a soundman to care taker, a rubbish collector to a master of ceremony, a gardener to a shop keeper and of course a preacher.
How Christianity grew in this area was fascinating. A lot was done the Christian missions. Also a lot was done by the remnants of the former soldiers of the Chinese Guo Ming Dang.
As the story went, after the Guo Ming Dang army was defeated by Mao Tze Dung’s army, they split up into two groups.
One withdrew south into Northern Thailand. They lived in the hills and among the hill tribes. One withdrew to Formosa (Taiwan today). They were supposed to regroup to wrest back China from Mao Tse Dung.
And this never happened. As time went by the group that was left stranded in Northern Thailand began to assimilate with the local tribes marrying their women.
Unfortunately many of them too succumbed to drug addictions and alcoholisms.
But there were some who are commendable. I felt they are worth mentioning as their works I think had a tremendous impact on the Christian communities today.
Our group felt blessed to be able to meet with a number of them. Thanks to Pastor Ng and his wife Mdm Liim who made it possible. They brought us around (they consider themselves our tour guide) for the next few days.
(Part 1: As the story unfolds)
Part 2: Guo Ming Dang army in Northern Thailand
I watched the senior pastor of the Church. He is from Yunan. He is a chubby, cheerful and nice looking chap.
He married an Akha girl and they have a son of a few years old. This guy is pretty amazing. He does everything from being a handyman to an electrician, a soundman to care taker, a rubbish collector to a master of ceremony, a gardener to a shop keeper and of course a preacher.
How Christianity grew in this area was fascinating. A lot was done the Christian missions. Also a lot was done by the remnants of the former soldiers of the Chinese Guo Ming Dang.
As the story went, after the Guo Ming Dang army was defeated by Mao Tze Dung’s army, they split up into two groups.
One withdrew south into Northern Thailand. They lived in the hills and among the hill tribes. One withdrew to Formosa (Taiwan today). They were supposed to regroup to wrest back China from Mao Tse Dung.
And this never happened. As time went by the group that was left stranded in Northern Thailand began to assimilate with the local tribes marrying their women.
Unfortunately many of them too succumbed to drug addictions and alcoholisms.
But there were some who are commendable. I felt they are worth mentioning as their works I think had a tremendous impact on the Christian communities today.
Our group felt blessed to be able to meet with a number of them. Thanks to Pastor Ng and his wife Mdm Liim who made it possible. They brought us around (they consider themselves our tour guide) for the next few days.
1. Hello little girl 2. Akha woman 3. Akha women 4. Surmon in 3 languages
Pastor Ng who is a Malaysian is in his mid sixties. He graduated from Singapore Nanyang University. In the last 14 years he has given his love, time and efforts to Christ and contributed significantly to the communities in Northern Thailand.
He now coordinates 23 churches in Northern Thailand. His wife also Malaysian a few years younger followed him wherever he went. What a handsome couple. They are also the parents of one of our team member Weiwei.
We met Khaw Da Die (Elder Khaw) who is in his late seventies. He was one of the soldiers of the Guo Ming Dang army.
He was a drug addict long time ago. He was saved by the missionaries. He went into a drug rehabilitation centre. He was cured of drug addictions and alcoholisms. He became a Christian.
He decided to preach the Gospel. He walked literally walked from door to door. But you must understand that from one door to another door is not like our door to door close to each other. Theirs is more like from one hill to another hill.
With a bible in one hand a walking stick on the other, he trod across the highlands and lowlands preaching to whoever wants to listen.
He walked from one hill to another. His faith was rewarded. Through him he had built seven churches. Wow what a man.
Now he may look frail but his passion for Christ remained as strong as ever. He and his wife, Khaw Dama, they together have three sons.
His third son, Ja Guo was the one who was driving us around at Northern Thailand.
The story to continue at part 3 … The Death Camp of Khun sa.
1. Jessica at Xa Fang 2. Pat & Jess visit Rehab 3. Children 4. Pat & Jess
No comments:
Post a Comment