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Tribes and Trails
in Thailand
April, 1961
Vol. 10, No. 1
Published twice yearly, in spring
and autumn, by undenominational
Christian missionaries laboring to es
tablish in Thailand(Siam) self-support
ing churches after the NewTestament
pattern. This bulletin is distributed
with the hope of gaining needed prayer
support for the Thailand work, of urg
ing everyChristianto heed the Master's
call to service, and of encouraging all
to greatereffort in the spreadofsimple
undenominational Christianity through
out the world. Several missionaries
committed to this purpose are presently
laboring in Bangkok, Thailand's cap
ital, and at or near Chiengkam, Pua,
and Chiengmai in extreme Northern
Thailand.
Fulough For Callaways
C. W. AND LOISCALLAWAY plan
to get their children in India at the
close of school in May and proceed,
via the HolyLand and Europe, #o fur
lough in America. Theyshould reach
New York in July. Because of the sit
uation in Laos, and'upon the advice of
local Thai officials, they moved in
December to Chiengkam from their
home at Tzan Fu Ville.
MISSIONARY CONFERENCE
if housing details can be ananged
it is hoped that a fellowship gathering
may be had the first half of April for
missionaries in Thailand pleading the
restoration of Biblical Christianity.
Separated for long periods from inspir
ing Christian conventions of the home
land, we long forthe spiritual food and
stimulus of such gatherings. We covet
your prayers to the end that the pro
posed gathering may be a reality and a
Blessing.
(The latest word was that the Con
ference was to be held in Chiengmai
from April 2 to 16. C. W. and Lois
Callaway and the Mel Byers family
left Chiengkam on March 29th to at
tend the gathering.)
COVER PICTURE
While Thailand is today making
fast strides forward in material spheres
the old ways are still everywhere evi
dent. These lumbering water buffalo
carts on one of the main motor roads
of northern Thailand bear evidence of
this. Missionaries are finding the peop
le on the whole eager to have all mod
ern conveniences they can afford but
reluctant to turn to the "more excell
ent way" in Christ. Pray that your miss
ionaries may be, in their labors fo;
Christ, as patient as those who ride th
buffalo carts.
TRANSLATORS' CONFERENCE
Dr. William Smalley of the Amer
ican Bible Society led another confer
ence for Bible translators in Chieng
mai, Thailand in early March. Diffi
cult problems in analyzing various
Thailand languages, and in connec
tion with translation work were studied.
We trust that this may further speedthe
day when Yao, Khamu, Miao, Tin and
other tribespeople may read the Word
of God in their own languages.
IMOGENE WILLIAMS was scheduled
to arrive in Thailand in late March
from a busy furlough year.
YAO MEN JOIN ARMED FORCES
Contributing to the decision of the
Callaways to take their furlough at this
time have been the unsettled conditions
in Laos, and along the Thai border.
Recentlythere have been a thousand or
more (possibly several thousand) of the
Chinese Nationalist soldiers in
the Chiengkam area. Probably 20 or
more men of Tzan Fu village (where
Callaways have been working) have en
listed with those forces. Most of them
have now moved across the border.
THAI LANGUAGE STUDES con
tinue for David and Deloris Fillbeck in
Bangkok, and for Dorothy Sterling in
Chiengmai, They look forward to the
day when, with this necessary back
ground, Aeycan go onto tribal evang
elism in the north.
The spiritual foe of Christ in Thai
land is Buddhism. It is a formidable
foe, being entrenched in Thailand for
over 2000 years. The religion perm
eates all of Thailand's culture and soc
iety, from the Monarchydown to the
coolie. Everywhere we tum we see the
sharp differences between Buddhism
and Christ.
The philosophyof Buddhism is essen-
tially Idealism (resembling Christian
Science). Ultimate Reality is viewed
as Mind or Spirit. Material objects do
not exist outside the mind. The mat
erial world around us is not objective,
but "is founded on our thoughts, and
made up of our thoughts" (a Buddhist
quotation).
This Ultimate Reality is termed
"Universal Mind." It is this Universal
Mind where the Buddhist, at death,
seeks to go. It is viewed as an obsorp-
tion into the Universal Mind, which,
once attained, there is no more re
birth. This absorption is Buddhist sal
vation, a deliverance from the flesh
with its suffering, constant change, and
death.
Buddhism presents to the people a
way of life . It makes little or no
attempt to define the beginning of
things. Most of its teaching is taken
up with rules for daily living and con
duct. Of course there is a purpose in
these rules which is concerned with
death and the hereafter. This way of
life is not without its morals: with pro
hibitions and exhortations such as found
in Gal. 5:19-23.
Much emphasis is laid upon self-
discipline. The ideal self-discipline
life, of course, is the priesthood. The
Buddhist monk lives in a monastery
practicing celibacy.He mustgothroum
the most arduous rituals to gain the
"passionless" life; where no passion,
whether lust or love, must be enter
tained in the mind. But such regula
tions concerning foods, eating, holy
days, fasting, etc., are as Paul said
in Col. 2:23. "Which things have in
deed a show ofwisdom in will-worship.
and humility, and severity to the body;
but are not of anyvalue against tiiie in
dulgence of the flesh."
Buddha was concemed with escaping
the ever recurring cycle of birth and
death--reincamation. It is surprisingto
note that this doctrine did not origm-
ate with Buddha, but was bonowed in
tact from a religion of India, being
assumed byBuddha to betrue. The holy
life is to reduce the number of "lives"
one must live on ear^ before reaching
NirvanaUniversal Mind.
The Buddhist views sin differently
than the Christian. Sin is that which
causes the person to suffer(physically
and mentally), and to"* be sad. One
then must correct this cause, or sin, to
alleviate the suffering. Alie maycause
one to suffer or be sad. To alleviate
this suffering or saddness, some good
work can be performed.
The widest gap between Buddhism
and Christ is that Buddhism is atheistic.
In Doctrine, there is no Supreme Being.
It is a shock to the Buddhist when he
sees our firm belief in the LivingGod.
We must also emphasize that Jesus is
living NOW, or else they will view Je
sus as Buddha: dead!
Even beyond this, the fact that our
God helped and yearnsto help all is re
cognized as being "against the grain"
of Buddhist beliefs. Much stress is laid
upon analysis to determine the cause
(sin) of suffering. When the person has
done this, his suifering ceases. For God
to help us in this lire and especially
over the hurdle of death into eternal
life is Buddhist "heresy."
On closer investigation, the differ
ences between Buddhism and Christ
emerge. And the differences can be
suinmed up as being the difference be
tween philosophy and revelation. Budd
hism is but one of the many philoso
phies of life, and but one of the many
attempts to gain an overall picture of
the meaning of life, especially the
life that corfronted Buddha in India in
500 B. C.-- David Filbeck, Box 1395,
Bangkok, Thailand.
One Hundred Mothers
"I suppose you've been out visiting She measured it, and without explana-
one of your mothers again," said Mr. tion returned to her work. After sever-
Peacewith a mischievous smileas Ire- al days in her home caring for her
turned on my bicycle this morning. His wounded son, the boy s recovery made
playful words brought home the very it possible for me to return to Pua. On
real fulfillment in our Uves of Christ's my last day she presented her gift--a
promise in Mark 10:29-30 "There is no black Miao jacket with red trimming
man that hath left house, or brethren, and silver buttons. "Nowyou are really
or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, one of us," she said as I put it on, No
or children, or lands, for my sake, and longer a foreigner."
the gospel's, but he shall"receive an
hundredfold now in this tinie... and in MOTHER LAUM
the world to come eternal life." Wher
ever the preaching of the Gospel takes Mother Laum is one of the world's
us we always fina a "mother" to wel- happiest people. Her silver hair, pull-
come us, and offer theservice of lov- hack in a tight bun in thefashion of
ing hands. We would like you to meet ^nQst Lao women, she flashes a big
some of our Thailand mothers. black smile at everyone. Alife-time
of betelnut chewing has permanently
blackened her teeth, but her life rad-
MOTHER DA iates the brightness ofa cleansed heart.
, V, If there is to be a Bible conference or
"Now Mother can laugh a^in, ofChristians, no mountain is
said the tiny brown woman as she hurr- hio^ ^or any trail too steep for
ied up to the door with a gift coconut. j^Q^her Laum. With a retinue of child-
"Your father is up and able to wot . grandchildren, she is constant-
Saturday I thought he would not live , the go. All the Christians call
through the day." We had gone out j4i."Mothef" and allfind a hearty wel-
Saturday, and, with sorne very simple in her cheerful home,
medical treatment, had relieved the
old man's symptoms. HUNDREDS OF LOVING HEARTS
opted us five years ago, and always
refers to us as her children. Aljou^h so^jg American Mother
her home is about four miles away in .. ^g stmcgle of
the forest she walks in ftequently to dtiS Sf &e sKf the
bring a gif^ of a^l gospel. Remember that God's promises
with a lengthy report never fail. No matter where the con-
pains. In spite straint of the Word takes your child,
last weekend was the first tune sh^^ prepared a hunmred loving
pressed a serious interest mthe gospe . mother him. Only an outsider
V/-1TT ADC riMc OH TTcI" could look upon the missionary life as
NOW YOU ARE ONE OF US! sacrifice. We have found it tme
As we sat on the dirt floor talking that for everything given up for Christ
around the smoky open fire, I was start- there is a hundred-fold compensation
led by the pressure of a hand on my IN THIS LIFE ^-- and m the worldto
shoulaer. "Stretch outyour arm," com- comeeternal life."Garland Bare, Pua,
manded the little Blue Miao woman. Nan Province, Thailand.
Future Leaders
"Well, look at that!" There, stand
ing casually on the porch railing, were
two of our students absorbed in conver
sation. Although used to unusual happ
enings after our long associationwith
the tribal peoples, I was rather startled
to see them standing theresince most
people prefer to stand on the ground!
When Deng, Ya, and Li first came
to stay with us in August, 1960 they
soon learned the fundamental lessons of
bathing, washing hands before meals,
and wearing shoes and a clean shirt for
school. Natural boyish instinctssuch
as throwing rocks, stealing fruit, enter
ing the house via windows rather than
doors, and getting on to the porch over
the railing rather than up the steps--
have been hard to curb, but they are
making progress, and we're sure they
will be fully "civilized" some day!
More important, there is evidence
that Li, age 10, and youngest of these
Blue Miao boys, is making a real effort
to stop stealing and rock-throwing. At
home therewas little opportunity tor Li
to improve. He was frequently kept in
the fields because he couldn't get along
with other children. His father would
often beat him mercilessly. One of the
boys calmlystatedone daythat Li could
drink liquor like a man. Apparently the
child had no idea whatever of love.
During their first month at the public
school the boys' teacher came over re
peatedly to urge us to send Li home,
saying that he was stupid, and could
never learn. Unconvinced we continued
coaching him at home. Then, sudden
ly Li began to catch on. Although still
far behind Ya and Deng he is ahead of
the other first-graders, and can nowget
across almost any idea in Thai. He is
nowshowing some effort at self-control
and likes it here.
Ya, a round-faced boy of eleven,
tries hard to please everyone, and there
are few complaints against him. He
leams easily, and our children adore
him.
Deng, a bright, nervous boy
of twelve, is very conscious of being
Sho Mai and Tzong Chen
(1. to r.) with their books.
son of an important chieftain. A natur
al leader, he loves to study; and we ex
pect him to finish public school in rec
ord time. He also seems to understand
the Bible stories better, and is more
musical than the others.
Besides these three boys, whom we
expect to be boarding for the next few
years, adult tribesmen occasionally
come down to study. This year Sho
Mai and Tzong Cheng, two White Miao
men came. Tzong Cheng is a respon
sible family man with three children.
A broad smile characterizes his looks.
Sho Mai, about twenty years old, has
a brilliant mind hidden behind his inn
ocent face. Having Sho Mai here was
like having a cyclone around. In be
tween bouts with the books (he master
ed both Thai and Miao primers in two
weeks) he learned to ride the bicycle
and could often be seen running up and
down the steep hill back of our house.
Underneath all this furious activity
Sho Mai was sad. Just a few months ago
his young wife died of typhoid. Often
he said mat he could forget her only
when studying, and he didn't want to
fo back home. All too soon they did
ave to leave; promising to return in
February.
Thenoys have learned enough of the
Thai language to begin to understand
the Bible stories we tell them. This
month they will go home on vacation.
Will they return? Sho Mai and Tzong
Cheng have just learned to read enough
Miao so that they could begin to read
the Bible stories. Will they be back?
Satan uses every device to snatch these
learners from us. Pray that from among
themChristian leaders may be brought
forth for the Miao.Dorotny Bare, Pua
Nan Province, Thailand.
Patients cooking food over a campfire.
The light from the flickering oil
lamp shone on the faces of those sitt
ing by eagerly listening to the phono
graph. There were two old grandmoth
ers, one of whom was chewing betel-
nut and frequently making comments
on the records. Two younger women
were sitting nearby, one holding a
sleeping child, the other nursing a sore
jaw from which a tooth had been ex
tracted earlier in the day.
They said this wasthe first lime they
had ever heard about Jesus, They live
in a village almost a day's journey
away, so stayed in our patient house
fora couple of nights while beingtreat-
ed for their various and sundry illnesses.
During the clinic hours theTnai Chris
tian helper explained the gospel posters
and pictures, and, at ni^t, I played
the gospel records and told them more
of Jesus, "It is good teaching," the old
grandmother said "But it was a strange
story. Wouldn't it be Wonderfulto know
that youwere going to heaven whenyou
died?"
They had only a brief contact with
the gospel, but did it find lodgment in
a hungering heart? We do not know.
Perhaps later they will come back
really seeking. We seek to preach Christ
and make Him known; that these for
whom He died may come to know Him
too.
Unexpectedly the Lord opened the
way to witness in a Yao village. I was
called to help a woman after child
birth. Mrs. Callaway accompanied me
to act as interpreter, and to take ad
vantage of the opportunity to teach the
people about Jesus. We left early Sun
day morning, and arrived about noon.
Since the patient was occupied at tak
ing a hot bath in a hollowed out log,
we visited with the family, and had
lunch. Most of the afternoon was spent
treating the woman, and then I stretch
ed out, exhausted, while Mrs. Calla
way began to tell the old, old story
that fewof these had ever heard before.
One old grandfather was especially in
terested. After supper he started ask
ing questions, and telling everyone to
keep quiet so that he could learn more
about Jesus. A little old lady was sur
prised to hear that some of the Yao at
Maasalong had stopped smoking opium
and had become Cnristians.
Two weeks later it was again nec
essary to visit this patient. This time
we had a tape recorder along, and some
tapes made by the Yao Christians at
Maasalong. We had hoped the old
grandfather and the little old lady
would be there, but they, together with
many of theyoung people, had gone to
their opiumfields to cut the poppy pods
and gather the sap. As soon as supper
was over everyone in the village gath
ered around the fire to hear the tapes.
How they enjoyed the singing and short
talks and exhortations for them to be
lieve in Jesus. Could Jesus really free
them fromthe powerofthe evil spirits?
Could they really make a living if they
stopped planting opium? What woula
others intheir village sayand do if they
followed this new teaching, and be
came Christians?Go slowly. Go slowly.
Don't do anything rash!
Because Mrs. Callaway could speak
the language we wern't considered out
siders, but "daughter-in-laws." They
wanted us to stay for several days, and
were very disappointed when we insist
ed that we had to leave by noon the
next day in order to be back for clinic
on Monday. We spent the morning
playing the tapes in both sections of the
village before bidding them farewell
and starting the homeward trek. Our
hearts were full of thanksgiving to the
Lord for the opportunity to tell these
people of Jesus. May the Word find
lodgment in their hearts, and spring
fortn to everlasting life. May we be
ready and willing to witness, and go
wherever the Lora leads, that His name
maybe made known among the heath
en, and that they may come to know
Him as their Saviour. Dorothy Uhlig,
Chiengkam, Chiengrai, Thailand.
Tfte
"Oh, Foreign Daughters-in-law*
where have you been? We have been
waiting to kill a chicken for your sup
per, but we did not know if we could
just kill it or if you would have to do
a demon worship over it before it was
killed in order to be able to eat it."
Dorothy UhUg and I had gone up to
a Yao tribal village to care for a ser
iously ill patient. We had arrived just
at noon, and had been given our lunch
with apologies for the meagreness of it,
but with no question. Seemingly they
paid no attention while we offered
thanks for our lunch, yet they had been
aware that something different was go
ing on.
"Never mind. Grandfather Silver,
We don't do any sort of demon worship
at all, and you may kill the chicken
and cook it in your own way. When it
is ready to eat, we will thank our Heav
enly Father for it."
Grandfather Silver turned aWay, say
ing over his shoulder, "Oh, I see, you
will offer a bit of it to God to eat be
fore you eat it yourselves."
Quickly we explained that God did
not need our offerings of food, but that
having made the world, and all that is
in it. He has graciously allowed lis to
live in His world and eat of His pro
vision.
Grandfather was visibly perplexed,
but he called to his granddaughters to
kill the chicken in the ordinary way,
and then he disappeared into the dark
hut.
A few minutes later when I arrived
at the fireside. Grandfather Silver pull
ed a tiny stool up near his own and said,
"Now Foreign Daughter-in-law, you
sit right down here and tell me all
about God and Jesus. I know nothing
about them, and I want to know all
about them."
Where does one begin when a man
knows nothing about the gospel and he
wants to know all about it in one short
evening? We began with the creation
and followed through the main points
to the atonement.
"Now, Grandfather, when we want
to know what puts a sin barrier between
us and God we don't have to resort to
divination, as you do in your spirit wor
ship.
God has sent us His Book to tell us
what we have done that has put a sin
barrier between us and Him, and this
same Book tells us how the barrier can
be removed so we can be His children
and have the hope of living in His
Heavenly home."
Alook ofanticipation lighted Grand -
father Silver's face."Go, Daughter-in-
law. Bringthe Bookand read it to me."
Only a small portion of the Book did
I have, and a few hymns. I couldn't
select just the passages that would have
answered best Grandfather Silver's ques
tions. They haven't been translated yet.
I could only read him such as had been
translated, and then sing a few hymns,
explaining the meaning between each
verse.
Grandfather Silver can speak both
Thai and Chinese to a certain extent,
but he reads neither language, so it
was little comfort to him to know that
the whole Bible had been translated in
both of these languages.
Will you pray that the translation
task might be speeded so that when the
Yao say "Bring the Book," we may op
en its pages and let His Word give them
light.--Lois E. Callaway, Chiengkam,
Chiengrai, Thailand.
Costly Rellji|ioii
Chickens, hogs, spirit bridges, long
nights of vigil, beating of drums, burn
ing of paper "money,' chanting of long
rites, hideous ceremonies, payment oi
opium to demon prieststhese are but
a few of the costs involved for the
tribesman who is a disciple of malev
olent spirits. And his reward?--a feel
ing that the demons he so dreads may
grant a brief respite in their efforts to
torment him.
Rice in the bowl of the yellow-robed
priest each morning, frequent trips to
present fancy offermgs at the temple,
the giving of sons for months or years
to the priesthood, frequent days of hard
labor in beautifying the village temple
and grounds, the burning of joss sticks,
constant endeavor in human strength
alone to gain merit--these are some of
the many costs of being a disciple of
Buddha. And the reward?the hope of
being reborn after death into a slightly
higher state wherein the constantstrug
glecontinues toward the eventual noth
ingness of Nirvana.
Peoples of Thailand often tell usthat
they long to escape from the oppression
of trie demons and the temple. While
encouraging them, we try at the same
time to make clear that it costs, too,
to be a disciple of the Christ. Many
Thai Christians have had stones thrown
at their houses. They may find no one
tohelp in building their home, harvest
ing their rice, or burying their dead.
They may find threatening notes onthe
trail warning them to tum back to the
old religion.
I'he Yao built these bridges to
appease evil spirits. It is not necess
ary that they serve a useful purpose.
Actually it costs something in any
land to be a real Christian. One can be
a "modern Christian" with little effort
or cost. One cannot be a true and Scrip
tural "Christian" without paying a high
price.
In a large corporation in the Eastern
States a young Christian bore a radiant
testimony to Christ. The corporation's
president said to him, "I would give
everything in this world if I could em
ulate you." "What you would give,"
the young man repued, "is exactly
what it has cost me--the whole world."
If you who read these lines have no
purpose in life, and no joyinyourfaith,
itmay well bethatyou havebeen hold
ing out on God, and are not yet will
ing to fully surrender selfish aims to
Him. If you would know real victory
and peace of soul there is but one
waythe way of the cross.--C. W.
Callaway, Jr., Chiengkam, Chiengrai,
Thailana.
TRI8ES AND TRAILS IN THAILAHV
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Ninth and Pine Streets
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Non- Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
IcPAlD
Kiamath Palls, Oregon
Permit Number 12
Dorothy Uhlig, Missionary to Thailand
. . for thou wast slain,
and did purchase unto
God with thy blood men
of every tribe, and
tongue, and people, and
nation,.. ."Rev. 5:9b
f. .
*
n;c .
* T-
T-
S
:
i TRIBES
and
TRAILS
In
THAILAND
OCTOBER, 1961
:n0'^
J:
TRI8ES AND TRAILS
IN THAILAND
OCTOBER, 1961
Published twice yearly, in spring
and autumn, by undenominational
Christian missionaries laboring to es
tablish in Thailand (Siam) self-support
ing churches after die New Testament
pattern. This bulletin is distributed
with the hope o^aining needed prayer
support for the Imailand work, of urg
ing every Christian to heed the Master's
call to service, and of encouraging aU
to greater effort in the spread ofsimple
undenominational Christianitythrough-
out the world. Several missionaries
committed to this purpose are presently
laboring in Bangkok, Thailand's cap
ital, at, or near Chiengkam and Pua
in extreme Northern Thailand.
'Picture
Waterfall in Ranong Province
province is one of Thailand's
scenic areas. But the interest for the
Christian lies in die fact that great
numbers of Thai, SeaGypsies, Burmese,
Chinese, Malaya and Telugu have not
heard the gospel. NoChristian Mission
aryhas everresided in Ranong Province. traveled down from Chien^am to be
This
great
Work Moves Forward
Supporters of the Thailand work have
expressed concem because of the situ
ation in next-door Laos. As this issue of
Tribes and Trails goes to press, all is
peaceful in the border areas. Mission
aries are free to continue evangelism
unhindered. "He that observem tlie
wind shall not sow; and he thatregard-
eththe clouds shall not reap." (Eccles-
iastes 11:4). This is no time for retreat
of the Church of Christ in Southeast
Asia. The "gates of Hell" must be
stormed. As part of the advance, new
workers who have been in language
study are moving to tribal areas. Dor
othy Sterling will assist Donand Roberta
Byers with evangelism and medical
work among the Khamu at Nam Mong.
David and Deloris Filbeck will be liv
ing at Pua to begin a work with the
T'ln Tribe. Because there is only one
postoffice in the entire district, all
letters to the Don Byers, Bare, Filbeck
and Sterling families must be address
ed to Pua, Nan Province, Thailand.
C. W. and Lois Callaway and fam-
- ily left Thailand for their second fhr-
Vol. 10, No. 2 lough in the U. S. in May. The Calla-
ways plan to study linguistics at the
University of Indiana this fall. They
may be addressed in care of their for
warding agent Mrs. Leslie Webb, Box
385, Canadian, Texas.
Garland and Dorothy Bare spent
most of June and July in Chiengmai
where they did special research and
translation worit at the request of the
Thai Bible Revision Committee. The
revision of the Thai Old Testament is
expected to be completed thisyear. Re
vision of the New Testament begins
this fall. Garland Bare and David Fil-
beck will be participating in the pro
ject.
"If we can't recmit new mission
aries, we'll haveto raise themI" says
one of our fellow laborers. Two new
"junior missionaries" have recently
been added to the Thailand family.
David Ambros, first son of David
and Deloris Filbeck was bom in Bang
kok March 16.
Ardella Sue, Second daughter of
Donand Roberta Byers was bom in Nam
Mong July 12. Nurse DorothyUhlig had
with Byers' at the time.
DorothySterling and her two adopt
ed girls moved to NamMong inAugust
to do medical clinic wodc and teach
ing. She has been studying fhe Thai
language, but will neea to alsolearn
the native dialect for the new area.
David Mark Sterling is now attend
ing the Woodstock School in Mussoori,
Inaia. The Callaway children also at
tended the school until leaving for fur
lough.
Soon after returningfromfurlough,
Imogene Williams was granted permis
sion to spend a month in Burma. She
stayed with Drema Morse, who has
been in poor health.
Elsewhere in this issue will be found
the account of a survey trip to Ramong
Province. If the Kra Canal is dug as
planned, this promises to become one
of the most strategic areas ofSoutheast
Asia. Pray that the Lord of the harvest
will speeaily thmst forth laborers.
Mahe Me^ut,.."
"Why did you come back, wasn*t
America fun?" Mrs. Daang asked me
shortly after I returned to Chien^am.
"Yes, America was wonderful, and
I loved being with my family and see
ing friends; but I belong to Jesus Christ
and I feel that He wants me to be In
Thailand. Jesus loves you Thai people
and I have returned to tell you more
about Him."
"Well, you surely make a lot of
merit by coming so far and leaving
your parents; we just take some flowers
to the temple or give some rice to the
priests, but you foreigners always do
things differently."
"I'm not trying to make merit. There
is no way that you or I can earn salva
tion from sin no matter how many good
deeds we do. Jesus, the Son of God,
died on the crossto save all people from
their sins. He is the way of salvation.
The Bible says 'Neither is there salva
tion in any other; for there is none other
name under heaven given among men,
whereby ye must be saved.' He has
done all tnat needs to be done, but one
must accept Him as Lord and Master
and obey Him."
"Oh yes, I know about Christianity,
you have 10 commandments, 10 things
you can't do, but in our religion we
nave at least 200. Of course only the
Eriests know all of them, but we do
avethat many, and you have only 10."
"Those 10 commandments are im
portant; but not the most important
thing in Christianity. We worship a
living God, one who came and lived
In this world, and yet didn't sin; one
who is in heaven now, and will come
again to take those to heaven who be
lieve in Him."
"That's nice for you foreigners..."
"But Christ came for all people. He
loves the Thai just as much as the Am
ericans, and that's why I've come back
here to tell..."
"How much isthe Government pay
ing you this time? How nice to be like
^ sJ
SHRINE OF PRA PATHOM
Thousands of pilgrims visit here each
year for the purposeof making merit.
you foreigners; to not have to
work, and still get lots of money!"
"The Government didn't send me
here. Christians in America who want
to help the Thai people to know Jesus
sent me here."
"Do you still go to the Leprosy Vill
age? I'd be afraid to go near there.
You really do make a lot of merit by
taking care of those with Leprosy tho."
"I m not trying to make merit I..."
"Can you ride a bike out to their
village now? I guess you can't for the
fields have been planted. It must be
hard to walk out during the rainy sea
son, but it is a good way to make a
lot of merit. "
"I'm not trying. .."
"Well, I must be going now, but
I'll come again soon for I want to learn
all about America."
If this had been the first conversa
tion of this type with Mrs. Daane it
wouldn't be so aiscouraging, but it has
been going on for 10 years. The devil
seems to have completely bkicked her
understanding. Yet she is one for whom
Christ died, and He wants her saved.
Pray for her, and many others like her,
in Chiengkam.
Imogene Williams
Chiengkam, Chiengrai, Thailand
J 11
BORDER OF RANONG PROVINCE
David Filbeck, David Schaefer and
Harry Schaefer on trip to Ranong Prov,
A Visit to the Home
of the Sea Gypsies
In the first week of July, Garland
Bare, David Filbeck, my son David,
and I journeyed from BangKok 425 miles
south to Ranong Province. The city of
Ranong is the provincial capital and is
the center of tnree provinces that have
never had a resident missionary, and
where little or no missionary work has
ever been done. The Sea Gypsies, one
of the unreached tribes, are mund here
in the numerous off-shore islands and
of the islands of nearby Burma.
Ranong Province, like Malaya below
it on the peninsula, is a tin mining
center. Also its fishing boats provide
the bulk of the huge fish supply need
ed for Bangkok, Beautiful wild orchids
and gibbon apes are plentiful in the
surrounding hills. Elepnants haul huge
logs from steep mountain slopes which
are covered with thick rain-forests. At
nearbyKraburia canal has beensurvey-
ed which, when completed, will short
en sea routes for ocean Liners many
hundreds of miles. Today Kraburi is
just a cluster of sleepy stores, but with
the Canal may become the second
largest city in Thailand. The Isthmus
of Kra is also where the common Bor
der of Burma and Thailand stops. As
we journeyed southward the mountains
and hills of Burma were at times just
ten miles away. The roads we travelled
on are being rebuilt with American Aid
funds, and were originally built by the
Japanese, using prisoner of war labor,
during their occupation of Malaya in
the last war.
Surveying Ranong Province for opp
ortunities, we found several Burmese
and Chinese Christians, and one Indian
Christian. They had all lived there
many years. On the Lord's Day, we
gathered them together and it was a
truly international service, for the
preachingserviceI preached in English,
then translated it into Hindi, and then
Garland Bare translated the message
into Thai. It was the first time the
Lord's Supper had been observed for
many years and it was a thrill to see
the joy on the faces of these Christians
who have remained faithful though a-
lone among Buddhists, Moslems, and
Animists. They pleaded that we send
someone to live among them to teach
them, or at least return once a month
to preach.
The most interesting find on this
survey trip was to see several Sea Gyp
sies, called the Moken by the Burmese.
These aboriginal tribes are understood
to be of Dravidian origin similar to
tribes that were in south India before
the Aryans came in from the north.
But little is known about them as they
are shy of strangers. They live all
their lives on raft-like boats made of
palms and only camping on the beaches
for short periods of time. They dive for
clams and shells which they trade for
their necessities. They do not use mon
ey. and differ from the Thais in that
they carry things ontheir heads as the
Indians do. One of the Ranong Christ
ians, who is a fisherman, spent seven
months living with them and he invit
ed us to come back when the stormy
Monsoon season is past, and he would
take us to visit these people.
Truly, with the plans for a canal
through which ocean liners will pass
through Ranong Province, and it being
an unevangelized area also, this Prov
ince is a great opportunity for Christian
witnessing! May the Lord help us to an
swer their Macedonian Call to "Come
and preach the Gospel in Ranong Prov
ince!"
--Hany D. Schaefer
Box 1395, Bangkok, Thailand
God Sees^^
"Oh, go ahead and take a drink.
The Teacher will not find out, and we
promise we won't tell." Such was the
temptation confronting Nai Khaek, a
new Khamu Christian of about seven
monthsformer drunkard, spirit-doc-
tor and persecutor in violent opposition
to the Christian group in Nam Mong.
The scene was a marriagefestival. Af
ter the ceremony the custom was to
bring out the food and liquor. Nai
Khaek's reply to this subtlety was be
fitting one who knew his Gm. "It is
tme meTeacher may not see, but God
in heaven sees, ana He is the One I
must deal with, not Teacher." From
this he went on to witness to the new
joy he had found in Christ. He said,
"rm happy now. I walk the trail, work
in me fields, live wim myfamily at
home and have no fear of lurking evil
spirits. I know God is there beside me.
I talk wim Him, and He defeats the
evil spirits." Some of his listeners gave
a little mocking laugh, but most sat
mere deeply impressed wim the strange
religion tWt made men good and true
and put a joy in meir hearts. They were
listening to words from a man they had
known and respected for years as a solid
citizen of the village. They had never
heard him speak so before. How come
the change? There was no doubt in Nai
Khaek's mindhe had found his God!
I have been privileged to watch the
spiritual development of this man since
Ms re-birm a couple of years ago. His
growm and insight has been wonderful
to behold. He is illiterate, wMch no
doubt accounts for some of Ms humility,
but what he knows to be right and what
he hears from me Word with under
standing he is quick to appropriate.
What more could you ask? Witn this
tmsting attitude he far outgrewmost of
the other Christians in a very short time.
He is always happy to wimess to me
peace and joyme Lord has given. "We
know these tnings to be true," he rec
ently told his equally radiant wife, "for
we have had heaven on earth mese few
months."
Many prayers had gone up for Nai
Khaek since me first time Garland Bare
entered Ban Nam Mong, for Nai Khaek,
along with two omers, were ring-lead
ers in a strong opposition. From me
very beginning Garland requested pray
er for mese three. The omer two were
not long in following Khaek in profess
ing Christ.
The power of changed liveswho
can, and what can, argue against it?
The native can dismiss me efforts and
lives of the foreigners for the simple
reason he is a foreigner, and is supp
osed to be different. But mere is no
argument against a kinsman whose ha
bits have suddenly changed, and can
not cease talking about me miracle
wrought in his heart. There is bewild
erment, respect, and an irresistable
urge to likewise participate.
The story of Nai Khaek, and others
like Mm is just me beginning of God's
work among me Khamu of Northern
Thailand. There are many more glori
ous chapters to be written in his life,
and others yet living in darkness. We
humbly confess here that the child
like faith of such men has done more,
and shall do more, to mmble pagan
walls, and open sympametic hearts to
the gospel, than me foreigner could
ever do. May the flood-gate of God's
abounding grace be poured out on His
trusting cMldren.
Don Byers, Pua, Nan Province
mM
MISSIONARIES AT CONFERENCE: Standing: Mark Sterling, David Filbeck and
son Amby, Melvert Byers, Donald Byers, David Schaefer, LiUie and Harry
Schaefer, Dorothy ana Garland Bare, Lois and C. W. Callaway, Middle row:
Mrs. Deloris Filbeck, Mrs. June Byers with Steve, Mrs. Roberta Byers with
Jocelyn, Mrs. Emma Schaefer, Suzanne and Dixie Schaefer, Dorothy Uhlig,
DorothySterling, Imogene Williams. Front row: Richie Schaefer, Donny Byers,
Melvy Byers, Gordon Byers, Randall Byers, Sharon Sterling, Corinne Bare, Judy
Sterling, Rinda Byers.
Conference In Chiengmai
"Unity without organization? Im
possible !" This was tne reaction of a
sectarian friend a few years ago to the
suggestion that missionaries could lab
or in harmony without human organ
ization . The years since have been a
testimony to God's power to make of
one mind those who are content to let
the Holy Spirit be the sending agent
and the Bible be the only constitution
and by-laws.
The evangelists in Thailand belong
to no "mission." We are united, not in
an organization, but in a Person whose
BodyIS the all-sufficient mission agen
cy for all times and places. Neverthe
less, recognizing our dependence on
Christ, our need of His leading, and
the power of a united studyof His word,
we sought an opportunity when all of us
could join for a time of fellowship.
In April, Dara Academy, a girls'
school in Chiengmai, which was closed
for hot season vacation, made their
campus available to us. Here were
dormitories, facilities for cooking,
study and assembly, and a children s
playground .Furthermore, everyone
was free to attend at least part of the
first two weeks of April.
Those attending were the Harry
Schaefer family and Harry's mother,
Mrs.Emma Schaefer, who had recently
arrived in Bangkok with the hope of
opening an Indian work; the David Fil-
beck's (with their "brand-new" son
Amby), also from Bangkok; the C. W.
Callaway and Melvert Byers families.
Imogene WiUiams and Dorothy Uhlig
from Chiengrai Ehovince; and the Don
ald Byers and Garland Bare families
from Nan Province. Unofficial hostess
was Dorothy Sterling who was already
located in Chiengmai for language
study, and who had made the initial
arrangements for facilities.
Each day the men alternated in
bringing messages followed by discuss
ion and prayer. The theme of the "In
digenous Cnurch" was carried through
the moming services. In the evenings,
messages and discussion centered on
the subject of "Prayer." Problems were
discussed and burdens were shared.
While the adults met in these sess
ions, June Byers led a vacation Bible
school for the children. She was assis
ted by Dorothy Bare andRoberta Byers.
At tne end the children presented a
program of songs and memory verses.
It was an especially thrilling time for
the youngsters for some of them seldom
meet other American children.
The presence ofMrs. Emma Schaefer
was inspiring to all, and we were en
riched by her wisdom from a lifetime
of service in India. Lois Callaway ably
carried the heavy burden of supervising
the purchasing and preparation of food.
All were blessed in coming apart from
the cares of work and listening to God
speak through His Word, We returned
to out individual fields of labor with a
determination to know Him who is the
Unit of our unity.
By Garland Bare, Pua, Nan Province
All L'lireaelied
Miiiioii l!iouls
Each week-day morning I emerge
from a narrow lane on my motor bike
and turn onto one of Bangkok*s busy
streets. Quickly I am engulfed in a
maze of traffic of every type and de
scription as Imake mywayto language
school. Every type of American and
European car competes with three-
wheel motorscootet type taxis for "po
sition" at traffic jams. Trucks and bus
ses of all sizes and shapes snarl up tra
ffic for blocks. Bicycles, motorscoot-
ers, and motorcycles weave in and out
of the traffic.
When traffic stop flowing altogeth
er a policeman takes over. At school
crossings cars screech to a stop at the
signal of a policeman, and then tear
away trying to pass each other. Every
few blocks there is a public school for
children. Each morning and afternoon
bright blue and white uniforms crowd
the streets.
Bangkok, like every other big city
in the world, has its growing pains.
Traffic jamsarea constant problem be
cause of the typical, nanow streets.
Adequate housing is another problem as
many from outlying districts flock to
Bangkok for work and education. For
this reason Bangkok is constantly chang
ing its face by filling in its old canals
and building new six-lane boulevards;
and by tearing down old buildings to
build bigger ones.
All of this shows the imwJrtance of
Bangkok in the national life of Thai
land. It is Thailand's capital, port of
entry and export, and center of educa
tion and health. There are three lan
guages beside Thai which are almost
equal in importance. Chinese runs Thai
a very close second because of the large
Chinese population. English has been
adopted officially as the second lang
uage of Thailand and is known by al-
BANGKOK STREET SCENE
most all of the businessmen, and by all
the government and educational offi
cials. Because of the large Hindi pop
ulation, theHindi language ranks fourth
in importance.
In spite of its size and importance,
Bangkok has been largely neglected by
the missionaries. There are around a
dozen small Protestant churches with a
like amount of Catholic churches scat
tered throughout the city. The major
ity of these churches are plagued with
liberalism and hence are robbed ofany
power to evangelize.
There is a real need for New Test
ament missionaries who are experienced
in "big city" evangelism and can mod
ify this experience to Thai culture in
Bangkok, There are many excellent
opportunities to witness even before one
knows the language. To know E^lish
is a "craze" among the Thai. Imere
have been many such opportunities to
help a Thai to learn English bystudying
about God and His Son.
The people of Bangkok, as well as
those allov'.rThailand, aresheepwith
out a shepherd. They wander about seek -
ing truth and salvation. Satan is slowly
swallowing them up by means of mat
erialism as more and mote of America's
materialism is adopted. Sin of all types
are no less here than in any other part
of the world.
Are you praying that many will take
upthis challenge and preach the gospel
in Thailand? We know not how many
more days we have in which to work.
The peace of Asia and of the world is
too delicately balanced for comfort.
Only your prayers can thrustworkers in
to tne vineyard of Bangkok.
--David Filbeck, Pua, Nan Province
"I Will Direct Thy Paths"
Plans to go by truck were doused by
torrents ofrain. Attempts to find oxcarts
were unsuccessful; but, finally, two
men came offering their oxcarts for the
trip to Phayao. Flooded rivers caused
added delays, and yet in His own time
the Lord led. Pushing on till late at
night, traveling all day, then up at
midnight to press on to the destination
in time to catch a 7 a. m. truck only
to miss it through the carelessness or
misunderstanding of the ones sent to
msdce the arrangements. A day's lay
over waiting for another truck and...
frustrating? "Yes," if we to run
things in our own way. "No, if we
have committed everything to the Lord
and are tmsting in Him to direct our
paths.
A warm welcome by an unknown
Christian woman was at the end of a
river-boat trip. Also awaiting us were
opportunities to teach amongthe Khamu
women and children. An early morning
bus forgets to pick you up, and your
schedufe for the next few ^ys is upset,
but it makes possible a brief reunion
TRIBES AMP TRAILS IN
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Ninth and Pine Streets
Klamath Falls, Oregon
with a fellow missionary who arrives a
few hours later. A tmck stuck in Ae
mud for two nights gave opportunity
for a missionary to witness to people
whowould never have heard the gospel
in any other way. This included several
"chance" meetings with an English
speaking Thai who is very atheistic and
a staunch believer in Buddha's teach
ings.
It is easy to become frustrated and
angry in some of these circumstances,
ana yet if one has committed his way
to the Lord and is tmsting in Him, He
has promised, "1will direct thy ^ths."
Not always in the way we think best;
not always in the easy w^, but in His
Way, wHich is the way ot blessing and
joy.
For any Christian the secret of tri
umphant Christian livingis in comm
itting, tmsting and letting Him lead.
Try it and see if it doesn't change fms-
tration into joy and disappointments
into opportunities for service.
Dorothy Uhlig, Talat Chiengkam
Chiengrai Province, Thailand
THAILAND
Non-Profil: Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Permit Number 12
Dorothy Uhlig, Missionary to Thailand
Form 3547 Requested