For the Love of Money...

Recently, I have encountered a couple of stories that have highlighted the fact that many Thai people are as devoted to money as they are to Buddhism - perhaps even more attached to money.

We visited a small church in a nearby province last week and one of the leaders told us of a new believer who would only come to church when her son, who isn't a believer, could come watch her home for her. Now, her son hasn't been coming, so she stays home on Sundays because she is afraid that theives will break into her house and steal her many possesions when she is out. Break-ins are not uncommon in Thailand this is just such a sad story because this woman is clearly loving the things more than God.

A few days later, there was an article in the Thai newspaper about a family furniture store that burnt down in the middle of the night. The family lived in the same building where the shop was and was awoken by neighbors shouting "Fire". The blaze took off quickly because the furniture cleaning and polishing chemical made excellent tinder. After the family escaped from the blaze, the father remembered that he had stashed over a million baht (the baht is the Thai currency) in their home. The son pleaded with the father to not go back for the money but his father was not persuaded and return to their blazing home to rescue his money. The father subcumbed to the smoke and burned to death in the flames.

Materialism is not merely a Western phenomenon and you don't need to be rich to be greedy. Many Thai people are gripped by the desire to be wealthy, and religion is just something on the side when convenient. Please pray that the Lord would reveal to the people of Thailand the folly of chasing after wealth which rust and moth (and theives and fire) destroy instead of making God their treasure.

The French are Coming!

The city of Lopburi recently celebrated their annual Narai festival, in honor of King Narai who reigned over Thailand from his palace here in Lopburi about 400 years ago. Part of the story of King Narai includes ambassadors from France who came to visit the king and initiate diplomatic relations between Thailand and France. Later on, the ambassors, together with some Jesuit priests, all got knocked off because some higher up folks in the royal entourage were afraid that the priests were getting to close to converting the king to Catholicism. So, for the Narai festival parade, the organizers needed some white guys to be the French ambassadors. I thought it would be fun, so I volunteered. It was, kind of, but I felt somewhat ridiculous in my ambassador's costume, especially the wig. Even more ridiculous than the guy with the cone on his head in the picture below.

I was a serious French ambassador marching in the hot sun. I look silly enough being a white guy in Thailand, so why not put on some funny looking clothes to top it off?

There were four of us white guys in the parade as ambassadors but only Simon got to ride in the sedan chair. He must have been heavy because the soldiers carrying him changed shifts halfway through the parade.

Work Permit

Finally got my work permit after a number of months of waiting. Now I am official authorized by the Thai government to work as a "missionary" and to "propagate the Christian religion among those interested, to instruct [church] members in the fundamentals of religion, and to teach the Bible." Well, I better get to work. I wouldn't want to violate my work permit, would I?

New Wheels

We were very pleased to finally get a vehicle a couple weeks ago. Up until now, we had been walking most places (with baby in a backpack) or taking public transportation (with baby on our laps and no seat belt). Sometimes we got a ride with other missionaries but even then there was often no seat belt or car seat for baby. May cars (and especially vans) in this part of the world don't have seatbelts aside from the driver and front passenger.

In any case, we got a 2002 Isuzu Grand Adventure which is basically a four door pick-up truck that has been modified to include an extra bench of seats in the far back that can fold up for extra room. We were looking for a vehicle with a little extra room for people and/or things so that we could be a blessing to others in using the truck for ministry and also in the event of any future family expansion.

We praise God for the generous gifts of our supporting churches and friends back home that have enabled us to get this vehicle. It is rather funny to think about, but this is the newest vehicle that we have ever owned. Up until this point in life, Sun and I have always owned rather old cars with high mileage because we were trying to get through school on a limited budget or whatnot.

Thankfully, car makers kept the pedals in the same left to right order although the first time I drove in Thailand I kept turning on the wipers every time I wanted to use the turn signal since they swapped the position of the turn signal lever and the wiper lever.

Lots of room for stuff in the back once we fold down the third row of seats.

A Letter from a Fellow New Missionary

It is never a good idea to toot your own horn, however one of our fellow missionaries here in Lopburi approached us the other day to say that she'd like to toot our horn for us. Judy had it on her heart to write a letter to our supporters to let them know about what she & her husband have observed in the lives of our family since we moved in down the street from them this past year. Both Sun & I think that Judy speaks WAY too kindly of us and that our lives certainly don't live up to the picture that she paints. However, I include below the full text of Judy's letter, for those who would enjoy reading an outsider's perspective on our lives and ministry in Thailand.

February 10, 2007

Dear Friends of Karl & Sun,

It was an amazing Christmas Eve, one we will never forget, and one that is already altering the future. We are so blessed to have Karl & Sun here, living just down the street from us. You see, Christmas approached way too fast this year, and all of us [Thai language] students has so many other outreaches and extra things on the go that we thought, when could we ever do something for our neighbors?

Well, God divinely put it together. We planned on an evening meal together, some games… and our neighbors came, especially those whom we had previously built relationships with. And this is where Christmas eve turned out exceptional… Karl played a great True or False game with the Thais about Christmas, and ended up sharing the Gospel. His Thai language is so fluent and clear, and our neighbors were so interested in what he was talking about.

A new openness was born that night. More talks of Jesus followed. Neighbors have asked for prayer and seen God answer. Such as a lady down the street whose friend’s son slipped off a deck and hit the cement with his back. They didn’t think he’d walk, but today he walks..

We just want to say THANK-YOU for being behind Karl & Sun as they minister here. If you could only see them & hear them, You would be so encouraged. The Love of Jesus just flows from them. They take time to sit and talk to the Thais… and when we see them, all we an say is, “They are just like Jesus” Loving people, taking time to care, putting others before themselves.

And also I want to add, They are a huge encouragement to us fellow students as well. We are an older couple here, learning this language a little slower.. but they inspire us with their diligence. And also inspire our adult daughters who also are students here in Lopburi.

Thank-you, this couple is a wonderful gift to this land where less than 1% of the people know Jesus.

Judy Griffioen