The morning sun rose over the mountains and evanescent specks of mist danced through sunbeams across from our accommodation, (which is also the church building) in Ban Den, Northern Thailand. Three of our group had travelled to this village before, however, to stay overnight was a new and culturally rich experience for all of us. […]

The morning sun rose over the mountains and evanescent specks of mist danced through sunbeams across from our accommodation, (which is also the church building) in Ban Den, Northern Thailand. Three of our group had travelled to this village before, however, to stay overnight was a new and culturally rich experience for all of us. By staying in Ban Den we were less detached from the locals who also lived in the village.

By 8 am each workday, we had eaten our breakfast and travelled from Ban Den to Ban Hui Mi. Located 850km north of Bangkok, members of Ban Hui Mi include the Lua people who are a minority group native to Laos. During the rainy season, members were unable to worship at the church building there, as they were unprotected from the weather. The main purpose of this visit, therefore, was to assist with building walls for the existing church building, before adding a veranda at the front and concrete paths around the outside, filling in holes where birds would fly in, and tiling the floor.

The worksite was a space where everyone was treated equally. We worked together with the evangelists serving with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand. While one of our Australian team has a certificate in construction, another had never built or rendered a wall. The evangelists also had different levels of experience, therefore each of those who were more knowledgeable taught those who were still learning.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the weeks we spent in Thailand provided us frequent moments free from the distractions of work, hobbies, spending time with family, serving the church and watching television. Instead, we spent time reflecting on what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. We observed those who know they are loved by Jesus, being drawn into an inclusive community which provides them both physical and spiritual solace.

We experienced the profound blessing of continual prayer and were witnesses to the power of prayer for a family whose belongings had been stolen and in the completion of the erection of a building. Even though we are not so comfortable praying aloud, the Holy Spirit gave us the words when we were asked to pray for members as we wandered the villages and after worship.

We were involved in teaching the faith to the young at a Saturday club, where we performed a drama, played ball games, and invited the children to colour in pictures which we displayed at the following day’s worship service. It was also at this Saturday club that we watched a young girl’s beautiful smile and laughter light up her face. This was such a significant contrast from the girl who didn’t want to live, who we had prayed for in the hospital a few days previously.

We also learnt more about what it means to live in an animistic and Buddhist society. We observed those whose dependence on spirit doctors during illness means that they do not seek conventional treatments at the nearest public health centre. We met people who have been have become followers of Jesus after being introduced to a God who is not manipulative in the same way as other traditional sources of power. They explained that, just because they have stopped involving themselves in animistic practices, this does not mean they cease to live in a world inhabited by spirits. Rather, it is their relationship to that world which changes, as does their interpretation of it.

Our final meal together was filled with emotion as the evangelists expressed the significance of our time together. We were given ample financial support for the church building renovations from our faith communities, friends and loved ones and for this we are also grateful. While posting updates on social media to inform our financial contributors, those who do not have any connection to the church (such as our local rotary and cycling groups whom we interact with) were also witness to what God is doing in Thailand.

We thank God for the opportunity to join God in his mission in Nan and for the way he was present to us as we travelled and deepened our relationships with the people living there.

If you, your school or your congregation, would like to know how you can connect to the mission of God through a LCA International Mission partnership, you are invited to phone Erin on (08) 8267 7300 or email erin.kerber@lca.org.au. For more information, go to www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/start-a-partnership/

Read more stories about congregational partnerships at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/local-partners/congregations/