Miracle in Liu Village

To my surprise, went I got to meet the jolly bunch of leaders from Liu village, (they were returning from Mae Sai after a Christian leader's conference), what greeted me was not sullen faces but happy ones. Sure it had been unbearably cold. At Lu village, Cha Fang, and even Li Da Ye village, it snowed. OK, no snow flakes from the sky, but in the morning, they stepped out to find snow on the ground. Water in basin had turned to ice. Banana trees, lychee trees, corn and grass were frosted, "like scalded by hot water". It was so cold, "the cold penetrated to the bones and they were unable to go outside and had to stay ome". But wait, while all the surrounding areas "snowed", there was no "snow" or frost at Liu Village, FHL DRC and Yunan Garden! Our lychee trees survived and are actually flowering! This is nothing short of a miracle and a witness to the non believers. God had protected the produce of His people. In fact I find no hint of natural cause to explain the phenomenon. In the words of a Lu village resident "everywhere was so cold, until one enters the road that descents into Liu village...all of a sudden there is a sense of warmth..." God is graceful to us. By the way, Sakura flowers are in full bloom in Liu Village.
 
 

From what I could ascertain, corn and vegetable plots, vastfields of grass actually yellowed and withered. For lychee trees, what is certain is there would not be any harvest for those whose plantation affected this year, leaves yellowed etc, but the trees should probably survive. Fish died, sunk to the bottom, because of the cold weather, decomposed slowly, and until now decomposed fish are still floating up to the surface. It comes to no surprise that prices for vegetables went up. The cattles are thin because there is no grass to feed on. But everything in Liu village survived. The trees, grass, fish, everything. It is a miracle. Sad to report though, Richard's vegetable and corn plot at Lu village didn't survive.

Apart from this obvious miracle, another "miracle" is the sense of revival among the Liu Village church leaders. Many see the hand of God in their lives. Two of the locals are confirmed on going to bible school this year, with at least three others seriously contemplating going. There is a renewed sense pf awe in the presense of God, and their worship.

Recent news report in Thailand warned that the cold spell is returning again. Temperature in north east Thailand had plunged to never before 4 degrees celcius. Pray for God's mercy and deliverance from the coming cold spell. 
 

The Women's Side of Things

I thought we should report on the women's ministry. You might know that we have started rehabilitating women in-mates in a seperate location from the male, specifically at Lu village, where Richard stays.

The thatch roof bamboo building started life as a half way house facility for those who had no where to go after they finished the programme at FHL, ie they await the next dry season so they can find somewhere to build a house, usually at Lu village itsef. This explains the rather open nature of the location, not exactly ideal for doing actual rehabilitation during the acute phase. Anyhow, as we found more and more couples coming for rehabilitation together, we took the step to convert the place as a rehabilitation facility for female inmates. At present the number fluctuates between four to five persons together with their children. Facilities are basic; bamboo beds, fire place, low table and benches, some pots and pans, a toilet...that's about all! Compared to what we have at the male facility ie the main center at Liu village, it would seem as if we practice sexual discrimination against the females! :-)

The more acute problem is actually that of full time staff to administer the place. Now that both Richard and wife are back in Singapore, we rely on a make shift team of Yang Mei Fong, and Anuthai, who are both handicapped because they do not speak much of Akha and Lahu, together with Johnson and Lao Da shuttling back and forth from Liu village. There are some potential leaders (we are looking at a couple who were ex. addicts living at Lu village) that we can groom, pray for God's calling for them to step into the ministry. For now, God is kind to us, Elder Cha and his wife from Huay Jo Grace Home is stationed there from 20 Jan till 29 Jan. Praise be to God, for they will be a great blessing to the inmates there with their experience and wisdom.

By the way, they set up a sumptious welcome lunch in honour of the visting Cha couple, and myself! Chicken and other stuff were offered by the local Christians who were all ex. addicts. Maybe that prompted me to write this article!

On Saturdays

Have you ever ondered what we do on Saturdays? What do we look forward to when it comes to Saturdays... How about a movie, followed by a drink at KOPI shop? No, I think I will just relax at home, listen to my CD a bit, clean my fish tank...

Actually there is more than one version of the answer to the question here. The "on" answer is that, myself and Ya_tu, sometimes we take some of the more mature rehabilitees, and go visitation. We usually go to the nearby villages, by foot! The time we spent walking there turns out to be quality time for us to share our faith and burdens to each other. Often the sharing and bonding breaks down the barrier between them and us, something that we cannot achieve if they just listen to us teach the bible every day.

Then of course, the whole object of the visitation is to encourage those ex drug addicts who had been rehabilitated at FHL, and we always receive a warm welcome, (and lunch)...and when we visit those who are still addicts, the testimonies (and appearance) of our inmates encourage them to want to kick their drug addiction as well. This always give us the opportunity to testify the power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for many of them had tried all methods to rehabilitate themselves only to fail again and again. (We love the song Amazing Grace very much, for it describes the typical experience of a addict who has come to know Jesus Christ and is made a new creature, and we made the song the Theme Song for FHL. It is sung at every devotion.)

Sometimes we also relax ourselves a little. Saturdays are also the day when we become fisher of fish, when we literally go down to our fish pond to catch ourselves a meal of fish, and we look forward to that every weekend. For those of us who have the option to either go out and visit, or stay in and enjoy the fish, we sometimes have to remind ourselves that 'Man does not live by bread alone!' "What's the big deal?", some of you may ask, well, we get to eat meat only two days per week. But that is a good thing really, that meat is a rarity, because it keeps things in perstective for the rehabilitees, lest we become like the Israelites in the wilderness, who got sick of eating Manna, and demanded meat, and how God took care of that! But still, I thank the Lord for the love gift from a brother in Cherith, that pretty much ensured that we will get our meat twice a week, for the rest of the year!

Saturday is also the time when they do their laundry, yes, men do their laundry, when their wives are not around; clothes get incredibily dirty, since our ECA activities in the week days comprises of "field work" ie literally work in the fields. They will also wash their blankets and bedding etc.

And if it is their hair that needs attention, we have our resident barber, Ya_tu to take care of it. Yes, we do that ourselves, no such thing as going out for a hair-cut... No Sir! You Think What,Your Father's Home Ah? (Actually, come to think of it, it is their Heavenly Father's property alright.) Back to the hair cut, the quality is quite decent really, except the blades on our cheapo equipment have turned quite blunt!

In the afternoon, some will have their siesta; some will take the opportunity to listen to their favourite programs at the radio, and some will catch up with their reading lessons. Quite a few have managed to learn how to read while they undergo their six month program at FHL, and those who have mastered their reading skill will in turn teach the beginners...Like the saying goes, give the hungry man a fish, and he will be hungry again. But teach him how to fish, and he need never go hungry again. If we teach these brothers how to read, and their spiritual growth can continue as they can read the bible themselves, and sing all those wonderful hymnals from the hymn books, all the four versus. On this point of singing hymns; if we only sing choruses, and all those nice short worship songs, it is like eating candies all the time, we will grow flabby! But we have to teach them mainly short choruses most of the time because many can't read!

When the day turns cooler towards the evening, it is time for the one favourite sport...sorry lah, not table tennis, but sepak takraw! We get as much kick out of a particular fine sustained performance of ten passes without letting the ball bounce, as well as from a particularly comical or clumsy attempt to connect with the ball, especially if we miss the ball totally.

After dinner, especially now during the cold season, many wil gather to dance the traditional hill tribe dances while the rest watched. Admist the rhythemic clash of the cymbals, gongs and thumping of the drum, it gets pretty hypnotic, meditative for those who are dancing. That is really the whole idea of doing the Akha and Lahu dances, to get absorbed and clear your mind... pretty new age, huh? By the way, on Chinese new year eve and the new year itself, we set up a fireplace outdoors and baked glutinous rice cakes with the fire. The Chinese here call the rice cake "Ba ba" (both first tone), and the Akha's call it "Haw Tawng" (both third tone), traditionally eaten during, new year, of course!

David's Testimony

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"...I was born to a Christian family in a Christian village. We the Yellow Lahu are traditionally Christian, but my parents never told us about God, and we never worshiped on Sunday but like to went out play... Got addicted to opium for many years, both my wife and I, and had been staying in Lu village when we were told about FHL DRC. I went for the program three years ago... somewhere after the first six weeks, then I had a severe headache, then I knew nothing about God, and only thought that if I had a puff of opium, the headache would go away, so I ran away.... Soon I was back smoking with my wife!

"This time, though, it is different. Because I had ran away, we were not allowed to return for the next three years. This time, both my wife and I came in, I told myself I would persevere and complete the program, but still then I had not been entirely sure that God lives and is able to help us; I did not have much faith...

"Then, after about two months, my body started swelling up, and it got worse. Soon I was not able to walk because even my loin were grossly swollen. I knew that God was testing me. It got so unbearable, and I was despaired when the sala (teacher) came and prayed for me. Praise God, the swelling went down the next day! From then on, I began to have faith in Jesus, and God had opened my eyes to his spiritual truth. I also have the motivation now to learn how to read so I can read the bible one day. Praise the Lord!"

Breakthrough Mission

The Breakthrough Mission's recent trip to FHL drc was like a refreshing wind. It was like a whirl wind, in more ways than one.

Firstly, their trip was a rather short one, three full days, to be exact. But they accomplished much. Pastor Simon Neo arrived with six of his full time staff for a exploration trip cum visitation. Considering the calibre of the team members, their team was expected to accomplish much! It was no ordinary team!

Their goal this time was simple; to look at and have a feel of the mission field as much as possible, so that they can better understand the needs and minister more effectively in their future trips. Even so, through their visit, their visitation ministry, in particular, brought a refreshing wind of the spirit to the church leaders and the believers alike. Their style of ministry was direct, with gusty singing that seemed to break through cultural barriers, and Simon's prayer and sharing was powerful; all that built up to a moving climax during the revival meeting on their last night in Liu Village. In that meeting, Ming Xing consecrated himself for full time ministry to bring the gospel to the mountains. Many also rededicated their lives to the Lord.

In their three days, they visited Mae Mong Ho church, Li Er village, Lu village and New Life Centre Christian DRC at Chiang Khong as well as ministered in Liu village and Operation Dawn's Ban Lao Fu DRC.

At FHL, we were priviledged to be able to host the team from Breakthrough Mission, and we were richly blest by them, and as their parting gift, they offered to give 70,000 baht for the contruction of the male inmate quarters at FHL. We didn't ask for it, but God chose to bless FHL through them. Praise the Lord! We hope this is the beginning of a fruitful and strategic partnership that glorifies our Lord and blesses the community. Thanks for all the prayer support back home, Cherith.

After Breakthrough Team left, both Richard and myself fell ill for quite sometime! But praise the Lord we are both well now.

The Engagement