Thai Journal ‘25 - #1

 

We have arrived safely in Thailand. This is the 22^st year of Walla Walla University conducting an Outreach and Cultural trip here. We have 17 members in the team this year: Deanna Ludwig-Bos, my co-leader (5^th year on the trip), Keziah Perez (4^th time), Mitchel Bryce (3^rd time), Doug McLay, Julie Kamada, and Aizza Perez (their 2^nd time). The first timers are: Devin Bethurum, Kyle Koehn, Samantha Marcott, Stephani Castro, Susana Gonzalez, Aspen Forshee, Sarahi Leichner, Martha Calderon, Alihia Barroso, and me. Keziah and Alihia are coming next Tuesday.

 For those who are new to this outreach, it may be worthwhile to give you an insight into this endeavor. Here in essence is what I have shared in the past:

We have chosen Thailand because it is part of the 10-40 window (that is, the area of the world between latitude 10 and 40 degrees, where the large percentage of the inhabitants are non-Christians). Christian outreach to these inhabitants is much more difficult than our outreach to areas that are predominantly Christian (such as Africa, Latin America, and Philippines). We must find new models to introduce Christianity to a country that is over 90% Buddhist. The best way for Walla Walla University to be involved in this enterprise is 2-fold, I believe:

First, we must partner with those who are already involved in the enterprise. This we have done with orphanage organizations in Mae Sot, and Bamboo School, both near the Myanmar (Burma) border, with Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, and with Asia Pacific International University (formerly Mission College).

Second, we must have a more wholistic missiological method that is not primarily traditionally evangelistic (e.g. “Revelation Seminar”’); but is one that demonstrates true Christianity and Adventism in action. This model is best idealized by utilizing the gifts of varied disciplines of WWU and being involved in outreach that “scratches where it itches.” Thus in 2005 the School of Education and Psychology held continuing education for teachers at Chiang Mai Academy, while other members of the team conducted a Week of Prayer and assisted in a building project. In 2008 and subsequent years, the School of Nursing partnered with the nursing school at Mission College/APIU in practical outreach to the surrounding villages and communities. Since 2008 we have conducted English Camps in the Public Elementary and High Schools. In the past we have expanded this to businesses in the town and the marketplace. We have also teamed up with the university/college church to do culturally sensitive evangelistic outreach. It is our intent for the foreseeable future to engage in social evangelism by being involved in the assistance of the disabled man with his fruit and vegetable farm, and to assist at Bamboo School on the border of Myanmar (Burma).

This missiological philosophy grows out of my post-doctoral work at Fuller Theological Seminary and highlighted in my book Complete Evangelism (Herald Press).