Thai Journal ‘26 - #1

 

This is the 23^rd year of Walla Walla University conducting an Outreach and Cultural trip to Thailand. We have 11 members in the team this year: Deanna Ludwig-Bos, my co-leader (6^th year on the trip), Keziah Perez (5^th time), Mitchel Bryce (4^th time), Doug McLay (3^rd time), and Aizza Perez (3^rd time). The first timers are: Brandon Littman, Melody Fisher, Savannah Pascoe, Travis Perez and Nadia Reyna.

In the more than two decades of this enterprise, this is the first time that we have had a bumpy start. Cathay Pacific airlines had a delay of nearly 24 hours. The five of us on that airline spent most of the day in the Alaska Lounge and the night at a Ramada Inn in Seattle. The other five (Aizza is already at Bamboo School) were on other airlines and made it on time to the campus. We are so fortunate to have had Keziah with that group. Her leadership was so stellar that I appointed her as an associate director of the Trip. Now along with Deanna as my right hand, I have Keziah as my left hand – Aaron and Nun holding up my hands! As I write this, a day later, the rest of the team arrived safely without incident.

 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 into 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 a disabled man, Uncle Prasarn (who has passed away recently) and his wife, Auntie Nang with their 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).