TR/BES

tTRBILS^
THAILAND
". . . for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with Thy blood
men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation." Rev. 5:9b.
APRIL, 1954
TRIBES and TRAILS
in Thailand
APRIL 1954
Vol. 3, No. 1
Published twice yearly, in spring and
autumn, for:
SIAM MISSION
OF
AMERICAN CHURCHES OF CHRIST
Printed by
HENRY PRINTING CO.
175 15th Ave. E., Eugene. Oregon
MISSIONARIES
and their forwarding agents
At Talat Chiengkam. Changwat Chiengrai,
Thailand:
C. W. and LOIS CALLAWAY
Mrs. C. W. Callaway. Sr.,
Box 757, Canadian, Texas
MISS IMOGENE WILLIAMS
Mrs. Lora Harrison, 1218 N. Caster,
Wichita 12, Kansas
MISS DOROTHY UHLIG
First Christian Church
Klamath Falls, Oregon
MELVERT and JUNE BYERS
Mrs. Allen R. Nichols, 2111 SUver Springs Rd.
Portland 22, Oregon
DONALD and ROBERTA BYERS
Mrs. C. C. Pierce. P.O. Box 482
Mcdford, Oregon
At Paa, Nan Province, Thailand:
GARLAND and DOROTHY BARE
Mrs. Norma Barney,
Box 178, Lincoln, Illinois
(Note: Letters and parcels should be sent to
missionaries at Siam address. Ail funds must be
sent to forwarding agents, who wili then transmit
them by bank draft to respective missionary in
Siam.)
COVER PICTURE
A Buddhist shrine near Chiengkam. One of
Buddha's hairs is supposed to be preserved in this
place and it is the object of a yearly pilgrimage by
the peoples of the Chiengkam plain. Most of the
Thai, Lao, Shan, and Lu people are Buddhist, and
Buddhism is said to be the religion of 95% of the
people of Thailand.
Wallace E. Altice, new recruit to Thailand, re
ports that his home church. West Main Street
Church of Christ, Salem, Virginia, has taken his
full living-link support. He is enrolled spring term
at the Platte Valley Bible College for specialized
medical training. He will be traveling among the
churches this summer. He may be contacted for
siieaking engagements at: 1711 3rd Ave., Apt. 8,
Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
BYERS FAKHLY LEAVES
Don and Roberta Byers left San Francisco by
plane on March 3rd with their two small sons and
arrived safely at Bangkok on March 5th. Their
visa did not arrive in time to leave by ship, so had
to cancel that reservation. While waiting for the
visa they were guests of the San Jose Bible Col
lege. Don spoke at chapel services there on Febru
ary 9th and 24th. They were met at Bangkok by
Mel and June Byers. They report the weather is
very hot and they expected to leave soon to go up
country to the mission work at Chiengkam.
MISS WILLIAMS IN U. S.
Imogene Williams has safely arrived in the U. S.
and has been reunited with her family at Route 4,
Hodgenville, Kentucky. She expects to enroll at the
Summer Institute of Linguistics, University of
Oklahoma in order to prepare for Bible translation
work among the tribes.
DAUGHTER BORN
TO MEL AND JUNE BYERS
Word has been received from Bangkok that Mel
and June Byers are the parents of a 7 lb., 12 oz.
baby girl born February 9. Mother and daughter,
Rinda Marie, doing fine.
NICHOLS' VISIT WORK
We were happy that during their stay in Thai
land, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Nichols and adopted sons
were able to spend two months with us in Chieng
kam and visit the work. At the time of this writ
ing visas are still being awaited for the boys to
proceed with their parents to the U. S.
TRIBAL LAND
How weary are the little winding trails
That wander upward through ravines and rills
'Till courage weakens and endurance fails.
Or downward into darkened jungle vales
'Mid Thailand's hills.
But brave the little folk who daily toil
On dizzy, tilted slopes or rocky peak.
Who wrest a pittance from unyielding soil
Without complaint, nor from the task recoil
Nor respite seek.
No luxuries await the night return
As weary, burdened toilers homeward climb:
No bed, no tasty meal, for life is stern;
No light, except the smokey fires that burn
At eventime.
Dark are the tiny huts, filthy and low.
And darker still the blackness that depraves;
But in Thy strength to even these we go
"For Thou wast slain" that Yao and Miao m'
know
That "Jesus saves!"
And Thou didst walk such trailson mountainside.
On weary, sun-scorched plain, or by the sea :
Hated by foes, and by Thy friends denied.
Despisedrejectedsmittencrucified
We follow Thee.
By Garland Bare
Onike
The house looks increasingly empty as
the foot lockers stack higher. Looking at
the multitude of small things scattered
about and recalling the many little tasks
yet to be done we wonder, "Can we pos
sibly be ready to go in three more days?"
Then the hired girl comes to say that
there is so much sickness in her home
that she can't possibly .stay with us these
last few days. Presently the hired man
decides that he can't stay either. Ah,
well! Never mind. If we aren't ready to
go on Tuesday we can leave Wednesday.
Such is the slow moving way of the East.
As the day of departure draws nearer
we think with some regret of leaving this
plea.^ant little town and the work of
which we have become a part. But it is
the future we look to. The trip we antici
pate with a mixture of excitement and
dread. Bumps and dust mark the first
stage of the journey to Phayao. But we'll
not mind it too much for the road has
become familiar to us. We have learned
to honestly appreciate the hot curry and
rice and the hot ovaltine served in the
little bamboo restaurants along the way.
If our truck doesn't break down we should
make the 45 miles to Phayao in about
seven hours. There we must leave our be
longings in care of the truck driver while
we make a quick trip to Chiengrai to take
our leave of the governor and obtain
from him a letter of introduction to the
governor of Nan Province. If all goes
well, we should be in Lampang the second
night of our journey.
From Lampang we shall proceed by
train to Den Chai. Providing a bus is
available we should get to Phrae by the
third night. Phrae is rapidly growing to
the proportions of a city bv reason of the
tung oil and teak industries. A mission
doctor and hospital are located here. Per
haps in Phrae we shall stop a day to shop
for needed art'cles. Or, we mav nroceed
to Nan and make our nurchases there.
From Den Chai to Nan there is good,
hard-surfaced highway and we anticipate
Packing for the the move to Pua.
pleasant journeying there. We shall also
leave Nan on a good, hard road. But we
are not to be fooled for we know that
after only a few kilometers the going will
be characterized by such bumps, dust,
rotten bridges, and steep hills as we have
never encountered before. In fact, the
road is such as to make riding in the back
of the truck unsafe. Therefore, we shall
be careful to secure seats in the cab.
Unpleasant though it is this last stage
of our journey lasts only about six hours.
Then we shall see Pua (pronounced boo-
a) situated on a little hill with rice fields
spread like skirts about its feet. This vil
lage of some 1500 to 2000 souls is to be
our next home. Our headquarters will be
the tiny wooden house Garland secured
on h's last visit. From there we hope to
win friends for Christ and influence peo
ple to accept the Way of salvation.
Not far distant is a village of profess
ing Christians who are anxious for fur
ther instruction. Another village on the
plain has expressed their dissatisfaction
with Buddhism and their desire to know
more of Christianity. The entire area is
white unto the harvest.- Bey^^nd. in the
mountains, are T'in, White Miao. Black
Miao, Yao and Khamoo tribespeople. One
Black Miao village showed particular in
terest in the gospel, even offering to build
a house for a teacher who would come
and live among them.
The opportunities in this new place of
service are great. Although we shall con
tinue language study off and on, for the
mo.st part our days of formal language
stiidv are ended. Ahead lie.s the evan-
geli'stic and teaching propram for which
we have been yearning these two years
and more. Since a journev of three to five
days will separate us from our fellow
missionaries we shall be more dependent
upon our Lord and vour pravers than
ever before. In His will, by His wisdom,
and in His strength the go.pel goes for
ward.
Dorothy Bare
"How Beautiful Upon the Mountains.
Just before Christmas Melvert Byers
and I returned from 26 days of travel to
and through the tribal country of Nan.
Often on the journey we were made
aware of the protecting presence of our
Lord with all who carry out His commis
sion. The trip was marked by challenging
opportunities in many places though
there were some discouragements.
One of the least encouraging places
was Paloo, the Yao village at which we
arrived on Decernber 17. The carriers
were exhausted, since most of the day's
travel had been uphill. The night before
our spirits had been lifted high, as the 30
North Thai families of Huay Muang had
declared their interest in renouncing
Buddha and following Christ. Now as we
entered this Yao village an entirely dif
ferent attitude was noticed. Instead of
cordiality there was suspicion; instead of
interest, indifference.
We were escorted to the home of a
young couple who had overtaken and ac
companied us on the last steep climb up
to tne village. We entered a filthy dwell
ing, the dirt floor of which was littered
with refuse. Pigs and chickens wandered
in and out. A few villagers gathered and
stared vacantly at us. A blind man came
and begged for money. The village idiot
came and danced a jig and also begged
for money. In the blank-faced group who
gathered around might there not be
someone who would be interested in our
purpose in comingsomeone who would
listen to the message of light and hope?
No interest. No responding warmth. Oh,
that our tongues might be loosedthat
we might awaken these perishing souls
to their danger and need with the mes
sage that overflows our hearts!
Next morning as we prepared to leave
we endeavored to secure a guide, for we
knew that there were many side trails
to the various ridges on the Doi Wao
range. None was willing unless paid an
exorbitant sum. As we walked, heavy-
hearted, out of the village there was no
farewell and no invitation to return. We
felt that we had a small taste of what our
Lord must have endured from a hard
hearted, mercenary generation.
Within an hour we were lost, having
taken a trail which ended in an opium
field. Back we went to the main trail
which climbed steeply through mountain
forest forcing the carriers to stop fre
quently for breath. Above the forest we
followed a burnt-over ridge covered with
sharp, slashing lalang grass. The air was
cool and crisp. The fog cleared from sur
rounding peaks and the ranges stood out
clearly in the morning sun. The valley be
low was still immersed in white fog. A
flock of hornbills flew over with noisy
wing-beats. Parrots, monkeys, and silver
pheasants called from the forested ra
vines. Our hearts lifted as we revelled in
the beauties of God's handiwork.
By noon we had crossed the summit
and were well down the other side. Trails
branched out frequently and it was with
considerable relief that we reached the
next village and found we were still on
the right trail. Pomelo trees in the vil
lage were heavily laden with fruit, while
peach trees were just bursting into bloom.
In exchange for medical treatment of an
opium victim we were griven enough rice
and vegetables for our first good meal of
the day. On inquiring directions to the
next village a tall kindly Yao man in
formed us that he lived there and would
be glad to guide us.
Our guide informed us that his name
was Old Five and that he was the father
of eleven children. He enlivened our jour
ney by declaiming on the hardships of
nlural marriage fa common practice in
his tribe), providing us with interesting
information about the area, and relating
to us the ancient history of the Yao.
When we reached the bottom cf the
gorge we became especially thankful for
the presence of Old Five. The trail d's-
apueared and the onlv path was the
stream. Without a guide we would have
been completely lost. After following the
stream some distance we began the steeo
climb to Padang, Old Five's village. At
dusk we entered the village, extremely
tired.
Here we met an entirely different atti
tude. The villagers were alert, clean (by
comparison), and friendly. "The gospel
message was received with interest. As
we left the next morning, the headman
invited us to return and snend many days
teaching his peonle of the God who made
sun, earth and stars.
So God's servants must go forward,
meeting interest and indifference, cor
diality and contempt, rejoicing in the
glory of His presence and the oeautv of
our message and hope. What a privilege
it is to be His messengers to this land of
tribes and trails.
Garland Bare
% K- , <~"
^'cy
THAI CARRIER ON TRAIL
When Jesus held the dusty calloused
feet of each disciple and then bathed
them in water perhaps His thoughts went
beyond the example He was trying to
present. As He held and bathed each
dusty foot He knew that they had many
more trails to walkfeet that would
carry each owner to his death. Those feet
were yet to walk over many mountains
into each village, in the heat and cold
carrying the weight of a man whose
heart wa.s heavy and warm with a "New
Song" and a "New Hope." When Jesus
said, "Go ye into all the world ..." He
was talking to men who had to walk. The
message had been placed in man's heart
and was to be carried to the ends of the
world by man's feet.
Even today with modern transporta
tion and speed the method in the end is
finally reduced to walking. A preacher
may ride in his car for several miles, still
he must walk to the door of the house
and stand before his fellow man on his
own two feet.
Throughout the world today the serv
ants of the Lord still experience the same
feelings of Christians in every era. Hav
ing travelled by boat, plane, car and horse
the last few remaining miles must be
covered by walking.
In the few times that I have walked
the road and climbed the mountain trails
in an effort to reach those who seem to
dwell on the outskirts of the human race.
I have often thought of the Master and
His disciples. The manv times they must
have felt weariness at the close of a day's
journey. Even so today dusty, tired and
hot the servant of the Lord pauses to
rest and bath his feet in a cooling stream.
The same kind of feet that Je.=:us had.
The same ache and weariness that the
disciples felt. Yet the same cooling com-
, . The Feet That
Bring Good Tidings"
fort that comes from resting. The same
calm a.ssurance which drives one on.
When Jesus ministered from village to
village he employed no convenience.
When Jesus went to the cross He
walked. Today the tendency is to employ
every convenience and modern invention
possible by which to spread the gospel.
The native is deeply impressed and in
fluenced by Chrisianity, a faith which
goes no deeper than a radioset or a brand
new jeep. These toots are necessary when
there is no witness nor power in your
heart.
When an illiterate jungle native sees a
servant of God coming down the trail
walkingthere is no big splash, bewilder
ment or impression for even the native
walks and travels in this manner. When
he sees the missionary tired and dirty
from a hard mountain trail, the native
sees a man, even as he is a man who also
becomes tired from a day's labor or jour
ney. He is sympathetic with one's feel
ings and wants,a place to re.st for the
night, a fire for warmth, food to eat. In
this there is common understanding.
What impression you make must first be
in you and then expressed through you.
Although the native knows that you are
capable of many more "things" yet you
have come with only a New Song and a
New Hope. Since you have come in the
likeness of the native now the native re
alizes the possibility of possessing the
likeness of your heart. The next day the
missionary walks to the next village
leaving an impression that lasts.
Walking is only symbolic of the method
and manner of evangelism. It speaks of
simplicity, moderation, something warm
and alive which goes beyond the mechan
ics of invention. It does not blast heath
enism with the bomb of invention and
high powered organization neither does it
leave rubble and decay in the day of test
ing. In a measure heathenism can be de
stroyed by human ways but it does not
leave a way of life by which to enjoy
eternal life. The method of "walking" is
transforming for both the traveller and
the hosteating away the old and at the
same time replacing the old with new
ness of life.
Dusty, calloused feet, but "how beauti
ful are the feet that bring glad tidings,
that publi.sh peace."
Melvert Byers
Garland Bare on right taking pic
ture of C. W., Lois, Mark, Leian,
and Joyce Callaway. The Bare,
Mel Byers and Callaway families
have all, at one time or another,
lived in this house inChiengkam.
Back ta VkailaM(l
Thailand has in recent months been a
point of much speculation. Will the Com-
muni.'^ts stop at the French-Indo-China
border, or will they bravely walk across
neutral Thailand, scooping the rice from
the bowl as they go? Many have asked
us, "Is it safe to return to Thailand at
this time?" Some ask, "Is it wise?"
We feel that God has sealed our orders
to return now in providing so wondrously
for our return at this time. And with the
order we know that we can claim His
promise to go with us and to uphold us.
Further^ we feel that if He. in His in
finite wisdom, sees fit to send us out, He
will hold back the hand of Satan in the
Communist advance long enough to give
us time to do the work He is sending us
to do. It is for us to work and pray, and
for you to uphold us in prayer that the
Lord will give strength sufficient for the
task of quickly learning the language,
establishing converts in the Lord, and
getting on with the Bible translation.
We are not to ask if it is safe. "Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulations, or anguish, or persecu
tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,
or sword ? Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through Him that
loved us." Rom. 8:35-37. We are not to
ask if it is wise. "For the wisdom of this
world is foolishness with God." I Cor.
3:19. It is for us to obey Him. We are
under the same command a.s Paul when
he said, "Do all things without murmur-
ings and questionings ... holding forth
the Word of Life, that I may have where
of to glory in the day of Christ, that I
did not run in vain, neither labor in vain,
and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and
service of vour faith. I joy and rejoice
with you all, and in the same manner do
ye also joy, and rejoice with me." Phil.
2:14, 16-18.
Brethren, rejoice with us. Our total
travel needs were met through your gen
erous giving in late February and earlv
March and we were able to sail March 17
from San Francisco. We are due to arrive
in Bangkok about April 10. He is .end-
ing us back to His harvest fieMs^into
the battle with the evil one. Uphold our
hands with prayer, and pray for the lost
that they may take this opportunity of
salvation.
C. W. and Lois Callaway
Learninff to read at the short-term school.
These children are the future hope of
Thailand evangelism.
An early morning visitor at the leper
village of Ban Sop Waan might be sur
prised to see some boys and girls and
adults sitting on logs in the sunshine and
reading out loud. Each is completely en
grossed in what he is reading and pays
little attention to what others may be do
ing. An outsider stares in bewilderment
at the group wondering at their enthusi
asm to read.
In a few moments a missionary and a
Thai teacher arrive and soon the bamboo
stick is pounded to announce that it is 9
o'clock and time to begin. Boys and girls
troop to the headman's house while many
adults go to the bamboo church building.
A few other adults and children go to an
other house and school is under way once
more. It doesn't look much like an Amer
ican school for there are no chairs and
desks, but instead everyone sits on the
floor, the men or boys on one side and the
women or girls on the other side. Soon
the sound of the class reading aloud_ in
unison is wafted on the air as Kru Sing
Gao, the Thai teacher, drills them in their
reading. Little if any sound comes from
the headman's house as he teaches his
class to write, but from the other house
comes the sound of a group repeating a
Bible verse in uni.son until they know it
bv heart after which they listen to a
Bible lesson presented by the missionary.
At 10 o'clock the bamboo is again
pounded and the punils switch classes.
For most of these it is their first experi
ence of .'ichool and they find it hard to
concentrate and sit still for three hours,
but the walk to the other class meeting
place does help some. At noon no bell is
rung, but instead the teacher starts the
"That They May
Know Thy Word"
children who are at the church singing a
hymn and the other classes are quickly
dismissed so that all may join in a short
time of singing and learning of new
hymns. This is the most eagerly awaited
time of the whole day, for all love to
sing. All too quickly the time is up, and
as the missionary and the teacher leave,
the children and adults continue to prac
tice the song they have been learning.
Perhaps you are wondering what this
is all about and what your missionaries
are doing conducting a school. This is a
short term school, lasting about three
months, for the purpose of teaching those
at the leper village to read so that they
can read the Word of God for themselves.
There are three separate classesilliter
ate children, illiterate adults, and literate
adults and children. There are 34 enrolled
in the school which means about half the
villagers are attending. Classes are held
three days a week from 9-12. In three
months time it will not be nossible to
teach these to read fluently, but a good
beginning will have been made. One of
the problems is that these people speak
a local dialect and thus do not understand
many of the words in Proper Thai. Their
understanding will improve only with
continued teaching, but we believe that
after three months they will be able to go
ahead some on their own. Next year it
may be possible to hold another short
term school for them. (It is imnossible to
reach the village regularly during the
rainy season so it cannot be continued
year around.) Pray that as we teach them
the Word and as they learn to read the
Word for themselves that thev may grow
in the grace and knowledge of the l ord.
Dorothy Uhlig
Let's Go
Plant Hunting
THIS BOY IS PROUD OF HIS PRETTY
FOLIAGE PLANT (AND OF HIS NEW
SUN-GLASSES TOO)
All >;irls love flowers, and I know you
fellows do too, even if you won't admit It.
But it isn't sissy to be interested in flow
ers and trees. Some of the most adven
turous men in the world have risked their
lives ffoing to the far corners of the earth
collecting rare plants.
Here in Thailand we have many strange
and interesting plants and flowers. The
sensitive plant that grows in our back
yard doesn't like to be touched. If you
touch the little leaves they fold up and
shrink away from you, or if you tap the
stem on one of the pretty violet flowers
the whole plant droops to the ground and
looks like it's dying. It is only pretending,
however, for if you will wait quietly the
leaves will unfold themselves and the
plant will stand up as pretty as ever.
The lavender' flowers on our bamboo
fence look like morning glories but it
isn't the flowers that interest Leian and
Mark and the Thai children. The roots of
these plants are known as "mukka doom"
and all the Thai boys and girls love to eat
them because they are so crisp and juicy.
If you like apples you're sure to like
"mukka doom."
It's fun to go plant hunting in the
mountains. Every time we go we find
some new kind of plant or flower. LeIan
and Mark found some great long vines
near their house, on which they could
swing way out over the mountainside like
monkeys. Some mountain plants have
beautiful leaves with bright patterns and
gay colors. Others have strange delicious
smells when you crush the leaves. God
put many wonderful plants and flowers in
Thailand, and I'm sorry I don't have time
to tell you about all of them. Isn't it too
bad Thailand's boys and girls don't know
about the God who made these wonderful
plants ?
Siam Massioat of Aiweractaaa Chiirclaes of Clhrast
Dorothy Uhlig, R.N., Missionary
Mailed By First Christian Church
Klamath Falls, Oregon
r::
fy'V-;!?--'-'
Rice planting in the Chiengkam plain. Just as each rice plant must
be painstakingly set by hand, so the work of planting the gospel seed.
In Thailand there is no mass movement, but the slow planting of the
seed in each heart individually.
. . for Thou wast slain^ and didst purchase unto God with Thy blood
men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation." Rev. 5:9b.
OCTOBER, 1954
TRIBES and TRAILS
in Thailand
OCTOBER 1954 Vol. 3. No. 2
Published twice yearly, in spring and
autumn, by undenominational Christian
missionaries laboring to establish in
Thailand (Siam) self-supporting
churches after the New Testament
pattern. Distributed with the hope of
gaining needed prayer support for the
Thailand work, of gaining more con
secrated workers for this and other
fields, and of encouraging all to greater
effort in the spread of simple undenom
inational Christianity throughout the
world. Missionaries engaged in this ef
fort are presently located at two centers
in extreme Northern Thailand: Talat
Chiengkam, Changwat Chiengrai, Thai
land; and Pua, Nan Province, Thailand.
"Rice Christians"
Three years ago we were told that
there were many families at Tung Kaam
Village who wanted to become Chris
tians. After teaching there only one
family respondedNai Wan and his
wife were baptized. Nai Wan came often
for medicine for which he never paid
and then asked for a large loan. This
was not granted. Now we hear from one
of the men who professed considerable
interest before, that Nai Wan was a
test case. They had heard that we would
give money to any who would become
Christians, but they wanted to test us
to find out. If Nai Wan had gotten the
loan, large enough to set himself up in
business, many other families would
have become "Christians" too. "Rice
Christians" we call them irf the Orient.
"Loaves and fishes" followers who need
to leam that Christ is the Bread of Life
and to know the meaning of His words,
". . .work for the food which abideth
unto Eternal Life." Pray for themand
for us that we might have wisdom in
showing them the "Bread of Life."
Be Village
The Lord's Supper and a teaching
service are being held each Lord's day
at Be Village. Five have been baptized
there recently and one other has said he
will be baptized soon. These new con
verts are the fruit of witness home by
Nai Ban, our first convert there. Chris-
tains at Be Village now number two
men, two women, and three children.
Pray for growth for these and for con
tinuing faithful witness.
New Field at Pua
The new field opened at Pua this year
shows promise. Several villages have
been receptive to teaching.
Behold the Sower Went Forth
To Sow
The servant of God the world over
beholds again and again the truth of the
parable of the sower. Think with us as
you read these pages of the various soils
upon which the word falls in Thailand.
Hard groundbecause of lack of un
derstanding our Lord says. Here in
Thailand we see farmers waiting for
the rain to soften the hard ground
longing for it in this drouth yearso
they may go forth to plow the softened
ground. We, too, long for the spiritual
rain from heaven to soften heartscon
viction and belief which only the Spirit
can effect. Without it, however eloquent,
the plow of words will never turn the
hardened soil.
The rocky places. How rocky are the
fields which Satan has cultivated lo
these many years. Souls hungering for
the gospel, receive Christ. Then every
one turns against themblaming them
for every evil that befalls the whole
community because they have displeased
the evil spirits. And so, because the soil
is in an anamistic society with no Chris
tian fellowship to strengthen and help
put down roots, they wilt and die.
The thorny ground. How many thorns
are there in the heathen soil, cultivated
by Satan himself. In heathendom sin is
never recognized as sin. Satan, whose
hosts the people bow down before with
sacrifices and oblations, whispers "There
is no sin. Do as you please^just don't
disgrace yourself by getting caught. Lie
your way out." Oh, the heartache when
our little children in the gospel are
choked out by the thornsfalling back
into the vilest of sin.
Then, praise God! the good ground.
Hearts that understand the love that
drew salvation's plan. Understanding,
they believe and accept and bear fruit.
How precious the fruit that they bear!
How sweet the simple witness they bear
to ridiculing friends. How thrilling the
baptism of those whom these babes in
Christ lead to our Lord. What over
whelming joy just to see their radiant
faces as they drink in the teaching from
God's word.
Pray for them all. The hard ground
that the Spirit will pour conviction on
their hardened hearts. The rocky ground
that they might find a crack in the rock
of heathenism to send down deep roots
into His saving love. The thorny ground
that the thorns might be crushed out
and the Christian grow strong and
straight. But pray just as much for the
good ground.
Lois Callaway
Nai Naw Nai Sena
"Behold, the sower went forth to sow;
and as he sowed . . .
. . . some seeds fell by
THE WAY SIDE
MR. NAW is typical of this type of
soil. Having a seemingly incurable skin
disease, he lives in the little bamboo pa
tient house and Lu relatives daily bring
his food. He has had much Bible leach
ing and has received many tracts and
Bible portions. On occasion he has
shown interest in becoming a Christian
but excuses himself "until I get well"
or for other reason and the flickering
light of interest has again died out. Of
these the Master said, "then cometh the
devil, and taketh away the word from
their heart, that they may not believe
and be saved."
. . . and others fell upon
THE ROCKY PLACES
MRS. JEN was of the Yao tribe but
wore Thai blouse and wrap-around .skirt.
She and her Chinese Christian husband
operated a small store twelve miles
north of Chiengkam. He had taught her
and his nephew so that when we went
there three years ago to treat his se
rious illness she and the nephew were
both baptized. Only two weeks later we
took Mr, Jen's body to a jungle ceme
tery near Chiengkam. We helped her
get a small store space In Chiengkam
and taught her daily from the Word.
With husband gone her interest dwin
dled. Ere long she moved to Bangkok to
marry a non-Christian. No word has
come from her and we fear she has re
turned to the world.
. . . and others fell upon
THE THORNS
BIG SISTER CHEN is a Chinese girl
won to Christ while helping in our home
in China. No relatives cared for her
save that they might collect her wed
ding price. She came with us to Thai
land and we hoped that she might help
in leading Chinese and tribal people to
Christ. Anxious to make friends with
the Thai and learn their language she
fell into evil associations. Against our
advice she attended sensuous dances at
CHIENGKAM
SOILS
Buddhist festivals. Seeing that Satan
was bidding for her soul, we sought the
more earnestly to fill her mind with the
teachings of the Word. Our poor knowl
edge of the Chinese language made it
difficult to present scriptural truths
adequately and winsomely. Rumors be
gan to reach us of her immorality, but
we dared not believe too hastily what
might be mere idle talk of jealous un
believers. While our family was on fur
lough it laecame evident that the reports
were true. She was brought to face the
evidence of her immoral actions and
urged to repent. Failing repentance she
was sent forth to the world "for the de
struction of the flesh" with fervent
prayers in each heart that she might
yet turn back "that the spirit may be
saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
Such "have heard the word" but "the
cares of the world, and the deceitfulness
of riches, and the lusts of other things
entering in, choke the word, and it be-
cometh unfruitful."
. . . and others fell upon
THE GOOD GROUND"
MR. SENA is headman of the leper
village where most of those thus far
converted live. We think of many there
whose hearts have proved to be "good
ground." Many of the leprous patients,
including Mr. Sena, were formerly
sprinkled and were seeking to follow the
little light they had. Eagerly they have
accepted all the Bible teaching we mis
sionaries have been able to give and a
real change has come into many lives
from the time of their birth "of water
and the Spirit." Mr. Sena almost always
has a pleasant smile. He takes a real
interest in helping all in the village and
seems impartial and unselfish in his
dealings. When his father died early this
year he grieved not as those without
hope, but his spirit of confidence and
trust was a real inspiration to others.
We praise God for all the "good
ground" thus far tilled and pray for
many more who "in an honest and good
heart, having heard the word, hold it
fast, and bring forth fruit with patience."
C. W. Callaway, Jr.
Khun Nai and Dorothy Bare
Young: PoHceman
"My life is like the story of the seed
that fell among thorns," said the young
policeman who sat beside us as we were
visiting some Chinese friends in their
shop. "I was educated in mission schools
and was always active in church work
as a child. Then the war came and it
became difficult to stand up as a Chris
tian. I stopped going to church. Then
I married a Buddhist girl. Since the war
my education has enabled me to get a
position on the police force. With my
wife, position, and present manner of
life standing in the way, I do not be
lieve it would be possible for me to re
turn to Christ."
Do Not Forget Us
The sturdy, erect young man dressed
in the costume of the White Miao tribe
walked rapidly up to the bamboo shelter
where we were resting from several
hours on the trail. On sight of us his
face lighted with a friendly, curious
smile. "Are you the foreigner who
teaches of the great God who has power
over evil spirits? Oh. then you must
come up to our village on Doi Phu Kha
and teach us of the better way. Do not
stop in the village next to ours for they
do not like foreigners. But our village
will be happy to receive you." As he
proceeded up the trail he turned around
once more: "You will not forget to
come, will you?"
Next Door Neighbor
"They're fresh, hot, and clear,"
shouted our next-door neighborfor she
always shouts. As she set a heaping
plate of sweet yellow rice cakes on our
table, she asked, "Now may I borrow
some baking powder to make some
more?" A permanent mouthful of betel-
nut makes her speech difficult to under
Pi4/l
stand, and the more puzzled we look the
louder she shouts. It is difficult to be
lieve that this bustling, noisy, kind-
hearted woman is actually a member of
the ancient royal family of Nan. Her
long, tight, old-fashioned skirts do not
prevent her from being a terror on the
badminton court. In five months of liv
ing next door to her we have had few
opportunities to tell her of Christ for
she does all the talking during our
visits!
Khamoo Tribespeople
The flickering candlelight revealed a
circle of dark intense faces. Seme of
these Khamoo tribespeople had just
heard for the first time of God's plan ol
salvation. Now their big ssd eyes were
thoughtful and there was a low murmur
or conversation as they pondered the
message they had heard. A half-drunk
man who had arrived late sat with a
mocking smile. Finally he burst into a
laughing speech. "Ha! Don't believe
what the foreigner tells you. One re
ligion is as good as another .You can
go to Heaven anyway you like." As the
crowd broke up most of the people were
laughing and jokingbut some returned
to their homes silent and thoughtful.
Cultured Khun Nai
The Khun Nai is a refined educated
Siamese lady from Pitsanulake- the
city of Vishnu's World. Her soft cul
tured speech is full of the elegant nice
ties characteristic of the conversation
of the aristocracy. Being the wife of the
County Magistrate gives her the respon
sibility of being hostess to the Governor
and all other visiting dignitaries. In ad
dition to this she has her own duties
as postmistress and telephone and tele
graph operator for the entire county.
Possessed of a shy charm, she is also a
j.
Mission home at Pua before
improvements
lady of surprising virtue for one in he]'
posit'on, for she neither smokes, dances
nor drinks. Despite her many duties her
first love is the home. Five healthy,
lively children testify to their mothcr'^;
cooking ability. SJ;e spent many happy
hours in our kitchen with Dcrolhy
Jean as the two exchanged American
and Siamese recipes. We were saddened
last month when the Khun Na; and her
husband were promoted to a distant
post, / s a p^irting present we gave them
a Bible. V.'hcn you pray for the de
graded ignorant tr bespeople of Thai
land, pray also for the cultured and edu
cated Khun Nai.
How Mich Pay?
The three men who came up onto our
porch were dressed in the ccarrc blue
clothing which marks the typical Thai
lice farmer. ' We have come to learn
how to become Christians." anrcimced
the spokesmana h"d-faced ndivldual
with arms covered with symbolic tattoo
ing. We were delighted for the oppor
tunity and immediately launched Into an
explanation of the plan o! salvation.
Yet, as we told of the victory, freedom,
and joy which is available to all through
the blood of Christ, we noticed that they
listened only with dull civility. At the
conclusion of our remarks we asked
them if they had any questions. "Yes,"
said the spokesman, "How much will
the foreigners pay us to become Chris
tians?"
Small Thai Boy
Nit is a shy, ner\ous little boy with
large black eyes. Though ten years old
he is about the size of an average Amer
ican seven year old. Nit likes to come to
our house to look at picture books or
play with the squeaky rubber doll.
When we speak to him he answops in
such a shy, soft voice that we can sel
dom understand him. There are no play-
maces at home for all his brothers and
s'siers are much older, and his aged
parents seem to have little time for
their small boy. The happiest time for
Nit is Sunday afternoon wlten fifteen to
thirty playmates gather at our home for
the children's service. Ho sits in bright-
eyed fascination at the beautiful stories
from the Book, and when the children
sing "I am so glad that Jesus loves
me. . ." Nit's voice is always the loud
estthough often the farthest off key.
Headman Ken
Ban Maun is one of the largest and
most prosperous villages on the Pua
plain. The size of the stately palms
which shade the village indicates that
this center of the Lu Lin tribe is also
one of the oldest villages in the area.
The visitor to Ban Maun is surprised to
find the village administered by such a
young man as I!eadman Ken. On our
fii'st visit to his hcme v/e were privi
leged to spend the entire day telling
Headman Ken's family and neighbors of
Jesus and tlie Way. Many of the vil-
lage]'s showed real interest and especi
ally Headman Ken. Upon h's Invitation
a Bible study class is held in the village
nearly every wee!:, recently the head
man made this statsmsnt: "I am cer
tain that the Bible must be tried. I have
a desire to follow Christ, and yet when
I think of what it means to become a
Christian. I cannot bring myself to take
the step."
Sowing the Seed
The brief gl mpscs above will help you
to understand ccrne of the personailities
and problems which are faced dally at
Pra. Yet all of the individuals men
tioned above have this in commonto
some extent each one has been con
tacted with the message of Christ. As
you read th's please remember that the
majoi'ity of the people in the Thai bor
derland have never heard the invitation
to be reconciled to a loving God.
Our lives are dedicated to the propo
sition that the simple message of Jesus
Christ presented in a loving nonsec-
tarian manner contains the answer for
the needs of each of these individ
uals, as well as all the unsaved millions
of Thailand. Ours is the task of sowing
the seed. Will you pray that it might
find good soil and that an abundant har
vest may be gathered in the land of
Tribes and Trails.
- Garland and Dorothy Bare
Examining the Soil
The seed of the Word must be sown
among many different types of soil in
Thailand. Perhaps one of the hardest
types to reach is portrayed by the of
ficials, for while there is religious liberty
in Thailand, nevertheless Christian
officials are sometimes discriminated
against. Thus we have met several offi
cials who say they used to be Christians
and will be again after they quit their
government jobs, but that it costs too
much to be a Christian now. They close
their ears to the gospel message saying
someday, perhaps, we will listen, but
not now when following Christ would
harm our chances for advancement.
Devout Buddhists are in many re
spects easier to reach than these, for
they are truly concerned about their
soul's salvation and are seeking to make
sufficient merit to blot out their sins.
But they have no peace of heart or mind
and can only hope that perhaps they
have made enough merit. It is only the
Spirit of God that can open their hearts
and cause them to see that Christ is
the only sacrifice for their sins and that
only thru faith in Him alone can they
find peace for their souls.
Spirit worship claims a large part in
the lives of the people. At times of sick
ness or death, marriage or birth, build
ing a new house, going on a journey or
other important events, the spirits must
be propitiated. Both the lowland and
the tribal people spend much of their
time and material means trying to pla
cate the spirits. But they recognize it
as a bondage and some have expressed
an interest in the gospel as a means of
release from the power of the Evil One.
One Thai spirit doctor has come several
times for teaching for he realizes that
the spirits are powerless to help, but as
yet he has not decided for Christ.
Another type of soil is seen in those
who have come from time to time say
ing they want to become Christians. Our
hearts quicken with hope as we talk to
them telling them of the Lord Jesus.
Often when we ask them what they
know of Him they admit that they know
nothing but want to become Christians
none-the-less. As we teach these we
stress the fact that becoming a Chris
tian will mean breaking with the old
life of sin and beginning a new life in
Christ. Also stress is laid on the fact
that there will be no monetary gain,
but that they will find peace for their
souls and receive much spiritual bless
ing. Sometimes we ask them if they
have heard that they will receive finan
cial gain or medical help if they become
Christians. Most of them admit having
heard that they will receive money or
other help. Then it is necessary to ex
plain all over again that such is not
the case, but that if one becomes a
Christian he does it because of personal
faith in Jesus Christ. After explaining
the way of salvation we give them some
tracts and suggest that they return in a
few days for further instruction. Seldom
do they come again for they have been
seeking only for the things of this world
and care nought for the things of eter
nity. Yet even among these we hope
and pray that some hearts may be
opened to see Him who is the Pearl of
great price and to accept Him joyfully.
The most responsive group of people
in Thailand to the gospel are those who
are also the most despised, those out
casts of society who have the disease of
leprosy. They are ill treated, often in
want, and without hope in this world.
Their home ties have been broken, they
are unloved and cast off. Among these
people the message of hope in Jesus
Christ and the story of His love for
them strikes a responsive chord. Their
yearning hearts find One who cares for
them and they turn to Him as their ref
uge, their hope, their salvation. Their
lives are transformed and new hope
shines in their faces. It isn't just a hope
that thru the new medical drugs their
bodies may be made well, but rather a
trust in things unseena looking unto
Jesus and a dependence on Him. Death
is no longer feared and those who sor
row over the loss of a loved one sorrow
not as those who have no hope, but re
joice that the loved one has gone to be
ivith the Lord. We saw this manifested
ivhen the father of the headman at the
leper village died. There was no weeping
and wailing but rather a spirit of peace-
fulness. I^e headman expressed the
thought of all when he said simply that
it didn't matter for his father was with
the Lord and pain and sorrow were over
with for him. Thus these people are a
joy to our hearts and a challenge to
our faith.
Join with us in prayer for these var
ious groups that as the Word is sown it
may find lodgement in their hearts and
bring forth fruit.
Dorothy Uhlig
Pretty pictures but the story is veiled in
the white mnn's language. Pone looks
forward to the day when he can read in
Thai this story of Jesus.
"Oh. these are such pretty pictures!
I wonder what those funny looking
marks mean under them." Such could
easily be the comment of this little Thai
boy. He enjoys looking at the beautiful
pictures in Life of Christ Visualized but
gets no meaning from the English
writing.
That's the way it was in Chiengkam
but, Praise the Lord, thanks to you
readers, Jalun and other Thai children,
also adults will now be able to look at
and read with understanding these
books. The 9,000 Life of Christ Visual
ized books in Thai came off the press
in August and were shipped to New
York to await a ship sailing to Thailand.
On arrival in Bangkok, after being
checked through customs, they will have
an eighteen hour train ride, a day by
truck, and then for their last journey
two to five days by ox-cart into Chieng
kam. This will not be the last travelling
for some of them. People coming to
clinic from many miles away will carry
these books in shoulder bags back to
their homes. As people wait for medi
cine it is not always possible to sit down
and teach each one separately and as
they come and go it is not always easy to
teach them as a group but now they can
read these books and ask questions
when they do not understand. If a per
son is interested, as we are sure he will
be, he will want to buy a copy. Maybe
he can pay only a cent or two or per
haps will give some mangoes or duck
eggs for his book. We would like to just
give these books away but, knowing
that in the eyes of these people nothing
of value is given away, it is best to let
them pay in some way.
These "book missionaries," as they
have been called, will go into many vil
lages and homes where the "people mis
sionaries" can not go. Perhaps only the
father or a school child is able to read.
In Their Own Tongue
but as this book finds its way into a
small bamboo house on stilts, all will
benefit from it. The old grandmother
who never thought of reading will look
at the pictures and ask her grandson to
read and read again the written word
in Thai that she might understand about
this One Who came to save her. The
mother who has little time to rest from
her work of weaving cloth, sewing
clothes for her family, washing them in
a nearby or faraway stream, working
in the rice fields, preparing food or
drawing and carrying water will become
interested as she hears the stoiy, and
will come to listen and learn of Him
who said "Whosoever drinketh of the
water that I shall give him shall never
thirst . .
Life of Christ Visualized has been
used among the Leper Christians but
not in a very satisfactory way. The Eng
lish was translated into Thai, written
on pai>er and scotch taped into the
books however it was such a slow and
laborious task that only one copy was
finished for the village. Now each Chris
tian or family can have a copy in Thai
to read, study and to use in teaching
others. Since many of these have just
recently learned to read the.v will find
these books with pictures and words of
understanding a real incentive to be
come fluent readers and will conse
quently soon be able to read the Bible.
It has been said that one picture is
worth a thousand words. We rejoice
that we not only have pictures but
words of understanding in the language
of the Thai people. We rejoice for the
"Thai but what of the tribesthe Yao,
the Miao and others who do not even
yet have a written language? They too
must have the Word in their language.
The task before us is great; it will take
time, prayer, patience and much hard
work on our part and "fervent effectual"
prayer on your part. Let us not fail in
our responsibility to these people nor
to Him Who came that all might have
life.
Pray that your servants here faint
not before they reap. Pray ye the Lord
of the harvest to send forth laborers
into His harvest. And beseech Him to
give the increase.
Imogene Williams
Little Boy Priest
YOUNG AND OLD WEAR THE YELLOW ROBE
AND SEEK SPfRITUAL MERIT IN THE BUDD
HIST PRIESTHOOD
Miss Dorothy Uhlig
Missioniiry to Thailand
c/o First Christian Church
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Form 3547 Requested
HENRY PRINTING CO.. EUGENE, OHEG.
Festival time is always a gay time in
the life of a Thai boybut there is one
festival time that will always outshine
all others for each little boy as he en
ters the priesthood. He has heard his
father and mother talk about this day.
He has seen older friends put on the
yellow robes and go off to live in the
monastery under the tinkling bells of
the pagoda.
The festival comes with much feasting
and merrynialclng. The new priest is
carried, football-hero style, through the
streets, and then comes the moment to
shave off the hair and eyebrows and
wrap the yellow-orange robe about him.
In the monastery he spends long
hours cross-legged on the floor, learning
to read and recite the religious language
so different frcm his native tongue. He
meditates long hours, mumbling the
Buddhist writings in a droning hum.
He may remain a priest all his life.
He may stay until he is a young man.
r.'Iaybe he will slay only three months,
or maybe only a few weeks or e\'cn
just a few days. If he stays for life his
object is to think so hard about not
wanting anything that he gets to the
place where he doesn't want anything
but for his soul to die and never be born
again. If he stays only a short time, he
hopes to make enough merit to be born
into this v/orld again in a higher form.
But he also learns that the Buddhist
scriptures teach that If he breaks any
one of 227 laws there is no escape from
hell.
Maybe if ho hears of Jesus someday,
he will be happy to know that Jesus can
free him from hell by forgiving his sins.
Pray for the thousands of little boy
priests sitting cross-legged in their yel
low robeslearning about hell, but not
about salvation.
Lois Callaway