February 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

The convention center was filled with two or three thousand Christians who love Chiang Mai and gather for the “Bless Chiang Mai” event once a year to pray for God’s blessing on the city and province. The mayor, Dr. Duentemduang NaChiangMai, had been invited to attend the opening of the afternoon’s events, but she was summoned to the Royal Palace. She asked her husband, Dr. Piyapong Tanyasrisung, and her mother, a former House Representative, Mrs. Ginggaan Na Chiang Mai, to come on her behalf. They arrived near the end of the three-hour event, when Pastor Loypoh Suriyabubbhaand, an ethnic Karen, was beginning his prayers for the government and political situation of Chiang Mai and Thailand. The timing and person were perfect; Pastor Loypoh is also involved in local government and knows the mayor and her family personally.

I was astounded when Pastor Loypoh invited the mayor’s mother and husband to stand, and told the gathering how he hoped that this important family in Chiang Mai would come to know Jesus. He asked the whole crowd to pray that this family would meet Jesus, and the crowd prayed loudly and passionately. After more prayers, the special guests were invited to bring greetings to the gathering. They graciously expressed appreciation for the prayers of the people, which showed such great concern for their family and for Chiang Mai. The mayor’s mother said she would recommend that the mayor support this prayer event as an important annual event for the city. The mayor’s husband noted his appreciation for the witness of the Christian community. He mentioned having been a student at Bangkok Christian College (where Rob taught decades ago), and enjoying the plays and music of CCI (the Christian Communications Institute) during Spiritual Emphasis Week each year.

Last week I had the privilege of hearing Dr. David Shenk, an expert practitioner of Muslim-Christian dialogue. He told about a local Muslim leader who told a group of Christians moving into an area that if they were there to evangelize, they should leave, because the community would not tolerate religious imperialism. David said he told the leader how on several occasions, after dialogue with Muslim brothers, they had hugged him and begged him to become a Muslim, weeping, saying he’s too good a man to be a Christian. He said that he receives the invitation to become a Muslim as coming from great compassion. Anyone who is serious about their faith desires others to share it. David continued by saying to the leader that sometimes after people have heard and understood the good news of Jesus the Messiah they have decided they want to follow him. If David forbade them at that point, wouldn’t that be religious imperialism?

At the recent Bless Chiang Mai event, the leading political family of Chiang Mai heard the prayers for their family by the Jesus followers as an expression of love and compassion. I believe the personal relationship between the prayer leader and this family, and the respectful and creative ways that CCI and the Christian schools in Thailand have shared the good news of Jesus over many years helped.

Esther Wakeman poses with four of the Thai dancers who will be on tour in the United States from March 26 to April 23, 2008.

Please continue to pray for the ministry of Payap University and CCI—that we will faithfully continue to incarnate and express Jesus’ love through quality education, superb music and drama, and compassionate and genuine friendships.

CCI will be on tour again from March 25 to April 25 in California, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Please tell your friends and relatives to come and see us. See the schedule below or email us for details.

Blessings,

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 92

March 26 - First Presbyterian Church, Downey, Calif.
March 27 - Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Los Alamitos, Calif.
March 28  - First Presbyterian Church, Garden Grove, Calif.
March 29  - First Thai Presbyterian Church, Covina, Calif.
March 30 a.m. - Pasadena Presbyterian Church
March 30 p.m. - First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara, Calif.
March 31
April 1
April 2 - Community Presbyterian Church, Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
April 3
April 4 - travel from LAX to MCI 1:05 p.m. and YX 492, arrive Kansas City 6:00 p.m
April 5
April 6 - 4:30 Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Kan.
April 7 - Knox Pres, Overland Park, Kan.
April 8 - Center Grove Presbyterian Church, Indiana
April 9 - Bloomington, Indiana
April 10 - Bloomington, Indiana
April 11
April 12 - drive to Pittsburgh
April 13 - Mt Lebanon United Presbyterian Church in afternoon?
April 13 - Tower Presbyterian Church, Grove City, Penn., in evening
April 14 - State College, Penn.
April 15
April 16
April 17 - Columbus, Ohio, Phil Foells’ church
April 18 - Covenant Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio (with Indianola Presbyterian Church)
April 19 - Living Fountain Dance Company, First Friends Church, Canton, Ohio
April 20 - Christ United Presbyterian Church , Canton, Ohio
April 21 - Uniontown, Ohio
April 22 - First Christian Church, Crawfordsville, Ind.
April 23 - General Assembly Council evening worship, PC(USA), Louisville, Ky.