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May 31, 2000
Greetings in the name of our Lord!
Since our return to Chiang Mai, Thailand much has being going
on in both the church and the country. A new constitution is providing
for a more open society, one that grants more political rights
and freedoms. It now grants 12 free years of education when previously
only 6 years were required, and it was free only for the poorest.
Additionally, the education system is being reformed from a traditional,
Asian system of rote memorization to a learner-centered system
that will allow for more creativity and openness. All these changes
impact upon the mission schools I work with and on the curriculum
and teacher training programs I have developed.
The Church of Christ in Thailand, PC(USA)’s ecumenical
partner and the largest Protestant grouping in the country, is
restructuring itself. The changes will help the CCT focus on improving
congregational life, especially for the many churches without
pastors or Christian education programs.
I now work in the education ministry of the CCT as the coordinator
for English language teaching programs in 24 mission schools.
These schools serve as witnesses of God’s love to the greater
community. Most of the students are Buddhist, and many of the
schools are in communities where the children attending them would
not otherwise have a chance to go to school. These schools give
scholarships, accept children unable to enter into the government’s
school system, and some provide housing for rural students and
hill tribe children. The mission of these schools is to share
the good news to all God’s children, no matter what their
background, to provide a quality education, and to teach English
as a tool for continuing their education or for getting a better
job. It is a tall order, and the office where I work helps by
providing scholarships for needy students, helping with school
development projects, and establishing programs for English teacher
training and curriculum development. Not every child has the chance
to pursue an education beyond the sixth grade, and even with the
new changes underway it remains to be seen how many will be able
to finish 12 years. Families have to struggle to keep their children
in school and make ends meet each month. For many, even without
tuition costs, having to pay for uniforms, meals, books and other
fees for all their children is beyond their means. Often, once
a child has finished sixth grade, he must quit so that a younger
sibling can stay in or start school. A special scholarship fund
from Christians in Thailand and the United States helps these
families keep all their children in school.
The Prayer
It was the day they prayed together that Den realized what his
teacher expected of him. Khru (Teacher) Manat had always pushed
him the hardest in his English classes, and Den tried as best
he could. Khru Manat regularly gave private tutoring after school
to students he thought showed promise and Den was proud when he
was asked to join. He kept up with his English lessons and homework
so as not to let his teacher down, but it was at the expense of
his other subjects. Den had to help his aunt and uncle sell noodles
in town at night and didn’t have much time for all his school
work.
There were times, Khru Manat would say, when he could see Den
thinking about his home and his parents. To come to the school
Den had to live in town with his father’s brother. His parents
lived on a small farm a half day’s trip by bus, and the small
school in their village was only an elementary school. Khru Manat
said he had heard through the pastor at church about a boy from
a village, Den, who wanted to study so much it hurt. The boy needed
help, so Khru Manat convinced the pastor to help the boy apply
for one
of the school’s scholarships.
School and work were tough on Den. Still, Khru Manat knew that
Den could do better, and so that day they prayed. Den was not
Christian, but that didn’t matter to Khru Manat. After the
English lesson one afternoon, when the other students had gone
home, they knelt down together and Khru Manat prayed. He reminded
God that Den’s parents loved him and were proud of him. He
reminded God that Den was a good student, even though he could
study harder and could complete all his lessons. Then he asked
God for something. He asked God to help Den go to college. He
told God that Den was a smart boy and had a lot of ability. After
the prayer Khru Manat turned to the boy and said, "I have
asked a lot from God for you. Don’t let me down. Don’t
make me lose face in front of God." And the boy knew what
this meant.
Den did not sleep much in the years after that day when he learned
what was expected of him. He worked hard at both noodles and school
books. He got a government scholarship to enter senior high school.
Later, he got a scholarship to study at the university in town
where, Khru Manat says, Den is studying computer science. Khru
Manat laughs when he remembers the look on Den’s face that
day when they prayed. Den was scared. And then Khru Manat adds,
"Perhaps we are all that way when we learn what is expected
of us. The night when he prayed alone in the garden, before he
was arrested, Jesus was, too, you know."
I apologize for not keeping regular contact, but with all that
has been going on we have been very busy. You are in our daily
prayers and we praise God for your support.
Scott, Khanita, and Christopher Satterfield
Office of Education Ministry
Church of Christ in Thailand
PO Box 90
Chiang Mai 50000
Thailand
The 2000 Mission yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 158
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