From Thighland to Thailand

Thailand 4.12: Day Off

February 28, 2012-Tuesday

There is not much to report as we left Chiang Mai to return to Chiang Rai.  Our trip to Chiang Mai served several purposes.  One to continue to treat patients that may not have access to health care, or to give an opinion on current medical conditions, or to have the convenience of a clinic setting.  We are also ambassadors for God and to demonstrate Christian giving, witnessing, and sacrifice for the betterment of those in need.   In other words: servitude.  As mentioned earlier, it was an opportunity for Luka’s brother’s church to become more involved with the public school and establish a presence in the area.  The impact of our stay was evident by a comment from the director as we were leaving: “Your God shines through your people.”  Pastor, in a rare moment, was lost for words.  We hope to continue to shine as God’s witnesses.

As we wound down the evening Richard explained how over the past four trips to Thailand has affected him.  As we know he was paralyzed in the Vietnam War as a combat marine and received, not one, but two purple hearts.  He felt that his survival and recovery to be able to walk again from his wounds meant that as payback to God and for gratitude that he would do whatever he could do for those in Thailand.

Reflecting on our 12-hour day he said, “You had to work hard on a day like today and have to reach deep inside to understand the whole attitude.”  Heavy duty.

We will be traveling to the Paamee village near the border of Myanmar where Ghan, Luka’s wife, grew up tomorrow.   I still remember the last time when we drove up the mountain how I saw a mother with her three children walking along side her as the cars passed her by and thinking, “oh, how cute!”  About two hours later they arrived to our clinic, barefoot and all, for medical care.  That is determination and the desire of the people that feel it’s important enough to have these clinic available to them and will climb mountains, cross country borders, and cross rivers to come to our clinics.  There is so much work to do and so little resources.  I am proud to be a part of First Chinese Baptist Church with their emphasis in overseas missions.  We need to continue our efforts and we hope to develop a yearly medical mission trip in the future.  We thank you for all of you who have supported these trips so far and for all of you for your continued interest in our endeavors.

I leave you with a few more photos of our trip to the Huaisan Akha Village.  Have a great day-Mark