Each year, usually in late March or early April, the Christian groups that we work with hold large, annual meetings.The Lahu Baptist Convention's "Mass Meeting" attracts 5000 or more people.The Karen Baptist Convention is a larger organization, with a different style meeting, but still attracts 400 - 500 people.It is exciting to be a part of these meetings and share in the fellowship and the worship.

People travel for hours and maybe days to attend these meetings.Some have to start by walking for hours to get to a road, then climb in the back of a pick up truck and ride for many more hours in the dust and hot sun.Many of us might look at this as a test of endurance.But they do it happily and voluntarily and with anticipation in their hearts.

This year, the Karen Convention held their meeting in a rather remote corner of Mae Hong Sorn Province in the far north of the country.Yet, people came from as far as Kanchanaburi province, not too far from Bangkok.The theme of the conference was "Hold Fast to What You Have," based on Revelation 3:11.I attended the opening night.Thra Lo Di gave the message emphasizing the Karen should hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ, hold fast to the Word of God, hold fast to their culture and language and hold fast to their unity.

Next on the agenda was the member of parliament, like our congressman, for that area.He got up and pointed out that as a government official, he must attend many meetings and on this night he had several other places where he should be.However, he came to this meeting even though it is in a remote corner of his area.He also pointed out that he is a Buddhist.In spite of these two things, he really wanted to attend this meeting.He was very curious as to why anyone would come.

In the government meetings he attends, people come because they are paid to come.But at this meeting, people travel from many provinces under difficult conditions.When they arrive they have to pay a registration fee. No one pays their transportation costs, no one pays their registration fee, yet they still come.Not only that, when they get here, they sleep on the floor or in a temporary shelter.The food is scarce and by Thai standards, the weather is cold!There are all these negative aspects, yet people come by the hundreds.Why?

This mystery was intriguing enough that he wanted to come and learn for himself.He said that being here, seeing the worship, hearing the singing and listening to the sermon he now understood.He said that he could see that the people came together because their hearts have an "owner."This left a very positive impression on him and he too encouraged the people to "hold fast to what they have."

I find it both encouraging and sobering that a Buddhist can see so plainly that Christians' hearts have an owner.It is encouraging in that it shows how easy it is to be a witness for Christ.Simply living our life can be an effective witness.Perhaps none of the Karen coming to that meeting had any inkling they were making an impression on a Buddhist member of parliament.They were coming simply because they wanted to.When the things we want to do are in the will of the Lord, what kind of positive impressions are being made?To who?We may never know.

It is also sobering. The things we do may not always be what the Lord would have us to do.How do we damage His name when we do things outside His will?

Geographically, we were a long way from home.But God was teaching us with a Buddhist member of parliament.We do need to hold fast to what we have. Nothing is more precious than our relationship with Jesus.Our lives are also probably the most effective tool for witnessing that we have.We never know who is watching and what lessons are being learned from our everyday activities.

Duane and Marcia Binkley