Duane and Marcia Binkley, Thailand
A short time can make a big difference.On the afternoon of June 9th we climbed into a plane and began the trek back to Thailand.Two plane changes, 24 hours and one international dateline later it was the wee hours of June 11th and we were collecting our considerable luggage in Bangkok.Since then we've been getting settled, getting reacquainted with people and re-adjusting to Thailand.
We're starting our fourth term here so we're pretty used to being in Thailand, but still, there are adjustments.It had been a long winter and cool spring in Ohio and I think we had the heat on in the house until the day we left.So our first adjustment has been to heat and humidity.In Ohio we generally look for a spot of sun and go stand in it.Here, we look to avoid the sun and find the shade.
We drive on the left side here instead of the right so we sometimes have to pause and take a look at which side of the car the steering wheel is located on before we get in.Once inside the car, shifting (there are very few automatic transmissions here) is done with the left hand instead of the right.To reach first gear, we push the lever away from us instead of pulling it toward us.Other controls are also on opposite sides so it isn't unusual for me to want to turn on a turn signal, but start the windshield wipers instead.Driving on the left also affects walking, especially when crossing the street.In the US, we habitually look to the left first to check for oncoming traffic.The temptation is to look left, walk a step or two, then look to the right.Of course here, we have to look to the right first.If we do look to the left first and take that first step or two, we could well be a statistic before we ever have the chance to look the other direction!
On the home front, in the US, we can be a lot more casual about where we place and store food.In Thailand, there is a year round breeding season for the ants and other creatures and they seem to take good advantage of the time.Leaving a fresh baked something out to cool is risky.As soon as the critters can touch it without burning their toes, they will start to carry it off.Dry food is stored in special "ant cupboards" that have legs placed in cups of water.The water serves as a kind of moat to keep the ants out of the food.After a meal, the table needs to be cleared right away or the ants come for their meal.Nothing can set out on the counter for long and one would never dream of leaving a bowl of candy or snacks out on the coffee table.
Others here in Thailand must make more dramatic adjustments than us.Last Sunday we went to a Kachin church service here in Chiang Mai.The Kachin are one of many minority groups forced from their homes in Burma.Many come into Thailand to try and survive, some with proper documentation and some without.Particularly for those without documentation, care must be taken especially when moving about on the roads.If caught without papers, they can be jailed or deported.Many are working but they get only one day off per month.As in many churches inthe US, the first Sunday of the month in the Kachin church is communion Sunday.IM missionaries Gam and Alice Shae who regularly work with this church, pointed out that many of the Kachin will use their one day off per month to come to church on Communion Sunday.The church building is small. I'd guess the sanctuary is about 20 ft. by 30 ft.Yet it was full to overflowing.There were about 70 people inside and many others teaching Sunday School and getting ready for the lunch that is served after services each week.It is easy for us to take our easy life for granted and can employ small excuses to stay home from church.Here at the Kachin church though, perhaps a third of the congregation used their one day off for that month to come to worship and take communion, risking arrest to do so.Would I be willing to do that?
It is a privilege for us to be here to represent you and to work with the many dedicated Christians here.There are a few adjustments we have to make but we feel the Lord has lead us here and will help us to adapt.We are always grateful for your prayers and support.