1 Year in Thailand
I’m coming up on a year of being in Thailand. It’s difficult to believe it’s only been a year here. With all the changes I’ve experienced, it feels like it’s been much more than a year. Yet, at the same time, because it’s taken such a long time to settle in one place and into a routine, I think, “It’s been a year already?”
How will I be celebrating this momentous occasion? With a trip to Bangkok and then Cambodia to apply for a new visa—More traveling. The last week of June, Jenny (my translator) and I will make our way to Bangkok. She has ministry classes to attend at Dr. Wallapa’s church. In the first week of July, I’ll make a day trip to Cambodia to begin the process of applying for a new visa. On July 7, the anniversary of my arrival in Thailand last year, I’ll be at the church in Don Muang, Bangkok pastored by missionaries Bro. Albert and Sis. Jiep Gonzalez. The plan now is to return to Phetchabun the following week. Then, by the end of July, I will have to travel back to Bangkok, this time to travel to Laos for three to five days for a new visa application.
Thank you to all who have partnered with me for the past year, and those of you who have joined along the way. It hasn’t been the easiest transition into a new country and new culture, especially with the constant changes I’ve experienced. The sovereignty of God has sustained me, and I know all your prayers have helped in that process. The way this first year has gone, anything is to be expected in the coming second year. Stay tuned.
Timeline of Activities
The months of April and May were nothing but go-go-go. June’s calendar has been more open, but I’m still playing catch-up on all the things neglected for the previous two months. So, let’s highlight some of the past few months’ big moments with pictures while I fill in the smaller moments with commentary.
April was mostly spent in Bangkok. On April 6 I went to a concert while Jenny went home to spend time with her family. After Jenny’s family visit was complete, she and I, along with her son Emmanuel, drove up to Phetchabun to stay for a week since we were to preach. At the end of April, I had to return to Bangkok for a visa extension. Jenny had classes with Dr. Wallapa and she had to return Emmanuel to her father’s house. After we completed that week, we again returned to Phetchabun, where the month of May soon began.
Jenny and her son leading worship in Phetchabun.
May was super busy. The center at Phetchabun hosted the Thailand Theological Seminary (TTS) classes at the end of the month. A lot of preparation took place to get ready, especially the week before as we cleaned and organized, moved and set up tables and chairs, and prepared name tags for the students. The week of classes, all the hard work paid off as Bro. Jim Eby and his team taught the students about being ministers of the Great Commission. He challenged them to set goals, to reach for a bigger vision, and to go to greater heights in the ministries God has given them.
After TTS classes were over, there was no time to rest for team Phetchabun as we then had to prepare for a worship and prayer night. The churches of Phetchabun province gathered together to raise the name of Jesus up in song. Then, they went before His throne to pray, point by point, over needs and ministries of the churches and Thailand. It was a powerful experience to hear all the voices raised in song and prayer. I may not have understood much, but the Spirit of God was easily sensed throughout the night. Witnessing the unity of the Body and the passion to follow the Lord so that Thailand will come to know Him was amazing.
Worship night for the churches in Phetchabun province.
The week of the TTS classes, we learned that P. Poang’s grandmother was hospitalized. Jenny and I had errands to run in town and took P. Poang along with us to visit his grandmother. We went to the ward and prayed over her. Later, P. Poang said she was very comforted and felt God with her while we prayed. The following Monday, Jenny told me that she had passed away and that we would attend some of the funeral events that week.
P. Poang’s grandmother’s funeral.
Funerals in Thailand are a whole new experience. People send flower arrangements like in the States, but will also send fans, some with decorative flowers. Jenny told me it’s a practical gift for members of the family. While P. Poang’s grandmother was a Christian, not all in their family were, so the funeral events were held at the Buddhist temple. You could tell who is of which religion by how they paid respects to the deceased in front of her photo. Christians knelt with hands crossed in prayer, while Buddhists knelt lighting incense and holding it between their palms while bowing. At the final event, Buddhist monks sang out their chants. It was a strange mixture.
The week’s funeral events were also a testament of how Jesus is desperately needed by the people of Thailand. No prayers to false gods will save their loved ones. Only the blood of Jesus applied to a repentant, believing heart can save someone. The Thai need to hear this Good News!
Praises
• Relationships with Jenny and others in Phetchabun are growing.
• Jenny has excelled in interpreting for me as I preach. Her English has expanded, she is more confident, and, therefore, people’s understanding has followed. God is visibly working!
• Fellow missionary Abigail Bishop is always willing for me to crash at her place when I have to take these trips to Bangkok.
Prayer Requests
• Phetchabun Trinity Alliance Church – Hunger for the Word of God and love for one another is growing. Pray that each member will continue developing in their walk with the Lord.
• Pray for a smooth, simple, and understandable process for the upcoming visa travel in July and August!
• Pray the plans for me to begin teaching English soon at a nearby church get underway.
Sincerely,
Raeha Butler
