In short, our trip was simply fantastic. We learned so much about, well, so many different things - I don't even know where to start! The most important thing we realized, and one of the reasons we believe God told us to go on this trip, is to show us that there is not much of a difference between Thailand and Vancouver. A couple of days ago Steve and I were walking along the waterfront in Vancouver and were mentioning different things that would remind us of the places we've been, when all of a sudden we both realized that it's all the same. We could not have understood this had we not gone to Thailand, a country with a different religion, different culture, different people, different food - basically a country entirely unfamiliar to us. And because we were surrounded by people, things and a way of life we are not accustomed to, we were able to see certain things, all of which are characteristic of the immense spiritual desperation.
The Thai people live in fear of evil/angry spirits so they have placed shrines everywhere - in front of their homes, inside their homes, outside business places, in restaurants and even go-go bars. They offer food, flowers, and incense to the spirits via these shrines in order to appease them. At first we did not understand why they give these offerings, but as the trip went on we slowly began to realize that these offerings are a means of spiritual security for them - and this is the very same kind of security concern the West (including Vancouver) faces. The only difference is that the people of the West find security in money and consciously or subconsciously live in fear of being "poor" or not having "enough." Take the current economic crisis, for example, and look at how everyone all over the news is panicking about the volatility of the stock market at the moment.
Another major social issue in both Thailand and Vancouver is that of prostitution. In Thailand this is blatantly obvious when you see a foreigner (Caucasian or not) with a Thai woman, man or child. In Vancouver it is not so because everyone blends in; this city is so multicultural that you can't tell what's going on. Not only that, but this issue is superficially covered by "professionalism" and wealth. I recently met with a friend who works for the CEO of a large corporation, and she told me that in such corporations most businessmen and women spend their free time sleeping around with coworkers or prostitutes (whether they have a significant other or not), drinking too much and/or doing drugs. Yes, those who are "professional" businessmen and women do these things that society condemns - but these things are only looked upon as "bad" on the surface, because just beneath the surface many, many people live this kind of lifestyle.
We learned that it's so easy to look at developing countries where corruption and social problems are not hidden and say, "The poor people need help," or, "I can't believe anyone would do that!" But the West faces the exact same issues! The only difference is that they are covered, swept underneath a glamorous rug to make it look like nothing bad happens here. And I can go on and on about problems such as alcoholism, lack of male leadership/father figures in families, gender confusion, broken families, obsessions and addictions - does any of this sound familiar?
The root of the problem is this: we are all people - whether European, Asian, American, African; whether we have much or nothing - and human nature is the same everywhere and has always been the same. The entire world has always dealt with such issues and that's not about to change. Corruption and evil will always be around because there will always be people who don't have a relationship with Jesus. Yes, He is indeed the answer to all of these problems. And this is the main thing God revealed to us while on this trip. It seems like an obvious thing, but it's so easy to get wrapped up in trying to do "good" by providing social programs and education, and forgetting that those things will not solve the problem of human nature. Only the Lord can change the heart of a human being, and people everywhere - including those in developed, wealthy nations and cities - need to know that they can be healed from the destruction and death that sin brings, and that they can have a perfect, beautiful relationship with their Creator. Only out of spending time, daily, with the Lord and laying down all expectations and desires - being open to Him - will these issues of sinful desire be dealt with. No amount of education, social programs or money will fix the human heart - look at the West, for example - only and only God can give people a new heart, one that is actually good, because He alone is good. And in Him alone can anyone find true security and be content in good times and in bad times, because He is the only One that never changes, the only One that is always faithful and trustworthy. With all the bad things that go on in the world, people need to know that there is, in fact, One who is good in every way. Let's tell the world that, eh?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35(E.S.V)
Let's love one another as the Lord commands (yes, commands). Let's let our lives, our actions, our words and even our thoughts, be characterized by the relationship we have with Him. That means we must be responsible for having a deep, strong relationship with Him, and we must seek Him and be completely open to Him daily. We must receive revelation from Him in regards to this. This is the only thing that will truly bring change, for the better, in the world.
So, the main thing is that it does not matter whether one lives in the West or the East, or whether one is rich or poor; everyone has the exact same issues - they are simply expressed in different ways. One often looks at the developing world and sees the poverty, corruption and need, while failing to see the just-as-desperate need for Jesus in one's own community. The more we saw on our trip the more we became convinced that increased amounts of social programs and education, while still very much needed, are not the ultimate answer to all of the problems. (Hundreds upon hundreds of N.G.O's from all over the world work in Cambodia, for example, yet the country is still extremely poor and the people are extremely desperate for change). Only Jesus and a personal relationship with Him can change the immense problems facing both Asia and North America today. The need in both parts of the world, and the solution in both parts of the world is the same.
We believe God told us to, for now, look at home and see His heart for Vancouver in this next season of our lives.
Our trip itinerary:
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| We arrived in Bangkok and stayed there with our friends from India, Jodi & Binu, for 4 days. Then we headed off to Koh Chang (the island by Cambodia) for 6 days. We parted ways with Jodi and Binu and went on to Trat for 1 night and headed to Pattaya the next day. We stayed in Pattaya 6 or 7 days and got to see the Project L.I.F.E children's slum ministry, after which we went to Khao Yai for the OMF conference. We were in Khao Yai for 5 days. After that we went to Aranprathet and spent the night there. The following day we crossed over the Poipet border into Cambodia. In total, we were in Cambodia for about 13-15 days. We flew from Phnom Penh to Bangkok and stayed in Bangkok 1 night. Then we went on an 18 hour long bus ride from Bangkok to Phuket Island (not something we want to do again...). We were on Phuket Island for 7 days and we met with a missionary working with MB (Mennonite Brethren). After that we went to Railay Beach and took a 2 week vacation for our one year anniversary. Then we took a bus back to Bangkok and stayed about 4 days there, after which we flew home. |
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| After crossing the Poipet border we went to Siem Reap, where we met with the YWAM Siem Reap director and got to see the different ministries they are running there. We were in Siem Reap for 5 days. While in Siem Reap we also went to see the Angkor Wat temples. We took a ferry to Batambang and got to see the Vietnamese floating villages on our way there. In Batambang we met with the YWAM Batambang leader and got to see many of the ministries they have going as well - it was so wonderful to see what God is doing through their ministries. We were there for 4 or 5 days and then headed to Phnom Penh, the capitol, to meet with another missionary couple. We were there for 4 or 5 days. Then we took a plane back to Bangkok. |