(Ok, this post is really just for sympathy and pity as we try to learn this language.) Language learning is difficult because it is not enough to just learn the vocabulary of the new language and then do a word-for-word translation from English, you must learn whole new patterns of communication. And since it is […]
Noticing Animism in Thailand (Part 2, Clarifying the Gospel)
(Continued from Part 1) Clarifying the Gospel How is Christianity different? When I began to think of how to communicate the Gospel clearly in this context, it was more of a challenge than I thought it was going to be. I started to notice similar elements to spiritism in my own thoughts. It is easy […]
Noticing Animism in Thailand (Part 1)
The other night watching Bangkok TV in Thai (it is good practice for learning Thai, believe it or not) we came across a show that was supposed to be scary, and it made me curious to see what a scary movie would be like here. It was pretty corny, but that is actually pretty good […]
The State of the Church in Thailand
Thailand as of January 2010 Population 63,038,401 Christians 339,048 Churches 4,186 Percent Christian 0.54% Percentage of districts (amphurs) with no churches 23% Percentage of sub-districts (tumbons) with no churches 78% Percentage of sub-districts with no Christians 47% Percentage of population who have little or no opportunity to hear the gospel because there are no Christians near […]
Footage of me at the Birthplace of Buddhism in India
I really am terrible when someone sticks a camera in my face and tells me to talk, but I still made it on a video podcast. This footage is of some of the most heartbreaking things I have ever witnessed in my life. 0:33 – Bro. Gardner trying to get a taxi driver (who spoke […]
Chart Contrasting the Views of Christianity and Buddhism
via More at bcwe.org
Thai Culture is Interdependent [Thai Culture]
The value of helping one another motivates cooperative behavior in the community and reinforces a sense of neighborhood… They bind their relationship through reciprocal services such as assistance and exchanges of food. – From a study done by Dr. Suntaree Komin, a Thai psychologist and a Fulbright scholar, who wrote a publication entitled Psychology of […]
A Little Fun is Expected [Thai Culture]
Thailand has been known as the Land of smiles. Work and play must contain at least a little Sanuke (to have fun, to enjoy oneself and have a good time). – From a study done by Dr. Suntaree Komin, a Thai psychologist and a Fulbright scholar, who wrote a publication entitled Psychology of the Thai […]
Education Isn’t the #1 Priority [Thai Culture]
The findings of the study revealed that educational values and competence hold a medium level of importance…This finding can help missionaries adjust their focus. The Thai people are not interested in the content of missionaries’ teaching. If being Christian enabled them to get benefits and helped in finding jobs, knowing English, and opening up chances […]
Thai Ego and Saving Face [Thai Culture]
The Thai are first and foremost ego oriented, characterized by the highest ego value of being independent, being one’s self (pen tua khong tua eng), and having high self-esteem. Thai people have big egos, a deep sense of independence, pride, and dignity. They cannot tolerate any violation of the “ego” self whether that be Buddhism, […]