The Muslim Situation

We have begun Muslim week here in Thailand. The Muslim people are an intimidating people to most Americans I would presume, and I was intimidated to start this week. The situation with Muslims in this country is tenuous. In the south of Thailand, there have been a number of acts of violence perpetrated by Muslim extremist groups. Because of this, Muslims all over the country are looked down upon and actively persecuted by much of the Buddhist majority. Here in Chiang Mai, many of the merchants do not want to serve them and if they do, will gouge them for exorbitant prices. Most of the Muslims here are tourists just trying to have a good time with their families so it is sad to see them on the short end of a situation they did nothing to bring upon themselves. We rode a Song Tau with a Muslim woman and her two children and watched as they were refused their change from a 500 Baht bill after their ride to their hotel (their change should have been about 400 Baht back to them out of a 500 Baht bill).

Muslims get a bad rap just about everywhere and most of them do nothing to deserve it. The ones I have been in contact with are gracious people with whom I was privileged to speak. I am meeting this week with a Kashmiri man and hope to form a good relationship with him as the week goes by. Pray for our time together that it might be fruitful.

-JP-

We've come to the end of Buddhism....

Last week we finished up learning about Buddhism. It is amazing how my mindset has changed since the beginning of the week. At first, it was very intimidating to share the gospel with Buddhist. I kept waiting for a time when they would get angry or argumentitive with us, but that was never the case. The people were very open. I realized right away how hopeless the people feel in Buddhism. They do not have a relationship with God like we do, and they long for that. They also are amazed that someone loved them enough to give their life for them. My team and I have had several great conversations with Buddhist. Although we have not lead anyone to Christ at this point, we have opened the eyes of several students at a local university who are meeting with us throughout this week to ask questions. We even have two coming to church with us this Sunday. I can't wait to share in detail more of our experiences when we get home!!

As far as our free time goes, we have been very adventurous. Everything from going to the top of a mountian to see a large Buddhist temple, to climbing down a waterfall in the pouring rain, to hitchhiking down the mountian in the back of a pickup truck, it has made the trip far from dull. We will have so many memories, stories and laughs from this trip, that's for sure.

Next weekend we are riding elephants, going down the river in a bamboo raft, petting tigers at a resturant and enjoying church at a local house church. We are looking forward to that!!

This week our class assignements feel much more intimidating. We are interviewing Muslims about their faith. Please pray for us.

Thanks to all of you that continue to check our blog and pray for us. You make the world of difference on this trip and it is because of your prayers that this trip has been a success so far. I'll write agian soon, and maybe post some pictures!!

Amy Perry

A Ride on a Song Tau

Our primary mode of transportation in Chiangmai

More Pictures

Amy's Birthday Dinner

Thoughts from Chaingmai

I am finally able to have time time to write some of my own thoughts down for the first time since I have been here. There is so much to take in here that it is hard for me to stop and take the time to write on our blog. But I will try to do it more often. Yesterday was our first day of class. It is very interesting but I find it hard to concentrate in the classroom. I just want to be out in the city as much as possible. I know the classroom time is very beneficial for us to learn how to share the gospel with the people here, but actually doing it is so much more rewarding. In the afternoon we went to a Buddhist temple. In the temple there was a memorial for a monk who had passed away. As I looked at his photograph my heart was burdened for the man. He spent his life following a lie. The reality that the man that I was staring at was in hell at that very moment, and for all eternity made me sick. I realized how important it was to share the gospel with everyone possible while we are here. We have the power to save lives with the gospel. I am praying that the Lord will help me become bold in my faith so I will be able to share more frequently, and that the time here will become habit when I return home and I will share in the states as well as overseas.

On a lighter note I am spending my 22nd birthday overseas!! It is very neat to be celebrating in another country. Tonight a group of us are planning on going to get full massages for 1.5 hours. I am so excited. I have never been able to go before. Plus it's only like 10 dollars which makes it even more exciting!

Well, we are on a break in class so I don't have much time, but for those of you praying for us, please pray for boldness. Also, we have three sick on the trip so pray for quick healing for those who are sick so they can get back out with the people here in Chaingmai. Thank you so much for your prayers!! God Bless!!

Amy~