One
of the first things I noticed about Thailand is that idol worship is everywhere.
At the front of every little shop, business, or store front, you will see a
Spirit house. Spirit Houses are everywhere in Thailand. Because of the belief
in Animism and fear of the spirits, many Buddhist believers attempt to appease
the spirits by lighting incense, placing flowers, and giving an offering of
food at the shrine. We live in a neighborhood full of Buddhist believers. There
are spirit houses and spirit catchers all over our neighborhood. The picture to the right is of the spirit houses at the entrance of our Muban (neighboorhood). Satan has a
strong hold over those who live around us and people live in constant fear of
these spirits.
 |
Spirit houses in front of our favorite market.
|
 |
Another spirit house at the entrance of our Muban.
|
 |
Food offerings in front of the spirit house
|
In America,
we tend to not believe in spirits, so Satan won’t use "spirits" with
us. But here, spirits are very much real and present because people believe in
them…and they are very afraid. Laura told us about one of our neighbors who
will not walk from her car (in her driveway) to her house at night because she
is afraid of the spirits that lurk in her yard. One of our first nights here,
our team got together and prayed Psalm 91 over the house. We prayed a blessing
over each room and in every corner of the house. We asked for protection over
us and our home, and prayed that the Lord would reign and dwell within us and
use us and our home for His glory alone. We asked that the Holy Spirit will
enter our home and be present with us. It was an awesome time of prayer and a
great reminder of what an awesome God we serve and that there is no greater
power than the name of Jesus!
Our trip to Doi Suthep Temple with King and her family
really opened my eyes to the extent of idol worship here in Thailand. As we
scaled the misty steps that took us up the mountain to the temple, I looked
around at the people that were making the lofty trek with us. Old and young
alike were holding flowers, food, and prize possessions, all things to offer
before Buddha. We finally reached the top and took off our shoes to enter the
temple. It was an incredible sight. Because of our altitude, there was a thin
mist hovering around the temple. The smell of incense was strong and the
collective murmur of prayers and chants filled the air. The bright gold
architecture of the buildings and statues reflected the low sunlight and
pierced through the cloudy afternoon sky, making the temple shine brightly.
Every so often, the tolling of a bell could be heard as those who were done
with their time of worship “sent” their prayers up to Buddha by ringing a bell.
It really brought the Old Testament bible stories to life as we walked around
the temple watching people bow low before gold statues of Buddha and burn
incense in worship to this false god.
As we further explored the temple, we passed a frail,
elderly woman, with tears in her eyes, who was kneeling before a miniature gold
Buddha at what looked like a little “worshiping station” (these were placed
within and around the grounds of the temple… in case the other temples were
full) as she lit incense and placed her offering of fresh fruit before the
idol, she began to pray. I could not help but notice the sincere urgency and
longing in her face as she bowed lower and continued praying. My heart could
not help but break for her. At that moment, I wished so badly that I could
understand Thai to know what she was saying. I wanted to kneel down next to
her, wrap my arms around her, and tell her how much Jesus loves her and how
much He wants her to know Him. He alone is the Way the Truth and the Life and
does not require offerings of fruit and incense. All He asks is that she
accepts His FREE gift of salvation. He died for HER and wants to have a
personal relationship with her. Although
I may never see that woman again, and be able to tell her that person, I pray
that God will place someone in her
path to share His great message of salvation with her. The image of that woman
will be burned in my memory forever and I pray that it always will be. It has
further fueled my desire to share the good news of salvation to those who
continue to walk in darkness here. Although there is a language gap and a time
limit, I long to be the mouth piece of God while I am here, living in this
Buddhist country. My heart burns with love for these people and I long for them
to know the one TRUE God.
Please join me in prayer for the country of Thailand and the
city of Chiang Mai. Pray that God’s light will break the darkness and the hold
that the enemy has over this place. Also be in prayer for my teammates and I;
that although we are only here for a short time, that we will make a lasting
impact in this community and that those who live her will see Jesus in us. Pray
that God will give us boldness and the opportunity to continue to share His
love with those around us.
Thank you!! I hope y’all are doing well!
No comments:
Post a Comment