the following is a letter from Brett;
Our trip to the larger IDP camp up the river was canceled. They have been having a difficult time crossing the border in this area and we were not feeling like a 6×2 hour ride in the back of the pickup worth the gamble. These larger camps are supplied by Bob and Robert and are at the greatest risk, both from attack and malnutrition. Seeing them would have been a blessing, but it was not to be.
But this left us with the opportunity to serve this wonderful church in town. Bill observed on Sunday morning that a Karen man in a wheel chair could not make it into the church due to the lack of ramps. When I say lack of ramps, this country is the worst I have ever seen (that sounds like I am a big world traveler… not) or could imagine for foot traffic around town and into buildings, we have yet to see a handicap ramp. Anyway, Bill is a mason by trade and suggested we buy some concrete and build a ramp for the church.
We met with the pastor, Roger, and bounced the idea off of him. We did not want to run the risk of giving them something they did not want. It was determined the church wanted the ramp and were hopeful it might encourage other people with disabilities to attend, unfortunately land mine victims are a growing demographic. So we rented the truck and driver from our guest house, bought a wheel barrow, concrete, trowels (Bill complains he cannot do his best work, his “art”, with these trowels) and began to “make mud”. Oh I forgot… DOCTOR Tucker had to buy gloves! But to his credit, they did not stay on his tender “money makers” (my term not his) very long… he’s got manly man hands now!
So we spent all yesterday afternoon making the first ramp and then this AM we built a landing and two more ramps. Needless to say, they turned out pretty nice. I think it is safe to say this is the only church in Mae Sot, maybe all of Thailand with wheel chair accessibility. Bill’s idea was top notch, and very kind. He did take a fair amount of ribbing on not having his cell phone and truck, this kept him on the job site and dirty, a rare turn of events Steve tells me.
(below photos; Everyone helps to mix cement)
Pastor Roger is the greatest guy. He is 38, looks about 20, plays football (soccer) and has the greatest laugh. He joined us in the mud bowl and was fun to work with. He speaks very little English and as you all know I struggle with my native tongue as well. But we made do. He attended 4 years of Bible college in Bangkok and as I mentioned in my earlier blog, he leads his church with a passion for the lost.
If I could have any “super power” it would not be flying or x-ray vision, it would be the ability to speak and understand any language at any time. I really feel like I miss so much with my version of “foreign language charades”… but if I repeat myself and get louder with each repetitive question, I really think I really make some headway in the language barrier. My linguistic technique did learn that Roger’s father fought for the Allies in WWII (for Burma) and was killed in action (by Burma) as a Karen soldier 20 years ago. Roger has two brothers, one a pastor in Chiang Mai and one a Karen soldier. His office was abysmal (none of us would be willing to work out of his office) and he only had a few well worn reference books, but we share the same taste in many of our books and I bet I could learn a great deal from him if I could speak Karen.
Today, after working together for a couple of days he asked me how big my church was. I was dreading that question and said “pretty big”. He’s no dummy… he laughed and pressed me for the truth. I told him about our church and he took it in stride. They have about 100-120 attending and about 300 kids on their Wed. night program. But if you saw this town, saw their building, saw their resources (whole church budget… $7,000 a year) you would know the truth about church effectiveness, they win. Roger and I are alike in one way.
At lunch today he and some church girls were eating some noodles (way too fishy for my taste) and offered me some, I declined and said all I wanted was oranges. Later Robert ordered out pizza and I offered Roger some, he said no thanks all he wanted was oranges, and sat and ate oranges. Turns out our pizza is covered with rotten smelling and tasting milk… we call cheese.
I haven’t said much about Robert, I will get to him on another day. But I can say I am proud to call him a friend and our church is fortunate to have him as one of ours! He is making a real difference in the lives of the Karen and works tirelessly in doing so. If you ever wonder if missionaries work hard and sacrifice, pop to Mae Sot and take a look. Robert meets people and makes connections, we share that gift.
His latest buddy is an older English gentleman named Fred Stockwell. Fred in now a US citizen and lives in Ashland. He is a photographer by trade and very good at what he does. He likes to use his art and talent to support a cause, and his cause de jour is the Karen people. He has been traveling every step with us taking pictures of every thing we have done, he even endured my sermon and the 3 hour service. Fred is in his 60’s seen just about all of the world, been in 4 plane crashes and is a GREAT guy. He gets our sense of humor and has begun to pick on me just like the rest of the gang. He is committed to doing shows to highlight the plight of the Karen people and raise money for the cause. You might want to check out his current web site. http://www.stockwellphotos.com/ I would hope to have Fred do a show in Eugene so you could all invite a friend and meet him.
Today after we finished the concrete work we “headed out the highway looking for adventure, what ever comes my way… born to beeee wiiiiild” and the gang zipped up to “friendship bridge”, a big, ironically named, rarely used bridge across the river to Burma. The helmets that are standard issue with the bike are sort of glorified hard hats made for really small Asian people, needless to say “I am stylin” in my lid. Frankly, it is a pointless endeavor to wear one, but Steve sports his on a regular basis. It looks so funny on him, Todd and I just about crashed in laughter. Last night I hiked my pants up a skosh and I wore my helmet into the dessert restaurant and shared some American style with the locals. A shaved noggin the size of mine is just not seen in these parts.
I know you know this, but the only difference between Americans and Karen, Thai, Burmese… is money and opportunity. We have it and they do not. This gives us advantages and to some degree takes away some of the beauty and kindness they emulate. The tendency of short term’ers like us is to hammer this fact way too much, I will try to avoid that tone. But, the reality is still there, we have it and they don’t.
I wish you could see the opportunities we have with our giving. We need to finish the FBC Eugene’s clinic on the Thai side, kitchen, bathroom, supplies and staff… $3,000. Support FBC Mae Sot’s mission in the remote villages, $50/month per missionary! Support a back pack medic, $50/month per man. Build a bamboo school for the IDP camp we visited and support the teacher so he/she does not need to forage… $2,500 for the building and a years salary. The list goes on and on.
Many of you supported our trip, and we have/will give it all to meet some of these needs, but more should be done. Much of the need could be met by those outside the church and outside the faith… I mean schools, rice, teachers, medics, all of our friends and co-workers could jump on that wagon. Let’s try and figure a way to broaden the circle.
OK, these are turning into novels. I will quit. We leave Mae Sot tomorrow, tonight we take Robert, Fred, Bob and his son, Roger and His wife out for a grand dinner, wish you were joining us!
In Christ,
Brett for Steve, Todd and Bill
