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TRIBES AND TRAILS
IN THAILAND
MAY, 1962
Vol. 11. No. 1
Unity...
Published twice yearly, in spring
and autumn, by undenominational
Christian missionaries laboring to es
tablish in Thailand (Siam) self-support
ing churches after the New Testament
pattern. This bulletin is distributed
with the hope o^aining needed prayer
support for the Thailand work, of urg
ing every Christian to heed the Master's
call to service, and of encouraging all
to greater effort in the spread of simple
undenominational Christianitythrough-
out the world. Several missionaries
committed to this purpose ate presently
laboring in Bangkok, Thailand's cap
ital, at, or near Chiengkam and Pua
in extreme Northern Thailand.
"Pietune
Yes, an Indian in Thailand! They are
not too uncommon in Thailand, nor are
theyunknown in manyother countries says
Harry Schaefer on Page 7 of this issue.
This Indian came to Thailand four
years ago to sell peanuts--and does very
well.
The lack of unity among those who
profess faith in the Son of God has been
a curse on mankind. It has probably done
more damage, indirectly, than any other
single thing. We shall, of course, never be
able to measure the evil that would have
been averted and the righteousness that
would have spread like healing ointment
over men and nations if unity among God's
people had been a reality. But the results
of oneness that Jesus promises in his
prayer of intercession, i.e., "that the
world might believe", awaken our imagina
tion to the unlimited blessings that
could flow.
This sad state of division brings great
sorrow to the heart of anyone who draws
near to Calvary. He also realizes there
are deeply ingrained problems involved.
(Continued on next page)
The C. W. Callaway family will be
returning to Bangkok, Thailand by air by
the middle of May. Lelan, their oldest
son, will remain in the States where he
will enter college this fall.
Dorothy UhUe had a small tumor near
her ear removed in early March, She is
now receiving x-ray therapy as an out
patient at the University of Oregon Medi
cal School Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
Further surgery will be necessary in May.
Dorothy's mother in Klamath Falls con
tinues to be critically ill.
Mr.and Mrs.H.Alan Roushwere sched
uled to leave for Thailand on April 16.
"We will probably be engaging in lang-
uage studies for a while in Bangkok, Lord
willing," he writes.
Address of the Roush family will be:
GPOBox 1395, Bangkok, Thailand.
Late in May the Harry Schaefer family
will be making another trip to India, and
will leave the two older children in school
there. They hope that this process will aid
their efforts to enter India permanently.
NAI KHACK, one of the Christians
at NamMong, driving an elephant. The
elephant is pulling a log from the river.
Our Duty and Privilege
He realizes that when one's religious to us, reminding ourselves always that
faith or denomination is involved, feelings liberty can only be in Christ as revealed
run high, tempers are quick, sensitive in His Word.
nerves are easily laid bare. For in this We expect to be misunderstood by
area of religion, more than in any other, some. We expect slander. But we look for
mjin tends to equate his own feelings and neither. We do not feel that being perse-
sentiments with the Divine. To touch me cuted is a sure sign of favor with God.
is to touch God. One would have to be perverted to glory
How to melt the barriers? How to bring in the sins of others. In all of this mis-
people to the common centerChrist? It is understanding and slander, and at times
our conviction that we dare not enter thisit has been severe as lies and half-truths
arena with stomping feet and blaring along witb all the financial backing and
voice. The intimations in this problem are prestige of a National Church has been
too involved, the consequences too far brought to bear against us, we have tried
reaching, the issues too interwoven with to abstain from fighting back with like
human nature that only a spirit broken weapons. The words of God to Isreal, "the
first at the foot of Calvary and that knows battle is not yours but mine" have been a
a little of the agony of Gethsemane has comfort and caused us, time and again to
any right to explore this great theme of lay these things before theLord and leave
being one, "even as thou Father art in me them there. The wisdom of this procedure
and I in Thee". becomes more evident as time goes by.
What eternal good has accompanied
Unity in its practical aspect must our labors in Thailand is not ours to say.
begin with the individual. We in Thailand Our main job is still to examine our own
have tried to remind ourselves of this fact hearts and "endeavor to keep the unity of
over and over. Unity is my responsibility.the spirit in the bonds of peace". We shall
Much study, many prayers and not a few continue the same course leaving the
tears have been laid before God in seeking results to the Lord.
His way for our lives. We would be naive This issue of Tribes and Trails con-
to say we have not made mistakes, but we tains two articles, one by Garland Bare of
have tried to keep motives pure. We have Nan Province and the other by Mel Byers
tried to suppress the''our" complex which of Chiengrai Province, giving a little in-
when given free reign knows no limits. We sight into this ever present problem of
have studiously steered away from any sectarianism. Our hearts bleed that the
semblance of a mission organization, even divisions of America and Europe have to
though so loose, for there are enough stamped on a youngchurch in a heathen
problems without deliberately creating land- But to be fair we must report that it
them. We have tried to convey to all our is "How long. 0 Lord, will those who
oneness with them in areas where we are profess your name continue to fight and
agreed and to discuss openly, with willing die for human creeds, names and systems?
hearts, those areas where we differ. We father in Heaven, hasten the day when
have sought to give liberty to others to all shall be content with only Thy Chnst .
the degree we expect them to grant liberty --By Don Byers
Another Man^s Foundation
*'It is my ambitioa to bring the gospel
to places where the name of Christ has
not been heard, for I do not want to build
on another man's foundation" (Rom. 15:20
The New E^nglish Bible). This statement
by the apostle Paul echoed in our hearts
more than ten years ago as we came to
meet the challenge of Thailand's frontier
tribes. Most of them had not heard the
name of Christ from the lips of any man.
What an opportunity to teach them the
pure Christianity of the New Testament
untainted by denominationalism!
In actual experience though, we have
never been free of the problem of contend
ing with sectarianism. Although the tribes
themselves are largely untouched by deno
minational teaching, it has been necessary
for the missionaries to establish them
selves in market and administrative
centers where there are Thai denomina
tional groups nearby. As free Christians
pleading for unity in Christ on the terms
of the scriptures what should our attitude
be towards these groups?
When we moved to Pua in 1954 the
only resident missionary in the province
was a Presbyterian lady living in the
capital city of Nan. She graciously wel
comed us and showed us many kindnesses.
We felt it wise to explain frankly and
fully our stand in Christ and why, though
we long for unity with all who wear His
name, it is impossible to compromise our
loyalty to Him by entering human organi
zations or comity agreements.
Soon after our arrival we were ap
proached by a young couple who wished
to sprinkle their infant. We refused kindly,
explaining that baptism is valid only when
accompanied by faith and repentance, and
that sprinkling is not true baptism. This
resulted in curiosity and inquiry on the
subject of baptism. We are happy to point
all inquirers to the Scriptures. Within a
year a number who had been previously
sprinkled, requested scriptural baptism.
We endeavored to explain to all who
took this stand that they were not joining
us, but rather should consider that their
allegiance had been transferred from
human organization and opinion to Christ
Himself. Nevertheless we soon became
accustomed to such epithets as "sheep-
stealer" and "church-splitter".
There is an organization which in
cludes nearly all the modernistic groups
in Thailand, known as the C.C.T. (Church
of Christ in Thailand). Its political ambi
tion is readily apparent in the fact that it
styles itself "Thailand's National Church"
even though representing only part of the
professing Christians in sixteen provinces,
and none of the believers in forty-five
provinces.
Some years ago I was invited to teach
in a village where three men had had pre
vious connection with the organization. In
response to Bible teaching several fami
lies in the village turned from demon wor
ship to Christ. Simply because of the
background of the three men, the C.C.T.
has endeavored since then to impose its
authority over the entire Christian group.
This has been very confusing to the
new believers.
Unhappy experiences with those
whose faith has been built on a wrong
foundation tend to make us shrink from
contacts from denominationalists and con
centrate all our time on those who have
never named Chnst. To transfer loyalty
from human leadership and organization
to Christ alone; to abandon human by-laws
and accept the Bible as sole rule of faith
and practice; to turn from salarie s and
other material inducements to reliance on
Cod; all these require a real working of
the Holy Spirit through the Word. Yet
wherever souls hunger and thirst for God,
our hands reach out and our hearts yearn
for fellowshipnot on our terms but on His.
Garland Bare
From Factions
through One Redeemer, One Christ, One
God. The Thai are polite and graciously
nod their heads in consent - smile and
then point to our division. One body? One
Way? One Christ? What you say is
good - but not true!
to
Fragments
It is no longer a question of how many
divisions the Church can be divided into -
but how many fragments! Crossing the
ocean does not bring relief from this
devastating malignancy of division within
the body of Christ. The blight and curse
of home grown denominationalism is
reaching the ends of the earth.
Some said, "of a truth this is the
prophet. Others said, this is the Christ.
But some said shall Christ come out of
Galilee? So there was division among the
people because of Him." (John 7:40-43)
Because of this tendency Paul admon
ished, "1 beseech you brethren, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing and that there be no
divisions among you; but that ye be per
fectly joined together in the same mind
and the same judgement." (1 Corth. 1:10)
Chiengkam Thailand is no exception.
For years the Thai have known nothing of
Christ except through the vague compli
cated systems of Presbyterianism. Now at
the other extreme comes a wild-fire pente-
costalism bent on conquering and dividing
the spoil through strategy borrowed from
America. On the fringes are Mission
organizations who through comity and
agreements have found what they consider
to be legal avenues by which to promote
and reproduce their organizations among
the Thai.
In this environment we are called upon
to preach and point the way to salvation.
Recently we held a weeks conference
in Chiengkam. All were given personal
invitations. The group gathered repre
sented various backgrounds, Presbyterian,
Pentecostal, Buddhist, Spirit worshippers
and even children from a Catholic back
ground. During each session opportunity
was given to discuss, ask questions, and
disagree. Some took part - some didn't.
Some chose to call secret meetings of
their own and start the work of subversion.
**What these people teach is not true,"
they said, "don't listen to them - this is
not the true church - come down to the
Capital City and watch miracles - speaking
in tongues - see some people who really
have the Holy Spirit."
After so speEiking one of the men
lighted up a cigarette and walked away.
The seed had been planted.
From the other side come more com
ments. "Sprinkling is as good as baptism -
don't listen to these teachers. They are
just a small group - they don't have any
organization to help them!"
So it goes. Divisions are established
and then reduced to fragments and finally
ground into pieces. One wonders if there
is no end. Yet in this atmosphere we are
called upon to witness, to seek unity and
live at peace with all men. In the face of
the New Testament there is only one
solution - it is not solved by evading the
problem but rather by bringing about unity.
It is to this cause we have dedicated our
lives whether at home or abroad.
Lord help us to be acceptable media
by which these many fragments can be
melted and congealed into oneness.
Mel Byers
who had tasted of Cod's salvation them
selves. They had come voluntarily and
with no pay from the foreigner--they came
AHQ MAKC because they love to tell the '^old, old
story".
Disciples
Grandfather Kaew went back to Pong
Lom several times but was reluctant to
baptize this man and the other man who
believed. He thought that the **teacher"
should do it. Before New Testament
Christianity came to this part of Thailand,
denominationalism taught that one must be
"The two men at Pong Lom are ready an ordained minister before he could ad-
for you to baptize them, teacher." minister the "sacrament" of baptism.
"I don't have to go. You can baptize
them as well as 1can, 1answered. Grand- Having spent most of his life in deno-
father Kaew had just walked in from a n,jnatioai background. Grandfather Kaew
village where he and other Thai Christians couldn't bring himself around to baptize.
had been teaching the people for several came back to take the missionary to
weeks, lie was overjoyed that two men had baptize. When Garland Bare refused to go,
decided to become Christians without aj^^ came to me. This was a good time to
white missionary going to teach them. j j. 17^ ..far Christ did not send
me (us) to baptize but to preach the gos-
I j j r . . pel". Missionaries are sent to preach.
We had a good reason for not going to .
. . , r . others must do the baptizing.
this village where no foreign missionary ^
had ever set foot. We have taught and
preached the Christians that they must While this still remains largely ideal-
shoulder the responsibility of preaching istic it is nevertheless highly practical,
also. But our preaching seemed to have This practice does not give the appearance
fallen on deaf ears. They were content to that we are baptizing people "into our-
be like so many of their brethren in Ameri- selves". This will also encourage the
ca: *'let the missionary do it". native Christians to take on more personal
responsibility to spread the gospel. Here
was an opportune time to drive home this
Finally, last Christmas Nai Wan and teaching, and it paid off.
Nai Saang from a distant village, invited
Grandfather Kaew to go to Pong Lom. Lord's Day a young man, not yet
These three men walked three hours through twenty, and another man went to preach at
the back woods.to this little village ofp^ag Lom. This young man, who has love
five houses. They stopped at the house of ^^^l for the Lord, baptized them "into
an elderly, man. For years this man had chrfst". How we rejoiced that this was
looked for (to use his own words) *'(or- Jone without our participation, only our
givcness of sin and assurances ofheaven", gentle urging.
He had traveled all over Northern Thailand
and into Burma searching for these two This may not seem anything outstand-
things. He had often thought. If I could jjjg feport, but it is still a victorya
only find the Way, the Truth, and the victoiy that we pray will result in the
Life gospel being carried forward by Thai
Christians. We in Thailand ask you to
Now, after many years of frustration, make this a matter of prayer,
he listened gladly to these three Thai men -r-David Filbeck
Overseas Indians
Four hundred fifty Million Indians live having several flights a week stopping
on the sub-continent of India. In addition, here, the educated Indian is also much in
Indians can be found living all over the demand as he or she speaks English well
world. A U.S. Congressman from the Im- and the Tourists need guides and shops
perial Valley in California is an American- need English speaking clerks. Thailand
bom Indian from India. Mahatma Gandhi, has always been free and never under a
the Father of the Indian Nation, lived in foreign power so did not leam English
South Africa and practised Law there from the British or French from the French
before coming to India to start his Freedom Colonial powers.
campaigns. There are hundreds of Indians Estimates vary as to the number of
in the various South African countries, and Indians in Bangkok and Thailand. But
they can be found in the port cities of the there are probably 50,000 in Bangkok,
Caribbean and South America as well as though many of these are counted as Thai
all Oriental port cities. citizens as they were bora here. But all
In this day of International closeness retain their Indian culture and dress and
and relatedness, all realize the dispersion most their Indian language. The followers
of the Indian race. The air waves from of the Sikh religion make up the largest
Radio Moscow, Radio Peking, Radio single group, and as many of these came
Colombo, Radio Indonesia, Radio Austra- from what is now Moslem India or Pakistan,
lia, all carry Indian language news and they are here for good as they have no
other Indian language broadcasts. The Far homes to return to. The watchmen and
Eastern Broadcasting Company, a Chris- Gwalas are from N. India and some have
tian owned and operated station in Manilla, their families and others are here alone
broadcasts one and a half hours a day in while their families tend the fields in India
ten different Indian languages. that they have purchased from earnings in
At the recent District Convention of Bangkok. There are also some Moslems
Rotary International held in Bangkok, 1 from the former Afghanistan-India border,
noted that many of the delegates from the A few colonies of Tamils and Telegus are
seven nations concerned were Indians, working in the tin mining areas of south
For Indians by the thousands work the Thailand but most fled when the Japanese
plantations and tin mines of Malaya and occupied Thailand during the last war. All
the textiles industry is in the hands of except those from South India speak Hindi
Indians in many countries. so there is no problem of communication
Because of the high standards of living for us, and the educated all speak English
resulting in high wages Thailand has at- well.
tracted Indians for many years. This is The first phase of our work among the
somewhat halted now as the Immigration Indians has been of getting acquainted and
Quota limits all nations to only two bun- personal witnessing. We are busy also at
dred a year entrance as permanent resi- studying Thai as some Indian children
dents. One factor resulting in hundreds of 'i"hai better than Hindi, and one needs to
village Indians from Gorakpur II.P. India know Thai just to live in Thailand,
coming here is a Thai superstition that Planned isanlndian Information center
only an Indian watchman is good luck. So in which Indian newspapers and periodi-
the stores and factories all employ Indian cals will be intermixed with Indian Chris-
watchmen and doormen, and many have tian literature and Indian music with
been here for forty or fifty years. Indian Christian messages. Pray that this
may be a reality as much can be accom-
With Bangkok fast becoming an impor- plished thereby,
tant Tourist stop with all the major lines Harry Schaefer
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
Ten years ago the first issue of Tribes seemed to always been near to sober the
and Trails was sent forth. Throughout the joys. Some fields of labor have seemingly
decade it has been the constant hope that had more than their share of reverses,
this publication would lend to enlightening Much labor of love has been unselfishly
and challenging friends and interested visited on the two largest hill tribes with
persons of the needs in Northern Thailand, \jery little visible results. In contrast, fruit
An article by Dorothy Bare in the first has sprung forth from unsuspecting places,
issue was entitled "What Does the Future sometimes with little cultivation, as among
Hold?". The opening sentence began, the lepers, Khamu and lowland northern
"Missionaries....can see no further into Thai. The missionaries have tried to be
the future than the light of God's Word flexible and enter the doors that are open,
shows them. That it is the will of God for
Thailand's 18 million inhabitants to hear How many have been won to Christ?
the gospel of Christ we are certain. That The Lord alone has the records. We could
they will hear only by the Holy Spirit give a rough estimate of around 400, as
working through consecrated Christians those who have made a profession and
we are equally sure". been baptized. No one keeps a "'church
At the time 6 newly arrived missiona-tficord" nor is anyone about to do such,
ries were living in Chiengkam studying There are some 14 different villages that
language and looking hopefully to the i'^ve a Christian witness in theiju" The
unevangelized tribes that surrounded them Christians in these villages may number''
on every side. There were the Miao, Yao, from 1 to 130.
Lu, Shan, Khamu, Northern Thai and Perhaps results are indeed small when
many others. compared to the field, but a start has been
Now ten years later, with personnel niade and the seeding and cultivation
doubled, what do we find? For one thing process is gaining momentum. At the be-
the 18 million inhabitants of this plephaht ginning of this second decade we would
kingdom has swelled to 24 million. For desire to dedicate ourselves anew to the
another the gospel seed has been plantedsen timent voiced by Dorothy in that first
and ground cultivated widely in the two volumn. We still see *''no further into the
Provinces of Chiengrai and Nan. At times future than the light of God'^ Word". But
the response has been heartening. Joys at we are confident that God is calling out a
witnessing Christ being formed in hearts people in this land and that their coming
have been many. At times it seemed that to a saving knowledge of Christ is depend-
we were going to bepriviledged to witness ent upon the Holy Spirit using human
hundreds coming to the Lord only to see messengers. To this end we continue to
the flame smothered in one way or another, desire to be used.
The dry vallies and barren seasons have Don Byers
TRIBES AND TRAILS IN THAILAND
C. W. and Lois Callaway, Missionaries
Mailed Bys
First Christian Church
Canadian, Texas
Return Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U. S. Postage
PAID
CANADIAN. TEXAS
Permit No. 5
TRIBES
TRAiUS
.3-%, THAILAND
OCTOBER, 1962
TRIBES AND TRAILS
IN THAILAND
OCTOBER, 1962 Vol. II, No. 2
Published twice yearly, In spring
and autumn, by undenominational
"Christian missionaries laboring to es-
tabUsh in Thailand (Siam) self-support
ing churches after the New Testament
pattern. This bulletin is distributed
with the hope of gaining needed prayer
support for the Tnailand work, of urg
ing every Christianto heed the Master's
call to service, and of encouraging all
to greater effort in the spread ofsimple
undenominational Christianity through-
out the world. Several missionaries
committed to this purpose are presently
laboring in Bangkok, Thailand's cap
ital, at, or near Chiengkam and Pua
in extreme Northern Thailand.
This "chedi" at "Mouth-of-Waan-
Creek Temple" in Chiengkam is a re
vered spot by many of the Buddhist
population and binds hearts to their old
religion at the same time that theyare
adopting modern devices.
A Chiengkam street scene. Note
the row of newly-erected light poles
behind the Jeep.
CHIENGKAM
Isabel Dittemore and daughterjanet,
enrouteto furlough from Japan, stopped
over in Thailand for two weeks in June
and July. Most of their stay was spent
in Chiengkam visiting the missionaries
and observing the witnessing there and
in outlying areas. FromThailand they
continued via Burma, India, and Europe
to America. It is a privilege to have
such fellowship with our fellow Christ
ians who labor in other lands, but rare
ly does time allow for our guests in
Thailand to make the rather difficult
trip to our bases of work in the north.
Imogene Williams accompanied
Isabel and Janet to Bangkok on July 9.
A few days later she greeted, at Bang
kok's International Airp ort, another
friend and former Seminary classmate,
Mrs. Verna Mae Shafer, who formerly
served as Imcgene's forwarding agent.
Mrs. Shafer was able to stay but three
days in Thailand, then continued via
HongKong and Japan back to her work
at Standard Publishing Co. For some
months Imogene had suffered pain in
her back and one leg, and while in
Bangkok had been consulting a physi
cian. Upon his advice she went into a
hospital on July 22 and has been there
much of the time since. The diagnosis
seems to be a partially slipped disk or
sciatic neuralgia. The doctor has in
dicated that she may be able to return
to Chiengkamtoward the close of Sept
ember if progress is satisfactory.
C. W. and Lois Callaway and four
of their children arrived in Bangkok on
May 18 from furlough. Son Lelan is
now in the Navy in San Diego, Calif
ornia. Lois took the other children on
to India in June where they are now re-
enrolled in Woodstock School. Lois re
turned to Thailand and Chiengkam in
August. She is now much better from
the illness which persisted during their
furlough. Callaways are beginning con-
simction of a house in Chiengkam as a
base for their continued witness to the
Tao tribe.
Mel Byers is now driving a Land
Rover (British vehicle similar to a
jeep). This greatly facilitates trips in
volving several persons or a family and
where there are suitable roads.
PUA
Roberta Byers had an attack of hep
atitis inJune and Don Byers had dengue
fever in Augustor so the illnesses
seemed to be. They continue in their
witness to the Khamu at their home in
Nam Mong Village, one-half day
journey from Pua. Donny, their oldest
child, is now away from home for his
schooling, being in the 5th grade at
Chiengmai Children's Center.
Garland Bare was hospitalized for a
time in March because of a heart ail
ment, and has had to restrict his evan
gelistic travels because of the pain in
the heart region which recurs after
over-exertion. Many tribespeople and
Thai constantly visit the Eares* home
in Pua. They are to be in Prae in Sept
ember while awaiting the anival of a
new Bare.
Chao, one lone Miao Christian in
Nan Province is now a member of the
Thai Border Police there, but still
strongly witnessing for his newly-found
Savior. Some of the Thai Christians
near Pua are earnestly telling the good
news and there have been two more
converts recently as a result there.
Perhaps the most heralded arrival in
Thailand--from our standpointduring
the past few months was that of
Kenneth James Filbeck who made his
appearance on July 3. David and
Deloris and son Amby Wd gone down
to Bangkok well beforehand to greet
this new addition to their family. They
stayed in Schaefers' house inBangkok
while Schaefers were gone to India.
The four Filbecks are now back in Pua.
CHIENGMAI
Alan and Carol Roush and two
daughters anived from Hawaii in April
to begin their service inThailand.
They are now living in Chiengmai and
are studying the Thai language. Their
address: Box 17, Chiengmai, ThaiUnd.
Dorothy Sterling and children
Mark, Judy, and Sharonalso re
turned from furlough on May 18. They
are temporarily in Chiengmai and may
be addressed at P. O. Box 38, Chieng
mai, Thailand. Mark and Judy are pre
sently studying at Chiengmai Child
ren's Center. Mark is in the eighth
grade, the highest grade taught mere.
Harry and Lily Schaefer went to In
dia on May 30 on a temporary visitors*
visa. There they enrolled two children
in Kodai Kanal School in South India
and visited briefly some of the work in
India. They returned July 26 to Thail
and . A new application for permanent
visa has been made to the Indian gov
ernment in the hope that they may still
be permitted to return to their former
work in India. Meanwhile they are lab
oring among the Indian population of
Ban^ok and are preparing radio pro
grams beamed from Manila, Philipp
ines to Indian listeners in Southeast
Asia.
Miss Dorothy Schmale, forwarding
agent for Wm. Gulick family in Soutn
India, and Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan arr
ived in Bangkok on August 9 for a brief
3-daystop-over and visitwith Imogene
Williams, Callaways, and Filbecks
who were there at the time.
OREGON, U. S. A.
Dorothy Uhlig lost her mother
in July after a long illness. Dorothy
herself continues under medical obser
vation after having a malignant tumor
removed in May. Prayer is urgently re
quested to the end that she maybe able
to return this fall to her work in Chien-
gkam.Her furlough address is 1026
Main Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
PCCGRESS
Leaving the last village the foot
sore travelers gazed with relief upon
the quiet rice plain ahead. The bor
der mountains eastward looked down
in serene splendor upon the peaceful
scene. Groves of trees here and there
indicated the routes of streams and
the location of villages. One mile
straight ahead lay the town ofChieng-
kam--but you would not have guessed
it! Numerous palm, tamarind, man
go, banana, and other tropical trees
towered above the houses and hid the
sleepy town from sight. Only a rare
house--like a chicken lost from the
mother hen failed to get hidden
from view. Thus was Chiengkam
when the first missionaries arrived
there in May 1950.
Today--although still by no means
a modern city--many changes are in
evidence. Let us note a few of these.
NOISE. Then bicycles and ox
carts were the only vehicles to be
seen. Now there are many types that
can be heard long before they are
seen. Jeeps and similar vehicles are
frequent; motorcycles and motorbikes
numerous; and often trucks lumber
through the town blaring their horns
at every corner to summon passengers.
Rice mills are so frequent that at no
place in town is one spared the noise
of their motors and particularly of the
loud whistle blasts emanating often
from the larger mills. In contrast to
the two or three radios of twelve years
ago the town now reverberates to the
noise of dozens of radiosnormally
played at full volume in deference to
neighbors who cannot yet afford such
luxuriesand of loud speakers from
the local picture show.
HOSPITAL. Agovernment hospital
opened in ChiengKam last year. The
new main hospital building just being
completed is by far the most impres
sive edifice in town.
HOUSES have improved in quality
Some houses and store buildings are
now three stories high, and, along
with rice mill smdte stacks, are
coming into view above the trees
The town is becoming a city that is
no longer hidden.
ELECTRICITY began operat
ing from 7:00 to 10:00 p. m. each
night as of August 31. How strange it
appears after all these years to see
street lights here.
FOREIGN IMPORTS are numerous.
Sewing machines abound. There are
several kerosene-operated refrigera
tors. The city now has a pressure
pump and hose for p u m p i n g water
from ditches and wells in case of fire.
Foreign style clothes are more com
mon.
ROADS leading into Chiengkam
have been improved considerably.
One of these, for military reasons,
has been improved sufficiently that
trucks and jeeps have been aole to
negotiate it during much of the pres
ent rainy season.
A LANDING FIELD for small air-
pla nes is under construction. Big
plans for the community are under
way, and there is even talk of install
ing a municipal water system.
But, while appreciating the great
er comfort whicn many of these ad
vances are bringing to us, we cannot
but regret that at the same time the
town is becoming a city she is with it
all accepting some unprofitable city
ways and city vices. As fast as her
citizens can afford it they are bring
ing in western civilization. But the
faith which made that civilization
possible is not being accepted as
readily as these physical by-products.
We do not imply that no progress
has been made in the spiritual realm.
Twenty-eight discouraging years
elapsed between the commencement
of Protestant Missionary work in Thai
land in 1831 and the conversion by
Presbyterian missionaries of Nai
Chunethe first Thai convert to Pro
testant Christianity. Today it is eas
ier than it was then. But still there
are many obstacles to overcome.
Ui
CENTRAL OUT-PATIENTS DEPARTMENT OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT
HOSPITAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN CHIENGKAM
Had there been no converts at all
during the past twelve years the
efforts expended here would still be
justified by the commission our Lord
has given us. He has given us no
quota to attain and even if all hearts
be hardened our commission to "Go
into all the world" still compels us
onward.
In the Chiengkam area of Chien-
grai Province there have been well
over one hundred souls immersed dur
ing these twelve years. Afew ofthese
have died and Satan's darts have been
hurled mercilessly at the others. Per
secution from fellow-villagers has
caused several to turn back to their
old religion of Buddhism. A larger
number have been lured by material
istic advantages to give their alleg
iance to denominational groups and
it can hardly be said that these per
sons "stand perfect and fully assured
in all the will of God." We pray for
a greater faithfulness on the part of
all who have named the Lord, and
who are yet weak in faith, and we do
praise the Lord for a number who have
proven over and over again that their
chief joy is in the Lord.
NAI JAN TA continues to live and
witness in Gaw Village in spite of re
peated efforts ofthevillagers to cause
nim to leave the village.
UNCLE PAN often goes out alone
and without any material remunera
tion to distribute tracts and to witness
in distant villages as well as his own.
ELDERLY NAI JALA has been putt
ing forth a strong effort to learn to
read that he may better know the
Word and better lead the members of
his family and other Christians at
Tung Tae Village.
These (won and led more by the
witness of our fellow-missionaries
than by ourselves) and the other faith
ful Christians in at least five villages
in this Immediate area signify to us a
progress more heart-warming than all
of tne material progress cited above.
But also we believe that in that
battle which takes place in the heav-
enlies there has been spiritual prog
ress made here which is not so easily
pointed our or even seen from our
earthly vantage points but only evi
dent from above. Much seed has
been sown over the years and surely
some of this will come to fruition
more of it if you remember to pray!
Our own labor for the past several
years has been mainly with the Yao
and thus far there has been only one
Yao baptized here. But we have seen
manyYao become sympatheticto the
Gospel and some progress made upon
the translation of the Scriptures into
the Yao tongue.
We long for more of the progress
which counts for eternity, and that
among these tribes and races there
may be made to appear towering a-
bove the trees a spiritual temple not
made with human hands and wherein
reverberate, not the noises of earth,
but the sweet strains of the divine
melody.
C. W. Callaway, Jr.
Chiengkam, Chiengrai, Thailand
Two Ways
"Didyou receive the Spirit byworks
of the law, or by hearing with faith?"
Galatians 3:2. TheApostle Paul, in
this question, succinctly shows two
w^s of salvation as well as their
dlfierences. One way revolves around
works of law, or better known in Thai
land as "merit making. " The other
way revolves around ^ith.
But the difference between the two
ways are oftentimes not clearly under
stood. Those who hold to salvation by
faith still realize that one "must work
out his own salvation," hence they do
not seethe difference between works of
faith and works of merit. Those who
hold to salvation by merit making see
the Christian working in his religion,
so they think that a Christian is sim
ply making merit.
However, a closer study of the ways
will showthe differences between them;
especially in their implications and
directions.
Merit making implies that salvation
is a future uncertainty. Aformer Budd
hist priest once told me that one never
knows whether or not he has enough
merit to enter heaven. If, at deam,
the merit ledger is more than the sin
ledger, then entrance into heaven is
panted. But who canknow his balance
^eet now, so he can know whether he
must gain more merit or be able to
coast along for awhile? This binds a
man to the law, to keep it.
On the other handfaith implies that
salvation is a past accomplishment and
a present reality. "There is therefore
now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus.We know that our sins
are quite deadly, but they have been
blotted out by Jesus' blood. And in the
debit ledger our faith is "reckoned (to
us) as righteousness." And God "can
celed the bond which stood against us
with its legal demands.. .nailing it to
the cross."
The direction of merit making is
inward. Every act of mercy, every
gift to the priests is for merit for one
self. Many rituals afford opportunities
to make merit. The early morning giv
ing of food to the priests is a source of
merit for all concern. The priests are
BUDDHIST TEMPLE UNDER
CONSTRUCTION IN CHIENGKAM
gaining merit forthemselves byfollow
ing a life of jwvertyand begging. The
people are gaining merit for themselves
by giving food. People will make a
"money tree" by sticking bills of var
ious denominations on a frame and
carrying it ceremoniously to the tem
ple. This is "spending" FORoneself.
But the way of faith is "spending" of
oneself for others. A Christian knows
that he isn't saved by acts of mercy, or
by donating to the church, or inviting
the preacher outfor Sunday dinner. But
yet a Christian will dothese things.
Why? Because God's Love dwells in
him. For this reason the direction of
faith is outward.
This distinction between these two
ways of merit making and faith is cru
cial in Thailand. So often we are look
ed upon as merely making merit by
teaching religion among die poor and
diseased of a foreign nation. Tneymiss
the whole point.
The point is that we have tasted of
the sweet love of God and His forgive
ness and we want to share it. We have
Good News forthe man bogged down in
the impossible task of accumulating
enough merit!
Therefore we seek your prayers in
our behalf as we labor to teach the way
of faith. Some have accepted this way
but many, many more are in the grip
of bondage. For they rely on works of
the law. But they "are under a curse;
for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone
who does not abide by all things writ
ten in the book of the law, and
do them'."
David Filbeck
Pua, Nan, Thailand
Report From Pua
As the July rains pour down, we are
also experiencing showers of spiritual
blessings such as we have not seen in
over ten years in Thailand. Neighbor
ing countries such as Laos, Burma, and
China have seen mass movements
where, in brief periods of time, thous
ands have turned to Christ. There has
never been a mass movement in Thai
land. After 134 years of missionary ef
fort, only about one person in athpus-
and professes faith in Christ. As far as
we know Christianity has not closed
down a single one of the thousands of
idolatrous temples and shrines.
Thus, Thailand maintains her rep
utation as one of the "hard" mission
fields. But "is anything too hard for
the Lord?" God IS working in Nan Pro
vince, and in such a way as to stop the
mouths of those who would claim hum
an credit. In the first six months of
1962we have seen North Thai, Lu,
Blue Meo, T'in, Vietnamese, and
Khamu come to faith in Christ. There
are new believers in seven villages
which did not have a single Christian
in 1961. There is no large-scale turn
ing, but scarcely a week passes with
out at least one person turning to the
Lord. Among the Christians, lips that
were silent for years are now testifying
to the grace of God and lives are re
vealing victory over sin. In Buddhist
villages where it was impossible to sell
Scriptures a year ago, the demand ex
ceeds the supply.
Lest the picture appear too bright,
we would remind you that Satan is also
working full time in Nan Province. He
has never relinquished any of his terri
tory without a fierce struggle. Among
professing Christians there is still jeal
ousy and dissension. Victorious living
is still the exception rather than the
rule. There are still more "spectators"
than "participants" among the church
es. Nai Ra, the first T'in believer to
be baptized, is no longer in fellow
ship with the church, having fallen un
der the discipline of I Corinthians 5.
His wife still faithfully attends services.
Personally, the past few months
have been trying from a physical stand
point. Garlana began to be troubled
with chest pains and weakness in March.
David Filbeck took him down to Prae
Hospital on April 11. From there he
wasflownto Ch i e n g m a.i. for electro
cardiogram tests and furtlier treatment.
No serious heart damage was found.
We flew to Bangkokthe first of May,
and from there proceeded to the beach
south of Cholburi for a month of rest
and fellowship. Callaways, Schaefers,
Filbecks, both Byers families, Roushes,
Sterlings, and Imogene Williams were
there. It was a real joy to gather with
our long-time co-workers and to be
come acquainted with the new workers.
We thank God for the harmony which
has characterized our relationship in
past years and pray for even greater
mutual love and unity in the things of
the Lord.
With another baby expected in Sept
ember, all is not going well. Dorothy
is under doctor's orders to spend mucn
of the time in bed. Through all this
physical illness God is proving His
grace sufficient and providingHis
strength to meet our weakness. We
plan to be in Prae most of September
and October and our mailing address
will be c/o Prae Christian Hospital,
Prae, Thailand.
Since illness keeps us home most of
the time, we have accepted requests
to hold regular English and Bible
classes. There are afternoon classes for
Buddhistpriests on Mondaysand Fridays
and for schoolteachers on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Evening Bible and singing
classes are held on Wednesday and
Thursday. Then we lead or participate
in services in three different villages
each Sunday. In addition, we have
been requested to work in daily classes
for the officers and soldiers of the loc
al cavalry detachment.
Garland and Dorothy Bare
Pua, Nan Province, Thailand
JPau(e for ^Praper
1. SICKNESS of many varieties has
befallen almost every missionary fam
ily on this field during the past few
months. We are reminded of me fact
that we are "compassed with infirm
ity" and "beset with weakness." Please
pray for the specific health needs men
tioned in the news notes, but pray too
that the Spirit may teach us in
our weakness that "the race is not to
the swift, nor the battle to the strong"
but that "victory is of Jehovah."
2. SCHOOLING for our children
poses constant problems and constitutes
a need for vital prayer. Some mothers
are teaching some or all of their child
ren at home. Other children are for
much of each year separated from par
entseven by international boundar
iesas they continue their schooling.
Pray for sustaining grace for both par
ents and children in these long periods
of separation. High schools in India
may not be able to accommodate the
many from Thailand who will be com
ing soon to high school age. Pray that
suitable school and boarding arrange
ments throughout high school may Be
come possible within Thailand.
3. NEW CONVERTS in Ponjg Lom
village near [>ua need shepherding and
teacmng in "the depth of the riches...
of God. Also Nai Ta of Gaw village,
Chiengkam.
4. SOME THAI AND KHAMU
CHRISTIANS have shown a remarkable
spiritual maturity and evangelistic
zeal. Praise the Lord for these with us
and pray that their ardor and joy may
not ^w cold.
5. YAO, MIAO ANDINDIAN
PEOPLES have heard the Gospel but as
yet have made little response. Prayfor
Chao, the Miao Christian, and pray
that a door may be opened of the Lord
(2 Cor. 2:12) among all these people.
6. LAOS has been more quiet polit
ically during the past few months. We
give thanks For tms respite, but would
ask you to continue in supplications
"for kings and all that are in high
place" to me end that political unrest
may not hinder the progress of me
Gospel in this land.
C. W. Callaway, Jr.
Chiengkam, Chiengrai, Thailand
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Ninth and Pine Streets
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Dorothy Uhlig, Missionary to Thailand
Non-Profit Org.
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