Our planned trip (see last post) had been delayed – one reason : to let expected bad weather pass. When that plan was made, little did we realize what a trail of destruction was heading for the shores of Burma. All along the western border of Thailand with Burma we experienced a weekend of heavy rains but then came the news of the terrible effects of Cyclone Nargis. On past records we are little surprised yet our hearts are torn at the official response – while at the same time continuing to attack those who live on their eastern borders.
We were to head off to the village of the Telako – a sect of Karen people. Like other Karen they have believed in one Creator God and that their younger white brother would eventually return with the truth from the golden book. But they believed their brother would come during the reign of their 7th leader – during the 1950’s this story was known and they had their 7th leader !! Work was started in Sangklaburi with an aim to reach this group only around 100kms away though difficult terrain. Now for us to reach that village, since the rains have started, it would mean a 1,000 km drive then a trek. The village had recently been distressed by the fatal shooting of their headman out in the jungle.
We set off from home on Monday 5th May – 2 days brought us to the end of the drivable road. Our team of 4 met a team of 5 from Chiang Mai (north) including Allan Eubank who has continued to visit the Telako people over the years since the first trek from Sangklaburi in 1962 – he felt called to Thailand to work with this group and he still has a heart for them despite a lifetime of other ministries. We joined a group of 8 from the local Karen church including their Pastor Samuel.
Wed 7th May saw us to trekking to the village – 3 hours they told us – yes, for the fit young men – some of us struggled slowly over every hill – 
6 hours later we were relieved to be met by a rotary-hoe-cart-contraption at the base of the last hill for the final stretch into the village. But through the way there’d been a brief break to watch a team of villagers plant their hill rice – Jan even helped a little !!
One of our pastors has recently been sick with heart problems but he pushed on slowly but 78 yr old Allan came in ahead – long legs and some training helped !!
That evening, staying in the house of the original believer family (see last entry) another family, who had sent out a message that they too were wanting to be baptized, came to visit, declared their faith, had their strings that were part of anamistic, spirit worship cut off. 
Next day a visit to their home, prayer, their spirit shelf torn from the house and burnt – ready to step forward into a new life. 
Likewise another family who had been interested for a long time but discouraged by the sudden death of their son and a young woman (grand-daughter of the original family).
Visits to the Pu Jait (their religious leader)
, the village headman and people around the village. We were amazed how many remembered Anna and Anna Mo and Anna Ba (the Karen way of referring to adults as Mum and Dad of their first child) – it is now 17 years since the trip we made with Anna as a 3 year old !!! Old photos were a real hit !
Friday morning we made our way to the local river. Allan and Jit (in traditional dress for the Telako for special religious occasions)
had the privilege of baptizing 7 who were now ready to declare themselves openly as followers of Jesus.
Following their first ever communion service there was opportunity to discuss with them the values of maintaining their cultural ways where these did not conflict with Biblical truth. Jesus loves people of all cultures. 
Planning to leave Saturday morning – a message arrived from a significant lady – please wait till I come !! Visits from first the Thai border police stationed in the village and then the lady who came with the village elected headman and other significant village leaders – yet more opportunities to explain the good news. Time, too, to discuss what now would be the implications of baptized Christians living in the Telako village.
The Telako have always believed in one creator God (though removed from us) and honour Him (a spark of “eternity in their hearts”). The newly baptized believers had opportunity to share their own expressions of how they now felt – one spoke of release and freedom, another of light and brightness others of the relief in knowing the power of Jesus in defeating the spirit powers they have been afraid of so long.
Pastor Samuel had brought with him his copy of the newly accepted Thai Constitution which continued to hold two of the clauses from the old : Freedom to maintain one’s culture and traditions AND freedom to choose one’s religion without persecution for religious beliefs. The leaders agreed – if these folk continued to hold the traditions of the group – we explained that we had already discussed this issue though naturally there would be some things they would now refrain from. But no need to change hair styles (the men grow long hair and tie it in a distinctive knot at the front),
or dress or diet and if they could all live harmoniously and love each other then they would be welcome to continue living in the village together. What a huge change from past attitudes which had threatened that if anyone was bapized they would have to leave the village !!!! We shared a meal and separated as good friends seeking to look to a positive future.
Maybe this was all but then the husband/father of the earlier family arrived back from the neighbouring country (only a kilometre or so from the border) – he too wanted to be baptized – his father had been a Christian but he’d turned his back on that when he married and joined the Telako – but now at 78 he could look back and remember pastor Samuel’s father preaching in his home village when both were young single men – seed had now sprouted. So Sunday morning saw us at the river again – baptism for both this elderly man and Pastor Samuel’s own eldest son.
We prayed to dedicate the young children of these families and the 2 members of Samuel’s church who are to stay in the village as teachers (one for adults and another to focus on youth and children)
Pastor Samuel’s church back in the village at the end of the road have been running a hostel that takes some of the young Telako who want to go beyond their village primary school. Some have believed the news they’ve heard there. But in Dec the church acceped their annual report and future planning for 2008 – one point was to see 10 Christian families in the Telao village during 2008. What a daring proposal – christian missions and our local churches have been seeking to witness there for 46 years and still no-one baptized in the village there. Only one family with strong belief but even they had some reservations !! And now – we counted – with Kyaw Dae Du’s son and family building their own house – 6 “families” where members have been baptized.
Througout the time we were in the village our youth team ran programmes for the children of the village then they helped cook for us all. Great to see their enthusiasm and dedication.
Our theme song became “Jesus has won the victory over Satan – Hallelujah”
God has truly amazed us !!!
Allan has had the privilege to be in on the first seed sowing and to be there to take part in the reaping !!!
What a privilege, too, to work in partnership with national churches here in Thailand who have a heart to reach out and do it sometimes in very difficult situations
May you, too, be encouraged as we have been.
Our greetings to you
Jit & Jan
he saw her reading the Bible) but he too has believed !!! We visited another home – cousin of one of our team – had good opportunities to witness – pray for continued contacts
