How could I be called to the Isaan people... but also the Cambodians?
In 2007 I first had a clear sense of my long term calling to overseas mission and specifically to unreached people in Southeast Asia. Then in 2010 I felt sure that He had called me to serve in Cambodia. Only in 2013 did I realise through my appointment with Pioneers, that Cambodians were now considered a 'reached' people group - meaning the local church had grown large and strong enough to reach its own people. And unexpectedly, as I turned my attention to the unreached people groups in Isaan, Thailand I had a strange peace that this was right too. Everyone seemed in agreement and my own spirit confirmed it. It felt right. I didn't understand the whole Cambodia thing - had it been a mistake?
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Surin (red), in relation to Isaan (orange) and Thailand. |
But as we prayed, God was working. When I returned in October this year after my first home assignment, I met a family who has just joined our team here. They are called the Tongs - a Cambodian man (Koeun) married to an American lady (Danielle) and 2 very cute kids aged 3 and 5. They came to Isaan specifically to minister to the Surin people group. As soon as I met them, I sensed a spiritual and personality 'click' that I haven't had until this point with anyone in the team. I said to Danielle after our first proper (3 hr) chat, that she was the answer to my prayers - God had sent someone really on the same page, a good fit for me to minister on a small team with. The more I have got to know the family since then, the more I feel they are a good fit for me to work with.
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The Tongs, with me and a missionary we met in Surin |
That very day, I also discovered a Ministry Plan I'd written back in 2013 when I first came - and it said on it that long term I was headed to the Surin province. That was geographical confirmation. Even the style of ministry I'd written about on that Plan fitted exactly the style Danielle had talked about using. Only God could do this!
As excitement built however, fear also built. Surin is well known for 2 things in Thailand - elephants, and black magic. Thai people I talked to started sowing seeds of fear - "If you go to Surin, be careful, it's dangerous". Black magic spells and potions aren't fantasy in Surin, they are reality, and are responsible for controlling and destroying many lives. Then there was the local language - "It's so different from Thai. It's going to be such hard work. Do you even want to bother?"... the voices in my head went. Khmer-Surin people speak a mixture of Thai and Khmer (Cambodian). It really makes no sense to me at all when I hear it. They usually speak Thai too, but their heart language is not Thai.
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On a survey trip, meeting people following nudges of the Spirit |
Since then I have been to Surin 3 times on Survey trips. Each time we have sensed His presence. There has been no fear. We see Him leading our footsteps. And I see him preparing people to work together. A couple on my team is also prayerfully considering joining this team. Again it is a good fit. Better than any of us could have engineered.
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On a survey trip - praying through districts with no churches |
For a video made by the Tongs on the Khmer-Surin people, click here.
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