The Hill Tribes: A Timeless Mission: Part I

In January of 2008, I was invited to join a medical team on their annual trip to the hill tribes of Chiang Rai Province in mountainous northern Thailand's "Golden Triangle" (between Myanmar [Burma], China, and Laos.

These doctors and nurses have been ministering to hill tribes of the mountainous Chiang Rai Province of Northern Thailand for a decade, during which many improvements have come to the remote villages: limited electricity, better roads, and most importantly clean water. Health conditions and childhood survival rates have also dramatically increased, thanks in part to efforts like this church-sponsored medical relief shown in this short, 2-part film.

More info in the January archives of
http://patternsofink.blogspot.com/

As I continue finishing up this documentary (two months after the trip itself), I'm thankful that I have many photographs. If I didn't have the pictures, it would seem like a dream. So much happened during and after... it's still soaking in....

In closing , I'd like to add the same thought that I have included in each of these explanations about our team's medical mission work in the Chiang Rai Province of Northern Thailand: This is an on-going ministry that focuses on the people and not on the team. We do not arrive at a village as "well-meaning Americans" who show up, take over, and disappear never to be seen again. Our approach in dealing with the hill tribes is more quiet and respectful as we recognize the beauty of their culture. We are not there to "westernize" them, we are their to meet practical needs and to show the love of Christ in the sense described in Matthew 25:40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=25&verse=40&a... and to share the good news as He encouraged us to do. When we leave, there are local tribal leaders who continue the "follow up" work with each village, and we make return visits as needed (and as medical manpower and funding allows).

The focus of this video project, as you may have noticed, is not so much on "the team"--as rich as their experience is each year. Christ did not "brow beat" or expect some sort of immediate return on his ministry. (Remember the time He healed several blind people but only one stopped to say thank you?). Likewise, our team humbly serves each village with the assumption that the love we show that day (as well as the truth we share in word and example) will continue to play out over time. Through the years, this relational approach to serving these beautiful people has been very effective, and we hope it comes through as you watch the videos presented here at Patterns of Ink.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• hilltribes
• Chiang
• Rai
• medical
• missions
• Thailand

[patternsofink]

(continued from previous comment)

Make no mistake, my friend, you are in fact worshiping some "god." Like many, it may be the god of self. I invite you to consider the shortness of that path, and not to judge those who care enough to travel thousands of miles to help brothers and sisters in need of medical help. We have done our friends only good, and they show that appreciation in gracious "thanks", but I do thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Tom at POI

[patternsofink]

Dear hayyoot1,

I'm afraid you are jumping to conclusions. Like nearly every civilization and "tribe" in history, the need to "worship" is ingrained in our very nature. Why is it that every culture has "sky gods" as you call them? Because they know, the seek, and in the case of every hill tribe we visit, they already have decided to direct their worship to the God of the Bible.

(continued in next comment).

[patternsofink]

Thanks, Dolly, for stopping by Patterns of Ink on Youtube and for leaving comments. It was a joy to serve the hill tribes, and yes, I also found their simple way of life appealing, but from what I understand, their lives are much harder most of the year (during the rainy season). See the video called "Our Thailand Host Explains..."

[garyshouse305]

Water Crisis - A Solution.wmv,,check out this new water pump

[hayyoot1]

Why don't you leave people alone? if you are Christian, that's fine, why is it so important to you that other people beleive in what you beleive? if you can't help, that's fine, but, don't spoil people's lives by sky God religions for Goodness sake

[Dolly1243]

I am so impressed with the way of life, of these people. If they had medical treatment, they would be better of than we are.You wonder, how far, we've really progressed!