“A Stroll through
a village”
A reflection of 21st
century missions
The aroma grew stronger to the
point where I could even taste it. The aroma of “guy yaang” (barbeque
chicken) filled this little village that was tucked away in the far off rice
fields. It was like I just jumped into an old missionary storybook from the
1950s. Chickens and pigs roamed freely while the local kids gather together
just to look at the foreigners white skin and big noise. As I proceeded down the road, I passed the
grandmothers taking refuge from the hot sun under the shade of a banana tree. They
sported their traditional village attire and yelled at the pack of mangled
looking dogs that awkwardly followed my every step. Something caught my eye,
which made me jump out from the pages of this old missionary story and land in
the reality of the modern era. I noticed a new Toyota truck was parked in front
of an old, wooden house on stilts! At the same house was a red satellite dish
tied snugly to the wooden roof, providing the channels for their big screen TV.
It was like I suddenly ran into a sign that read, “Welcome to 21st
century missions.”
Seeing the effects of globalization
quickly reminded me that things are changing quickly! People in very remote
areas in the world are connected and influenced by others across the globe
through modern technologies. Yet, in the midst of all these cultural paradigm
shifts, there is one thing that cannot change! That is the message of the
gospel and the passion for it to touch every heart that beats! In the midst of
all these changes may we never let the old missionary spirit of reaching people
for Christ die out! Thank you for doing what you can to not let the missionary
flame die out in your life by joining us on this journey to see the Isaan
people reached for Christ!
