I’m in Thailand, crazy! I always knew that Thailand was on my route and I would end up coming here but honestly I never really thought about coming to Thailand. I had no expectations, but I also didn’t want to go. Thailand was a vast unknown and I was scared. Asia scared me and I didn’t want to go.
Thank God those expectations were wrecked. I love Thailand. I love the people. I love the culture. I love every moment that I get to spend here. Every lie that I thought was true about this country has been proven wrong.
However, one expectation that was correct was the intense presence of Buddhism. Everywhere you look there are temples or spirit houses or Buddha statues or monks roaming the streets. From the second you step foot into the country the respect for Buddha is extremely evident and tangible. With this, the culture is very peaceful, respectful and safe. Currently, I am living in the middle of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a very busy city, but I have never felt unsafe once. Men don’t catcall me on the streets. I could carry just my wallet and phone and not have fear of it getting stolen. This safety, coming from Africa where I was on guard all the time, was a very noticeable shift for me. My teammates noticed it too, and when talking about it we realized that this safety was due to the Buddhist religion that saturated the daily life of the people living here.
The peace here is very evident, but there is a part of it that still unsettled me. These people are striving after something that isn’t fulfilling. You can feel the longing. I have talked to monks who spend their days reciting chants in a language they don’t even know. I see people making red Fanta offerings to Buddha at their local grocery store. I see the devotion they have to Buddha and it breaks my heart because I know they feel empty. Not being in a personal relationship with the Lord leaves you feeling empty and numb. You long for a love that can only be fulfilled by Christ. I know this because I’ve been there. Life without Christ is miserable, and my heart breaks for the people who live like this daily.
I’m not saying any of this to bash Buddhism. Living here for this short period, I respect the culture and religion. I don’t go around shouting the name of Jesus in the streets and smashing Buddha statues. I have a genuine love for this culture and people, that is why I am saying this. The difference between Buddhist and Christian Thais is very noticeable. Christian Thais are filled with a love and hope that can only be found in Christ. I want that for this country. I don’t want anyone to live without the knowledge that they are saved and forgiven through Christ Jesus. That the chains holding them captive right now have no power in the presence of the Lord. I want Thailand the land of the free to actually be free.
