Monday, 19 May 2014

DON'T GET SICK and DON'T DIE ! by Rita Stella Galieh

George, naming parts of the violin
Language and the way things are said is very different in every culture.What is polite in one can be a little impolite in the other.

My unusual heading is what was said in parting as we left Thailand last year. We kept a straight face as it was meant to encourage us as many schools and churches wanted a return visit.


Each year we minister for a month in Buddhist government institutions such as hospitals, schools, correctional centres, shopping malls, orphanages etc. We are able to do this presentation of music and art to explain the meaning of Christianity. Where free to do so, we can tell how to pray a simple prayer inviting Jesus into hearts and lives.

We leave the artwork in every place visited together with thousands of John's Gospels in Thai which are happily accepted. We have found Bible stories translate exceptionally well in other cultures. It also helps when they watch the drawing as the message is shared.

A little piece of history: if you've ever seen the film Anna And the King, we actually had a presentation at the school where British woman Anna Leonowens taught English to the children of Rama IV, King Mongkut. The school has moved from the palace but that's where it had its beginnings. It is now a thriving Christian school where Thai parents book their children years ahead to gain entry.

We really enjoy our return visits there. The children are so beautifully behaved and respect their elders.

A few times a year we post or email our COMMUNIQUE to report on our Arts in Evangelism ministry. If you also need to write and send reports of any sort, it's worthwhile taking the trouble to make people want to read it. We do all the setting up and KWIK KOPY prints it. Pictures are important as people don't have the time to read through scads of printed pages. They can see at a glance the folk to whom we've been ministering and the interesting venues to which we've been. Capturing shots with our smartphones make things all that easier.

Besides large institutions, we have visited prisons, set up in car parks at night, slums and street outreaches. There's never a dull moment with our friend / interpreter, Somchai Soonthornturasuk! I have experienced things well out of my comfort zone...and thoroughly enjoyed them...after an initial double-take. Ah, well, we need to grow, don't we?

Rita and her husband present Vantage Point, a five minute Christian program broadcast on FM stations around Australia. She has two published books by Ark House Press and Signed Sealed Delivered, her Australian historical romance, can be found on Amazon Kindle.

10 comments:

  1. What a great Ministry, Rita. What a fantastic opportunity to minister through word, music and art. I love that farewell greeting. Might not work so well here - LOL Thanks too for the tips on writing good communiques. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nola. Years ago I wished that we could minister in SE Asia and the Lord made that wish come true through a friend who had been there before. He introduced us to Somchai and now 20yrs later we're still going each year.

      Delete
  2. Lovely to read about your ministry in Thailand, Rita. Well done to you and George! And yes--please don't get sick and don't die! God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jo. Yes, we're doing our best to keep our physical side in trim. But even more important, keeping close to the Lord as He daily guides us.

      Delete
  3. That's awesome Rita. A wonderful ministry indeed. Bless you and George as you sow much seed which will surely reap a great harvest one day. Bless you. I agree - yep - stay well and stay alive! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We feel so privileged to be able to still minister after all these years, Anusha.
      Our prayer is that one day we'll meet many of these dear folk in Heaven when the Lord calls us Home.

      Delete
  4. Hi Rita. We just recently watched the King and I (the old Yul Brynner one). What a wonderful opportunity to share God's love in Thailand.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jeanette. As entertaining as they are all these films are banned in Thailand. They believe they mock the high office of their ruler. That's understandable.

    Even today, some officials move toward the king on their knees as a mark of respect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's interesting Rita - and I'm not really surprized give how highly the Thai's hold their King.

      Delete
  6. So interesting to hear that you had a presentation at the school where Anna from the King and I fame was originally based. Very interesting post, Rita. What great work you are doing.

    ReplyDelete