Tina in Thailand

“Teachers have three loves:   love of learning,   love of learners,   and the love of bringing the first two loves together.” Scott Hayden   Although my primary purpose for being here in Thailand as a Fulbright Scholar is to conduct research, I have been given many other responsibilities; one of my favorites is my teaching assignment. Not teaching university students, though, but teaching preschoolers. The National Institute for Child and Family Development promotes the teaching and learning of English, and since I am a native English speaker, I became the logical choice to teach. The institute has something similar to a university lab school where faculty, staff, and community members can enroll their young children for a full day of learning, fun, and care. I believe the institute serves more than 300 students and employs 40 or 50 teachers. Teachers are here usually from about 7:30 am until 4:30 pm, and the kids arrive and leave around the same time.     ...

I write from my perspective as a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer of the world, and as a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a Christian living in Thailand, I count myself among 1% of the population who are Christians, and as a Latter-day Saint, only .003%. A vast majority of Thai people are Buddhist (about 93%), followed by Muslim (about 6%).  Although there is no state religion in Thailand’s constitutional monarchy, Buddhism is protected and supported by the government. Thus, to be a Christian Thai citizen is rare and often difficult. A saying I learned long ago is “To be Thai is to be Buddhist.” Those who convert to Christianity leave behind many practices and beliefs that alienate them from their families and culture. I provide this very brief context to illustrate the faith and sacrifices of Thai followers of Jesus Christ. For example, although there are about 40,000 Thai temples across the country, and easily within walking di...