Visiting the Villages of Thailand by Mary Gilliland
Dear 2BC,
We are so thankful that you are praying for us. God has blessed us with new friends this week. Our group leaders, Rick Burnett, Karen Rogers, and UHDP director Wah, have filled our minds with so many facts about what is going on at UHDP and the work they are doing. My mind is all jumbled. They are accomplishing so much throughout northern Thailand, especially in the uplands.
In the past two days, we have been driving around the uplands, visiting various people groups with whom Rick and UHDP have been involved. Rick was interested in seeing how those villages and the agroforestry has changed in those communities. Those efforts have been very beneficial to the people groups. In the villages, the people groups have learned how to grow a small garden that produces enough food for them to have something to eat almost year-round, including fruits, herbs, and leaves from each garden. They do not waste anything. Of course, rice is the staple in their diet.
Have you ever been on a bumpy road? Well … you haven’t really been on one until you have ridden on a dirt road that twists and turns and has many washouts. The uplands are filled with these. Try riding in a four-wheel-drive truck and preparing for big bumps! I am glad that I have some padding! I have almost lost all of my padding these two days. We have been in the remote countryside where there are few people. The altitude is 2000–4000 feet.
Yesterday, we drove through three villages where UHDP’s staff has taught them how to use better farming methods. We saw terracing on hillsides being used where UHDP’s influence continues to be practiced. We could tell which hillsides had poor farming practices. Rick was surprised at how well agroforestry was continuing to be developed. UHDP’s staff monitors those projects.
We have seen many temples and beautiful Buddhas, including a huge, beautiful, white Goddess of Mercy today. We have seen different styles of architecture in temples also.
Today, Saturday, we visited two Palaung villages having between 100 and 300 people. Rick spoke with the local leader at each village. One leader has known Rick for 23 years. He was full of stories! His huge garden is producing much food and is shared with the community. Both villages have many young families, so their relationship with UHDP can continue for many years to come. Both villages were expecting us, so they were very excited and hospitable.
In the past two evenings, we have debriefed with the UHDP staff and shared the “high” that each of us has experienced so far. Most of the staff are either Karen, Palaung, or Lahu. They have made such an impression on us. We have made so many new friends.
Tomorrow we will go to church and eat lunch with them.
