training and skills to make an income
farming it. As a result, many send their
children to work in the cities to earn
money to support the family back home.
In their desperation, those children take
any job and often, unknowingly, end up
in exploitative situations.
After thoughtful prayer and consid-
eration, we moved from Bangkok to
Chiang Rai in October 2017. We live in
a farming community at the base of the
mountain where the hill tribe reside. Our
immediate neighbors are Thai farmers,
whom we are getting to know through
the sustainable farming projects Golf
has initiated with them. The hill tribes
people live further up the mountain, and
getting to them requires driving a truck
or motorbike.
Many of the hill tribe families are
farmers who grow and harvest their own
coffee beans, which are roasted and
sold by our Thai pastor friend. One part
of our ministry is working with these farmers to market their coffee beans, helping
them connect with buyers to make more income for their families so that the vulner-
ability of the children will decrease.
In the early months of this ministry, we are fostering deeper friendships with the
hill tribe people. Several churches (small worshiping groups) meet on Sundays for a
brief lesson and a meal. Golf helps lead worship during these meetings, and we plan
to begin a group on another day of the week for members who want to study more
deeply.
Living in a farming community and ministering directly to the hill tribe farmers, we
are constantly reminded of the excitement that comes with new seeds being planted,
the importance of caring for these delicate plants, and the anticipation of a harvest.
We are excited about what God is doing in Chiang Rai and how his plans will come
to fruition here.
photo page 12: Golf and Bethany make
friends with a new neighbor. photos page
13, top: Golf works with local farmers on
sustainable farming projects. bottom:
Village in Chiang Rai, Thailand
13