Celebrating Unity and Diversity in Thailand

Yesterday was a travel day. Our group from Japan met at Narita Airport at ten in the morning and flew to Bangkok where we rushed through immigration and customs, and then barely caught our connecting flight to Khon Kaen. Once we got on that plane we saw many familiar faces from Taiwan, India, U.S. and more. We finally got our act together and took a group photo like we should have before leaving Japan.

Japan Delegation arrives in Kohn Kaen

Then it was a long two hour bus ride to Roi Et, where we finally arrived some time around 10PM and got checked in.

Checking in at the open-air lobby of the hotel

This morning our opening session was a panel discussion about church planting, with panelists representing six different countries and seven groups. They talked about how we define churches, what we seek to accomplish in church planting and how we go about doing it. The variety of perspectives, methods and contexts made for a rich discussion.

Representatives from USA, Japan, Northern India, Thailand, Southern India, Taiwan and Philippines

These gatherings are always a great opportunity for strengthening our international networks and friendships. Much of that happens at the informal level, often times during the coffee breaks or meal times.

Paula Chen (Taiwanese missionary to Japan), Yasushi Shimizu (chair of the Japan Covenant) and Vernon Wu (representative from Taiwan Covenant)

After supper we had an international worship service and celebrated our unity in Christ with a traditional Thai style communion service, using rice balls and Rosella juice for the elements followed by a string tying ceremony; another traditional Thai custom.

The Thai celebrant preparing the elements of the Eucharist

Pastor Ino receiving a string blessing

Pastor Shimizu receiving a string blessing

Pastor Usui giving a string blessing

This group is so diverse that one can’t help but wonder how we can even think about working and serving together. And yet over and over again we are being reminded in very tangible ways that our unity in Christ is greater than any of our other differences.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for day two!