2008 Thailand Tour

Those who traveled on a recent Thailand tour sponsored by the Central Region are available to give mission presentations at our Region Churches. (Back row: Gary Gaston, Lonnie and Laura Bruce, Marshall Schirer and Corey Matheson. Front row: Adriana Chaney, Donna Schirer and Kim Matheson.)


Thailand is a beautiful country with isolated villages and bustling cities. The people are beautiful — kind, gentle, courteous. Even with language difficulties, their spirit came shining through.

It was hot and humid, and I don't think I'm going to be eating rice any time soon. I did eat a caterpillar but drew the line at the grilled rats and sun-dried frogs. Marshall Schirer, on the other hand, seems to be able to eat anything! Thailand is a rich and fertile land, producing much of the world's supply of rice. It is what might be called an “emerging nation” with a growing economy and political stability. But it also is a land filled with spiritual darkness.

Less than 3 percent of the people are Christians. Most are Buddhist, and the tribal people from northern Thailand are animist. Both groups are difficult to reach with the gospel. But it makes me proud to be an American Baptist when I meet our missionaries who are committed to working in such difficult settings.

Let me tell you about Jeff and Annie Dieselberg whose primary work is among women and children trapped in the sex industry in Thailand. Within a mile of their station in Bangkok, it is estimated that 20,000 people are prostitutes. While we visited with them, Annie told us a story about one of the women they had helped. Interestingly enough, she was from the Ukraine. She was brought to Thailand under false pretenses... and found herself trapped in prostitution. Annie met her while “hanging out” in one of the places where men go to meet such women. They began some conversation... and after some time, the woman trusted Annie enough to turn to her for help. She wanted to go home but had no way — no money, no passport, no hope. But we (we American Baptists), in partnership with the Dieselbergs, were able to secure the funds and the papers to get her home once again. The truly joyous part of this story is that in the midst of this chaos and fear, she committed her life to Christ. She went home a new person, a forgiven child of the King. It was exciting to sit there in their office, meet some of the women who have been redeemed, and to hear their stories and to see “first hand” the marvelous work that they are doing. Lives being changed... new Christians being born... and new disciples going out.

— Submitted by Adriana Chaney