There are tribal groups living in Thailand that speak their own language (as well as Thai). In the area where we are working there is a group of Ahka who are Christian and have built a small church. They dedicated the church yesterday and we were invited. In addition to the dedication, the service was also a thanksgiving celebration for the harvest.
When we arrived, I could see them scurrying around. We were greeted by several ladies
dressed in their native costumes. They shook our hands welcoming us and brought us to some chairs that I am sure they vacated for us. The picture if of one of the ladies that I took later. I didn't have my camera ready to get a picture of the greeting line, and I didn't want to get it out thinking it might be a bit rude. They seemed very happy to have us.
Of course we couldn't understand any of the spoken words. Even our host Randy, who speaks fluent Thai couldn't understand them since most of the service was in Akai. However, we did enjoy the music and they sang two familiar songs: Count Your Many Blessings (in keeping with the harvest theme), and what I call the Doxology (Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures...)
Randy told a couple of us that in their Buddhist tradition, there is no requirement to be quite or pay attention in a Buddhist temple. In the actual sanctuary of the church at this service, people were quiet and paying attention. Outside the church, where we were, there was talking and motion. In their defense, it was hard to hear what was going on, and there were lots of people outside.
Some local children recognized Randy and came up to talk to him. They were fascinated by his camera and loved taking pictures and having their picture taken.
The Doxology ended the service and we were headed to our vehicles when the Pastor
came and insisted that we stay for lunch. An aside on the Pastor, He is a very small man who is at home in the hills and mountains. Randy told us that he hikes barefoot and can climb trees with no shoes on to a height of 60-70 feet. He collects honey from the bees in those trees and sells it in the markets.
It would have been very rude to have left, so we followed him to a couple of tables and sat down to an interesting lunch.
The green things (that look a bit like napkins) were either banana leaves wrapped around rice or a ground pork dish. Both were steamed in the banana leave. The banana leave with the rice served as our plate. This was not bland Americanized Thai food. The small white bowl had an orangish sauce that was quite hot. The smaller bowls had a green bean dish that was hot. The large white bowl had a pork soup of some kind. There were raw vegetables on the table (salad I suppose). It was a very interesting opportunity to eat the way the locals do.
The Pastor and his wife.
