Judy Hamilton
24th March 2006, 01:49 AM (01:49)
I am still almost too tired to pen comprehensible sentences however I need praise our God who is a Mighty Fortress and a Bulwark NEVER FAILING. The last day of this journey was spent in Chaing Mai, Thailand. This was a "Free Day." for our team. I chose to take a tour set up with the Hotel to the mountainous regions north of Chaing Mai to visit a few of the HILL TRIBES. The day began with several travelers from various hotels, myself and a couple from Germany, two young men from Italy, an American brother and sister traveling together. The group (save myself) was to spend the day at an Elephant farm and would wind up their adventure trekking through the mountains. My desire and goal was to visit the Hill Tribe villages that dot the mountains in this northern portion of Thailand. I have had the opportunity to spend an unforgettable two days in the villages of the Montangard Tribal people located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and I wanted to meet some of the peoples who have migrated to the mountains of northern Thailand from China and Burma.
After a 90 minute drive into the mountains, I along with my guide parted with the others at the Elephant Farm and our journey began. Visiting several of the villages conjured two emotions: the disparaging living conditions of these humble people and sorrow that they were in essence placed on display and vulnerable to the whims of foreign travelers. In respect for their persons I requested permission before taking photos of them and their humble homes. God was good and allowed a few moments of relaxing with some of them. I learned about a Thai Christian who journeys every two months to these rugged mountains and has brought the Gospel to these tribal peoples and to his credit and God’s Glory about 1/3 of several of the tribes are Christians. With this news my spirit took wings
"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him Who bring good news, good news: Announcing peace, Proclaiming news of happiness. Our God reigns, our God reigns!" When I would learn that a family was Christians, prayers spontaneously came out of me for their well being, health and endurance to continue to follow Christ.
My guide was informative and well able to respond to my inquisitive nature as we traveled the circuitous roads to reach each tribe. Our day ended at a Lisu Tribal Village. Thatched raised huts were positioned on the slope of a mountain, the soil worn bare by years of relentless monsoon rains. Our journey was exhilarating, humbling, depressing and exhausting. I have placed photos on this website to share the lives of these precious tribal people who originated from the provinces of Burma and parts of China. When photographing these unique peoples I prayed for sensitivity so as not to exploit them. My desire was to enhance their distinct beauty. When you see the photos of the peoples with the rings around their necks and wrists, be aware that they are from Burma. The gold rings are added as they mature into women. They wear these as protection from the tigers that inhabitated the forests and mountains of Burma
Leaving the last village to rejoin those trekking through the mountains I feel will reign supreme as one of the most hazardous journeys of my life. The hour was late and later. For a reason not known to us, the trekking group did not pick us up. After waiting over an hour in this remote village, my guide secured two mopeds (small motorbikes common in Southeast Asia) these motorbike scurry all over the roads like ants in Vietnam and Cambodia. Villagers in the Thai mountains use these on the steep trails. My guide rode on one bike behind a cheerful girl. I positioned myself behind a young man who was so thin, had he stood sideways he would have no shadow. With my arms tightly locked around his thin torso (close to a death grip) off we went down the mountain roads.
I would compare this ride to riding a mule down the precipes of the Grand Canyon!
After about fifteen minutes of hairpin turns on steep mountain grades we came to a straight flat paved road. FLAT is the operative word! You know I was praying the entire time. During this ride down the mountain my stomach was truely grateful that I had not eaten, actually my guide and I were seriously dehydrated. My sigh of relief was quickly overshadowed with another terror as my driver seemed exhilarated to be on a paved flat road, driving a dizzying 60 mph while passing trucks and cars. By this time my hands were locked together around his waist in a death grip and I was sure the Grim Reaper was looming over our little motorbike! Tucking my head beneath the nape of his neck to avoid bug splatter, I tried to alleviate extreme thrust upon my psyche, by not concentrating (with little sucess) on eminent danger and began praying for my Thai mountain driver and his village.
Upon reaching a small town we disembarked, paid the two villagers for our adrenalin rush and boarded a tour taxi. These taxi-buses are open on the sides and the back with bench seats along each side. My guide motioned for us to ride in the air-conditioned cab! And we traveled deftly through the busy traffic toward Quaing Mai (about 50 miles) doing well now! An air-conditioned smooth ride! It seemed that all was well with the world when suddenly! BANG! A large truck loaded with hay attempted to slither between our vehicle and another truck, pinning his hay-wagon between us! My guide and I managed to squeeze through the damaged door of the cab into the busy street and were able to FINALLY climb aboard a transit type small vehicle. There are now four different modes of travel I would encounter this memorable day. In the back of this vehicle there were two benches facing each other divided with a slender bench. People were packed against each other on each of the three benches. We were squeezed together having to climb out each time some one needed to get off. Finally, after being up close and personal with many of the locals, we reached my hotel!
Our day ends when my guide and I prayed together amidst tears. She is a Christian and we both felt we had been too near to the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We both praised God and with grateful hearts thanked Him for His protection on the harrowing journey home.
Now should I approach you with a request to get your passport ready and come with me on a memorable journey? Run and hide!
This perhaps is the soundest advice I have yet to share in the years I have been on naznet.
I have put together an album of this memorable day. As you view these lovely faces pray for the dedicated traveling Thai minister who shares Jesus with them.
Judy
http://heyjude.smugmug.com/gallery/1301727
After a 90 minute drive into the mountains, I along with my guide parted with the others at the Elephant Farm and our journey began. Visiting several of the villages conjured two emotions: the disparaging living conditions of these humble people and sorrow that they were in essence placed on display and vulnerable to the whims of foreign travelers. In respect for their persons I requested permission before taking photos of them and their humble homes. God was good and allowed a few moments of relaxing with some of them. I learned about a Thai Christian who journeys every two months to these rugged mountains and has brought the Gospel to these tribal peoples and to his credit and God’s Glory about 1/3 of several of the tribes are Christians. With this news my spirit took wings
"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him Who bring good news, good news: Announcing peace, Proclaiming news of happiness. Our God reigns, our God reigns!" When I would learn that a family was Christians, prayers spontaneously came out of me for their well being, health and endurance to continue to follow Christ.
My guide was informative and well able to respond to my inquisitive nature as we traveled the circuitous roads to reach each tribe. Our day ended at a Lisu Tribal Village. Thatched raised huts were positioned on the slope of a mountain, the soil worn bare by years of relentless monsoon rains. Our journey was exhilarating, humbling, depressing and exhausting. I have placed photos on this website to share the lives of these precious tribal people who originated from the provinces of Burma and parts of China. When photographing these unique peoples I prayed for sensitivity so as not to exploit them. My desire was to enhance their distinct beauty. When you see the photos of the peoples with the rings around their necks and wrists, be aware that they are from Burma. The gold rings are added as they mature into women. They wear these as protection from the tigers that inhabitated the forests and mountains of Burma
Leaving the last village to rejoin those trekking through the mountains I feel will reign supreme as one of the most hazardous journeys of my life. The hour was late and later. For a reason not known to us, the trekking group did not pick us up. After waiting over an hour in this remote village, my guide secured two mopeds (small motorbikes common in Southeast Asia) these motorbike scurry all over the roads like ants in Vietnam and Cambodia. Villagers in the Thai mountains use these on the steep trails. My guide rode on one bike behind a cheerful girl. I positioned myself behind a young man who was so thin, had he stood sideways he would have no shadow. With my arms tightly locked around his thin torso (close to a death grip) off we went down the mountain roads.
I would compare this ride to riding a mule down the precipes of the Grand Canyon!
After about fifteen minutes of hairpin turns on steep mountain grades we came to a straight flat paved road. FLAT is the operative word! You know I was praying the entire time. During this ride down the mountain my stomach was truely grateful that I had not eaten, actually my guide and I were seriously dehydrated. My sigh of relief was quickly overshadowed with another terror as my driver seemed exhilarated to be on a paved flat road, driving a dizzying 60 mph while passing trucks and cars. By this time my hands were locked together around his waist in a death grip and I was sure the Grim Reaper was looming over our little motorbike! Tucking my head beneath the nape of his neck to avoid bug splatter, I tried to alleviate extreme thrust upon my psyche, by not concentrating (with little sucess) on eminent danger and began praying for my Thai mountain driver and his village.
Upon reaching a small town we disembarked, paid the two villagers for our adrenalin rush and boarded a tour taxi. These taxi-buses are open on the sides and the back with bench seats along each side. My guide motioned for us to ride in the air-conditioned cab! And we traveled deftly through the busy traffic toward Quaing Mai (about 50 miles) doing well now! An air-conditioned smooth ride! It seemed that all was well with the world when suddenly! BANG! A large truck loaded with hay attempted to slither between our vehicle and another truck, pinning his hay-wagon between us! My guide and I managed to squeeze through the damaged door of the cab into the busy street and were able to FINALLY climb aboard a transit type small vehicle. There are now four different modes of travel I would encounter this memorable day. In the back of this vehicle there were two benches facing each other divided with a slender bench. People were packed against each other on each of the three benches. We were squeezed together having to climb out each time some one needed to get off. Finally, after being up close and personal with many of the locals, we reached my hotel!
Our day ends when my guide and I prayed together amidst tears. She is a Christian and we both felt we had been too near to the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We both praised God and with grateful hearts thanked Him for His protection on the harrowing journey home.
Now should I approach you with a request to get your passport ready and come with me on a memorable journey? Run and hide!
This perhaps is the soundest advice I have yet to share in the years I have been on naznet.
I have put together an album of this memorable day. As you view these lovely faces pray for the dedicated traveling Thai minister who shares Jesus with them.
Judy
http://heyjude.smugmug.com/gallery/1301727