Buddhism & Baptism
Check out this page for more info on Buddhism in Thailand:
We had the opportunity the other day to visit the largest buddhist temple in our area. We prepared ourselves for spiritual heaviness, but honestly, it was just kinda sad. People bowing down before large golden statues; people with real problems and real hearts. Serving a god who doesn’t exist. A god who is often depicted as sleeping. I just wanted to tell them all that there is a god who is alive and answers prayers, and who desperately loves them. I feel like in America, we have a lot of Christian and then… nothing. It’s not like I spend my time immersed in Buddhism at home. It gave a whole new perspective to the unsaved, and the hope that they can have. Anyway, check out some pictures I took on my iPod that day.
This last one gets me every time. I’m so thankful our God is never sleeping.
Also, Thailand does not just have temples. There are Buddha’s everywhere. We’re not talking just little posters or mini statues. We’re talking giant, 30ft Buddha’s, lining the side of the road. And the other day, right next to one of these statues, about 100 of us gathered to watch four little girls get baptized. Growing up in the American church, baptism is normal. Even though it’s symbolic, it’s not countercultural. This overtly Christian symbol contrasted sharply with the surrounding area. After the four girls went, two of our other sweet little ones asked to be baptized as well, along with the bus driver!! He gave his testimony, about how all the short term teams have come through and slowly changed his life. It was awesome. We then celebrated by eating chicken intestines (accidentally) in some straw huts over the water. It was just a good, good, memorable day. Enjoy the pictures! (The following were all taken by Amanda Howard.)
One of our girls… I love the guy second to the right 🙂
The bus driver!!!
Where we ate lunch…
Before the chicken intestines…
One of our girls in the home… we think she looks like Dora the Explorer 🙂
Wonderful update !!! But so sad that millions of such a sincere people will spend eternity in a place of torment for there is no other name given unto man whereby we might be saved but the Lord Jesus, not Buddha, nor any other name or religion. The good news is there are 5 more who will spend eternity in the presence of the true and living God who has prepared a place for them so wonderful they cannot even imagine……
How REALLY sad. People destined for eternal separation form God!! At least there are a few getting saved and baptized and THEY in return can witness to their countrymen. Hopefully a church can be started….and as teams go in more and more can get saved and maybe turn the tide on the atrocities going on there! We will pray for you and them!! HE cares for them!
Susan
Hi Steph!
First, I just want to say that I love that photo of you with the glasses and the fan! I could see it on the cover of a book you’ll probably write one day — so keep it handy.
Still digesting the blog from the other day (Where Our Girls Didn’t End up), but always so thankful to hear from you and know that you are safe — God has been so faithful to hear and answer those prayers of ours for your safety. I’m sorry I didn’t know to pray that you would not have to eat chicken intestines.
I am thankful too, that we do not serve a God who sleeps — especially since I do so little of that myself; it’s so wonderful to know that he’s awake with me. I can’t imagine trusting in statues of gods as they do there. What a blessing that you were able to have a baptism in the midst of all that. And it sure blessed my heart to hear that the bus driver’s life was changed because of short-term missions groups like yours. Didn’t that just make your day? Whenever God reveals to us that our efforts and our walk with Him has shed His light in someone’s life, it makes any hardship or heartache worth it — it reminds us why we’re here (or there). I hope the bus driver’s testimony encouraged you and your team in a mighty way. Even though you’re there for the “girls,” God allowed you to touch a bus driver’s heart along the way. Who, but God!
Praying for you daily as you continue to be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus to those girls (and then some).
With love,
Angela
When I was on the rez, one of our beautiful Navajo girls got baptized, and the day I got back from Arizona one of the boys from THRiVE did. There’s nothing like the joy of watching our little ones follow Christ like that. I thrill to God’s promises for them & your joy. Love you. Praying for you & them.
You have an ability to sense the reality in what is around you. Praying for you to continue to use this to bring HOPE and TRUTH. Love that you are so sensitive to it!! Praying for you Stephanie!
Please learn what Buddhism is before you pass judgement on it. I will enlighten you just a little 🙂 Buddha is not a God and Buddhist people do not believe he was a God. Buddha was a man just like anyone else. That is what they believe. Also, the statues are not sleeping, they represent someone at peace. There is also numerous Buddhas, not just one. There are so many similarities between Buddhism and Christianity. You know that the way you think is what has caused so much heartache, misery and wars in the name of God. It’s so sad to me what people have turned the word of God into. I wish you peace and happiness and I will pray for you find a happiness that not not include judging others.
Thank you Andrew!!! You said it for me!
Most religions are said to have people love each other and yet they end up judging others for not practicing as they do.
Use your religion in a good way not a way to attack others.
Or, don’t use religion and just be a good person and treat others as you would like to be treated.
Andrew and Abby said it. I think you should read up on Buddhism before you judge it.
Buddha and Jesus had much the same message. Love is what is important. What is in our hearts shows who we really are, not belief in or assent to a particular theological formula, which may or not make sense to you.
Buddha is not a God or Our “The Sanghas'” God. He was a man, a full bodied human being with Divine Powers. He is Our teacher and spiritual guide. A man who found a way out of the suffering of this world. And none of these Buddhas are sleeping, they are in a state of bliss and enlightenment yet fully conscious. The majority of these Buddha’s & Bodhisattvas have vowed to remain in this world and guide all sentient beings to enlightenment before they ever enter nirvana.
Buddha is not a God or Our “The Sanghas'” God. He was a man, a full bodied human being with Divine Powers. He is Our teacher and spiritual guide. A man who found a way out of the suffering of this world. And none of these Buddhas are sleeping, they are in a state of bliss and enlightenment yet fully conscious. The majority of these Buddha’s & Bodhisattvas have vowed to remain in this world and guide all sentient beings to enlightenment before they ever enter nirvana.
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!! Please learn about Buddhism before you pass judgement.