Today is our last full day in Chiang Mai. Tomorrow morning we leave for our week in Bangkok. I am ready for a change in venue. I will miss the city though. It reminds me a little of metro Atlanta because it is so spread out and there are many different centers of activity.
Today we meet with students at McGilvary College of Divinity. It is a busy day. We have farewell dinner tonight at Ajaan John's house.
Pictures later today.
Later on that day...
Meet with an ordained female minister in Thailand. She spoke of the struggles that she is facing due to conservative nature of the clergy in Thailand. She has started a prison ministry as well as a ministry for sex workers. She stated there are 14 ordained ministers out of the 600 ordained ministers in Thailand. She stated that she is one of two in her district (around Chiang Mai). She also stated that she has recently received a letter from the CCT (Christian Church of Thailand) stating that she can no longer take students (she works at the divinity school) with her on trips to prison and when she works with sex workers.
 |
| Ajaan Chuleepan addressing us with concerns for female clergy. |
 |
| Artwork around the campus. |
 |
| View into Chapel on campus. |
 |
| Meeting with students regarding Christianity and Buddhism. |
She stated that if Jesus could work with all people than so should she. She stated that although the church does not support her that she gets support from Buddhist monks and a Catholic nun.
I really liked that we got an opportunity to speak with her. Most of our experiences thus far have been about conflicts outside of the church or politically conflicts. It was good to hear another perspective on how church should run.
In the afternoon we meet with students who took a class on Buddhism and Christianity; that also an informative discussion. However, by this time I was so sick that I did not get a lot out of it. I am now off to the hospital.
No comments:
Post a Comment