It's That Time Of Year

The rice farmers are out in the fields these days. I was able to go to Ning's parents house this past week for their "opening day". There was a big group of people who came...that always makes it more fun! The weather is several degrees cooler than this time last year...what a blessing!

Isaan Worship Service

At the end of October I was able to drive about an hour and a half away from the city of Ubon to attend a group of rural Isaan believers that gather for worship in another district. They are part of a house church network in the province of Ubon Ratchathani that was initiated about 10-12 years ago. This was my first opportunity to attend a worship service that is very contexualized to rural Isaan culture. (someone even got bit by a scorpion during the service!!)

Here were some of the things I observed:

• Everyone sate on mats on the floor
• Isaan instruments and songs were used, along with spontaneous Isaan dancing at times
• the word used for "testimony time" was a word that means "evidence; act of breathing"
• the word used for "communion service" was a word that means "ceremony of the great closeness"; sticky rice and a red syrup drink were used as the elements
• A lot of the people had Thai bibles with them, but some were new readers or couldn't read at all
• One person gave a message from Scripture, but there was some interaction among the group
• After the service there is always an Isaan meal shared together followed by baptisms of new followers of Jesus

Fireboat Festival

Every year, culminating on the full moon in October, the northeastern (Isaan) provinces of Thailand celebrate the Lai Rua Fai (fireboat) Festival, by launching magnificently crafted, illuminated boats and rafts on rivers. Marking the end of Buddhist Lent, the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest, this festival's origins are Animist, Hindu and Buddhist. In the Lai Reua Fai Festival major spirits are invoked to bless the life giving water and to ask for a bountiful harvest...the most important one, Phra Mae Nam Khong Kha - the God-mother of the waters, who lives in and protects every river.

The Buddhist background of this festival is seen in this story ..."in remembrance of his mother, Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother. There he resided throughout the entire period of the three-months Rains Retreat or the Buddhist Lent. At the end of the Rains Retreat which falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha returned to earth. Delighted by the news of Buddha's return to earth once again, Buddha's disciples and followers prepared to receive him with offerings of food and other sacred items being presented."

Finally, the Hindu piece is found in the form of The Naga - the mythical Serpent God associated with water that dwells in three realms: beneath the earth where it guards minerals and gems, in bodies of still and flowing water, and in the skies where it creates the rain which nourishes crops.
In Ubon, the end of Buddhist Lent and the end of rainy season are also celebrated with the long-tail boat races on the river.