A New School Preaches

A letter from Barry and Shelly Dawson, serving together as World Mission’s regional liaison for Southeast Asia, based in Thailand

June 2017

For the students at Saha Christian Suksa School (SCSS), April 29, 2017, was a milestone day that they will long remember. For the students, primarily from the Karen and Hmong ethnic minority groups (known as “hill tribes” in Thailand), April 29 was the day when their dream of continuing their education beyond the 6th grade officially became a reality. On that day, a new school building that will be an incubator of learning for grades 7, 8, and 9 was officially dedicated under the warm sun that touched the rural campus of SCSS.

Ribbon-cutting: The Saha Christian Suksa School dedication

Both of us were delighted to be present and share in the palpable joy wafting in the air on that auspicious day along the border shared by Thailand and Myanmar. Teachers, students, and leaders of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT) were all wearing particularly bright smiles that reflected the exuberant atmosphere at the school dedication ceremony. In fact, it almost seemed as if the new school building itself, with the smell of fresh paint and the never-been-used look that comes with a ribbon-cutting event, was begging to be heard. At least that’s how Barry interpreted it during his remarks to the hundreds who gathered in the school’s assembly hall to celebrate the momentous occasion of the freshly minted structure’s official dedication.

This New Structure Is More Than a Building
“This building is more than concrete and wood. It is more than doors and floors. This building is a sermon, a sermon that proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s kingdom.

“Listen. … Listen closely. … Listen to the truth, the stories, the good news that this new school building is whispering and shouting to us.”

God is Faithful … God Provides
“This building is saying, ‘God is faithful. God provides.’”

Group photo at the Saha Christian Suksa School dedication

To us, it seemed that the school dedication event gave the Saha Christian Suksa School community and all the invited guests another tangible, visible reason to believe—and even believe more deeply—that God’s capacity to provide is far beyond our poor powers to envision what is possible. In fact, as we gazed upon the new school and thought about the former generations of SCSS students whose education had stopped at 6th grade, we were reminded of the verse from Holy Scripture which declares, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“So, each time you see this building, stop and give thanks and praise and glory to God, because this new school shouts to us, ‘God is faithful.’”

Big Dreams
“This building also proclaims that we can dare to dream big dreams, just as Headmaster Acharn Supa Yodanont dared to dream a big dream for this new school.”

The school’s headmaster is a quiet, humble, and respectful man who has the heart of a servant. Yet he had the deep conviction and the faith to believe that God’s power to “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5) is greater than the former school having no classes for grades 7, 8, and 9. The headmaster had the audacity to imagine that God does actually intervene to transform the world with unmatchable power and love—one village at a time, one school at a time, one student at a time.

Collaborative Partnerships in Christ’s Mission
“This building also preaches to us and shouts to us the gospel truth that we are called to
Work Together …
                                      Serve Together …
                                                                           Build Together …
                                                                                                               As Members of the Body of Christ.

“This building changed from a dream into reality because many people—Church of Christ in Thailand leadership, the school board, headmaster, school business manager, school staff, teachers, construction managers and workers—were all working together toward the one goal that we celebrate today.

“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) World Mission is humbled and honored to be counted among those partners who have contributed to this collective effort to build this building for the further education of the children of this community, so that they may more fully experience the abundant life that Jesus offers to all. For more than 175 years, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has counted it a blessing and a joy to serve in partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Thailand, and today is one more time for us to rejoice that the Holy Spirit has called us together and joined us together in Christ’s mission.”

A God of Hope
“The new school building also preaches and proclaims to us that our God is a God of hope. In this Easter season, we continue to rejoice that the Risen and Living Christ has conquered death, and, by the power of God, brings us hope for today and hope for all of our tomorrows. … We are people of hope who believe the Easter truth that because Jesus was raised from death to life, nothing—NOTHING—is impossible for God.”

Barry speaks at the school dedication celebration

A few years ago, a new school building for grades 7, 8, and 9 must have seemed like little more than wishful thinking on a summer day for many people at Saha Christian Suksa School community. And yet the newly dedicated school is a symbol and sign that inspires hope for the students and surrounding community.

Rejoice
April 29, 2017, will be forever etched in our memories as one of the most joyful days in our mission work in Southeast Asia. The school dedication was the culminating crescendo in a long process of shared dreams, hard work, and amazing grace. It was the day when a new school building preached a sermon, a sermon it will keep proclaiming to the ears and hearts of the students and teachers who will fill its classrooms with learning, laughter, and love.

“Rejoice, Saha Christian Suksa School!
Rejoice, Church of Christ in Thailand!
Today the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) rejoices with you!
Today we rejoice that God has called us as your partners in Christ’s global mission!

“Listen! …
The new school is whispering. …
Listen! …
The new school is shouting, ‘Rejoice!’”

An Invitation to Share in Our Mission
As we continue to rejoice in the ways that the God of Hope uses us in Christ’s mission, we invite you to be part of our support team through your prayers, financial gifts, and correspondence with us. Please know that your personal engagement in our ministry is a great source of encouragement to us. We thank you for your partnership in our ongoing work throughout Southeast Asia.

Serving Together in Mission,

Barry and Shelly