Village Party

P Narom is camera shy.  He is the host of the party and our weekly study.

Last Saturday, we were invited to a party at our village host’s home. The village was having a three-day celebration because their village wat (temple) had repaired a wall.  The people of this country love to have a party, so it doesn’t take much to give them a reason to celebrate.

Eud, P Narom, and J relaxing and chatting with each other.

This celebration was centered around making merit for their sins and giving offerings to the wat.  The party began on Friday night and continued until Sunday evening late.  On Saturday night many homes in the village opened a restaurant in their home for the people of the village to come eat.  Our host, P Narom, was expecting over a hundred people to come through on this night alone.  His family was paying 10,000 Baht (around $300) to feed all the people that came.  This is a very large amount of money for any local person here.  When we came to do our weekly Tuesday night study earlier in the week, P Narom expressed concern and great worry about the party.  He worried about the money, and he didn’t want to do the party because it was a lot of work.  He also expressed that he feels like he is now one of the Father’s children, so he doesn’t want to celebrate like he used to.  We lifted him up and told him we would attend the party to be there in support of him and his family.

Earlier that morning there was a parade.  These girls attend our Tuesday night study.  They were a part of the parade.

We arrived at their home around 5:00pm.  There were a lot of people there eating and P Narom’s grandson, Boom, and his friends were giving a live concert for the people who came to eat.  Later that night, they would also have some karaoke.  We came to show our support to the family, but to also show them that you can participate in the parties and events of the village even if you are one of the Fathers.  It is important for these people to understand they can still be a part of their culture. 

 

Boom preparing for the concert.

L made cupcakes for the kids.  The band members are enjoying their American treat.

The girls posing together.  P Nuantha is sitting next to L.  She is P Narom’s wife.  She got very dressed up for the occasion. 

Buum is P Narom and Nuantha’s son.  He came to cook the meal for all the guests.

He prepared most of the food on the floor.  You can tell he loves his job.

As the people came through to eat, each family donated to the host.  The money given is their way of making merit for their sins.  The money will be split-half will be given to the host family for the food and the other half will be given to the wat.

Our idea for P Narom is to participate in this event, but make his house’s party different from the others in the village.  Have a different reason to celebrate and let the people know when they give money it will only be used for the food and not for the wat.  This way of thinking is very difficult for them and will take lots of time, but we will continue to plant the seed.

L eating and mingling with the villagers.  The young lady in the photo… L was able to meet and find out that she lives on our street in the city because she is going to college.  They exchanged numbers and have already met twice since Saturday and will meet again for lunch on Friday of this week.  Amazing how the Father brings relationships into our lives!

Cleaning up!

We had a wonderful time eating and spending time with the host family.  Our desire is to continue to strengthen our relationship with them and build community.  We know they were blessed by our attendance.