Discipling in the Mien Context

By: Sulad Jhun Cardeinte

We had just finished the 4 day Mien youth evangelistic camp in Kamphaeng phet Province last Dec. 20-24. I traveled 8 hours from my home base. The good things were I met many of the Mien youth whom I’d met last year’s camp, where I exposed myself to the Mien language and culture. More or less 20 Mien students participated in that event. We stayed in a house where the meetings were held. It was a place where there is somewhat place for many visitors. The first day was busy, inviting the whole village for the evening meeting and in the afternoon the place was clean up and we were ready to begin. By 6:30 p.m. the people started to arrive. As I watched, the people came walking, riding motorbike and car.
The success of our evening meeting will be determined by the effort of the Mien youth to invite people in the day time. This is far different from the Philippines style where we usually engage few months in advance to visit the neighbors and conduct Bible studies. I was reminded of how privilege many people in Christian countries where they can freely hear the word of God. But no Christian presence in that place, no laymen to do the work in advance. Instead each day the youth did more prayers for the success of the evangelistic meeting. We let them understand that we need more to depend on God to give us victory.
Everything went very well. We started the program with many people. The nightly program consists of singing Mien and Thai songs which is somewhat alternated. One way to let everyone understands. This was followed by singing the theme song then Sir Brian’s powerful sermon in Mien and Thai followed. The messages were so touching, inviting everyone to come to Christ, to repent while salvation’s door is still open. Each night more and more interest came. The last night’s meeting was so wonderful. That the meeting was packed with more than a hundred people. Most were standing since we had only 30 chairs. The youth perform 4 Biblical dramas, such as the 3 Magis, the birth of Jesus, the prodigal son and the raising of Jairus daughter. A short summary and spiritual implication followed after each presentation. Then Sir Brian did the final invitation to come to the feet of Jesus while there is a chance. The message was so penetrating that everyone was so quiet. Sir Brian talked about everything on Noah’s ark and how it fits and apply in these last days.
Everyone of us can tell his own story on how God has blessed the meeting. The true result of the meeting was immeasurable. It produces mature Mien disciples while we are obeying the command to preach the gospel in every tribe. The success of the meeting was due to the Holy Spirit of God and the sincere cooperation of the Mien youth. I could tell that the youth are getting mature to be called disciples, ready to go back home to represent Jesus to their respective villages. I had a privilege to handle some activities and speak encouragement in our group worships and had a small part of the whole activities. But all praises go to the Lord.