The opportunity to teach English in Thailand came in the form of middle-of-the-night phone calls, in which Mr. Htoowah Laybeh asked, “Can you [come to Thailand] for nine months?” Both of us said yes, and in the following eight weeks we communicated back and forth, signed papers, filled in visa applications, scanned documents, and made many video calls. Acquiring a visa and work permit in Thailand is not easy, but Mr. Laybeh was determined and overcame many difficulties within the Thai immigration system for us to be here.
Matthew had previously travelled to Thailand and other parts of Asia, but this was Ishani’s first time on the continent. After 15 hours of flying and waiting in airports, we finally made it from the United Kingdom to Bangkok, where the heat made its first impression quite heavily. It was fascinating to behold all the tuk-tuks (rickshaws) and songthaews (brightly decorated pickup trucks with customized shelters) driving people around, and so many roads lined with unique street food vendors.
At a restaurant with Mr. Laybeh, our first meal in Thailand was flavorsome, intense, and delicious, before we went to collect our American counterparts from the airport. These were Living Education students who would be joining us in the Thailand program. Soon enough, we were all floating along the rivers of Bangkok through its “Floating Market.” We glided along a river in slim canoes, as market vendors (also in canoes) tried to sell us their wares.
After a three- or four-hour sleep that night, we were up early to present ourselves as having arrived in the country as voluntary workers and to receive our work permits. The school where we teach is a municipality-run school, so before starting as English Teaching Assistants we met the executive branch of the municipality staff, including the mayor!
Our first class was with kindergarteners (4–5-year-olds), who have limited attention spans. This required us to think on our feet, and even the teachers themselves were not always ready for us.
Here in Thailand, people’s income is low, but there is something the brethren and people have an abundance of—unrelenting positivity. This is not a quality either of us display naturally, but we are consistently welcomed warmly by the brethren. Stronger bonds are fostered through fellowship and occasionally joining each family for a Friday night meal to begin the Sabbath. Despite not having much themselves, they lovingly prepare delicious food for us. Even the language barrier does not stop us from finding the joys of interacting and creating memories together.
We all share the same beliefs and goal, looking forward to God’s Kingdom. This is highlighted during Sabbath services, in which Mr. Laybeh takes the extra time to translate English sermons into Karen, the native language of the brethren, and vice versa for us.
Mr. Laybeh has been of great help to us and a diligent example, from spending hours working on the documentation necessary for our visas, to helping the Burmese brethren in the refugee camp. He has helped us to realize that, even when we want to give up or put things off until later, the best course of action is to always do what needs to be done first—regardless of how you may feel. As Mr. Laybeh always says, “We work hard to play hard.”
Serving as English Teaching Assistants at Mae Ku School requires self-awareness, patience, and resilience. When we walk into the classroom at the beginning of each class, we must leave our internal struggles at the door. Usually, there’s a beautiful sea of smiling little faces ready to learn. They immediately stand up and greet us in unison, chanting, “Good morning, Teacher!” After lunchtime, though, they often need to be reenergized with an educational game or two. Even as young adults, we don’t always have the energy for class ourselves—but their smiles and the harmony of their enthusiastic voices cheers us up. Receiving positivity from others makes it easier to keep working, and the “Land of Smiles” has taught us that a cheerful expression gives others hope, motivation, and the drive to carry on.
Our presence has also been welcomed at several “English Camps,” where we have visited other schools to deliver workshops and games. This alone has brought more interest in the Church’s activities in the area than usual. God has clearly opened a door here.
Mr. Laybeh often encourages us to think about the reason we are here. There are many layers to understanding that, but looking at it purely from an educational viewpoint, it comes down to one thing—motivation. Most Thai children don’t want or need to learn English, but learning a second language brings many benefits, so a crucial part of our role here is to help students see the value of learning English. This is done not merely through teaching vocabulary, but by building bonds with the students.
Once we realized this, it made a lot of sense. After all, the plan of God is based on our having a relationship with Him and with one another as a family. Our relationships give our work meaning, our mutual joy encourages us, and our family ties drive us into His Kingdom. What we’ve learned is that this is God’s program, and we are His tools. We never thought we’d serve the Work in Asia, but despite having come from so far away, we must understand that we are one body and are happy to accept His offer. We look forward to what the coming months will bring us. Stay tuned!
—By Matthew Griffiths and Ishani McLennan