Crossing Thailand with God’s Word

BANGKOK, Thailand — The lunch bell rings, signalling the end of the day’s lessons at Bangkok Christian College (BCC) and suddenly the school is alive with children pouring out of classrooms.

n Niramol Khongton travels around the country with one of the Bible Society’s Mobile Distribution Units

Niramol Khongton, who operates one of the Thailand Bible Society’s (TBS) Mobile Distribution Units (MDUs), stands at the Bible bookstall she has set up near the school cafeteria and smiles in welcome as about 50 children rush over to look through the Scripture materials on offer – exercise books with Scripture verses printed on their covers, Bible comics and other colourful products.

The children of BCC always appreciate a visit from one of the Bible Society’s MDUs, which travel around Christian schools, villages and churches across the country. Many of these schools, particularly those in remote parts of the country, rely completely on the MDUs for access to Scriptures – in rural areas the cost of travelling to the nearest Christian bookshop can be as much as or more than the price of a Bible.

Isolated

The MDUs also help children in rural areas, who often feel isolated from the rest of the world, to feel part of the Bible Society and its work by encouraging them to join the TBS Friends’ Club. Members are sent a monthly newsletter informing them of forthcoming activities organised by the Bible Society. This has proved very popular and membership is now well over 200 and growing.

But it is not only children who benefit from the Bible Society’s MDU ministry – one of Mrs Khongton’s major tasks is to travel throughout Thailand, promoting new Scripture products among Protestant and Roman Catholic church leaders. On these visits, church members and others are given the opportunity to buy Scriptures in various languages and formats.

With only two full-time members of staff, however, the work of the MDUs is somewhat limited, especially in a country as large as Thailand, which has a population of around 61 million. There are about 400 Christian schools in the country, but many of them do not have regular access to Scriptures. That is why the vital service offered by the MDUs is set to expand with help from Opportunity 21.

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