Funeral Fans

“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13, NAS.

There are several cultural events in life that give insight into the heart of a people group. Marriage, birth, and death are three of the biggest life events that yield tremendous insights into the worldview of the people. At a Thai Buddhist funeral I noticed that the monks had four hand fans with different phrases written on them. When I read the fans for the first time it nearly broke my heart.

The first fan read, “Dying never to return.” The second said, “Asleep never to awake.” The third read, “No resurrection.” And the final fan said, “No escape.” Surely the Thai Buddhists are a people "without hope and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12).

Pray that:

Thai people will learn that there is resurrection and escape from death through faith in Jesus Christ.

Missionaries serving in Thailand will be sensitive to learn the Thai culture and be able to share the love of Jesus in a powerful and effective manner.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.