Lady Boys

“Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” Romans 1:27, NKJV.

“I was asked to teach in English at a local high school about American holidays,” said IMB missionary to Thailand, Brenda Ringer. “I agreed to do it on the condition that I could share the real meaning behind the holidays.” The headmaster agreed and the date was set for Brenda to share about Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The lecture hall filled with 60 Thai students. Brenda asked all the boys to stand. Ten boys remained seated. She then asked all the girls to stand. All the girls stood, and one boy stood. “I teased the boy for standing,” said Brenda. “I didn’t realize why he had stood up.”

The head master came up onto the stage and called Brenda over to her. She said, “The boys who remained seated are not sure if they want to be boys.” Brenda was stunned. It took a while to let the fact sink in that one sixth of the students openly had gender confusion issues.

Brenda then continued her lesson. Every time she mentioned Jesus, she noticed that one of the boys who had refused to stand earlier in the class grew more and more agitated. When she came to her discussion of Christmas she lit a candle. She explained that Jesus was the Light of the world, and Christians did not light candles to earn merit or to appease any spirits.

The boy sprang out of his seat and yelled in Thai, “Blow that out!”

Brenda understood him perfectly, but she said, “Tell me in English.”

The student glared at her and said, “Blow out the candle. It smells.” Such an outburst from a Thai student to a guest speaker is unheard of, and Brenda knew spiritual warfare was going on. She blew out the candle with no further comment.

The head master rushed onto the stage again. She said to Brenda, “Please light the candle.” She then turned and reprimanded the youth. He sat sullenly through the rest of the lesson.

“The look he had on his face was nothing short of pure evil,” said Brenda. “When I attended a school talent show with other expatriates I overheard them saying, ‘Ah yes, the lady boys.’ Then they laughed. I didn’t think it a laughing matter.”

 Homosexuality is accepted in Thailand. Gender confusion is rampant among Thai youth. Brenda is right, such open sin is no laughing matter.

Pray that:

Christian workers among Thai youth will have wisdom and courage to counsel those struggling with gender confusion.

Thai Christians will live in sexual purity as a testimony of God’s purity.

Thai Christians coming from a homosexual-background will find grace, acceptance and loving accountability from the church.

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