In an exciting part of the world, North Thailand, opium poppies thrived in the tribal areas. I was privileged to help bring God's light to the fear-controlled tribal people. It started innocently enough. A Karen lady-friend talked me into visiting the mountain villages to see the bamboo houses and meet the costumed tribal people. I fell in love. I repeated that two-week jaunt many times over the next 32 years. I became intoxicated with the adrenalin rush of bringing the grace of God to a people haunted by sin and controlled by "unclean spirits" as well as witchdoctors. After a few years, I realized the difference in the atmosphere walking into the villages: animist villages had a heaviness about them. Christian villages felt light, sunny, welcoming. The difference became palpable.  

As the Thai Government forbade the people to clear teak forests, replacing worn-out farmland, more and more tribals moved to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and smaller cities. They were ill-equipped to find jobs. They spoke only the tribal languages they knew from Yunnan, China. They could neither read nor write Thai. Through the efforts of the Thai Government and many missionaries for many years,  their fortunes changed. Because I taught English to the team that helped me, we're delighted to continue our friendship by way of Facebook. Yay!

Read all about it! WHAT THE WITCH DOCTOR TAUGHT ME: Shining God's Light into Thailand's Dark Tribal Villages is avilable right here. I'll even  sign it for you. Let me know who you want to dedicate it to,  and I'll mention them too.