"Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?" Hebrews 12:9
The sounds of laughter can be heard from the children, as they playfully make their way home after a full day of helping around the farm. They jostle and tease each other, as they make their way up the back stairs to join their mother in the common room of their house on stilts.
Nong Am is learning that this is her place. The back door is where she will always come and go from the home. Even when she gets older, marries and has a home of her own, this is the door she will use. Her younger brother, Mai, on the other hand, looks with interest at the other door of the house. It is the door of respect. Little Mai knows that one day he will be required to come and go from that door. Someday, he too will have a place of his own and can bring his friends up into his home through the door of respect.
Through something as simple as a door, a cultural message is proclaimed loud and clear. The Tai Dam women have less value than the men. They are under the authority of the males 100%.
Like most countries, things are changing in Laos and Vietnam, and we pray things will continue to develop so women will have more respect. Opportunities to learn reading and writing are increasing, as are the numbers of women that have completed grade 12. But for the average Tai Dam village, the woman's role is still viewed as taking care of the husband, having children, and then raising the children.
Please Pray:
- For the opportunity that is available to women to join Women's unions. Though communistic in nature, the unions do give the women a chance to be together and express ideas and opinions.
- That we will see God show up at the Women's Union meetings.
- For Christ to become the head of the Tai Dam home. That women could see their true worth in Him.
- Please continue to remember the Teacher, who has been missing for 149 days now.
