Hi. I’m Nang Kham (nang kom). I live in this village with Grandmother and Younger Brother. My father was a rice farmer here in Shan State until the Burmese army took most of our land along with the bull we used to plow it. Father couldn’t find a job so he and Mother moved across the border into Thailand. Father works long hours in construction. Mother weaves and sews cloth purses that she sells at local markets. My parents send some of the money they earn to Grandmother so that she can buy food and other things we need.
My brother and I go to school at the Buddhist temple for a few hours each week. The local monks teach us to read and write. Most days, we help with chores like laundry, fetching water, and gardening. Before we go out in the hot sun, Grandmother smears our arms and face with thanaka (tahn-ah-kah), a yellowish paste that works like sunblock. It’s made from ground-up tree bark mixed with water. Sometimes Grandmother creates designs like flowers or leaves on our cheeks – just like face painting.
Dressed in her straw hat and long wrap-around skirt, Grandmother heads outside to our small garden. It hasn’t rained and the chili peppers, soybeans, tomatoes, and onions look withered. I fetch water from the river and help Grandmother pour it on the plants. Picturing the spicy hot relish that these vegetables will become makes my mouth water – yum!
Grandmother believes that our failing garden is the work of spirits. She hurries inside to light candles and set out small bowls of rice in several places around our home as an offering to them. I touch the special charm on my necklace meant to protect me from spirits who might try to harm me or cause illness. As I go inside, I look up at the dried flower arrangement hanging over the doorway. The spirit man in our village blessed these flowers a few months ago. Surely they will protect our home from any evil spirits who might want to enter.
Family Activity
Decorate your faces just like Nang Kahm and her brother. Make your own face paints.
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon body lotion/cream
- 1 teaspoon water
- Food coloring
Mix all the ingredients except the food coloring. Make sure to mix until a creamy mixture forms without any lumps. Add a little water to thin out. Then add the desired food coloring. Use your fingers or a paintbrush to paint designs on your face.
Pray:
- Ask God to send global workers to share the good news of Jesus with Shan families in Myanmar and Thailand.
- Pray that as Shan families learn about the loving God who wants to have a relationship with them, their fear of spirits will be replaced with trust, peace, and hope.
Shan
Ginger Oranges
Southeast Asia
Preparation Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 4 oranges
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup honey
- 1 small piece of ginger, sliced
- mint leaves (optional)
