Gypsies

The Morken (mor-gan) community is a small neighbourhood of about 300. There are only three different last names, meaning that incest has been practiced throughout the last few generations. Half the population is under the age of 18. Alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, lack of education, poverty and unemployment are the top injustices (whether self-inflicted or otherwise) within this tiny community. Historically, the Morkens have been residence of the coasts of southern Thailand living a nomadic "gypsy" lifestyle for the past hundred years or more, but because of their nomadic cultural practices they have not received Thai identification until recently (last 20 years or so). As you may have read in my previous posts about Burmese refugees in Thailand, obtaining status or privilege in this country without a Thai ID is next to impossible.

And so, the marginalization of the Morken community has been happening for generations, perhaps centuries, and it continues today. They have Thai identification but they are still not considered to be true Thai people by the majority of society. They are poor. They are dirty. They are uneducated. They are broken.

Similar to the community of The Mustard Seed that I belong to in Edmonton, this people group displays characteristics of deeply honest community - but it is still an unhealthy community.

The day that I spent there I taught worship songs to children, played games with tofu pudding, and encouraged them in the importance of keeping their neighbourhood clean. Other people on our team taught about checking for and treating head lice. They also taught some people how to make their own hand soap. Imagine Thailand is involved within the Morken community as part of the health & wellness initiative, but we are hoping to create and sustain healthy relationship here to further our involvement. The last thing we want is to just be another organization, another NGO acting out of well intentioned compassion but not displaying willingness to stick it out with these people.

In my opinion, the only way that real change will happen among the Morken is through incarnational ministry. Someone who loves Jesus needs to move into their neighbourhood, live with them and like them, and be willing to serve them no matter what. A ten year commitment... That's how we will see transformation.

Am I the person for the job? Maybe. It's not beyond the realm of consideration for my post-grad plans. But it will be a hope, a prayer, and a dream for the Morken people that I will always carry with me.