t"

THE GREAT COMMISSION REMINDER

Among the tribes of Northern Siom OZAHKBIBLIC
And tht htelhtit shall

Joplin, Mo,
o y into en the worltk ond preech the gospel.....
Mark /c;/5

kaom that / em tht Lord,

whta / MheH b* soocfifltd

inyou b0for* thtir tjrts.

zk.36-29

OAtf mfliUd fr by

Perwording ogint MRS. ALLEN R. NICHOLS

2Mt S.E. Silvvr Springs Rd. Portlond 22 Ortgon
U.S.A.

MEL ond JUNE BYERS Tolot Chianohom, Cbongwot Chian^rai, Thaikiad^ Asia

VOL.

JANUABY - APRIL, 1956

SCHOOL at the LEPER VILLAGE

No.

Looking toward the entrance of the Leper Church. The students enjoy a short recess.

STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE LEPER SCHOOL

0,^
99,6

"I'VE .mcms) TIIE TOP OP Tiro MOUNTAIN", was the ex clamation of one leper as he noted that his examination

paper was marked 100^.

For the past two months we have

been conducting school at the leper village. The ages of the 42 students range from 4 to 50 years, but they have one thing in common and that is a desire to learn. Don, Dorthy Uhlig, Imogene Williams and myself were the teachers. The courses included looking up songs in the song book, all stages of reading and writing, Bible

classes, and a class in leadership training for the Leper

church.

There were the usual maladies which almost threatened

to close the school.

with the measles.

The very first day a boy showed up

After this took its toll through the

village, the students were plagued with chicken pox. Each morning during chapel many new songs were taught and the devotions were conducted by those learning to

preach.

Right after chapel the vitamins were distrib I believe many learned

uted.to stimulate the thinking process as well as the

general health of the school.

the new experience that comes from thinlcing. Trying to teach adult minds that have been dulled by ignorance is like pulling rusty nails out of dry hard wood. Each day, however, a few nails were pulled and the machinery made a few revolutions. This was very encouraging to all.

By the end of two months many questions had been

answered, some of the men had preached for the first -time, and many had learned to find the numbers in the song book, and many were complaining of headaches. Thus it was when one finally obtained a 100^ on his paper. He exclaimed, "I've reached the top of the mountain. It is truly a moment of success when a leper learns to read
it brightens all his soul with light. Two months is not enough - it will take many more but
I am sure that God is honored when he hears a humble

leper shuffle the pages of His Word and haltingly but surely pronounces the Words of life with understanding.
IN HIM WAS LIFE; AND THE LIFE WAS
THE LIGHT OF MEN

;; W

TWO LEPER STin)ENTS IN WHOM THS LIGHT HAS BEGUN TO SHINE

On the closing day of school the man in the picture

above made this statement. "Two years ago I came from Indo-China. I did not know Jesus, My life was full of

sin and under the power of Satan.

of the cross.

Now I am learning

what it means to have salvation and peace in my heart."

And so it is that even lepers are coming home by the way

WHEREIN IS THE FIGHT ?

During the last world war the array code word for
Thailand was SIN and French Indo-China was EVIL. These

code words describe accurately the forces at work in

these two countries but all the armies in the world

launched against SIN and EVIL would not have conquered. In Thailand our struggle as well as yours is not against flesh and blood but against powers, darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places. Our strength must be in the Lord. "Be strong in the Lord" is a command. To be strong in anything else is sin. Hence our biggest
battle is to let the battle be the Lord*s. If we stand -

in the Lord - the foe will be demolished, beating itself against the impregnable bulwark of God. In spite of the obvious, many are striving in their own strength. If this be our defense the impetuous dis ciple would have done more than chop a man*s ear off. Christ would have employed His legions and Paul would have organized an anny to wage war against the tormen tors of Christianity. We could see for a moment the spiritual forces which war against the soul - we would dash for the city of refuge and make sanctuary in the
shelter of the rock.

In Thailand we wrestle against spiritual forces. America has won the friendship of the Thai by her gifts of gold and military aid, but has not yet subdued the spiritual wickedness that controls the minds of the native. Against this enemy the church has commissioned
her servants. For a season i t seems that these servants

are consumed, overwhelmed by the darkness. Anger, jeal ousy, pride, self-will all beat against the soul. Wave after wave is launched but eventually the light be gins to shine for the "darkness comprehends it not".
The weakest servant is able to withstand this on

slaught. If strong in the Lord we can descend into the darkest hole, and when the smoke from the battle clears, that soul will remain unscathed. Every strategy of the
devil can be rebuked. conquer. The frailest earthen vessel can

The battle is not against flesh and blood.

robes in the name of Lord Budha.

It is

against the subtle powers that walk aroimd in yellow

It is the incessant

power that beats drums and gongs, lashing and whipping the minds of men into deeper darkness, ignorance and
servitude.

This demagog of hell is a master at spiritual sub version warring against the soul of God's people with
sectarianism, group loyalties, prejudice and misxmder standing. Resisting these forces in our own strength, employing our own methods and donning armor of our own design is only inviting spiritual suicide. Our forti fication becomes flimsy cardboard. We become as a crippled bird before a hungry tiger.
As a servant of the church in a foreign land these
are the forces that I fear. I tremble at the indiffer

ence that prevails in regard to this truth.

God's

people still trust to human efforts, materialism and

methods which ultimately become gain for the enemy. I do not fear the many diseases that prevail in a heathen country. I do not fear maltreatment at the hands of natives. I do not suffer because of minor privations. I fear only the forces that war against my soul and the complete indifference with which the Christian views
the enemy camp.

Our fight is not against flesh and blood - but against spiritual wickedness. About the only thing that is going to help us very nmch in Thailand - is prayer - and the
power you have in prayer by your own personal relation ship to the Lord.

i 4:

SACRED SffillNE CONTAINING A FRAGMENT OP BUDHA

HOW SERIOUS CAN WE GET?

How often men forsake the

' '

teachings of Christ to clash in theological sword fights'* ' over opinions and theories. It is encouraging to note
that some are still more concerned with what Jesus had to
say.

How serious shall we take the words of Christ?

The

Christian life?

Discipleship?

An excerpt from recent

news is worthy of our meditation. Ed McCully stood with four other young Americans with similar backgrounds on the steaming river banks of the Amazon's headwaters. Their objective was to reach 2,000 members of the savage Auca Indian tribe described as one

of the worst people on earth. Day after day the mission aries sought to make friendly contact. As the native friendliness became apparent the missionaries landed

their Piper cub on a sandy beach. This proving success ful, they attempted the same thing several days later. As a group of natives approached, they promised the home base that they would make radio contact again in a couple
of hours. The radio contact was never renewed.

Search planes spotted one body lying near the looted plane. Six days later a search party located the bodies of the other four. They had all died martyrs to the Auca Indians of spear wounds and machete slashes-. Around the shaft of one spear was wrapped a few pages torn from
the Bible.

It was my privilege to be a classmate of Ed McCully in the School of Missionary Medicine. Graduation night was also a separation unto the ends of the world for

many. As a class we proudly presented before God and

the world our motto, "Be thou faithful unto death". Some would say that is nice but don't take it too seri

ously. I am thankful and proud that Ed believed and meant every word. He accepted the Word of God at face value. He was deeply earnest - radically sincere. Jesus said, "Whosoever shall lose his life shall find it." How serious shall we take these words? Again "What shall a man give in exchange for His soul." Ed said, "Nothing - not even life."

with the implications man places upon them. I am thank

ful some do!

Many call themselves Christians but have never weighed the price of true discipleship. Let us be more concerned

Bal. Aug. 1, *55

'RECEIPTS: Aug. 1, *55 to Jan. 1, '56
$ 1.00 ' HLmira Intermediate Girls

1676.83

-'El Cajon, Calif., Friends

Burns Church of Christ

23.00
60.83

.,Multnomah Church of Christ

R. E. Tarbell E. H. McGee Molalla Christian Church

270.85
20.00 10.00 75.93

Coburg Church of Christ

Florence C.E Trent Church of Christ

50.00
15.00 50.00

May S. Palk
Garibaldi Church of Christ

10.00
50.00

1st Christian, Lebanon, Ind. Mis Milwaukie Intermediate Boys & Girls..
Milwaulcie Church of Christ

140.75 10.00
35.00

Court St. Christian Church, Salem.... 1st Christian Church, Roseburg 1st Christian Church, Ashland
Corbett Christian Church

9.00 25.00 2.50

15.00

Oregon City Jr. Endeavor

Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Lewis Mrs. 0. E. Hobart Mrs. John Pointer Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Shields

7.65
10.00 10.00 5.00 30.00

David Dowdy Oregon City High School Class McKinley Indian Mission, H. S. Class Church of Christ, Holyoke, Colo

1.00 5.00 10.30 20.00

972.81
$2649.64

DISBURS3SMENTS: Aug. 1, 55 to Jan. 1, *56

Household $ 184.48
Food*335.86 Film 11.34

Cbrrespondence
Language teacher, books

31.83

(both Thai and English)

Repair
Personal Travel

138.62
17.85
148.59 30.32

Supplies from Stateside Archer Plastic, Inc

The Photo Lith Co

75.00 16.50
26.90

* Repatriation deposit

1231.27

$2248.56

RECEIPTS Total
DISBURSEaiENTS Total

$ 2649.64
2248.56

Bal. January 1, 1956

S 401.08

* Repatriation Deposit. According to passport reg ulations this repatriation fund is supposed to be on hand at all times. We shall need approximately $2,500. If there is money above our monthly expenses we shall
set it aside for furlough expenses.

THE GREAT COMMISSION REMINDER

Among the tribes of Northern Siom
And M# Imolhtn shoU

hnmrthet / ont tht Lord,

irA / shotI bo sanetifiod

ffo yo into oU tho world, ond proock tbo gosp*!.....

JAM
Mark 16 US

in you boforo thoir ojrot.

Piiblitkctf 0ii4 Mollatf fr by

MEL and JUNE BYEftS Talot ChicngkoM, CkaAf Chicngrvi, TteoilOM^ Atio

Forwarding agnt MRS. ALLEN R. NICHOLS

V-.1
I
*

2ltl S.C.SilMf Springs Rd.

Portland

22 Oregon
U.SJ^

%
I

T*
1

VOL.

MAY - JUNE, 1956

No.

FOR I AM NOT ASHA.MED. Three Miao tribesmen walked into a Thai restaurant, sat down and ordered their food. Be-

fore partaking, they humbly bowed their heads while one led in prayer. The Thai stood around and mocked.
The Thai natives regard the mountain people as in ferior. They are supposed to possess the mind of an animal. They have no written language. They are slaves to Devil worship. They have been exploited and corrup
ted by opium. The three tribesmen were oblivious, howe.ver, to the

taunts and laughter of the Thai - they were Christians.

Their faith in the saviour was not yet one year old,

but they were walking bravely that humble, narrow road

that leads heavenward. They had cast away their tobac

co and opium.

Their manner was humble and sincere.

The altars for demon worship had been exchanged for a cross. These humble mountain people who bowed their

heads for prayer were walking uprightly in the face of

ridicule. They were not ashamed.

Have you ever sat in a restaurant and felt a little bashful about bowing your head in a gesture of thanks giving to God? Have you, as husband and wife, ever felt ashamed to approach each other concerning the fam ily altar? Were you ever in a conversation with your
fellow workmen and blushed to speak concerning the Son

of God? Are you afraid of ridicule? Can you walk through every phase of life without having the color rush to your face at the mention of Jesus Christ? Are you timid about walking before men as a Christian?
These tribesmen were a witness to rae who regard Jesus

as the most important person in their lives - and are

not ashamed.

"For the Spirit that God has given us does not im

part timidity but power,and love, and self-control." II Tim. 1:7 (Williams)
"I heard" is not as good as "I saw". Chinese Sage

Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.

The Thai like to carry their loads on a bamboo pole across their shoulder. The above picture was taken while lost for a day in the jungle.

MAN AND WOWAN FHOM THE KHAMU TRIBE

(This is another tribe in our area still unreached)

CIUNGED LIVT^IS KIAiCE A DIPFEtlENCE.

God has used weak

vessels at times to explode the pretentions of the wise. In the eyes of the world, a leper is a "despised thing". He is considered base and repulsive. So it
was that Nai Tha and others were forced from villages -

pushed out by relatives - ostracized by the law to wan der in the jungles, grubbing roots and scratching out a living like a jungle fowl. Their bodies slowly
rotted away by leprosy and malnutrition. Infected sores swarmed with flies. The spirit of these lepers
became bitter with resentment and retaliated with an

ger, theft, and begging. Thus they accepted banish ment from the brotherhood of man of which they were a part. Weary - alone and almost broken, some found their way to the leper village. Their dull, bitter minds began to absorb some light. Through the thick dark ness of their minds, understanding would come for a few minutes and then disappear. Slowly they learned. Gradually they believed. Experience made it real. Like unto every contrite heart they found a washing in the
cleansing blood of the Lamb. Bitterness turned to love.

Anger melted and was poured into the mould of meekness. Ignorance was transformed into understanding. Deformed, despised bodies were clothed with joy and thanksgiving.
Some of these re-created lives went back to their

former villages and relatives and spoke of God and of

Jesus Christ and about salvation. humble their love sincere. Their witness was

Last week a leper asked roe to go to his village and teach about Jesus. Somewhat doubtful, I went. I

was received and close attention was given to my teach ing. The leper was also there talking and encouraging
his villagers to follow Christ. I was amazed. The

villagers were listening to a despised leper.

Later I

learned tha^ interest had been aroused when two Chris

tian lepers had visited for a few days.

The villagers

knew their former lives and were amazed at the trans formation. Their lives had been re-created and God had

taken these base and "despised things" and had opened

them like a book to be read of all men. Here was a

message the villagers could not arffue - or deny. 3udhism or devil worship had never accomplished this. There was onlv one choice and that was to investigate.

j.They were interested.

found the wise.

God had used a leper - to con

What is missions? What is world-wide evangelism? Men would have us believe that it is something intricate

and involved. Something that has to be worked up, So.-nething that revolves around high powered promotion and the employment of methods designed by the world. God says - just give me a leper and I will explode the pre

tentions of the wise.

God says,'^ive me something 'weak*,

something 'base' and I will show you missions and evan

gelism that knows no bounds."

Missions and evangelism today are being thought up, launched and promoted by the flesh. The pages of his tory and God's Word point a mocking finger at its empty
fruit.

God quickly brushes the ways of men aside and says, "I want you only you- to become base and weak, that
the power of God might be manifest." God wants to re create you and then open you as a book to be read of

all men.

Against this the world has no argument - no

denial and only one choice. "Rut God hath chosen the foolish thinfrs of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak

things of the world to confound the things which are

mighty; and base things of the world, and things which

are despised, hath God chosen "I Cor. 1:27-28.

FAST MEETS 'ITEST

(Rinda Marie and a

young girl from the

white Miao Tribe)

^^RS, ALLEN tt. NICFIOLS.

Sixteen years ago I was a high

I

school student struggling to find faith in Christ.

was a member of the Multnomah Church.

Klery A. Parrish

was the minister.

Mr. and Mrs. (Rex and Pearl) Nichols

For the past eight years

were the youth counselors. Through the guidance and patience of these and many others my life found an an

chor and a vision for service.

Mrs. Nichols has been acting as home representative for me while on the mission field. Many of you have re ceived letters and information from her - thus I thought it well to become better acquainted. She is a member of that silent army of servants who perform faithful duties
without praise. In case you are not familiar with the work of a forwarding agent, here are a few of her duties.

She handles all the monthly contributions - keeping ac

counts - banking and mailing New York drafts - answering

letters - sending receipts and many other things which I probably don't know about. The publishing - folding and stamping of the news letter is her responsibility.
The burden of Thailand is also hers and on occasions she

is called upon to show pictures and give information con

cerning the work here.

There are always items to be pur

chased and errands to be run.

June and I cannot say enough to show our love and appreciation for this service of faith and love. At present Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the

Milwaukie Church of Christ.

Alger Pitch, pastor.

-.-43

MRS.

NICHOLS

< ^

Ral. Jan 1

401.08

RECEIPTS: Jan., ?eb., March,

Burns Church of Christ Coburg Church of Christ
Trent Church of Christ

*56
$ 4.72 40.00
30.00

MrSo Cora McCauley Gleaners Class, Molalla Christian ...

Southwest Church of Christ

10.00 13.25
10,00

El Cajon, Calif. Friends

Hillsboro Christian Church A Friend Milwaukie Church of Christ Salem Court St. Christian Mission Fd. Annis Jenson Molalla Christian Church

9.00
25.00 200.00 90.00 28.50 10.00 20.00

Archie Pierce Garibaldi Church of Christ

150.00 30.00

Mr. & Mrs. Allan Smyth

Corbett Christian Church Mrs. James E. Miller Friends Multnomah Church of Christ Florence C. E

10.00
10.00 25.00 70.00 150,00 15<,00

1st Christian Church, Lebanon, Ind.Mis. 12.00

Eastside Christian Church, Albany....

Total Bal
DISBUllSEMENTS: Jan., Feb., March, '56

28.10 % 990.57
$1,391.65

Household supplies &glghlgfin?

Foodstuffs

$ 224.32
79.56

Film and prints Correspondence, misc., freight, and repairs

Language teacher - books and Thai
Personal clothes material medicine

66.57
26.00
50.35 92.31

Travel

47.10

Immigrations and Customs

The Photo-Lith Co

34,06
37.80 $ 658.07

Total bal. April 1, 56

733,58

'mE GREAT COMMISSION REMINDER

Among the tribes of NofttfefefewtiCl^^
And the heathen shall

know that / am the Lord,

mhen / shall be sanctified

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel...

in fou before their eyes.

zk.3e-.23

Publithtd and moiltd free by

Forwording agent
MRS. ALLEN R.NICHOLS 2IM S.E. Silver Spring* Rd. Portlond 22, Oregon

MEL ond JUNE BYERS Tolot Chiengkom,

Chongwaf Chiengrai, Thailond^ Asia

Vol. 7

DECEMBER, 19^

No, 3

keepinq the sANcnir op ghrisimas

^cken and hear a hearty 'Iferry Christmas." I e-ven like

to see my otm cherished memories reflected in little chilChristmas gifts.
The other day a native asked me, "l^ere is the story of the Christmas tree in the Bible?" His question caused me to reflect more seriously on this cherished tradition#
TYhere does tradition end and the fact of Christ's birth be-

I like to feel the cold air, catch a Tfhiff of roasted

I like Qndstmas* I like to see the colored li^ts and s^se the gaiety and good -will that reigns in eveiy home.

to get lost in the rush and scramble to buy gilts# I

gin. As the native vratches us observe Christmas he has tradition and facts all mixed up* IVhat tiould the native believe if he watched yoy? As Chidstmas I believe -m are obligated to restore the sanctity of the Chrisianas message* Advertising and big business concerns have hypnotized Christians into their guile. Slei^ bells, holly, carols and the baby Jesus have been used to sell everything from Bibles to beer. "Silent Ni^t" is an mixed vp ifriLth "I'm
Dreaming of a liUhite Christmas" as a erotic stimulus sell

ing eveiything from candles to cigarettes. This old sinful "srorld is licking its greedy fingers over the manger of Christ It loves to hear the jingle of bells - in the cash register. The m>rld loves to see Chzdstians go Christmas mad.
2^hieal traditions and facts are all mixed tgp. This is T)hy I believe the native asked, "V/here is the storh of the Christmas tree in the Bible?" This id "sdiy all the major cities in the ivorld, and most of them are pagan, are cash ing in on this yearly gold mine -without the sli^test knowl edge of its meaning. This is vdiy one merchant advertised this "joyous season" by hanging Santa C3aus on a cross.
May we this season restore the sanctity of the Christmas story. let us enjoy our traditions and customs if we must, but let us fimly divorce them from the birthday of Clod's only Son. May we sanctify both our homes and the Churdi as a place to remember the Lord's birth, separate from thi^ world - its madness - its greed and its filthy reproach
on the Son of God.

THIS COMING lEAR THERE WILL BE TORK TO DO AT HOME

THE CHILDREN ALSO CONTBTOE TO GROW

IN EXUBERANCE

IN CDRIOSITX

(Rebecca Ann)

(Rinda Marie)

, ,

, AND NEW EXPERIENCES

(First trip to a big city)

THERE WILL BE MANY DATS OF TRAVEL

Bi'MfliWl

h--

M
-3;

a.
;7?i

T|
\o/

?VU
/ '

-N

REACHING TRIBES THAT SIT IN DARKNESS

YOUNG MAN WHO V/DRSHIPS s m SPIRITS

YOUNG WMM CRUSHED IN PAGAN CUSTOM

"WHAT IS IHE TIME??

I've often "wondered - -what is time

Slipping by so fast, A day, a year or - any time Now it's here and then it's past#
"Who reckons the time all the time

From beginning to end, TJho watches and knows - every time I betray or help a friend.
Hie time I've wasted a short time

In a dreai^y idle way, Irflien added up makes - a long time Precious time >Tasted away# One person says I've - lost scrnie time

VMle another seeks to gain.

Yet others try to - make some time.
But time moves on the same.

Western, Eastern or - Mountain time TVhat time does your clock say. Daylight, Standard - or Country time Can you add or take away?

"What is the stuff that - makes up time Can man measure or weigh its style.
He must set his watch all the time

TShile the stars keep time and smile.

I Tdll be glad when earthly time

Twenty four hours a day Is finally changed to - endless time Reckoned in heavens way.
. . . ILW.B.

mi

PERSPECTIVE

>
s

The old year is past. Many Till say good riddance, for
they are eager to -wipe the slate clean - turn over a new
leaf and make hold statements about the futijre# Before tub

crumple tqp this old y3ar and ^bly toss it into the iiraste basket, let us ream ourselves Tdth some of its lessons# Per^ haps there are stiU ruins in the old year that can be used#
As "s?e stir about in the ashes of yesterday "we find much wisdiJmi. With the fingers of memory -we fondle a blackened, charred piece of time - the ashes of time spent foolishly* Not long ago it was shiny and new - fresh flm God*s hand and we idly consumed it upon our lusts# We blush for we would
like to hide this evidence. But waxti Let these ashes help

us to confess our sin - and gain forgiveness for the future# Picking up another piece of time's residue, our hearts skip a beat and a lump comes to our throats. Again memoiy is re freshed. !I3iere were times of real comfort, joy and compan ionship. Cherished segments of time forever locked in our hearts. Little things that counted. These ashes speak to VLs of time consumed wisely. ^ Meditatively we scrat<di about and let the ashes of the old year sift throu^ the fingers of memory# Ife find a variety of odds and ends. Scraps of time. Times "sdien W13 sincerely tried but failed. (Rimes iidien we meant well, but were mis-

xmderstood# Often we retaliated with times of anger, despond ency and bitterness. Now nothing remains but ashes# Let
Tis heed its counsel#

Amidst the burned out hours and minutes of yesterday there are fragments isfliich are shaip and heavy# !Ehese twisted ruins of last year feel heavy in our hands# Once again memoiy squeezes the heart and ws want to forget# Tragedies, deaths and disappointments# But waiti In the wreckage of these twisted moments there is stability and purpose# Let the tears come again and wash the window of your vision# Recall idie

deep impressions of life that were so vivid in th<e despe3>ate hours#

God.

Recall the vows you made before God# Press this

rusty old piece with its sharp edges to jrour lips and -KhanV
No, I shall not toss these relics away but shall let them be the foundation and guiding force for the nefw year. Thlg new

year.

The new year is before us. A brand new shiny frag

ment of time. The flower of the old year will blossom with beauty and charm if we plant it in the ashes of the old#