Engaging the Isaan for Jesus
Arnie and the Isaan
Maha Sarakham is a large educational hub in Thailand, hosting 70-80,000 students between the 6 universities and colleges present in the city. Many of the students who have come to Maha Sarakham to study are from the Isaan people group
– an unreached, Buddhist people who have historically made a life for themselves working the land and living off the fruit of their fields.
Wander into the Faculty of Pharmacy in one of the main universities and you’ll find Arnie. Arnie is one member of the three-person SEND team, which has set its sights on reaching the Isaan people for Christ.
A team that is only about a year and a half old, its members are diligently studying Thai and learning the ins and outs of the Isaan culture.
Who are the Isaan?
There are 22 million Isaan people, comprising 32% of the Thai population,
located primarily in the North East. Originally from Laos, the Isaan were forcibly relocated and have over time come to identify themselves as Thai, although they have a distinct language, diet, rituals and culture. They are a friendly people, with a strong sense of family and community.
As Buddhists, many Isaan people spend their lives seeking to eliminate suffering and improve their future through attaining merit in their present existence. Merit is sought through feeding monks, donating to temples and worshipping in temples.
Working among the Isaan
When Arnie isn’t studying Thai, Arnie is eating lunch with Isaan students, helping them practice their English and leading Bible studies when asked. Because most Isaan are dedicated Buddhists, traditional evangelism is difficult and often, unfruitful. The difficulty is increased as the Isaan know that if they choose to follow Christ, they can be sure to be ostracized by their community
– a value they hold dear. The Isan team has taken the approach of building friendships and trust to use as a foundation for evangelism through discipleship – the ministry of "hanging out".
While the ministry of "hanging out" sounds enjoyable and fun, it isn’t without its challenges. Arnie has to remind herself often to be patient and flexible, finding that many of the students will change their plans on a whim and forget to inform her. Sometimes this means that students will show up late for appointments and sometimes it means they don’t show up at all.
Praying for Fruit
Although this is a new ministry, Arnie has already had the privilege of discipling two girls. She has been encouraged to see them grow in their faith as they study the Bible, faithfully attend church and have their own quiet time each day.
A small group of students have asked for an English Bible study and Arnie looks forward to digging into the Word with them and seeing how the Holy Spirit moves.
As the Isaan team members diligently study Thai and befriend students in Maha Sarakham, pray that they would have wisdom in sharing the gospel in ways that challenge the Isaan worldview – opening their eyes to see that there is a loving, living God who has paid the price for their sin, because the merit they seek to earn in this life will never be enough on its own.
Pray for new team members to join the efforts to love and lead the Isaan to saving faith! Pray for courage for Isaan believers to speak out and be bold in sharing their faith. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be softening the hearts of the Isaan, preparing them to hear and understand God’s good news!
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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