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LANNA
CHRISTIAN CENTER NEWS
It has become a tradition. Every December Lanna Christian Center hosts a community wide Christmas dinner. LCC neighbors and community leaders are invited to an evening of entertainment and good food. The purpose of the dinner is to build relationships with our neighbors and share with them meaning of Christmas. Each year the event seems to get bigger as more members of the community attend. This year the dinner was held December 10 on the LCC campus. Tables, chairs, and food were prepared for 250 people. Every chair was filled and late comers had to stand around the perimeter of the dining area. Lanna Christian Center students and staff prepared and served food. We were honored by the presence of the district head man and assistant headman. In past years district officials either did not attend, or came for a perfunctory 15 minutes. This year both officials stayed until the end of the evening.
Thais are familiar with Christmas. All the shopping malls play Christian Christmas carols. It is amazing to be in a Buddhist country and hear “Jesus, Lord at thy birth” or “Christ the Savior has Come” blasting over the PA system. But most do not understand what the celebration is all about. For many it is just a precursor to New Years and another reason to party, drink, and exchange gifts. But then it gives us a chance to explain to our friends what those words mean Hosting a Christmas dinner give us a chance to proclaim the good news that “Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)
The Lanna Institute for English has been providing English courses at the Chiang Mai Women’s Prison since November 2005. The students are prison guards and staff who need to improve their English skills. There are a number of foreign prisoners and the staff need to be able to communicate with them and their families. Carmen Filbeck, LIFE director, hosted a Christmas part for the wardens on December 17. Thirteen wardens attended. An American Christmas dinner was provided followed by a gift exchange. During the gift exchange several began asking about Christmas. Carmen and David Filbeck (LCC president) were able to share with them. At the conclusion one guard commented “Oh, so Christmas has an important meaning, then”
These guards are highly educated people. All have earned a 4-Year Theology Degree. A couple have even earned Master’s degrees. Our hope
is to continue our contacts with the prison so that we can build
relationships outside the classroom. Pray with us that we can continue to
present the gospel at the prison.
Carmen Filbeck, (LIFE Director) is busy developing a new program for LIFE. This program will be the ground work for an eventual certificate in English degree program. Long terms plans include a 4-Year Degree in English. We plan to kick off a pilot program for the new curriculum in June 2006. Our goal is to eventually have LIFE recognized by the Dept. of Education as a degree granting institution. Pray for Carmen, LIFE staff, and Lanna Christian Center Administration as we develop the curriculum and begin the registration process.
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LCC
Community Christmas Programs
LCC students
and staff kicked off the event with a pre-dinner children’s program. About
30 grade school children arrived an hour early for games and presents. The
dinner program included songs and skits prepared and presented by LCC
students. The highlight of the evening was a Christmas play presented by
members of the Chueng Doi Church of Christ. Sean Todd (working with Chueng
Doi Church of Christ) gave a great message on the meaning of Christmas. 
LIFE
Happenings
The
purpose of these Christmas events is to build relationships with our
non-Christian neighbors so that we can share with them the love of Jesus
Christ. Pray with us that God blesses our efforts this Christmas season.