|
Mother Teacher Book … by way of
introduction …
Most every American has
heard of the Vietnam War. What many Americans do not know is that this
war had messily spilled over into the neighboring countries of Vietnam.
Quiet mountain villages of Laos were bombed. Young Laotian boys barely
taller than the firearms they carried were enlisted by the C.I.A. to
fight the communists. This was the Silent War; the war in Laos that by
official U.S. declaration, did not exist. Refugees fleeing the
communists were crammed into filthy barbed-wire camps in Thailand.
The camps were bursting
with the sick, the hungry, the dying, and the hopeless. Lois
Callaway was an American missionary in Thailand at that time. Yoon
Choy Saechao was a young village boy
in Laos whose life was forever changed by the Silent War. It was in the
stench of the camp that their lives intersected, and Yoon Choy found
salvation.
I was privileged to sit and
listen to both their stories. History is best heard from those who were
there. These two stories have become a singular story of crossing
cultures and survival. It is as much a tribute to Lois Callaway as to
the Mien people like Yoon Choy, whom she loved and served. One person
with a heart inclined toward the will of God, can effect change. Lois
Callaway showed me that this can be true.
LOIS NADINE ELKERTON
arrived in this world in a simple sod home in Adena,
Morgan County, Colorado on November 24, 1921. She distinguished herself
in Fort Morgan, Colorado High School and in that city in journalism and
anticipated a career in that field. She was active in her church youth
group and there felt the call of the Lord on her life for foreign
mission service. She thus entered Phillips University in Enid,
Oklahoma. There she met C.W. Callaway. After a 2-year courtship they
married in Enid on May 28, 1942. They ministered in Glencoe, Oklahoma.
While continuing studies at Cincinnati, Ohio Bible Seminary they
ministered to Syria and Bethel Christian Churches near Orleans, Indiana.
They first went abroad in
December 1946 for a year's study in missionary medicine and Burmese in
London, England. After a frustrating 6 months of trying in vain to
extend their visas in Burma they served a year in Kunming, Yunnan,
Western China. Forced from China by the communist takeover they went on
to Thailand where they arrived on October 18, 1949. Most events in this
book occurred in Thailand. Throughout their ministry they have been
supported by several local congregations of Christian Churches and
Churches of Christ.
C.W. & Lois have 2 sons
born in America, one daughter born in China, and a son and daughter
born in Thailand. Lois died in an automobile accident near Napa,
California on September 5, 1996.
Joyce Bhang
|
