Doctor Supparerk Ruckchart

About seven years ago, a young man showed up at Immanuel Baptist Church, looking for answers in his life.  He and I quickly hit it off.  He was a senior at Chulalongkorn University, considered to be pretty much the Harvard of Thailand, and I came to recognize that he was the most intelligent person I had ever met. Over the years, he became like a son to me as he continued his studies to obtain first a Master's Degree and now a doctorate in Educational Research.

To celebrate his doctoral graduation, his family held a party for him in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, over the weekend and they invited me to come speak at the event.  That is the reason I am here at this time.  I had to be here for this celebration.  And what a celebration it was!

When I arrived at Rerk's house Friday afternoon, women from the village were already busy cooking and preparing for the party. Rerk's family lives about 15 kilometers from Chiang Mai proper, in a village where most folks are related.  The entire village was involved in this celebration.  This was a much bigger deal than I had expected!

By the time we got going, I counted sixteen tables of eight set up.  There was a pair of giant speakers blaring Thai country music all day and into the evening.  Thankfully, they had brought in musicians to perform live music and they did more Thai and American pop music.

Two or three years ago, Rerk appeared twice on a popular national game show on television.  The second time, he won it.  I thought it was a cool touch that they showed highlights from the show as we ate dinner,

Rerk had a table for his closest friends.

I have spoken in Thai at a few weddings here, but made no attempt to do so this time.  Instead, Rerk's buddy, Jojo translated for me.

Supparerk's parents called me up to the stage to present me with a special gift as a thank you for the impact they said I had on their son's life.  I was surprised and very touched,

These will find an honored place in my house back in the US.

With Rerk and his parents.

With Rerk and his sister, Aom.  She is so sweet and she loves her big brother!

With Supparerk's dad.  He is head of the Thai Health Department for the province.

With his two best friends, Dom and Jojo,  The first time Rerk was on the game show, he finished second... to Dom.  That is how they met.  They became remarkably close friends.  Jojo has been his buddy for many years,  Both Dom and Jojo have been great friends and I am so grateful for their impact on Rerk's life.

In a Thai tradition, Rerk's grandmother gives him a blessing that involves tying a piece of string around his wrist.  It is believed to bring good luck.

Proud of the kid...

"What?  You really did it? You graduated???"

Doctor Rerk

The evening ended with hours of karaoke.  Rerk and his buddies doing a Thai pop song.  The older folks were not shy and ran up to belt out Thai country music.  It is a good thing the whole village was there because the music kept going loud an strong until well after midnight.  

No, I did not sing, but some young ladies did come drag me up in front of the stage to join them dancing during one song.  There was a moment when I realized that I was the only westerner in a group of well over a hundred Thais doing Thai country karaoke and here I was dancing with these girls in front of the stage area.  I live a pretty terrific life.