Siracha: Somporn, Dessert, and Church

My Granny (my mom’s mom) has an…energetic personality. She is a passionate woman who loves Jesus and is not ashamed of that love. It is possibly because of her passion for Jesus and her love for her family that she has made such an impact on my life. I have never met anyone who looks or acts as she does…until Wednesday night. My grandfather tells John Mark and I that we will be going to Siracha to visit Weechai’s sister Sompron, a woman who worked in the hospital with my grandfather for many years (I believe she is a nurse but am not positive about the assessment). Weechai picks us up to go to Siracha and we make the hour and a half journey to an obvious church building, the large cross and stain glass windows give it away. Soon after getting out of the truck and before entering the building I see a small woman, who at first glance looks like my Granny. When my grandfather hugs her and introduces me I learn that the woman is Somporn. I am also introduced to her husband. When it is made known that I am Robin’s son they tell me, in quite good English, that they knew my mother when she was very small.

The most striking thing about Somporn is not that she looks like my Granny, but that she acts like her as well. John Mark is also quick to make the observation and comments that he thinks, “Granny is secretly part Thai.” As we walk into the church, that she seems to be one of the main leaders of, I am reminded of Faith Chapel, a church my Granny (and Grandfather) help plant and grow. At Faith Chapel Granny’s presence was always known. When we tell our grandfather of our observations of Granny's similarities to Somporn he laughs in his own classic manner and says, “I never really thought about it before, but I guess you’re right.”

We sit down with the several dozen church members in attendance and enjoy a one of the best church meals I have ever been privileged to eat. I am seated next to a man a little older than I am named Tee. Tee drives a taxi in Bangkok, leads worship for the church, and speaks excellent English; he acts as my translator. On our menu for the evening is spicy ground meat, rice, banana flowers, bamboo soup, spring rolls, sweet noodles I nickname “rose noodles,” and fried pork won tons. After eating the multiple helpings forced in front of me I push my bowl away and inform them I will eat no more for if I do I m burst. Then a smaller bowl is placed in front of me and I am told it is dessert. After asking everyone I think will be able to tell me what the name of the dessert is I draw a blank and decided to sample the substance. The dessert looks like green peas covered in butter. The consistency of the treat is that of caviar and potatoes in milk. The taste is delicious. The dessert is made up of some fruit who’s edible portion is a small green bead of gel, tapioca, or at least what I assume is tapioca, and warm coconut milk. After two and a half portions of the wonderful dessert I fear I may throw up if I eat any more.

After the dishes are cleared away the group sits down for the church service. I am surprised at how charismatic the worship is and marvel at the full band made up of young teenagers. I sing along with a few of the songs I know, that have been translated into Thai. For the songs I do not know I mumble the word “watermelon” under my breath as worshipful as possible. After the worship Somporn leads us in prayer for many different issues, she translates for us so we know what to pray for. After the congregational prayer time we break into small groups and pray for each other. In our group is my grandfather, John Mark, Weechai, and myself, along with Tee and the man who will be delivering the sermon, he is a tractor salesman in Chonburi. Following our prayer time, Tee sits to my left and translates the sermon for me. After a bit more singing the service has lasted for two hours and it is nine o’clock, my bedtime the night before. Before we conclude Somporn gives Maw (Dr.) Willis an opportunity to share; he exceeds his three-minute time limit by ten minutes but the group is eager to hear his words. Following his testimony I am given a chance to address the congregation. I take the opportunity to thank the group for the wonderful food and for the blessing they have showered upon me during the night. I conclude by encouraging them to continue to love Jesus with all they are. Soon after the service we climb in the cab of Weechai’s truck and begin the drive back. Without even attempting to fight it, I succumb to my heavy eyelids and sleep my way back to Bangkla.




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