Thra Thu Nu

Thra Thu Nu (right) in 2016 on our last trip to Mae
Sariang and our last time to see him.

In Thailand, we got to know many special people. Some though, were “extra special” and should have had books written to record their life, their work for the Lord and their work for the church. In Mae Sariang, Thra (teacher/pastor) Thu Nu was one of the extra special people we had the privilege of working with. I had long wanted to sit down with him and write up his life story but alas, time constraints, a lack of Karen language ability as well as a lack of writing talent prevented me from ever getting started. I’m afraid this brief “salute” to Thu Nu will have to suffice.

Thu Nu was genuine Karen through and through. Though I heard variations of his early life I understand he was raised in a non-Christian home with family connections closely linked to the village shaman. So, he had intricate knowledge of Karen spirit beliefs as well as all aspects of Karen culture, life and language. I don’t recall hearing his conversion story but once he became a Christian, he became a dynamic evangelist with exceptional ability to relate to all Karen, Christian and animist.

Thra Thu Nu (right in white shirt) performing a
Baptism in the Mae Ngow River, Mae Khu Tha Village
in December of 1988

When we arrived in Mae Sariang, we met Thu Nu almost immediately and quickly learned he had been either responsible or a key player in bringing many of the Karen Christians to Christ and planting many churches. As such, he was in high demand to travel and speak at all manner of services, trainings, and gatherings. As one of the few ordained pastors (many Karen pastors are not ordained) he was also in demand for Baptisms, weddings, and funerals since only ordained pastors were permitted to perform these ceremonies.

The life of a Karen pastor and especially one who is ordained, is a life of travel. In the US, each church
pastor preaches, teaches and ministers almost exclusively at their own church. However, among the Karen, each main church had branches and evangelistic outposts that the pastor also needed to visit. In addition, someone like Thu Nu also was heavily involved with association and national level evangelism programs and would visit villages outside his regular territory. Further, since he was so well known and had so many years’ experience, he was also asked to serve various roles within the Thailand Karen Baptist Convention which could lead to travel all over northern Thailand.

Thra Thu Nu (left in blue shirt) in 2009 getting 
ready to lead a service

On numerous occasions our own travel would coincide with Thu Nu’s schedule and we’d attend many services and gatherings with him. Though I never would have admitted it, secretly I was always glad to know that Thu Nu was present as for sure, he would be the main speaker and my role would be limited. But what impressed me most was just how relaxed and “at home” Thu Nu was wherever he went. In any village or town, people would flock to him but he always had time and attention to give everyone, who ever they were. He seemed to genuinely enjoy whose ever company he was keeping at the moment and was never in a hurry to end a conversation. He gave everyone respect and he was highly respected in return. He might show up hours late for a meeting, but he always had time for people!

Whether an informal gathering or a formal service, when he was speaking people hung on his every word. Within any sermon, lecture or conversation he would have people concentrating and thinking deeply, then switch to a story that would generate belly laughs, then back again to dispensing wisdom and substance at will. Though my Karen language was limited, I knew enough to know he had the gift of being interesting, funny, informative, educational and inspirational all at the same time. Even in Karen when I struggled to understand, it could easily be seen that Thu Nu had a “way with words.”

Thra Thu Nu (standing, right) with evangelists Thra Tu
(seated) and Bladway (standing at left) leading a program
at the Pwo Karen Hostel in Mae Sariang - 1986

At times, Thu Nu’s ability to feel at home and relax went to excess. As he aged, like all of us, he had
increasing difficulty staying awake. However, unlike anyone else I’ve ever seen, he also had an uncanny ability to wake up and be totally “on point” at just the right time. It was interesting to watch those leading a meeting rise to the podium to introduce an obviously snoozing Thu Nu. Casting worried looks in Thu Nu’s direction they would say what they needed to say all while wondering, “Should I shake him awake or not?” Finally, at the Karen equivalent of, “With no further ado, I give you Thra Thu Nu” he would pop up, fully awake and deliver a flawless sermon. It was uncanny. I don’t ever recall seeing anyone shake him awake.

Thu Nu has gone to be with his Lord and Savior where I imagine he is still at home, relaxed, being himself and still sharing stories, experiences and lessons to an audience hanging on his every word.  I regret never having been able to get his story in depth and write it down. But, I suppose the world is full of great Christian leaders whose stories, at least on the world stage, go largely unknown except to God. Even with the language barrier, we learned a lot from Thu Nu, enjoyed his company, admired his ability to relate to his people and feel the loss of knowing he is no longer with us. But, thank you Lord, for the time we could spend with him.