Chamchoy. It is an old Thai word that can mean lovely or delicate.
Chamchoy is my dog’s name. I found her one day when I went to do a little shopping near my house. I saw her sitting in front of the general store, looking intently at a steaming pot of meatballs on sticks. I could see from the way she was looking at the tasty treats that she was starving. So I bought her a stick of meat, and we fell in love with each other.
From that day on, Chamchoy started following me everywhere I went. Whenever I left the house, she would sit in front of my door, patiently waiting for me to return. I quickly realized that I had adopted her and felt responsible for caring for her.
Because Chamchoy was an abandoned street dog, she had never been to the vet for a checkup or shots. I knew she needed to get all the routine vaccines and get spayed. I didn’t want to end up with a litter of puppies to care for as well.
It wasn’t easy taking Chamchoy to the vet. She was terrified and jumpy. It also was difficult to care for her surgery wound after she was spayed.
After this, I began to notice that Chamchoy was very fearful around men or boys. I started to suspect that she had been abused as a puppy. Many of my students in the village wanted to play with her. I tried to show them how to play with her gently, but they are used to playing rough with animals. Chamchoy didn’t like that at all.
Some of my other students noticed that Chamchoy followed me all around the village, even when I rode my motorcycle. One girl asked me what I do every day to care for Chamchoy. I told her that I bathed Chamchoy and gave her good food. I talked about how I take my dog for a walk most mornings and evenings and that Chamchoy even sleeps with me in my bedroom.
When she heard all this, my student responded, “I wish I could be your dog, Teacher Ming.”
The sad truth is that many of the children we minister to here in northeast Thailand suffer severe neglect. We hope that through our church planting efforts among the Isan Thai people, many children and families will experience the delicate, tender love of Jesus that can heal their deep heart wounds.
A few months after I adopted Chamchoy, I discovered that she had a small tumor near her groin. I took her to the vet the next day, and she was diagnosed with a common form of cancer among street dogs. The vet explained that I would need to bring Chamchoy every week for chemotherapy. My heart was crushed. Chamchoy was like my child, and now I was afraid I might lose her.
Shortly after starting chemotherapy treatments, I had to travel outside our province for work for several days. It was emotionally difficult for me to leave Chamchoy at the animal clinic while I was away. I think it was hard for her, too. The clinic staff were very helpful, though, and sent me photos and videos each day to let me know how Chamchoy was doing. They could tell she missed me because she didn’t eat much and seemed to always be looking for something or someone.
Many of my friends and AFM colleagues prayed for Chamchoy, and just recently, the vet diagnosed her as being cancer-free. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It was hard when I learned that Chamchoy had cancer, but I learned something about myself and God through this experience.
Sometimes, like Chamchoy, I don’t understand what is going on in my life. I feel insecure or scared. Sometimes I feel like God is far away. But even though God isn’t with me physically all the time, I believe He never abandons or forgets about me. I know He has plans for me, just like I have plans for Chamchoy.
I will never forget Chamchoy’s excitement when I returned from my work trip to pick her up at the animal clinic. She was so happy. Her tail shook so fast, and her eyes lit up with joy to see my face.
Just like I came back for Chamchoy, I also believe that Jesus is coming back one day for us. Please pray with us that many families among the Isan Thai people will one day experience that same joy and excitement when Jesus comes back for us all.
