Lahu Bible Institute - North Burma Mission in Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A century ago hill tribes migrated south from China into countries that are now Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam.  Two of the six major tribes are the LISU and the LAHU. 

The LISU people settle near tops of mountains close to streams or waterfalls.  Most of their villages feature a large bamboo pipe, a conduit that carries water from the nearest source to the village.

The LAHU people also settle at the higher elevations.  They are known for their knowledge of herbal medicine.  “Lahu” means “hunter” and wild game and fish often supplement the traditional rice and vegetable diets of the hill tribes. 

The houses of both these tribes have thatched roofs and are built on stilts.  The area beneath these houses is used as a corral for their many domestic animals; pigs, chickens, ducks, and water buffaloes.

Joel Khopang is the Taiwanese missionary who established the Lisu Bible Institute, and more recently the Lahu Bible Institute.  He and other native   Christians teach and train pastors to take the gospel to tribal villages scattered in remote areas of Thailand and neighboring countries.  The campus buildings provide basic classroom, kitchen and dormitory accommodations.