The boat slipped quietly between the stilted houses, oars dipping into inky water. Under cover of darkness, Nicky* made her way to the spirit village.
Nicky’s own village was also built on the lake, and many of her people made their living fishing and farming vegetables, using floating beds to protect the growing crops from the rise and fall of the water level. Status was shown by wearing large necklaces – the richer the person, the bigger their necklaces. It was also a convenient and secure way to save money – silver and gold generally resist inflation better than cash.
Eight years ago, some Christians had visited this Buddhist community. They stayed for a while in the area, returning each day, but were never allowed to sleep there overnight. The Christians had told the villagers about Jesus, and some had believed. But as soon as anybody decided to follow Jesus, they would be forced to leave the village. Not only did they have to start their lives over in a new place, but they had to leave their necklaces – their savings – behind too.
