“The last will be first, and the first will be last.” Those words, from Matthew 20:16, ran through my mind as my sister and I flew over the vast Pacific Ocean from California to Thailand, just after Christmas in December 2020. We were on our way to Elephant Valley in Chiang Rai, Thailand—not to ride elephants, not to watch them perform, and not to use them for a mission project. We had traveled over 7,900 miles and spent thousands of dollars for one reason: To serve the elephants as they re-learned how to simply be elephants.
We were on our way to Elephant Valley Thailand in Chang Rai, Thailand to spend a week with elephants. Not to ride them. Not to watch them perform. And not to use them as work horses for a mission project. My sister Sara and I had traveled approximately 7,935 miles and spent several thousand dollars for one purpose: to spend a week serving the elephants… as they learned how to be elephants.
It may sound strange—how can an elephant forget how to be an elephant? But the truth is, the elephants at Elephant Valley—BoonRams, Patoo, Mai Noi, and Kamoon—had spent their lives in forced labor or performing in the entertainment industry. They were used to carrying loads, pleasing tourists, or pulling timber.
Now retired to this peaceful sanctuary, they were finally given the chance to rediscover their instincts, their rhythms, and their freedom.
This trip was definitely not a vacation! My sister and I worked hard every day. We got up in the mornings where we stayed in a large one room apartment-type building and went downstairs to an outside dining area where we would enjoy a wonderful, homemade breakfast. After that our supervisor, a sweet sanctuary local gave us our structured work schedule. Our daily tasks usually consisted of:
- Collecting elephant dung by hand (gloved, of course)
- Scrubbing down the elephant bathing areas
- Cutting and hauling banana tree leaves for food
- Repairing damaged tree bark—used by the elephants as scratching posts
- Preparing their daily snacks (bananas, leaves, and more)
At noon we would stop for lunch where we would share a delicious homemade buffet sometimes with tourists who came just for the day. Then it was back to the grind until around 5:00 p.m. when we would end our day with yet another nourishing dinner before returning to our apartment.
Although the elephants within the sanctuary were free, they were still chained with long chains to trees at night because they were used to it – and wouldn’t know what to do or how to act if a storm with thunder and lightning came up at night. They would be terrified and might stampede into buildings hurting themselves or others. So, until they’re able to know what it is to be elephants and re-discover the elephant instincts that had been buried deep inside of them, they have to relearn who they are and find their place in the world.
The members of the big, beautiful “tusked gang” got to walk freely on the paths that wind around the sanctuary, but not without a passenger – their own mahout. A mahout is a member of the family that has owned the elephant all of its life. The mahout is the only one allowed to ride the elephant and otherwise serve as the elephant’s caregiver and handler, working and caring for the elephant. The mahout doesn’t have a proper saddle secured on the elephant; he just rides “bareback” and is usually checking his cell phone as the elephant calmly and slowly walks whichever path it chooses!
Although our adventure happened in December it was warm and very humid in Thailand with temperatures in the mid 80’s. Because we were constantly – and conscientiously – working so diligently every day my sister and I lost several pounds while we were there (an unexpected plus!) While many people go to Thailand to bask on the stunning, white sand beaches and take in the beauty and mystique of the Asian culture… my sister and I worked. And sweat. And got grimy. And picked up elephant dung. And suffered some nasty blisters. And took anti-malaria medication. And slept in a room with no air conditioning and in beds covered with malaria tents. Why? Because it was time for the last to be first, and the first to be last.
God didn’t create animals for humankind to use as entertainment or as disposable tools to placate our lazy and entitled place on the food chain. IMHO, God’s plan for Creation is for all of it (including humans) to appreciate and honor the fact that we are all interconnected to each other, and it is our responsibility to each other to bring abundance and happiness to each other’s existence. I don’t know whose “bright idea” it was for elephants to “perform for humans” in circuses or carry people around on their backs for rides, but it was wrong. And selfish.
Call me crazy, but I believe that God meant for elephants to be elephants. Can we not allow them that one basic right? Can we not allow all animals their one, God-given right to be who God created them to be and live happy, abundant, FREE lives? Animals are not below us; they are not “the last.” They are our brothers and sisters. Please – can we not lift their needs and their well-being above our own? That’s what being good stewards of God’s creatures mean. And that’s what we are called to do! From the bottom of their sweet elephant hearts, BengRams, Patoo, Mai Noi, and Kamoon thank you!
