The Sponsorship Experience

Wara

It's not the same for everyone, this sponsorship thing.

But I'll get to that in a minute.

There are twenty-five right now.

Twenty-five at risk and orphan children who are no longer either of those things, and who no longer need be defined in such a way...

Thim

because of Sponsors.

From the beginning of our connection with Pastors Suradet and Yupa and the then eleven children they so courageously welcomed into their home in and about 2007, the Sponsors have been "our part" of what makes it happen.  

Suradet and Yupa and the staff at New Family Foundation carry the weight and joy of the every day.  They are caring for the needs of eighteen on-site kids, plus six older students studying at university or specialized prep schools.  That's feeding, clothing, nurturing, parent-teachering, and loving, all with the logistics of twenty-five sets of needs.  Yes, that's the much bigger thing.

And the Sponsors come alongside, love and befriend, and support financially and relationally, their one child.  It's a very personalized deal.  All Sponsors send over packets filled with tangible evidence of their care.  Some Sponsors actually are able to go and visit and meet their child in person.  All the children know their Sponsors by name, and pray for us every single day.  

And we get to see them grow and graduate and launch into their adult lives, just like we hoped would happen when they first came to us.

Entorn is working of a Masters of Theology.

Miki has her engineering degree and is now married with a baby girl.

Somechai has his own small engine repair business and is now married with a son.

Two is now a mahoot (elephant trainer) at a rescue camp, married with a baby girl.

Wara is just graduating from Bible school and will be looking for a church to pastor.

Eak is pressing into his last years at a prep school that will bridge him into a university degree in architecture.

Thim is now a teacher in a remote mountain village school, providing the kind of education that was not available to her when she was growing up.

Eak then

None of these children would have had these opportunities without their Sponsors.  And we are so proud of all of them.

That's what we live for!

Sometimes it hurts though.

Love like you won't get hurt, but you do.

Because we are not legal guardians of these children, but rather custodians whose living relatives have entrusted their children into our care.  Rightly so, Thai law gives final say to the legal guardians and parents of all children.  This is especially necessary in a country where many organizations such as ours undertake the mission to help break the cycle of life crushing poverty.  

So parents sometimes call their children back.

Lots of reasons.

Sometimes, and this is great, a parent's life situation changes and they are now able to provide for their own child's well-being and education.  We rejoice, even if we're sad when we say good-bye.

Eak now

One time, during COVID, a grandmother who was the legal guardian, firmly believed the the virus would not reach them up in the mountain, and was terrified to allow her grandson to return to begin the new school year, living so close to Chiang Mai.  

Sometimes, often enough to make it so hard on all of us, parents or family members of girls do not feel it is necessary for them to continue their education past grade 8 or even grade 6.  We don't agree.  But we have no legal recourse.  

In every case, especially when the Sponsor has done the investment emotionally, we grieve.

But it's still worth it.

And I describe this as honestly as I can because right now we have had no less than eight new children join our family.

Four of them have Sponsors already.  Thank you!

Four do not.

And I resist here the temptation to post their pictures and names, even though I'm pretty sure I think I may have done so in the past.  But by now the last thing I want to do is to randomize a Sponsor-Child pairing process that has become so much more prayerful and spiritual as we have grown as an organization over the years.

I let you know here so you can know, and respond if that's where this is leading you.

And if you're interested please contact me at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

I can send along all the information and expectations.

And some pictures :).

Sponsors, past and present.

We are so deeply grateful for all you have given to us from your hearts!!!!

 

This is My Family

With long anticipated joy, I am delighted to announce that, shortly after her 18th birthday, my granddaughter Abby will be travelling with me to Thailand this summer to visit Hot Springs!!!

Yes!!  It's really happening!!  We have our tickets already, and she's getting all the preparation done (sorry about the vaccinations, Honey), and working on raising funds.  She's asking all the right kinds of questions about culture and customs and how we will interact with the children.  She even has a "job description" because this isn't just a fun little outing with Gramma.  This is a full on missions trip and she's jumping in with both feet. 

What a missionary-pastor-Gramma's dream come true this is, on just so many levels.  I've been travelling to Thailand since Abby was two, so there's really no time in her memory when she didn't hear all the stories and begin her own imaginings of what it might like to go there one day.

It's interesting, then, that I have separately-in-my-mind chosen the theme of "This is My Family" for our Bible lessons when we're there.  We'll be looking at Paul's instructions about living together in community from Ephesians 4:25-5:2 as our spring board.  From there we'll be talking about the importance of truth-telling to build trust, healthy and unhealthy ways to express anger, the give and take of relationships, and making sure to use our words to speak life into one another, among other important choices.  It will have an extra special family flavour for me, I know, to have Abby there.

And "family" is really what this is all about.

According to an article from Psychology Today entitled "Understanding Family Dynamics"...

In a functional family, parents strive to create an environment in which everyone feels safe and respected. A positive home requires parents to set and uphold rules, but not resort to overly rigid regulation of any one person's behavior. In a healthy household, slights and misbehaviors are readily addressed, and boundaries are clear and consistent, all of which help avoid disharmony in the longer term. While this sounds easy, it can be hard to achieve in practice.

I don't know....does this sound easy?  It hasn't been, not in my experience.  Not in my experience with the family God gave Ken and I as we raised our two children.  Not in the context of being actively involved with our grandchildren.  And not in the realm of this large gathered family we now are part of in Northern Thailand.  In every iteration, we are together as imperfect human beings.  The balances are tricky.  The harmony sometimes hard to achieve.  

But I would still say that family is what this is all about.  It's worth it.  It's all worth it.

Thank you to everyone who went out on dollar store searches for some of the particulars I needed in putting together our "Family" lanyards.  And to Sharon Ogilvie who is, as we speak, fussing with the creation of all the 'fobs' that go with.

The idea here is that each child will receive a lanyard with the wood cutout and a tag to write their name.  Then, for each lesson there will be a fob to hang on the lanyard.  As we go, and we add more and more fobs to our lanyard, it will get a little more difficult to manage the clip.  That in itself will be a teaching point.  We have a large family, and the more we have in our family, the trickier things can be.  All the more reason to work together for each other's good.

And I'll just put it out there, that as the cost of travel is increasing, any and all specifically-directed donations towards that for me in my role as Missionary in Residence is most appreciated.  Email donations@hcckw.ca. designated "Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MIR, trip costs."

Thank you everyone for all the ways you help make it all possible!

In so many ways, 'family' has such a generous meaning in my life!

What's That There You're Playing With? Oh!

Trigger warning, for real.

Those who are squeamish about insects might want to skip this post altogether.

Fun fact about Thailand:  It has big bugs.

Fun fact about childhood everywhere:  Kids play.

Pictured above is a fine sample of the Rhinoceros Beetle (aka Hercules Beetle) that lives and thrives well in the jungle-forests of Northern Thailand.  Despite its rather intimidating appearance, these beetles are slow and sluggish with no stinging or biting mechanisms or instincts.  They are herbivores and have no interest in chomping on people.

As such, they make happy little play things for our children at Hot Springs.  

Apparently there's a whole gambling side hustle with these beetles, but we won't be mentioning this to our kids any time soon.  It was enough that one of our more entrepreneuring young boys took advantage of how many beetles he could gather from our property, and smuggled them in to school to sell to his friends.  Yes, they are that popular.

I don't know about you, but a large, clutchy beetle isn't the first thing I think of when I make a list of fun toys for children.  In fact, there's a part of my Western rescue instinct that wants to 'fix' this.

Are you kidding me?  Let's get these kids some 'real' toys!  

As if the absence of 'real' toys is a problem that needs fixing.

But what's more real?  I think of my own childhood, summers in particular.  I had the privilege of family property that took us out of the city where there were just a lot more critters.  And while my little Canadian psyche would have likely freaked out to see a bug this big, we still played with the frogs and caught fish in a pail, and fed the chipmunks.  We stopped to watch where the ants were going, marveled at the display of moths against the windows at night, and even gathered tent caterpillars and kept them in container for a while, and gave them names.  

These were our summer toys.  Toys of nature.  Toys of wonder and discovery.

And what if summer was always?   Wouldn't kids do this all the time?  Find the wonder and delight and playfulness in what's around them?

So, yes, at Hot Springs we have skipping ropes, and table tennis, and soccer balls, and now Jenga blocks (thanks to the happy project of our Team last November), to play with.  Sponsors send along Lego and games and such, all of which are received with delight provide much play value.

But the giant beetles remind me that not all that I see as poverty is poor.  

Now of course, if you don't have enough to eat, or if you are cold on those chilly nights up in the mountains, and if you don't have enough clothes in your house to send everyone to school on the same day, or if there's no school in your village at all, or if you're afraid that your Mom's new husband is going to hurt you, it's just harder to be a kid at all.   Play itself becomes a luxury.

That's why we need you.

“The mission of New Family Foundation is to provide a loving home for at-risk and orphaned children in in Northern Thailand to help them achieve their best potential in education, vocation and service to society.”

Simple Gifts

 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be

And when we find ourselves in the place just right

'Twill be the valley of love and delight

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

"Simple Gifts" - Shaker* folk song

The gift of simplicity is very pervasive at Hot Springs.  Any time I remember this Shaker folk song with its lilting tune and reorienting lyrics (link to the song if you'd like to hear it), I can't help but long to be there.

Less is more.  

It's a common reflection of people who come with me, especially those for the first time.  How little these children have, compared to children back in Canada, and yet, how happy they are.  It's as if our more materialistic Western sensibilities are messed with in all the good and disturbing ways they should be.  

Wait, what?  "Stuff" doesn't make you happy?  

You can play cool games with stones?

You can have fun just standing in a circle with friends, clapping in rhythm while singing a song?

You don't need electronics, or even store-bought toys to enjoy a Saturday?

Yup.  And seed pods (similar to but not Maple keys), held by the stem make for good spinning if you run with them.  Large, slow-moving beetles make good pets.  Gardening and tending the goats is good fun all on its own.

So when we arrive with Sponsors' packets full of trinkets and toys, it's like Christmas morning!

And when someone brings an idea for Jenga blocks or "Thai Blitz", what a bonus!

Still, no one has a bike.

Just a simple life out in the country where it's good.

Less is more.

Until less isn't quite enough.

And here's where I just put out an ask.

In crunching the numbers for this fiscal year's 2024 budget, we, like everyone else on the planet, are experiencing some sticker shock.  Electricity has gone up.  Gas has gone up.  Rice has gone up.

It's like this every year, for sure.  Cost of living increases are hardly a new thing.  And in the six years we've been operating as New Family Foundation we've actually been able to move forward in closing the gap between what we receive and what we need.

Mostly this has happened in three ways:

Increasing the monthly amount for individually sponsored Children.

One time and/or regular donations from generous Supporters.

Specifically designated fundraisers.

But looking ahead to the next 12 months, due to the unusual economic factors in play everywhere, we are looking at a need in our daily operations budget of $11,000.00 over the year, or approximately $1,000.00 per month.

As the Canadian Representative for New Family Foundation, it is in my job description to address this.  And over this next year, fundraising and adjusting our donor base will take a top level priority, beginning with the formation of a strategic plan directed at finances.  

So, I'm just letting you know.

Ways you can help.

Give

What you can, when you can.

Without a sense of obligation or stress, because we truly do believe there's enough to go around, and are in no way in competition with any of the other beautiful causes out there.

To give to NFF through Highview check out the options laid out on Highview's webpage at www.hcckw.ca/giving.  

And, for every gift, thank you.

Refer

I am currently scoping out educational opportunities towards non-profit fundraising and have found several good sources.  However, I'm open to more, especially ones that don't require high fees up front (which I have to admit I find somewhat ironic).  If you have good experience with this and can make a referral, please email me separately at rabreithaup@hcckw.ca.  

And, for every referral, thank you.

Pray

For God's provision, creativity, increased frugality and budgeting on our part.

For joy in the asking, in the giving, in the learning.

That our children will have all their needs met as they grow into all God created them to be.

And for every prayer, thank you.

*I do not mean to make comparisons to doctrines or worship practices between this 18th century Christian sect and New Family Foundation, other than the comparison of simplicity.  With an interesting history all on their own, the Shakers were a sect associated with the Quaker movement in both Britain and the United States.  They are/were known for their industry, innovation, and devotion to simplicity.  Hence the style of furniture named for them.   Also, they liked to dance, which they did a lot, and very obviously, by the folk dance directions in lyrics, to this song.  

How Little Does it Take to Make a Huge Difference? Educating Girls in Thailand

I'll start with the bottom line.

Right now, we need $3,000 to send some girls to school.

Now let me give you the (much) bigger picture.

==============

When Tae arrived at Hot Springs she was twelve years old.

We asked her to give a bit of a bio about herself.

This is what she told us.

My name is Kratae and I am from the Shaw Karen Tribe.  I am the youngest of two children and we live high on a mountain.  My parents separated.  

I have nowhere to attend school nearby and there is no one who can send me to any other school.  The nearest school is a 4 hour walk from my village.  It is too far for me to attend school regularly.  My mother has to work to provide for me and my older sibling which is very hard for her.  

But now I am able to come to live at Hot Springs I can attend school like other children.  I also have the opportunity to learn about worshipping God.  Even though I don't know how to sing or understand the Bible, now that I am at Hot Springs I am learning more and more about God!

Everything in this bio speaks to a pervasive reality in Southeast Asia.  Poverty prevents possibility.  And it's especially true for young girls.

Remember that she is 12 when she is gathered into our family.  Look at the chilling comment from an article by The Borgen Project.

"To conclude, girls in Thailand do have equal access to education but there are often other obstacles in their way. Girls who do not attend school are at a higher risk of being human trafficked."  (Emphasis added)  Girls' Education in Thailand 

Today, Tae has completed her high school education and is attending Rajabaht Univeristy in Chiang Mai, studying horticulture and business.  She hopes to own and operate her own produce garden one day.  An independent business woman.

This is a good time to thank Tae's Sponsors, George and Linda Gabber, who have supported her all the way through.

Here's the thing though.

Our students are financially supported through a separate fund than how we manage daily operations. And while the monthly amount Sponsors donate does indeed cover the cost of their elementary school education, we do not expect our Sponsors to foot the bill for post secondary school fees.  

The good news is that it costs roughly $1,000.00 Canadian dollars per year per student to provide the educational opportunities they choose to pursue.  You read that right.  

Just $1,000 for tuition AND board to make the all the difference in the world for Tae.

It's April so, it's time again to make the appeal.

We have three students and right now we need $3,000 to set them up for their next run of studies.

Want to help make a HUGE difference?  A few ways to do this.

Contact me via email, rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

E-transfer your donation to donations@hcckw.ca and designated it for Student Fund.

Send a check payable to Highview Community Church

with "NFF Student Fund" in the memo line to:

Pauline McAughey

Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

All contributions over $20 will be receipted for tax purposes.

Thanks for letting me ask.

Thanks for considering!

Blessings all,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Missionary in Residence/Canadian Representative

Highview Community Church/New Family Foundation

The mission of New Family Foundation is to provide a loving home

for at risk and orphan children in Northern Thailand

to help them achieve their best potential in

education, vocation and service to society.

Crosses in Gardens

Cross on the Hill at Hot Springs
Photo Cred: Dave Driver

Crosses in gardens seem more real, somehow.

Yes, let's put them on our places of worship, and wear them around our necks, or hang them on the walls of our homes to remember, to identify ourselves with this Sacrifice.  

But we all know these are sanitized symbols.  

So it's good for us, sometimes, to go outside.  

To reflect beside the rough wood of it.  

To be more real about it.

Crosses in Thailand feel more real somehow.  

Inside or outside.

Maybe because they stand in stark contrast to golden domes.

But just in case I'm tempted to point fingers, 

we Christians tend to glitter too.

Drawn to the bigness of it, I guess.

Different ways to point to God.

Again, no pointing fingers.

There's room at the Cross for this.

But still.

Crosses in gardens seem more real.

In some ways of thinking, 

suffering is to be avoided at all costs.

There's another stark contrast for Thais.

Christian Thais.

We worship a God who suffered.

All the more reason for crosses in Thailand to feel more real.

Inside or outside.

There is no 'spring' in Thailand, either.

Nothing to 'cross' over between equinox and resurrection.

No cultural expression of a celebration of dying that brings life.

Not seasonal.

Not like we do.

All that's left is what is real.

Crosses in gardens.

And hope piercing a recycling of despair.

All of us at New Family Foundation wish you all the very best, 

most real Easter ever.

And if you get the chance,

go visit a Cross in a garden.

Some surprising encounters have happened there before.

Celebrating a Remarkable Woman

 

Happy Birthday to one of the most amazing women I know!

It's not just that she, along with her husband Suradet, have for the past 16 years, welcomed so many children into their care. That alone is heroic and admirable and incredible all in itself.

But to know Yupa is to be graced somehow with the measure of her faith. It's as if the deep spirituality and powerhouse of her inner strength sort of sparkles off onto you. You can't help but get some on you, somehow. To be prayed for by Yupa is truly a great gift.

So, on this birthday, we again celebrate that God has given us such a treasure.

And we pray blessings over and abundant.

As you have given, may it be given unto you.