A two day visit with Debbie Flinchum in Chiang Mai gives me the opportunity to do some shopping for crafts and supplies for the Hot Springs kids AND catch up a bit with some pictures and stories of my time here so far.

Changes In the Property

I arrived to the surprise of a new guest house, built by the Korean Methodist Church denomination who apparently have decided to participate more in Suradet and Yupa's ministry to our children. What this means is that Suradet's family has moved to what was once the guest house, the girls have moved into what was once Suradet's family's quarters, and the boys have moved back out of the bamboo hut (ants and rain can make the novelty wear off after a bit) and spread out into the space that once housed all the children.

This leaves room for a church office (in what was an original kitchen storage space), and also provides better separation between the boys and the girls.

Suradet has been several months now without the extra burden of teaching at the Bible School, something he had taken on to help make ends meet. However, because of the combination of monies sent by Highview from both sponsors' payments and extra fundraising, plus the generous coming alongside of Doug and Laurie Schinkle of Guelph, Ontario, Suradet can now devote himself to caring for the children and working the potential of the property he has inherited as pastor of Hot Springs Church.

In this, the gifting of both Suradet and Yupa keep shining. Add to Suradet's skill set, on top of all the pastoral, leadership and teaching gifts required to be a pastor, an obvious ability in animal husbandry, seen in the raising for frogs, fish and chickens to help feed the kids. The garden in spectacular, and the property includes mature and productive fig, papaya, mangno and banana trees.

These are skills that he is also careful to pass on to the children who are regularly seen in and amongst the garden, helping to feed the fish, and generally busy helping to keep and maintain their home.

There's always room for fun though, as seen in this clip from last night's worship time where a wonderfully silly game resulted in equally "silly" consequences. The participants in this crazy conga line are imitating ducks, apparently. At the head of the line is Tumanon, also called Jo, who along with his wife Boogna, are back to help care for the kids and the property.



There's so much more happening here, and in my own soul. I continue to experience much filling in so many dimensions. My language studies are good, although these two days in Chiang Mai feel like I'm 'cheating' :)....all English all the time, instead of all Thai all the time.

Okay....just some random pictures now.
First, Bee and me.


This young bird flew into the girls' room. Lots of screaming, until Suradet caught it in his hands. He says he's going to raise it. Anyone know what this is?
















The girls playing the Thai version of chess. George, they use the chess pieces all the time, for this and also to play chess as you taught it :).



Suradet, Mike, Debbie, Me, Yupa after church on Sunday morning. Mike interpreted for my sermon. BTW, it's kinda fun to preach barefoot :).