ESL Team Leaves for Hot Springs on March 13

The very cool thing about this is that it was Suradet's idea.

On March 13, fourteen Highviewers will get on a plane and travel half way around the world to Chiang Mai, Thailand. We will partner with our Thai family at Asia's Hope's Hot Springs Orphan Home (also the church that gathers there) in an outreach adventure to teach English as a second language to neighbourhood children in the village of Maeon.

Since 2008, when we came alongside to sponsor Pastor Suradet and his wife Yupa, who had brought 13 children to live with them on the church property where they pastor, Highview has visited there five times. Mostly our trips have been relaxed and personal, more like visits to family than a missions trip, giving us the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and gentle culture, and to build genuine relationships with the children and staff.

It was in this spirit of learning and partnership that conversations began two trips ago in 2010, about the possibility of bringing a larger team to teach English. Suradet has numerous requests on a frequent basis, from parents in his village, to have their children taught English. English is a very positive asset for Thais, as they continue to work toward holding their own in a world that is becoming increasingly small, but with many economic and educational possibilities. Learning English is particularly important for children from low economic areas, as it can become a key that unlocks doors of opportunity that will help them break out of a cycle of poverty.

Hey, we thought together, us "farangs" (foreigners) speak English. Why don't we provide a fun day camp kind of environment where we can be together, teach some basics, and just love on these beautiful children?

So that's what we hope to do.

We will leave on March 13 and return in two groups, one on March 30 and the other April 3. Day Camp will run from March 19 to 23, leaving us some time to rest from the trip there, get to know our Hot Springs kids first, and have some time to get a taste for Thai culture on the off days when there is no camp.

We are almost ready to go. Lots of packing to do yet, and lots of details to cover, but it's happening.

A great team has assembled.

George Gabber and Linda Patton and their family, Jonathan, Elaine and Emmerson.
Ian and Renee Peers and their son Quin.
Dave Driver and his son Sam.
Megan Ogilvie
Heidi Bramer
Nick Hoffos
Ruth Anne Breithaupt

Each brings something unique and needed to the table.
Each is open for what God will want to teach us as we go.

And it is true, that the very cool thing about this whole deal, is that it was Suradet's idea in the first place. When we started our relationship with Hot Springs, we declared from the beginning that we wanted to have a partnership not a project. The times we have been able spend with them has increased our respect and love, watching Suradet and Yupa in action, being very comfortable to follow their lead.

This is going to be amazing!

We will keep you posted via this blog. And we thank you for your prayers.