In their hearts [Teams heading to Thailand
plot their route and buy their tickets,
plan their lessons and activities,
learn a little bit of Thai language and customs,
get their shots and purchase extra insurance,
exchange their currency and weigh their bags,
and check off what seems like a thousand other details on the list,]
but the LORD establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9
(The Missions Trip Planning Translation)
Last night we held our last logistics meeting for the upcoming visit to Hot Springs later this month. We will get together one more time (in person!), to pack the ministry suitcases with supplies, learning materials and Sponsor's packets, weigh it all out, and synchronize our watches as it were, so we can all meet at the airport together on Friday night, October 24th.
We leave early in the morning on Saturday, October 25 and arrive back in Toronto Saturday, November 15.
On this Team:
Cheryl: A retired (if we ever actually retire) English educator specializing in establishing early reading and writing skills. Second trip.
Pat: Also a retired (also if we ever actually) English educator with a degree in and passion for music. First trip.
Evangeline: A professional photographer with an sharp eye for and soft heart for our kids. Third trip.
And me: Who has quite honestly forgotten what number trip this is, but is excited to share the deeply good things God is doing at Hot Springs with these gifted and sincere women.
I should also give honorary mention to Norma who won't be actually travelling with us, but has been faithful to attend all our meetings so she can pick up the odd jobs of learning materials preparation, do a bit of shopping for us, and generally serve in any way we need her. We thank you so much Norma!
March 2025
With our last logistics meeting yesterday, and given all that I've been able to check off on my own trip preparations list, I'm feeling quite grateful and actually relaxed at this point before take off. With two weeks to go, I'm down to the finer details, with lots of time still to do the last bit of personal packing in a quiet, orderly kind of way.
November 2024
And.
We know from past experience that weather and volcanoes and viruses and any other such way out there surprises can alter the travel plans. Already some of what we have been working on for the past several months has had to be adjusted and readjusted as we hear from Suradet and Yupa about school dates and other mitigating factors beyond anyone's control. And then there's just that wonderful reality of all missions trips where we realize that we have to 'expect the unexpected.'
November 2024
So, when I say that we're as ready as we'll ever be, it's with that God-establishing-their-steps caveat well in place. Harsh Patel says that "Being ready isn't a feeling. It's a decision." And I get that, and I understand that, and I actually to a certain extent practice that. There's a place where you just have to trust your planning process, information gathering, advice received, and past experience (if that applies), to have done all the things that need doing, and get up and go. And then you kind of have to trust yourself to be able to problem solve anything you didn't see coming.
But when we 'go with God,' when we believe that the LORD (that's all capitals in the Hebrew Bible because it represents the most Holy name Yahweh) is the one establishing our steps, then there's something else in play. Another way of saying this is "[God makes sure ]that their intention comes to fruition" (Goldingay, 222). Wow! What a reassuring gift that is.
So, we're kind of only ready when we've done our part and step forward in faith that God will do His. Maybe I would respectfully add to Patel's thought in this way: "Being ready isn't a feeling. It's a decision to let God be in charge, even after doing all your grunt work."
This may be oh so obvious, but over the lost-track number of times I've done this trip, I have weirdly found it much less stressful when I don't try to do both jobs. When I actually let God do His job, and focus on me doing mine. Funny how that works.
If you're a praying sort, we would love yours for us.
For smooth traveling, of course, including the health and safety of the Team as we go.
For the flexibility and grace to serve alongside Suradet and Yupa for the benefit of the children.
For being open to the Spirit as we encounter new experiences, even the potentially unsettling ones.
That our Thai family at Hot Springs would be encouraged and uplifted by our time there.
As always, I want to be sure to thank everyone who continually and sacrificially supports God's work with these precious at risk and orphan children, and who makes it possible for us to be agents of His grace in completely changing the trajectory of their lives. None of this is at all possible without you.
Stay tuned for frequent updates.
Ruth Anne
[Goldingay, John. Commentaries for Christian Formation: Proverbs. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2023. ]
Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.
Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence
New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church
The mission of New Family Foundation is to
provide a loving home for at-risk and
orphaned children in Northern Thailand to
help them achieve their best potential in
education, vocation and service to society.
