Elephant Healing

Da, second from the left, front row.

 It's Da who confesses first.  She's been up since 2 am, unable to sleep from the excitement of the day ahead.  Today is Elephant Ride Day!!!!!  Apparently this has a similar affect as Christmas Eve, with several of the children finding it hard to fall asleep, and if and when they did, finding it just as hard to stay asleep.  Today we do something we never thought we'd ever have the chance to do! The anticipation practically vibrates in Da's little face, and ripples through the children, even to the older ones.

Suradet and Yupa

I'll admit that I've second-guessed this choice of outing for this trip.  Two factors significantly increased the cost between the time we first said we'd do this (last October) and the time when we were ready to make the booking.  One - The Canadian dollar took a beating in the markets, making the exchange rate rather disappointing.  Two - The cost of the ride (two people per elephant) went up by about 35%.    When we calculated the total cost for just over 30 people to have a half hour ride, see the show, and have a simple lunch, it seemed like more than what we normally would consider reasonable.  I even appealed to Sponsors and Highviewers in general for donations to help cover the difference between what had already been budgeted and what we would ultimately need to make this happen.

Tonkao, my riding partner.

It all came in, and comparatively, for the size of group we had and the bigness of the event, it was still a bargain from a Western budget perspective.  Still, there is always that sense of wanting to be sure we are spending kingdom money appropriately, frugally, in keeping with the values of Hot Springs and particularly the careful spending habits of Pastors Suradet and Yupa.

Now, post-event, I am pretty convinced it was a good thing.  A very good thing.

And if Da's small, vibrating face isn't enough proof, there's Nok Gaew.

She's 8, and new to Hot Springs.  And while each child goes through a period of adjustment upon arrival, Nok Gaew seems to be just a little quieter than the rest, even after a year here.  She's shy, for sure, and the last thing we want is to put pressure on any child to be someone they're not, or epxress more than they are willing.  Still, it's been a challenge, sometimes, to engage her.

But on Elephant Ride Day it was as if a new little girl emerged.  And as I watched her smile for practically the whole day  I couldn't help but consider what sadness brought her to Hot Springs in the first place.  I know her Dad isn't in the picture, so right off the bat, what's the story with that?  I know her Mother could not afford to send her or her sister (Paula) to school, and that her place of work did not

A rare and wonderful smile from Nok Gaew.  And this is just standing in line!

allow children present.  I know that they lived in a  'dangerous' part of town, and that leaving the girls home alone all day just wasn't safe.  I know these factors, this little part of the story, so I can only extrapolate what kinds of sadnesses punctuated or even permeated her early years.

Childhood memories are supposed to include fun and safety and having enough to eat.  Hers didn't.  Same is true for every child here.  That's why they're here.

And that's why it seems to me now that elephants can be healing.  That this day of not being able to sleep from the excitement, and the loud joyful singing in the truck on the way there, and the excited giggles in the line, and the extra hand-squeeze of excitement as we step onto the elephant's back, and the non stop smiling for the whole ride, the whole day long.....that all of this is making an essential happy memory.  It's inputting joy-data that challenges the previous claims that life is scary and sad.  There's happiness instead, and fun.  There are people who love you and come for visits and be the aunts and uncles, grammas and grandads that you don't otherwise have, to spoil you just a little.  You have a Mom and a Dad who want you to experience good things.  And the future can be very different than the past.

I am convinced that a whole lot of healing happened on Elephant Ride Day.  And not just for the kids.  But for us.  At least for me.  Because, to be part of this?  It erases some junk in my own life too.  And life seems just a little bigger and more beautiful than it did the day before.


[Additional Note:  We are conscious of the sensitivities to animal cruelty.  By our own observation, the Mesa Elephant Camp practices a philosophy of deep connection between rider and elephant, evident in the way the animals interact, not just during 'performance' time, but also during bathing and other 'off' times.  The housing and nursery area are open to the public.  Half way through the ride, the elephants even got a snack of sticky rice:).]

Not My Life

*Thoughts from Erin's First Trip to Thailand*

........................

This isn't my life. Not really.

That's the thought that's been beating in my head, over and over like a drum since we arrived at Hotsprings Children's Home outside Chaingmai Thailand more than a week ago. The others unfolded themselves from their economy plane seats full of a joyful (if slightly weary) anticipation but I found myself stiff and nervous. Awkward and embarrassed before the beautiful children who greeted us at the airport and insisted on carrying my luggage and draping me with strings of fragrant flowers.

What am I doing here? 

The food is sometimes spicy, often strange and always wonderful. Filling our bellies 3 times a day with one decadence after another. French fries for breakfast, sticky rice and mangoes drizzled with some kind of liquid coconut heaven. Clear refreshing soups and every meal a platter heaped with the strangest most delicious fruit. And don't even think about trying to help with the dishes!

How strange it is not to do the cooking.

The daily 5:30 worship times where 25 children and a random spattering of others gather around one acoustic guitar, clad in hoodies and pajama pants to belt out their praises out to the Father. Even on Saturday.

I would never volunteer to get up this early at home. 

And the children. So shy at first, but now constantly grabbing our pale arms and leading us away to teach us a new game, a new word. To touch our strange-coloured hair or peer over my shoulder as I sketch their lovely faces. It's hard to imagine now the kinds of horrors that brought them to Pastor Suradet and Pastor Yupa's home. The hope and potential seems to shine from their lovely golden faces like the sun.

This doesn't feel like an orphanage. 

But of all the newness of my first trip to Thailand from the smokey sunrises to the oppressive afternoon heat, to the dried beetles that count as "snack food," I think the strangest experience I've had so far is myself. 

I'm different here.

So many of the things that are so central to my self-concept in my regular Canadian existence just don't seem to apply here. My way with words, my driving ambition, my sense of independence and competency...it all seems to just evaporate in the afternoon sun, and I am left with my naked and vulnerable self. Unable to "do something useful," unable to "be productive," unable to impress or push or advance. 

Henri Nouwen says that we have all fallen into the lie which says presence must be useful, and that in so doing, we have lost the simple strength of being with. Of loving and being loved. Of being together instead of being useful. This isn't really my life.

But maybe it could be.

19 Kids and Counting!

Saturday morning at Hot Springs.  Morning worship on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and new creations, reflects the freshness of this sunrise, and the deep joy in knowing something pretty spectacular happened yesterday on the last day of English Camp.  Our worship is but an echo of Heaven's party.

It was four days of everything; colours, alphabet, days of the week, months of the year, vocabulary, introducing oneself, showing hospitality.  We pronounced, we printed and we practiced our English.  We sang of the high, deep reaching love of God, about standing on the Rock of His Word, and we danced and shouted and sang.

All throughout the week, bit by bit, we introduced God's rescue plan for humanity.  Gently, simply, and with full permission of the school principle, himself a Buddhist, but having been taught English by a Christian, and made very curious by the kindness shown.  Why seven farangs would travel half way around the world and volunteer to teach his children English - "At my school, no English teacher" - was an amazement to him.

And yesterday, through indicating on our decision cards (designed for no pressure, low key), 19 children said they wanted to follow Jesus Christ.

We presume nothing.  What God does in little hearts, only the Spirit of God knows.  But it was clear that yesterday, in that room, something pretty spectacular happened.  And somehow we got to be part of it.

The nurturing of these new seeds will be up to Pastor Suradet and Yupa now.  This opportunity only came about through their years of quiet faithfulness in their community.  They paved the road for us to be there.  They will carry this through.  So we will pray for these children, and we will prayer for Suradet and Yupa and Hot Springs Church.

AND, in a totally surprising development, the principle has asked me to come back in and teach the children English, when I am back later this year for three months.  (Oh Lord, what are you up to?)
The opportunities take my breath away.

And now today, the Team rests.  A day to restore, play with the children, perhaps sort through the day camp bins to make sure the supplies are in good order.  Perhaps a visit to a market tonight.

Quiet, fresh, getting warmer.  I can hear a game of ping pong happening.  Under the dining shelter kids are playing chess.  Badmington is a favourite down on the grass.  Beside me, Suradet has his Bible open.  I breath slowly, happy in those deeper ways of being, being here affords.

On the Fly

First day of Day Camp done.  Wildly (and I mean wildly) successful day, due to the phenomenal flexibility of this fabulous Team :).

Despite all our well laid out plans to
a) Have everything ready to take over to the school and
b) Arrive in plenty of time to do set up and be ready for registration

We instead
a) Left an entire suitcase and carry bag of Day Camp supplies back at Hot Springs (more accurately, I did) and
b) Didn't arrive until 10 minutes before start time, when the children were already in the room waiting for us (this one's on Suradet ;).

However, God was there and answering all your prayers, so we did just fine in spite of ourselves.

It was great to see some familiar faces from last year's Day Camp.  (2014 Team, do you remember the boy who's nickname is Baseball, and the other tall boy who's nickname is Name?  We're not kidding). Sang the Alphabet song in a variety of crazy ways.  Reinforced simple English phrases for introducing yourself, and simple hospitality.  Reviewed the days of the week and the months of the year.  Went on a Lion Hunt (of course we did!) and jumped around like crazy people to "Your Everlasting Love" (of course we did).  And it was all a happy mayhem of joy and fun and hopefully some learning of basic English concepts.

Today we introduced the idea that we all need a rescuer to help us with the problem that we all do wrong.  My cups-on-hands illustration didn't exactly work out the way I wanted, because my ninja volunteer figured out how to use his mouth to get those full cups down to the floor.  Clever guy.  Forgot to say, "can't use your hands".  But oh well.  Tomorrow it's Christmas!  God's rescue plan begins.

For tomorrow, I think we're a little more ready, but who knows.  We're making friends and making memories and we'll see what God wants to do with what we've brought, both in our suitcases in in our hearts, to share with these beautiful children.

Sorry I can't post pictures today.  Hopefully tomorrow.  We have better connectivity, but still having some challenges between Hot Springs and the Guest House when it comes to transferring things off my phone to the blog. 

We all miss all of you, and continue to be so very grateful for all your prayers and support.

Connected at Last

Good morning from the porch of Suradet and Yupa's home.  Finally, a chance to blog, both the internet connections and the time being available at the same time :).

It was fabulous to wake up to a fresh morning.  Last night was our first full night's sleep since leaving Canada, and it felt good.   We're all doing well, grateful for cooler mornings (23C as I write), knowing that it will heat up substantially by supper time.  Jet lag doesn't really hit hard until sometime after lunch, and by then we will back and able to rest and stay away from the heat.

What an amazing welcome we have received.  There's such a spirit of joy and excitement here at Hot Springs.  Suradet and Yupa are well, relaxed and happy.  They are talking about their time in Canada a lot, and with great fondness.  

In a few moments we will head over the school to set up for Day Camp.  Yesterday we had the chance to go see the room and scope out the set up.  Also met the principal.  He told me they have no English teacher at this school and was delighted that our team would come.  He's already asked us back for next year!

While we were there, some of the kindergarten children couldn't help their curiosity at seeing farangs for the first time.  They smiled and waved at us, and their teacher invited us to come right into the classroom.  A spontaneous English 'lesson' just sort of happened, with "Head and Shoulders" and "Lion Hunt".  So much fun.  It occurred to me that anyone with the inclination and resources could come and teach ESL to these kids so easily.  The world is so full of opportunities to bring hope and joy.

So here goes.  First day of Day Camp.  Let's see what God unfolds for us.

Thanks for your patience.  We will try to send as many posts as possible.  Hopefully we can get internet set up at our guest house, which will help.

Sawat di, ka.

Ruth Anne

Introducing Boy

It is now only a matter of weeks (20 days to be exact) until we welcome some very special guests to Canada.

Pastors Suradet and Yupa, along with our beloved interpreter Boy, will arrive on Thursday, January 8 around 9:30 in the morning.  Of course, we are praying for good traveling weather and safety all along the way.

Because many of you have not yet had the chance to meet Boy, I thought I'd just let you in on some interesting and fun facts, so we can all get to know him a little, even before he's here.

First, Boy is a nickname, a common practice in Thailand.  His given name is Udom Setthaya, but since we're friends, we can call him Boy :). [Also on the name thing, it's true that one of our sponsored kids at Hot Springs also goes by the nickname Boy.  Often as not when we're there we refer to them as 'Little Boy' and 'Big Boy'.  However, last October, when I saw how much 'Little Boy' had grown, we had to switch that to 'Big Boy' and 'Bigger Boy' :).]

Boy and his family have been members at Hot Springs Church for several years.  After his father passed away, his mother, Dao, moved into an open position at Hot Springs as cook and nanny.  That makes for a wonderful visit whenever Boy can join Highview's Asia Team at Hot Springs to be our interpreter.

Right now Boy actually lives in Bangkok, serving with the YWAM RatchaburiTeam there.  In that capacity, he has spent 6 months in South Africa and Mozambique training in medical missions.  He has been working towards a transfer to YWAM San Francisco to work with homeless people.  It is his hope that he can finish his nursing education, in order to return to Africa as a medical missionary.  For more information about Boy's calling see: boy-marshel.wix.com/the-story

Boy is 29 years old, speaks excellent English (which he studied in university and through YWAM), and has a gracious, humble and open spirit.  He has served us so very well every single time we've ministered together at Hot Springs.  I have come to hold him with great affection as a brother in Christ, and someone whose faith inspires me.

When we started talking about the need for an interpreter for this upcoming visit with Suradet and Yupa, and realizing that our dearly loved Becky A was no longer available, another Team member, knowing Boy's heart for serving and how much he might benefit from an experience in Canada, suggested we invite him to come.  It didn't take much to convince me!

We are so excited about having him here!  I know you will come to love him too.  And I encourage you to make him feel welcome, like I know you will, and to ask him more about his life and calling....and what he thinks of Canada ;0). 

1.      

They Said They Wanted to See Snow So....

Yupa and Suradet,  Pastors and Parents at Hot Springs

It is with great excitement that we anticipate the arrival of Pastors Suradet and Yupa, as well as our friend and interpter Boy, to Canada next month!

January may seem like an undesirable time to visit Canada to Canadians, but as people who have no concept of snow, the idea is so compelling that they actually asked if they could please come in the middle of winter in order to get the full effect of what it's like to live here.  So we obliged them.

This snowy visit will happen between January 8 to 30, 2015, and already plans are falling into place to ensure a time of deepening relationships, inspiration and some truly Canadian winter fun.  We hope to provide lots of opportunities for Highviewers to connect with Suradet, Yupa and Boy in a variety of settings.

Here are some dates that have already been set:

Sunday, January 11 - Suradet is our guest speaker as we begin our 1 Peter series.
Wednesday, January 14 - Thailand Team 2015 meeting
Friday, January 16 - Hot Springs Sponsors' Appreciation Dessert
Saturday, January 17 - Toronto visit to the CN Tower  (snow date January 24)
Sunday, January 18 - Boy will share his story of faith as well as how God is directing his life.
Sunday, January 25 - Yupa is our guest speaker
Wednesday, January 28 - Suradet is speaking at City Watch (KW's Pastors' Prayer Group)
Thursday, January 29 - Goodbye Potluck dinner at Breithaupts'

Also in the works:

• Alpha - Yupa has agreed to prepare a traditional Thai meal (nut free) for one of our Alpha nights, (running Tuesdays from January 13 to February 24).
• Hosting a Meal - If you would like to host our friends for a meal in your home, please email me at rabreithaupt@buildingbiggerhearts.ca with two possible dates (not Tuesdays).  I will do my best to accommodate as many invites as possible without overwhelming our guests :).  Offering to take them out to dinner is great too.
• Ice Skating (or other winter activities) - If you would like to treat our guests to ice skating, tobogganing, winter hiking, or other favourite winter activity (one family has already volunteered to take them skiing), and can provide the transportation and equipment needed, please email me at rabreithaupt@buildingbiggerhearts.ca.  Again, I will do my best to accommodate your invitation.
• Young Adults - Some of the great friendships that have already formed between Boy and our own young adults who've visited Hot Springs will naturally result in a few events, as yet to be planned.

  

  Boy and his Mom Dao

Other ways to welcome our guests:

•  Three pairs of extreme cold gloves - sizes teeny, medium and large.
• Three sets of thermal/long underwear - sizes small, medium and large.
• Two heating blankets (new or slightly used) - one double, one single.
• Financial contribution toward visit expenses - please make donations through Highview Community Church marked "SYB 2015 Visit Expenses".  For out of town contributions please email highview@buildingbiggerhearts.ca or mail cheque directly to Highview Community Church 295 Highview Drive, Kitchener ON N2L 4A1.  Tax receipts available. 

 And of course we ask for your prayers for safe and un-weather-hindered travels!

Over and over again, I am amazed at the astonishing way God connected two churches, from literally the other side of the world from one another, to love and serve together like this!!!

More updates to come.