In Pursuit of Joy

 

Not on purpose, but the verse I chose for our Fruit of the Spirit lesson on Joy fits well with the reason Ken and I are here together this time.

Nehemiah 8:9-10

“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This is sacred to the LORD your God.”

Just some background for a second. Nehemiah was a leader of God’s people during a time when they really needed encouragement and motivation to rebuild. Literally and spiritually. There was a lot of hard work involved, for sure. That’s why they were crying. They had been listening to the Scriptures being read and had realized just far off the mark they had gone.

But in this part of the story, Nehemiah’s got them all making plans for a serious party. Stop crying, he tells them. Go party.

Not surprising, since all through the Bible there are these kinds of celebrations described that have everything to do with worship.

And the reason these words seem so fitting is that it’s almost like that’s exactly what Ken and I have done for this trip. Made preparations for one big party of thanksgiving and joy.

Without question there is so much joy for me here. And to have Ken here this time, particularly this time to mark our 45th wedding anniversary, well, that just amps up the joy factor to the ‘nth’ degree. (A little math notation in his honour here.)

There’s the joy in the kids themselves, watching them interact, doing their chores early in the morning – and singing while they do so! Singing is part of the joy in both morning and evening worship time of course. When we’re reading together, and there’s a joke we all get in a book or in something someone said. And in the wild spontaneous hugs of the little ones.

So yes. These very brief two weeks are hands down full of joyful worship for us.

But Nehemiah isn’t done.

“Do not grieve,” he says, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (v10)

The people have come through a lot of heartbreak and utter devastation to get to this place. The joy Nehemiah is reminding them of doesn’t come from the lack of hardship. Instead, joy here seems almost a defiant thing. It’s like he’s calling them to a higher level of joy. The kind of joy that would have them declare: We choose joy.

For the lesson I tied two butterflies (from the Dollar Tree in Midland ) on the ends of strings attached to bamboo poles. Ken and A-new (our male staff team member) dangled them just out of reach of Wan-Mai and Jua who, when chasing the butterflies could not catch them. But when they sat down with a friend, in this case Bee-Mai who eagerly volunteered, and May, who only needed to be asked, each of whom had a Bible in hand, and when they ‘pursued God’ together, the butterfly came and landed on their shoulder.

Forty-five years of marriage and the story of building a life together will quite expectedly have chapters of heartbreak and utter devastation. At least ours certainly does. There have been times when joy didn’t seem like it could ever be part of our picture.

But did we pursue joy for joy's sake, or God? I’d like to think we pursued God, of course I would. But who can really know? Looking back, I think we did make hard decisions together to love more than try to fix, extend grace more than judge, make eternal investments. And when times were wretched, hang on with white knuckles to the belief that God is good and knows what He’s doing.

We didn't do it perfectly, not at all. Who could claim such a thing? But little by little? Challenge by challenge? I do believe it’s been the collective life purpose of our marriage to pursue God together.

Whatever, all I know in these moments right now is that the joy thing is pretty party-ready strong here and now.

Today we expect a happy visit from Esther. Tomorrow, a trip to Doi Intanon. Our scheduled meeting for the Management Committee of New Family Foundation is Wednesday. The week looks full.

Keep you posted.

Meanwhile, I truly hope you are finding joy in whatever is before you this week!!!

The Perfect Not Perfect Bai Teo*

[*Thai phrase meaning ‘out for fun’ or ‘an outing’]

Our first concern is the weather forecast.  Can you even operate a Waterpark if there are thunderstorms forecast for basically the whole day?  Suradet and Yupa don’t seem concerned.  They are relying more on their ‘feel’ for how the sky looks than the weatherap.  Okay.  I’ve learned to trust their instincts, so we’re still on.

Next is the confusion about opening time and when we should leave.  Originally, we would have spent most of the morning in the water and ended up going out for lunch.  But a double check of the website and we’re now on for eating an early lunch here and spending the afternoon. 

I admit that already I’m feeling like this isn’t going at all how I imagined.  I’m glad, actually, for the morning to recoup from a jet-lag-hanging-on bad night’s sleep, and I end up getting in another hour after breakfast.  First naps, if you will.  But there’s a delay in the excitement build-up. 

Here I pause for a recap.  This is ‘the outing’ Ken and I have planned for while we are here.  And all the other plans had come together so nicely.  People had helped toward the costs of taking a family of 23 (by the time you include the adults) out for the day.  Even here in Thailand, that adds up.

 

We were also considering this something of our anniversary party.  The ‘event’ that would mark the astonishing connection between all that God has written into the story of our marriage, and the beautiful love-work of New Family Foundation.

Plus, there’s the kids themselves, eager to get going since an outing like this doesn’t happen very often at all. 

But eventually, we are off.  It’s just a short ride into Sankampeng, about 20 minutes, and enthusiasm is running high.  We arrive and step out to an intense sun – so much for the weather forecast – and make our way to line up.  A tad overwhelmed by the bigness of the entranceway, both Bee-Mai and Goon, come alongside to take my hand.  As we walk I realize I am having two intense responses.  One is this truly lovely Gramma moment.  And the other is a desperate hope that once inside we’ll be able to find some shade!!!

 

There’s a measuring board and we figure out our categories and organize ourselves accordingly.  Then wait a just a bit for our turn.

 

Okay no.  Only swimsuits are allowed, and none of us have one.  They’ll sell us one for 450 baht a piece (that’s $18 CDN x 23).  None of the information was on the website.  So, um.  Not in the budget and highly impractical given how often they’ll actually be used.  After a bit of conversation between the adults, and an explanation to the children, we decide this is not our destination after all.

 

It’s starting to feel like our day in unravelling a bit. 

I’m fairly used to ‘going with the flow’ while here in Thailand.  Lots of times thing don’t happen the way you think they will.  When I was here for three months, it once took an entre day to get a haircut.

But today is about the kids.  What now?  We’re all primed for an adventure, and it’s hot enough to really, really want to get wet.

 

Here we pause for another observation.  The kids are taking it in stride.  Yes, you can see the disappointment on their faces.  But there is not one single bit of whining, not one tear.  Nothing but a patient waiting for the adults to figure this out.

 

Which we do.  Or so we think.

 New plan (what’s this, plan D by now?).  We’ll head further into Chiang Mai and check out a place called The Grand Canyon.  Lots to do in the water there, apparently.   Pile everyone back in the vehicles and of we go for another 45 minute drive to the new place.

While we’re driving, it starts to rain.  Hard.  Ooookaaaay.

But when we arrive, the rain subsides and things look promising,  at first.  Entry fee is reasonable, especially considering anyone 8 and under gets in free.  That’s seven of us!  The ticket stubs are also good for discounts on drinks later, if we like.  Not sure about that yet, but we’ll see.

And in we go.

The place is massive.  A human-made Grand Canyon sort of deal that, we find out very soon, has activities more suited for young adults that children, zip line and cliff diving among them.  But over there, way down there, is an inflatable kiddie pool with a built-in slide.  And just a little further, complete with life jackets and other equipment, you can go kayaking, take out a paddle boat, or just jump in the water and float around on a tube.

None of it is as new and polished as the waterpark would have been.  The bamboo bridge between two sections is kinda rickety.  And standing on the one platform, you can’t mind that you’ll get your feet wet.  But it suits us in our wide range of ages just fine.  And, well, we can get wet.

Now, the little side note here is what’s also happening at the park that day.  A group party (later on a poster I’ll see it called a ‘day rave’) has booked the place, not exclusively, but they are playing loud boom-box music and, well partying in ways young adults party when it’s hot and there’s water.  All of them farangs (foreigners), non of them inhibited.   And that’s all I’ll say about that.  Except that I loved how confidently our group just went ahead and took their turns and got out in the boats and played on the floating platforms.  At least we had the entire kiddie pool to ourselves.  And who knows.  Maybe we had a tempering effect on the activities?

 

The water fun is only interrupted by appetites.  Bee-Mai comes to ask me “Gin cao?”  Can we eat now?  And we discover that the hostess to the restaurant on the premises is favourable to our work, the fact that we are a charitable foundation, and gives us a discount on all the food we end up eating, including the ice cream at the end.

Throughout the day, Ken and I mostly just watch.  You need several pairs of eyes on things when you have that many kids playing in the water.  But even more, it was just the deep and sweet satisfaction of seeing our kids making a memory.  I am especially conscious of a few of our newer kids whose stories are more difficult.  To see them abandon themselves to joy…..you just can put a price on that.

So was it a good day?

Absolutely.

Largely because we kept adjusting as we went, and kept our attitudes positive.  Yes.  That.  I need to keep remembering that.

But mostly because the kids really did have fun, and we made a pretty awesome memory together.

We cannot say enough how grateful we are for those who helped make this day happen.

 

 

It's Not the Heat, It's the Humility

 

When you tell folks you’re heading to Thailand in July, there’s often an initial response of concern about the weather here ‘this time of year’.

It’s hot, yes, I explain. But mostly I find that the fact that it’s summer in Canada too, and, like this summer, I’ve already experienced a fair bit of heat, the adjustment factor is not that significant.

More, it’s about the humidity.

Yes. And so right now, I’m hot and sweaty.

I guess it doesn’t help that we included a rousing bit of hop-around with the old favourite song “Your Everlasting Love” as part of our Fruit of the Spirit lesson on Love. For those who might not know, this song involves a full aerobic workout if you do it right. Side note: I’m always sure this will be the year they get tired of it, but no. It’s back by popular demand for every visit. And it’s always fun to watch the expressions on the new children who are bounding back and forth with God’s love being higher and deeper and reaching out to me, in a brand new way for them.

So much fun. And tonight, so much sweat.

Being here in sweaty July (believe me it’s worse in May, right Megan Ogilvie?) instead of drier, cooler November or February makes sense this year though. Our time here is meant to mark 45 years of marriage on August 19. And while our departure date is August 8, in an evet-oriented rather than a time-oriented culture, this is perfectly okay.

And pretty sticky.

But right here I need to come clean (and dry) and inform you that we are enjoying the not-luxury-but-survival air conditioning in our room. Even in November I’ll put it on at low for afternoon rest time. But now, in July, we have it running all night.

First night we tried to tough it out. Just used the room fan.
Nope. Not going to be okay, that.
Not if either of us wants to be of any use to anyone for any reason the next day.

My first few trips I felt differently about ‘indulging’ in such Western conveniences. Well, I guess at first, before we came alongside this work here, they didn’t have the resources themselves to install AC in a guest room. But even if they had, it seemed somehow counter intuitive to the ‘toughing it out missionary’ image I had in my mind ever since that ‘toughing it out missionary’ who came to my church when I was eleven described life here. Bugs, spicy food, snakes, unbearable heat, complex language. Who wants to come, he said. And I said, I do! I was elven, like I already said.

That was 55 years ago.
Believe me, my 66 year old body felt it after we did the song.
In the heat.
Also, I am apparently vain enough to notice how droopy I look in all the pictures. Just sayin.

Okay, here’s where I’m finally going to get to my point.

For what I do here, I need all the support I can get. From folks back in Canada, and – here’s the thing – from those I have come to serve. And that goes way further than just using the AC. It’s leaning into the back and forth humility of needing each other; the symbiotic nature of what it means to truly have reciprocity and balance and equality between us. And I don’t even think I’m touching the littlest bit of this here, explaining it properly using my survival need for AC in July, to really get to how this works.

Maybe I’m too hot, and my brain is just a little mushy. Jet lag is still a thing too actually.

So today we will play in the water.

A trip to the Waterpark in Sangkampeng is the plan for this happy, hot, sticky Saturday.
You can bet more pictures and videos will follow.
And we humbly thank those who made the extra contributions so we can do this.
I asked last night, and not one of our kids has ever been.
Here’s to new and cooler experiences!

And a few photo of flowers, because, they don't seem to look droopy in the heat.

Hope your Saturday is wild and comfortable and humbling,
and whatever you need it to be.

The Bigger Story in Every Book

 

They literally run to the guest house if they see the books are out. Somehow along the way of developing an English reading initiative here at Hot Springs, we’ve managed to achieved the happy goal of making reading fun.

I think the prizes may have helped.

Here’s how it goes.

Whenever myself or any team from Highview comes for a visit, we read with the kids. They receive one check mark for every book that either they read (if it’s at their level and we’re working on word identification, spelling and such) or that is read to them (when it’s more about just hearing the words and rhythm of English). There are 30 books to a card. Each card is numbered.

When all the check marks on the card are filled, that evening the child will be invited to choose from a selection of prizes. The prizes get a bit more exciting the more cards you fill. Stickers and small note pads, little bracelets and wrist bands for Card One. Lego and hard cover books with CD’s and snowmen by the time you get to Card Five. And so much more in between.

We’re only here for two weeks, so five cards are probably all we’ll get to. I think. I hope. But when you are able to read in groups, and that counts as a check mark for each person in the group, and when you have a lovely little library of English readers at various levels, each card can actually fill up quite quickly. This time there will be two readers, Ken and myself, so that will help.

I should take the time here to thank once again everyone who participated in our Book Gathering campaign through Usborne Books a few years ago now. And also anyone who’s donated any others to our cause. It has sometimes taken several different trips to bring them all here, due to weight restrictions on luggage, but with this trip I have now transported all of your gifts of love.

Today we got started.

The kids are off school, so we were able to set ourselves up just before lunch. And we read and read and read.

English is a core part of the school curriculum in Thailand. The government recognizes the advantage of not just individual citizens, but the entire country, to be able to communicate well with the rest of the world. Children who show proficiencies in English, and who can further their language skills throughout high school, are often favoured for the kinds of programs that lead to better vocational opportunity.

We know that not all of our kids will excel in English. But if we can give them some exposure and make it fun, they are that much further ahead.

And in any case, they think it’s fun, we have fun, and it’s an easy, relaxed way to build our relationships with them.

If any of our kids achieve the completion of Card Five that will mean 150 books were read. And each book with so many English words…

This morning was a very good start. Ken's little group was made up entirely of the newer children here, and at first they were not quite sure what they were supposed to do. But with all of Ken's sound effects and antics (Does anybody know Robert Munch's "Andrew's Loose Tooth?" Yeah, like that.) they got into it soon enough.



In my group, I think we still favour the "That's Not My..." series (Cow, Snowman, Polar Bear, Elephant) for it's repetition. The "What is Poo?" book always seems to make it into the pile somehow (pun not intended).

Book titles notwithstanding, it all counts.

The more of life I have to look back on, the more I realize how much it’s the collection of little things that really matter in the end.
If check marks on a chart can add up to some happy prizes, so can the simple act of reading be part of a much bigger story.

Photo note: The snowmen I brought with me were originally donated to one of our online fundraisers by one of our Sponsors (Betty Ann Howes) and have now made their way here. The kids are fascinated with snow and snowmen, so this will really provide some good motivation.)

So happy whatever day it is when you are reading this.
For Ken and I right now it's Friday and almost time for lunch.

Jet lag is not packing as much of a punch by now, but we're still planning on an afternoon nap, just sayin.

"Told Ya"

 

I’m not expecting this at all, even though I’m pretty sure I should have been.

We come in quietly to morning worship thinking we’d be the first ones.  Suradet had said it would start at 5:30, and we had heard the morning bell ring at 5:00 because we’d been up for a bit already.  It’s one of the advantages of jet lag in the first few days.  If there’s something going on at the crack of dawn (which there always is), we’re on it.

I tell Ken I want to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and head over before everyone else to start prepping the white board for this evening’s lesson.  But when we get to the meeting room everyone is already there, just quietly waiting.  For us.  And we’re 15 minutes early.

This is not, not what I am expecting, if you catch my double negative here.  Because, it’s like that sometimes in the mornings.  And while I still find it culturally interesting that stated times don’t really mean much, and that so many children can assemble and wait oh so quietly, sleepiness notwithstanding, it doesn’t really surprise me.

It’s when Wara arrives that things start down a more surprising path.

We have already started our time of prayer and singing when she comes to sit down in the circle across from us.  As soon as I see her I get Ken’s attention, and we all make appropriate-for-the-fact-that-we’re-still-singing-and-praying kind of excited-to-see-you faces and gestures.  I didn’t know she would be here!

Wara is one of our earlier girls, arriving to Hot Springs thirteen years ago when she was nine.  Her father had not been in the picture for some time already.  Her mother is a devote Christian.  Their village was small and poor and had no school.

Fast forward to today.  She stopped in to Hot Springs late last night, coming back from Chaing Rai where she has just completed a two-month off-site course in pursuit of her studies at Bangkok Bible School.  She’s on her way to a ten-month pastoral internship before she returns to complete her final year in class. 

Her face, her being there alone was a truly joyful surprise.  As is completely in the agreement, Wara’s faithful Sponsors who had carried her through from age 9 to 18, opted to end their sponsorship when she left high school.   New Family Foundation remains committed to properly launching our children into their adult lives, so Ken and I took her sort of under our wing.  And delighted to do so.  Because there was something about Wara that made me wonder, “pastorally gifted”? 

And here she is.

Okay, do the double take here.  I said “pastoral internship” and described her as “pastorally gifted”, and I’m talking about a young Thai woman.  Woman.  And without getting too deep into a cultural-theological discussion about egalitarianism’s embryonic state in this part of the world, let’s just say she’s going to be a front runner here. 

During morning worship, Suradet invites her to share a few words to encourage us.  She does so without hesitation, with a clarity and confidence that only enhances her humility.  I’m jet-lagged, it’s morning and my Thai is decidedly ‘rusty’.  But I understand enough to know that she is most certainly a teacher.

Later, before she leaves for her internship assignment, we chat together in the office.  That’s where I realize what’s happened here, and that for some reason it is catching me off guard.

 I affirm her developing spiritual gifts and encourage her to go with God as far as He takes her.  I tell her I think she has what it takes to serve Him as a pastor.  That I put no pressure on her for that at all, but just to encourage her that this is what I see.

 And she thanks me for my role in her life as a supporter and sponsor and that, when it comes to being a woman pastor in an environment that’s not sure it’s ready for such a thing, I have been her example.

Women together serving God as we believed we have been gifted to do so.

“Told ya”, I hear Whispered to my soul.

 Back when I was stepping into this role myself, and many, many times since over the course of pursuing a ministry where I was often enough overtly discouraged, wondering if I could make a difference in any meaningful way, labouring within a misunderstanding that “effective” means having a big church, God more often than often enough brought strength and courage to carry on.  There was good work, big-how-God-measures-big outcomes in the works and He wanted me doing what I was doing.  Time after time, and by many various means He said such things.

 And here today, a little visit from Wara that I wasn’t expecting, brings a reassurance that I should have been.   It matters.  God’s good on His word. 

Later, in the heat of the day, I am feeling it as I lay out the evening’s lesson on the whiteboard, exactly a the time of day I had been hoping to avoid his morning.   But I couldn’t help but be reminded again that the little by little bits I have written on the board will be gathered and put to use by a loving Father who has good plans for His daughters and sons.

Reading with the kids begins tomorrow.  There’s no school!  Did I mention this yet?  The king’s birthday and another festival combine to give us 6 days at home together (plus a rather big surprise for Saturday).

There’s more to come.

In so many ways.

Sunrise Over Taipei

I was actually hoping this would happen.

That once we landed in Taipei, our layover area would indulge me in my addiction to take pictures of the rising sun. The angle isn't great, but enough to realize again that we are on the other side of the world, already into Wednesday morning, safely through the first and longer part of our journey.

I am also excited to post this picture of me with my feet up, with apologies to all my Thai friends for whom feet aren't quite so polite. But in the lower portion of the Taipei waiting areas are these recliners and I have always envied the blessed folks who get there in time to claim one.

Today that's us!

So a short but long enough layover to collect ourselves, freshen up a bit, and hunker down into the last 5 hour flight to Chiang Mai. No re-routing through Bangkok like last time. Yay for that.

Suradet and Yupa have been sending us pictures of their grocery cart and the specialty cereals they've been able to get in anticipation of having Ken at their breakfast table. They've gone all out and I think there's a box of Oreo-themed crunchies waiting. It's already a good holiday.

Or visit. Or ministry trip. Or exotic 45th anniversary destination celebration. Not ever really sure how to answer the question, is this business or pleasure? Ummm...

Yes, it's very much what I do now, and Ken too as a co-representative of New Family Family Foundation in a volunteer capacity. Ministry. Work. It's my job. I have significant materials with me for the preaching and teaching and leading of meetings that will happen while we're here. And it's a full 15 hour day, split in the middle for a rest when the day gets crazy hot. In a summer that has included already some great opportunities for rest and restoration, the next few weeks will definitely press me strongly into 'work mode'.

But how can you call it a job when they call you "Mom"?
Pastor Mom, sometimes. And Ken is "Paw Ken".
How can you call it work when there's jumping and laughing and singing and little voices reciting wonderful things from God's love letter to them?
How can you call it that when you're heart is all in?

For sure, I have to say, that with my feet up for the first time since I snuck in a nap at home more than 24 hours ago, it's feeling all luxury at the moment.

Ken says hi and that he's glad the vending machine has Coke and that we had the right kind of money to put into it. Oreos and Coke. What can I say? He's not hard to please :).

So Happy Wednesday already, everyone.
We're in good spirits. A little weary but not even that much, really.
We'll let you know when we land.

Note: That's 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Thailand and 11:35 p.m. Tuesday. Don't stay up. :)

Bigger Than the Both of Us

 I love this picture of Ken and I in Thailand in fall of 2015 at one of the Royal Gardens.

That's bamboo behind us.  

It represents to me an aspect of our marriage I totally didn't expect.  That is, how much bigger and broader has been the scope of what God has chosen to do with two awkward kids from Scarborough over the 50 year span of their relationship, 45 of those as a married couple.  

Are you kidding me?  This many 'children' and 'grandchildren'?  Thailand?

It's all the more remarkable since the beginning of our story includes a chapter where I was anguishing over my pre-boyfriend career choice of missionary to Southeast Asia, realizing that if I followed through in the way that would seem most normal - that being Bible School right after high school, then heading off to the other side of the world - I may have to give up some personal dreams.

In the end I relinquished.  On my bed one night after a spell of crying/praying, I said yes to whatever God wanted.  And, well, the rest of it played out so very differently than anyone expected.

Now here we are, 45 years later, heading off to Southeast Asia, as missionaries, together.  Spending time with a family God was building for us, not from our DNA, but from His heart.  

Having just spent an intensely satisfying time with our DNA family, it's a strange and wondrous thing that now, in just a few days, we'll be on the plane for a different kind of family-immersion experience.

All I know is that to say yes to God is to say yes to far bigger things you could possibly imagine.

It's the Ephesians 3:20-21 thing.

"Our God is able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine.  He does everything by His power that is working in us.  Give Him glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.  Give Him glory through all time and for ever and ever."

If you're having a hard time remembering our trip dates, don't worry.  Keeping track of the Breithaupt's summer schedule has become a part time job for me too.

July 25 to August 8 is our time away.

Leaving Toronto Airport at 1:45 a.m. July 25.  Arriving in Chiang Mai Wednesday, July 26 around 10:30 a.m.

Thank you so much, everyone for your support and love!