The Family Thing

One very lovely development in this past trip is that the children, quite on their own, started calling Norma "Pa NorMA!"  

I spell it that way so you can hear their little voices lifting and emphasizing the last syllable as they do for most every name.  The 'Pa' part means aunt.  

Norma's dedication as a Sponsor isn't just to her own child Da (in the pink second to the right in this picture).  It's to the whole family.  And while we fully understand that not every devoted Sponsor can actually make the trip, Norma has done so four times now.  This is at her own expense.  This costs her vacation days at work.  

So no wonder the children know her.  No wonder they've dropped the more formal "Pi" (older sister, but almost like saying "Miss" Norma), and embrace her as an auntie.  It's true, Thai culture is very family oriented.  Everyone is brother or sister, mother or father, in ways esteemed and real.  AND...there was something of a tighter circle this time out in the children's understanding of Norma's deep connection to them.  

The family thing is important.  We are New Family Foundation after all.  And the whole place feels and sounds and is all family all the time.  We feel it, when we're there.  That's why so many team members, reflecting later on their experience, express a surprise in how warmly they were welcomed, how genuinely they felt the love.  This, my friends, is how the children who come to us heal and thrive and grow too.

And, on Sunday at Highview I was given the chance to talk briefly about a next level kind of family.

On day, November 18^th, at evening worship at Hot Springs, God’s Spirit moved in a remarkable way when ten children made a decision to ask Jesus to forgive their sin, and become the leader of their life.  

For context, and in case there may be some who are understandably cautious or protective about the spiritual journeys of children, I’ll let you know that great care was given not to manipulate any given response.

At New Family Foundation, our children hear about Jesus every day.  Morning worship time and evening worship time, and Sunday mornings when they participate as members of the larger congregation that is Hot Springs Church.  Even for our most recently-arrived kids, that’s been six months of teaching and experiencing what is means to live for Jesus.

In preparation for any visit, Suradet, Yupa and I decide together what the focus will be for the evening Bible Lessons, and this time it was back to the basics of the life and ministry of Jesus, starting with His exceptional birth all the way to the Resurrection.  Our unit was called “Jesus is my Forever Friend.”  We decided together that there would be an invitation to the children included.

From the first night, I told the children they would be given the chance to decide to make Jesus their Forever Friend.  Throughout the lessons, almost every evening, I reminded them that they would be asked if they wanted to become a Christian.  And then, last Monday, as I began the lesson, I told them that this was the day.

It was explained all along the way, that this was a big decision, and if they weren’t ready, that was okay.  They should wait until they were ready, and really meant it.  But even with those disclaimers, when the moment came, ten kids stood and came to the centre of the room.

We went around and laid hands on them each individually, gently, praying God's beauty and strength upon them.  It was careful, and meaningful, and gentle and truly beautiful.

And now, the reality is, under the care of their shepherds, Suradet and Yupa, and the whole staff there, these kids will be encouraged to continue to grow in their faith toward all God has created them to be. Daily, quietly, easily, unhurried and respectful. 

So, to all Sponsors, thank you.  To the Sponsors of these ten, you now have something rather specific to be praying about. 

To everyone who supports us in any way, God has used your kindness for His purposes in the lives of these kids. 

Do not doubt it for a minute.

 

Heads Up for Sunday

What spectacular thing is happening here?

Stay tuned for the telling of a truly fabulous story on Sunday morning at 

Highview, as part of the "God Sightings" service, Sunday, November 24.

295 Highview Drive

Kitchener ON N2N 2K7

www.hcckw.ca

Note:

For those not able to join us, 

watch for Monday's post.

 

Passing On What Matters

In case you're tuning in to things just now, I'll let you know that the focus for this particular trip has been English learning.  (Check previous posts for a low down on our Team and some of the expertise we have on board this time around.)

To that end, all our children have been assessed and grouped in similar English competency levels, four or five to a group.  Lukmee is the keen one in my little group, arriving early, finishing each task carefully, and ready quite well at our level. 

Recently we 'informally' added Reena to our group.  She is the daughter of a newly arrived staff couple.  Everything is a bit new and overwhelming for her here at Hot Springs, but joining us at the table really seems to have helped her get to know a few of her new friends a little better.  Not knowing Reena's English reading level, and since the others hadn't arrived yet, I asked Lukmee to read her one of the books we've have more or less mastered at this point, called "Fluffy is Little" (Pat Harrison, Blueberry Hill Books).

Lukmee was eager to do it, moved over closer to Reena, and kindly showed her how to point her finger under each word.  She had to check with me for just a few of the key words, but then went back to her teaching role with a gentle confidence.  At the end of the reading, even though she was the one who had done all the 'work,' she congratulated Reena and told her she'd done a good job!

Is it just me, or is it exponentially endearing when one kid wants to help another kid?   And isn't it even more so when that one kid has herself been through sad and awful things, and yet is able to turn around and offer grace and welcome and a sense of belonging to someone else.  

Sitting in that moment I believed I was watching a small and simple kind of moving love that just keeps getting passed along.  And really, isn't that what we hope to be doing in this wholly wonderful adventure that is New Family Foundation?  Welcoming children to change the story and rewrite something desperate into something full of hope.  And isn't that what we hope all our kids have the chance to pass along to others around them, perhaps their own children one day, making the changes that just might ripple through an entire region on into the future.

We can forget sometimes, how much the small things matter.

They do.

They matter jing jing (true true).

Morning Light

Tangmo and Wanmai

Because of the LORD's great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
'The LORD is my portion (security);
therefore I will wait for Him.'
Lamentations 3:22-24

We saunter down before breakfast on Sunday to catch the sunrise.

Not surprisingly, some of the children are standing in what has become my favourite spot to capture something of the morning magic.  They feel it too.  The air is cool, the sky wakes up, the colours are rich, the sun is faithful.

New mercies.

Meena

Every one of us need them.  Some of us may be more aware of, and therefore more grateful for them. Standing in this gentle dawn, not saying much, just side by side these precious beloveds, my heart is overwhelmed.    

Pakin, Atom, Muay, Meena

Do these children have any idea?  

Oh, how much I have received!  

Even now, in these misty moments, my breathing becomes slower, longer, taking into my lungs, my very cells, as much of these new mercies as I possibly can, right here, fully present.

Beemai

I think these are the moments I feel most alive.

Lukmee and Wanmai

 

A Normally Not Normal Day

 

A normal day.  Whatever that is.  Because yesterday the power went out.  And that's normal but random so, how do you plan for that?

By now we're getting into more of a regular routine at least.  Early with the children singing sleepy salaseurn (worship).  Breakfast, which is always delicious and always "more than we can possibly" - but somehow we do.

Yesterday we only had 2 hours of ESL prep before heading out to our day trip to Doi Sutep.  More pictures from that lovely excursion to follow.  But for now, here's the lovelies all lined up.

Arrived back at Hot Springs a little late to do reading with the kids, but assessments continued, thanks to "Crew" (Teacher) Cheryl.  Some disappointment at not getting any more checks on their cards.  But all was made right with a little box of Smarties and the promise that we'd get our act together by tomorrow (that's today).  Da says it's all okay.

And it was.  We goofed off a little with some fun photoshoots.   And then the power went out and we had to improvise a bit with a flashlight for a while.   It's all about adaptability.

And of course, just as we made our plan B for how to do evening worship without power (not too hard really but a bit of re-jigging would be in order) the lights come back on!  Yay!  

In all the normalcy of the not normal day, this sign post along the way on our outing reminded me of big things happening on the other side of the planet, just south of Canada.  Prayers and strength and peace, yes, peace over all of it.  And is it okay that being here helps make sure I don't get too swallowed up in the rhetoric?  

Normally normal normality.  

I'm just embracing it.

On the Fridge

It's more than just a Saturday morning thing to do.

Any time we bring out the paints and brushes (last supply boost thanks to Abby from our July trip), the creativity flows in no end of fun ways.  It's such fun watching the different personalities emerge in their artwork.  Some are after quantity, producing piece after piece of wild colour and bold brush strokes.  Others are more into precision, taking time with one creation, carefully nuancing hues and filling in details.

And always, it's  peua Sponsor.  'for my Sponsor.'

Suradet reminded them again this morning at worship time.  "Your Sponsors have the pictures you've painted held up with magnets on their fridge."  He's referring to how often he's seen this for himself, when in Canada and invited into your homes for a meal.   It surprised him at first.  Right there on a fridge in Canada is a child's hand painted creation beside a picture of one of his kids!  He tells them again this is a sign of how much God must love them, to provide for them a family in Canada who wants them to be safe and well fed and have every opportunity to become all God created them to be.  

These first few days are going by so fast, and yet are already rich with the evidence of the tenderness of God.   Today (Monday) begins our reading program in more earnest.  As I write, Team members are preparing various English activities and games that we hope will enhance both the learning and the fun.

So, Sponsors, brace yourselves.  We'll be bringing home more pieces of art and love for your fridges, or wherever you night want to store the treasures from your Treasure.

 

The Timing of Typhoons and Other Arrival Adventures

Colour, not realizing I was taking the picture, excited to find what's in his packet.

A calm morning after a good night's sleep is a great way to wake up on our first day here.  Jet lag doesn't really hinder sleep until the second or third nights, given how exhausting it is physically just to get here.  So this morning, there's been at least a little bit of alert time to reflect on our first hours here.

I feel we've had a fair share of wonder already.  For example, the typhoon thing.  But more on that in a second.

Moses and Pakin comparing their packets, both thinking they got the better.

The first evening gathering is always such a reward for any hardships of the journey.  The children, so polite even in their anticipation.  Those first fun songs, and also their very true voices of worship to begin.  I always love introducing the Team, especially those who have not yet been here.  First impressions and shy hellos all around.

Muay, two thumbs up!

And then, the Sponsors' packets!  If you ever doubted the power of simple expressions of love through thoughtful gifts, I dare you to be present for those moments when our kids open the packets prepared for them by their Sponsor.  Priceless.  In a personal blog post over at Bread and Honey I mentioned the telling response of one of our girls to receiving beads.  Kids squealing, showing off their gifts to others, trying on hats and marveling at all the colours of the markers.  

Atom, so very pleased.

Since I mentioned it briefly in the previously-mentioned Bread and Honey blog post, I'll explain a bit here about the typhoon.

It had a name, Kong-Rey, was Taiwan's biggest storm in 30 years, wrecking havoc on Taiwan's east coast, and shutting down the capital city of Taipei, our transfer point, for a duration of time.  See article here.  I'm reading about it this morning feeling rather sobered.  Certainly, I'm glad we didn't know anything about this as we were making our valiant attempts to board in Taipei.  

It was one of those get-in-the-bus-and-be-driven-to-the-plane-where-you-board-climing-those ridiculous-steps boardings.  Driving rains, gusty winds.  We were only outside for the briefest of moments, from the bus to the stairs, but we had to hang on tight to each other, and got really wet just the same.  And some of our luggage arrived still significantly damp, presumably from the cargo transfer.  

I'm personally rejoicing over the fact that, at the time our ignorance of the severity of things meant that my biggest comment about it at the time was that, up until then my hair had managed fairly well during all the travels.  Are you kidding me?  This storm shut down the airport literally hours after we took off!  At least, that's how I'm reading the timelines in the news today.

So...thank you Lord for Your provision of safety!!!  And thank you everyone for your prayers!  

There's a whole lot more to write about on any given day, and more pictures that could be posted.  But we will try to keep everyone updates on all the wonders of our time here now.

On to sorting all the English Learning materials we brought along.

Happy November 1st!

At least it is for us!!