MOVING IN OUR MIDST - Highview's Thailand Report Moves On Line for Sunday, February 16.

 

Hello Friends!

Sunday, February 16 will feature a first hand report from 

the Thailand Team from our trip in November 2024.

"Remember the Wonders" will tell some of the stories 

of how we saw God move among us 

while we visited our children at Hot Springs.

DUE TO WEATHER

THE SERVICE HAS BEEN MOVED ON LINE.

Starting at 10:30 a.m.

To join, use the link below.

Highview Community Church Google Meet

We'd love to have you join us.

Stay home and stay safe!!

Pausing in the Pictures

The pictures can't come close.

 

Sometimes when I'm missing it all more than I usually do, I look through old files thinking it will help.

It doesn't.

Well maybe a little.

So much colour.  So much sky.

And the cooler, fresher air up in the mountains.

Fully present in the moments...

...in the way being somewhere so vivid often offers.

Mostly I write about all we're 'doing' while we're there.

But today, it was more about the moments of 'being.'

I think I just needed to pause, in the midst of my preparations 

(solo trip coming up February 24 to March 18) 

and listen to my soul remind me to

"gaze on the beauty of the Lord

and to seek Him in His temple."

Psalm 27:4

Not long now.

The Fierceness of Borders and Distance

Wanmai

As I write, squalls are contorting drifts of snow around our van in the driveway.

Micah

And while my late-January self may experience various degrees of dismay, I know some kids who would be more than delighted for a chance to get out and play in all the white wildness of it.

Muay

I'll see them very soon, so yay!!!!!

February 24 to March 18 are the dates now confirmed for my next visit to Hot Springs.  This is a solo trip, something I haven't done since November 2022, and an opportunity for the kinds of interactions and ministry tasks best done when I'm there alone (or with Ken when he comes along).   More the business side of things, and visioning and long, unhurried conversations about how life goes when you're raising 21 kids.  

Photo by Anu

Tara, Jua, Micah, Goon

I wish I could bring some snow.

Jonah

We'll have to settle for an indoor snowball fight, courtesy of Karen and the fuzzy fabric 'snowballs' she sent along on a previous trip.  And that's okay, because it was pretty hilarious when we broke them out last time.

Meena

I guess if I look at the calendar, it's only been just a little over two months since I was last there.  That's not long, I know.  But so much has happened here, in my life on this side of the planet, that it feels like much, much longer.  That's kind of the way it goes for me.  Here and there.  Both and and.  Opposite time zones, identical passions.  I might have thought one would get used to it.  Except, no.  

Tharit

In describing her own torn-between-two-places heart, blogger Kristin Breitkreutz asks,

"What am I supposed to do when an unlimited love is constrained by borders and confronted by distance?" 

Tara

After sixteen years of doing this, I don't really have an answer for her.  Except to embrace the fierceness of it, the vibrancy such longings back and forth bring to life.  

Colour

On to packing then.  

While the wind howls.

 

Thai Smiles to Warm a Winter's Day

I heard on the radio this morning that the wind chill today is going to be around -20 C!   That's not over night.  That's for 'most of the day.'  Immediately I was grateful for at least three things.

Our sung new little house.

Very thick wool socks.

And the smiles of some very beautiful children half a planet away.

Saichom

In the category of 'it's all relative,' they've been experiencing some chilly temperatures of their own.  Chiang Mai has recently had overnight lows of 12 C, which right now sounds balmy to us, but picture this happening in the summer, and you're camping and/or have no source of heat.  Yeah, like that for them.

Beemai

So, since I can think of few things more warming than the smiles of Thai children, I thought I'd send along a few of them to take the chill off this day in Ontario for us, and/or whatever you're in the middle of right now that might benefit from this particular brand of sunshine.

Goon

Just eight of them today.  I'll send more another time.  For now, these are just some of our best, goofiest, most brilliant smiles.

Moses

It's probably a given, but I'll just say it here.  We're not always all smiles at New Family Foundation.  Our kids are normal human children, with a wide portfolio of feelings, and we have no problem with them letting us know what those might be on any given day.

Da

As well, the very nature of our gathered family means there are stories that brought them here.  And those stories have varying degrees of awful in them, chapters that are sad and sometimes dark.  Expecting smiles all the time is, well, ridiculous.

Lukmee

Having said that, I will add that when we do see our children relaxed and happy, gleeful and excited, and in any other way engaging with life as if they feel safe and hopeful, that is most beautiful.  Frankly, it's probably one of the best, most amazing joys of my heart.

Jua

So here's some smiley-warmth for you today.  To the Sponsors of our children (not all of which are pictured here), a HUGE thank you always.  You are so much part of putting these children at ease, providing them not just the basics of survival, but a place to thrive and grow and feel and smile.

Tangmo

Along with Suradet and Yupa, and all our children, we wish you the coziest of days, filled with whatever makes you smile.

 

The Wonders of His Love

Christmas Tree at Hot Springs

 A Joyous Christmas Dance

For all you give so lavishly all year long,

for all your love and support in so many ways,

for all we know to be true about the dramatic difference it all makes

we are unspeakably grateful.

May the wonders of His LOVE

bring you JOY

this Christmas season

and throughout the New Year.

“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.

Christmas Clearance Sale - Thai Goods and Coffee

Here's an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping 

AND support at-risk and orphan children in Northern Thailand!

This is a limited-supply sale, so it's on a first-come/first-serve basis.

AND considering there's a postal strike on right now, 

it's limited to KW and those who can easily drop by for pick up.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

These items will be available on Sundays at Highview, 

and for pick up otherwise throughout the week if needed.

ALL PRICES REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE

Thanks for considering us for your holiday shopping.

If you would like me to put aside an item for you,

email me at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca

Coffee - 9 

Dark Roast

500 grams, ground (5 bags) was $18, now $15

Medium Roast

500 grams, ground (1 bag) was $18, now $15

500 grams, whole bean (2 bags)

1 kilogram, ground (1 bag) was $30, now $25

Pashminas - 7 

medium weave, various colours as shown

was $25, now $15

Thai Shoulder Bags - 10

various sizes and colours as shown

was $7.00, now $5.00

Zippered Bags - 3 

various sizes and styles, as shown

was $10.00, now $5.00

Cloth Purses - 2

red checker as shown

includes long strap, zippered compartments

was $25.00, now $10.00

Reed Change Purses - 4

palm-sized, colours as shown

was $3.00, now $1.00

Reed Placemat Set - 1 

6 mats, 6 coasters, red border as shown

Was $10.00, now $7.00

Handstitched Stockings - 2 small, 2 medium

as shown

small - was $5.00, now $3.00

medium - was $10, now $7.00

Gift Certificates

Great as Stocking Stuffers

Various 'certificates' in denominations of $10 and $20.

Designated donation to specific areas of need at NFF.

Eg. $20 towards Student Fund

No picture available.

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.