So much fun today!
For our big outing we all piled into the vehicles and headed into Chiang Mai for a trip to the Mall.
While that may sound a tad underwhelming for most of us, a few points might put it all in perspective.
First, we are a little bit out of the way here at Hot Springs, 45 km east of the city itself. And while our area is getting somewhat built up and filled in - we have had our own 7-11 for a few years already! - it would still be considered more of a semi-rural neighbourhood than otherwise. I am reminded of being at the cottage and how 'special' our day trips into Midland can be. A little like that. Whoo Hoo!
But more importantly, I think, is that for many of our children who are from more remote villages, going into Chiang Mai is a huge deal. And even a little scary, if truth be told. What if you had never seen an escalator before? Would you know how to get on and off? Would you trust it not to eat you? Last night at the end of worship when Suradet was announcing the trip, he included some instructions about staying together and how to use the escalator. Wide eyes.
And this morning, lots of excitement. We get all dressed up for this. The little girls are helped with some 'make up' by the bigger girls. The teens have saved their best tops and jeans for just such occasions. We don't get out much, other than to school, and for that we have our uniforms and have to braid our hair, so...
I personally love the more sheltered, quiet life out here at Hot Springs. But if we want our kids to take full advantage of all the opportunities offered to them, it's helpful if they can be exposed to the more modern, bustling life that happens in Chiang Mai. If they are to become lawyers and doctors and businessmen and women, as some of them have expressed to be their goals, or even if they are to take their place in any decision making roles within Thai society, they best get a feel for confidently moving around in those environments.
Of course, what we did was just have pizza (two for one deal), and then bounce our brains out in the the appropriately named play area called "Bouncetopia."
I'll admit, I did wonder at one point at the wisdom of the order of things there, since lunch also included a rare treat of soft drinks. All that fizz and cheesy dough, then all that boinga-boinga. But no worries. All that ensued was crazy fun, with very few pictures since the parents' waiting area didn't really allow for it. Something of a protection from random folks taking pictures of random children, I believe. All good.
Never mind. The expressions on faces when the play time came to an end said it all.
I should also mention the fun little train ride for free! And with no weight or age limit so...why not?
What a day. And it was all complements of those who donated specifically to our outing, some from the box we had out in the foyer at Highview for just those two Sundays, making for a total of almost $300. There's 30 of us, all tolled, so that comes to about $10 per person, not a lot if you were going to try to find something special to do in Ontario with your family, but enough here to make a memory.
And then.
I must now give way to the moment that undeniably brought the holy hush, unexpected but most powerful. That being, when Wanmai's sleepy head fell softly on my shoulder in the car on the way home. And there she was, this warm and wonderful little human, spent from all the joy.
And safe.
There are times when it overwhelms me; this knowledge that these children are considered at-risk for a reason. Poverty in this part of the world leads too easily down a wretched slope of unspeakable things for the vulnerable. So to have her - and her new family siblings - right here, right beside me, and me knowing without a shadow of a doubt, that in this moment, right here, right now, she is unconditionally loved and utterly safe... I am ambushed by it; this sense of if there was nothing else I ever did that was worthwhile in my whole life long, it wouldn't matter, because....this.
And to all who contributed to this particular day, and all who contribute in any other way. Sponsors and Supporters, prayers, encouragers, cheerleaders, awareness spreaders, those who love us in all the ways you do....all this is you too. Without question, you're all in this. I get to be here, but you're here too. Very truly. As warm and real as a little girl's sleepy head against my arm.
In a world with so much darkness, it's days like this that shine the light against it all. Love wins.
[For more pictures - because apparently Yupa found a better place to take some of the bouncy thing - check out New Family Foundation's Facebook Page!]
Thank you for your love.
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.
