Off to School

 

By 7 a.m. they're ready.  

They've spent the first 30 minutes singing softly in their pjs and reciting words of hope, affirmation and inspiration from the Bible.  Chores are next, while it's still cool, and then getting dressed for school.  It's Tuesday, so regular uniforms are donned.  Then breakfast.  And then last minute gathering of backpacks, and everyone piles on.

Two reasons to mention this.

One is to remind us that our kids do attend the government run schools in our district.  We do not run a school here.  Their education is set by the education standards of the country, and it includes the practices of the Buddhist faith.  Neither their Buddhist teachers, nor ourselves find this to be a problem.  The Christian faith of our family is respected.  No child is required to participate in the Buddhist morning prayers, only to remain respectfully quiet and still.  Works for everyone.  We learn respect for one another, and no one is threatened by this.

I say this so that we all understand the broader scope of the opportunities we are providing for the children who come to us.  That while the basics of what it means to follow Jesus are clearly taught and practiced in our home, we understand that we live here in a culture that adheres to Buddhism at the statistical rate of 97%.  We do not attempt to shelter our kids from the world they are growing up in.  Rather, we want to prepare them for it.

The other reason to mention anything about heading off to school is the fact that our truck is getting a tad too small for us.

Sure we fit, kinda.  But it's getting a little squishy.

So when we had our New Family Foundation Management Committee meeting (required by Canada's joint venture agreement for 2 to 3 time per year, and obviously fundamental to keeping us working and planning together anyways), we put 'new truck' on our wish list.  Suradet has a make and model in mind, so we'll see.

Meanwhile, off they go with P'Anu at the wheel, whose integrity and faithfulness is evident in so many ways, but always in how carefully he carries this precious cargo.

Wishing you all a fabulous Tuesday, wherever you're off to.

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

For the Win - Our Day Trip to the Mall

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Time With Esther

 

One of the important things we wanted to do on this trip was spend a bit of time with Esther Weatherall.

Sunday night provided just that opportunity, first with a Shabu hot pot style restaurant meal, then with a little stroll through Chiang Mai's famous Walking Market inside the old city walls.  Bonus:  We were able to pick up Bell at her university dorm, and it made for a happy little group.  [For those who know Ken and his eating preferences, yes, he was able to find enough favourable things to dump into the mix.  No squid though, thank you very much.]

There is for me a sense of something coming full circle in the fact that Esther is now here in Thailand serving as a full time missionary with YWAM Chiang Mai.  In fact, back in 2008, when Highview was all new to this "Regions Beyond" thing, I met with a supervisor named Charlie McCordick who was assigned to help me with a 'Missions Elective' during my post grad studies.  And this is exactly what he said to me.  That we'd know we were really a sending missionary church when....When someone from Highview would choose to make global work their vocation.  

And here we are.

Esther's story of her introduction to and continuing development towards what she's doing today is hers to tell.  I'll just mention here that it was a first visit to Hot Springs that got the ball rolling.  I've had a front row seat to that growth for almost the whole way, lesser recently as she has branched out way beyond the ministry of New Family Foundation and has forged her own relationships of mentorship and ministry partners.  Still, it's a very rewarding thing to watch God do something over a long haul period of time, from Esther celebrating her 18th birthday on this first trip, to her emergence as a capable adult with lots to offer.  It's exciting to imagine what God has in store for her in the future.

If you are interested in connecting with Esther, to find out more and contribute to her ministry, you can check out Charitable Impact.  Or check out her specific work with YWAM at Bahn Dem Rak.

Blessings and strength and joy for your journey, Esther!

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

If I Was an Orphan...

 

We have peacocks!

This was a new feature at Hot Springs, seen by us for the first time on our last visit in November.  

I should clarify that these are wild birds who have just felt safe and comfortable to hang around with us on the grounds.  There's five at my last count.  Looks like two males with the long tail feathers, and three females with the shorter plumage.  They are nonchalant about it all, just strolling on by.  Or jumping up onto the various levels of rooves we have here.

And just as I was writing this, I heard the great crash of the landing, went outside to chat him up, and asked politely if he would show me his splendor.  And just like that he complied.  I'm not kidding.

I'll admit I didn't realize how loud peacocks could be.  Not just the huge noise when they land on the rooves, but their call.  Haunting, piercing, undeniably confident.

Even so, we all seem quite pleased with them.  Like we have a small flock of our own exotic pets, but not really.  And they are quite comfortable with us.  Not aggressive in any way, but happy to stroll on by with only a yard or two between.  The children find them fascinating.  They were the ones who dragged me out to see the peacock who had managed to get himself all the way up on the cross at the front of the church building, just as dusk was setting in.    

Other slightly exotic beauties welcome this early Sunday morning.  Vibrant paper flowers.  Children happily doing chores in the shadows of the rising sun.

I find a great contentment in these first hours of this Lord's day.  Before the church members gather.  Before we sing vibrant songs in Thai, and hear a message of encouragement and hope from Pastor Suradet.  Before we eat lunch together.  And before the sacredness of a Sunday afternoon nap.

We also have plans to take Esther to supper tonight, picking up Bell from university on our way.  And a little market trip is tucked into the evening as well.  I'm making a list of what I'd like to bring back for the Sponsors.  And a few more English prizes for the kids.  And maybe some of that wonderful all-purpose oil they have that's really nice behind the ears, for me. 

Next week I will make yet another attempt to preach in Thai.  But not this morning.  This morning there is time to just be, and let it be, and knowing it is deeply wonderful just to be.   

I think that if I was an orphan....

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Happy First Day Things

Oh the first day!  Could not have been better!  Sorry if it's hard to hear about for Canadian friends right now, but the weather is ideal, warm but not humid, and cool enough at night for blankets.  Not missing the snow, just sayin.'

After a decent sleep and a great breakfast (as always), we had a relaxed time around the table setting up meetings and laying out the plan for the best use of our time here.  It was the perfect combination of just being really glad to be all together in the same room (rare for this Ministry Team), and being all proactive and intentional about the exciting things we hope to cover while we're here.  Such a great way to start the day!  

A bit more unpacking, some time preparing the lesson part of tonight's even worship time, a badly-needed jet-lag-induced afternoon coma nap, then supper.  Then....yay for evening worship!!

Just to go back a bit.  The adventures of our getting here I've already described in a Facebook post (25/01/20), so I won't go into the details here.  Enough to say that I now know what happens when you miss your connecting flight, and it isn't the catastrophe I'd always imagined.  At least it wasn't for us this time.  Basically, it amounted to a 5 hour extension of an already very long travel day (Ken estimates about 30 hours door to door), which meant we had to delay our "Yay we're here!' first night together at evening worship" hooplah by one day.

But obviously, so worth the wait.

This time out, we did not ask Sponsors for the usual packet.  If you're not a Sponsor, what that is, is a standard-sized zipped pouch that can be filled with little treats, similar to how you might stuff a stocking.  This provides a very personal way for the Children to connect with their individual Sponsor, especially when it includes little notes and pictures.  But it's actually only been 66 days since my last trip, and we do not ever want to over-extend the good graces of our Sponsors.

Not to worry.  There was still something special to give to each child for this first night together, thanks to the generosity of two separate not-Sponsors-but-very-supportive friends who provided the funds to allow us to bring a little something.

This broader connection, beyond those who faithfully provide for our kids each month, is equally important to us.  And it makes it all happen, to be honest.  And also, I really want our children to know that it's large community of love that comes their way.  You have to know that for our kids to feel seen and loved and supported is absolutely HUGE when they have already experienced so much that can make anyone wonder about their worth.  Tribal discrimination, and loss of a parent due to death or abandonment is part of the story of every one of the little souls God brings to us.  These tangible gifts carry so much more meaning than simply just a 'treat.'  That they have people half a world away that are sincerely interested in them is nothing short of amazing in their eyes.

There was also an exciting reveal of two brand new puzzles!!  Lots of excitement about that!!

After it was all done, we were escorted back to the guest house by the ones eager to carry our bags and Bibles.  Quick good night hugs all around, and wishes for sweet dreams.  

Lukmee provided hand made bracelets for both Ken and I, all matchy-matchy.  Aw.

And now, we are doing our best to stay up until 9 p.m. so to help with the whole 12 hour difference thing.  The evening is cooling off, so it should be good for another snuggy blanket night.

I do not take any of this for granted.   Every trip brings the wonder that we get to do this with these beautiful humans; that God somehow saw fit to bring me here in the first place, and has kept writing a story I could never have imagined for myself.  In fact, it's beyond all I could ever have asked or imagined, sort of like how Ephesians 3:20-21 says it could be.

Tomorrow we head over to the property and get right down into drawing up the building plans and making all the lists of who we need to connect with.  Can't wait.  

So, happy first day to us!

Grateful.

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Countdown

Ken and Suradet pacing out possible building sites 

on the new property (August 2023).

It's hard to believe but I just checked the calendar again and, yup.  In just ten days Ken and I will get on the plane to head back over to Thailand for a very strategic visit at Hot Springs.

For Ken it will be a span of about 2 years and six months since he was last there (for our 45th anniversary).

For me, it will be a matter of 66 days.

This will be the shortest turnaround for me ever since I started traveling back and forth in 2008.  I even just left all my summer clothes there because I wouldn't be needing them over the winter in Canada, and I was going to be back again so soon, so why bother?   It certainly has made for a more intensive Christmas season than usual, given the preparation work on Sermons and Bible Lessons, and all the other logistics of just getting there.

Ken and Saichom (August 2023)

But it's important and strategic, and the timing is part of that.  With the arrival of the long awaited land deed we are now clear to put into action all the plans we've had in the wings to build our new facility.  While Ken normally holds down the fort at home, we had always said that when we were ready for this part, he would return and help us work through some of the construction particulars, leading us to all work together with Thai engineers and contractors.

To be clear, we're still at the beginning of things in some ways.  While we've had a site plan for quite some time, more detail needs to be added, and the specifics need to be decided.  All of this is really, really hard to do on line and off site, like, literally a half a world away off site.  Especially with language and measurement challenges, in that some Thai measurements are exactly the same as Western specifications.  

And then there's the fundraising piece, which is huge, and needs careful discernment and collaboration, the likes of which are also difficult to come to consensus with when everyone's not in the room.

So strategic and important....and such a huge treat for me to have Ken with me this time!!!

We travel well together, so that's fun.  And honestly, it just makes me love him all the more when I see him connecting with the kids.

Reading time!  

Paw Ken adds so many sound effects!

We'll be commissioned at Highview on Sunday, January 18th, and we've asked if our daughter, Kristyn would do the honours.  Delightfully, she's said yes!

Sponsors will not be sending along packages this time.  Instead, we have a newer kind of Valentine Surprise that we'll work out while we're there.  An extra, separate email has been sent out for this, so Sponsors, watch for that.

Over the next two Sundays I will have a box set up at Highview for anyone who would like to contribute to a small outing for the children while Ken and I are there.

And also, we will meet up with Esther Weatherall, Highview's own on-the-ground full time missionary working with YWAM in Chiang Mai.  

And of course, just to spend the time with the kids and with Suradet and Yupa and other staff members....it's like being with family and so good for the soul.

Excited and grateful and curious and motivated and eager and almost ready.

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

The Nativity, by The Children of Hot Springs

Everyone says...

สุขสันต์วันคริสต์มาส!

"Sooksan wan Christmas!"

Merry Christmas!

With joy we send greetings to celebrate the wondrous story of the Incarnation.  

God with us!

I write these words following yet another round of tragic news globally.  Another religiously targeted attack, this time on a beach in Australia.  Another school shooting in the US.  Resurging border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia.  And wars with no end as fragile ceasefires seem unable to hold back the hate. 

 

Puts me in mind of the carol set to words written by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Johnny Reid)   In the third verse there is a similar lament that is perhaps on the hearts of many this season.

And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on earth," I said

For hate is strong, and mocks the song of

Peace on Earth, good will to men."

And if we stopped there, we'd have to agree.  We might shrink back and lower our gaze to the mess.  But I like what television personality and outspoken Catholic Christian Steven Colbert has to say about this.  "Everyone has the obligation to push back on the temptation to despair"  (emphasis added).

Longfellow likewise.  He ends the poem-turned-carol with words that lift us up and out to focus on a hope bigger than ourselves.

Then peeled the bells more loud and deep

"God is not dead nor doth He sleep

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on Earth, good will to men!"

The irony is not lost on me.  The very fact that each of you, in some way, have participated in bringing the peace of God to bear against the despair of poverty- vulnerable children is indeed an enormous part of putting these words into measurable action.  The wrong is indeed failing in the lives of our kids who now have a chance to rise above what would otherwise have mocked their possibilities.  

And for this we earnestly pray for God's prevailing blessing on your own lives, whatever it is that may be tempting you to despair right now.  May you experience a Christmas season full of kindness, grace, redemption, and peace, and a New Year that rings out loud and deep with hope.

Gratefully, and always, glad to partner with you.

Ruth Anne

Click here for a full video of the Hot Springs Christmas Pageant.

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca