Happy Valentine's From/To Our Sponsors!!!

 

The connection between Child and Sponsor is very important to us at New Family Foundation.  And there are various ways we help to facilitate that.

This year, we wanted to try something a little different, and it lined up nicely with the fact that Ken and I were there at Hot Springs just before Valentine's Day.

I asked the Sponsors to fill out at template that included a picture, a little bit about them and what they do in a typical day, and a little love note at the end.  I spent the better part of the last week there translating these pages, printing them off and putting them in envelopes for "The Day."

And here they are.

Under the shade under a sunny sky, every child reading intently the messages sent by their Canadian friends.  

We cannot thank our Sponsors enough for the time, effort and love they put into their communications with the children.  Suradet often reminds them: "This is how much God loves you.  He arranged for you to have someone on the other side of the earth pray for you and support you."  

So to our Sponsors this morning, we say a HUGE thank you for your LOVE!!!

May the day bring blessings and joy in the knowledge that you are loved right back!

And don't forget:

Tomorrow, Sunday, February 14 at Highview Community Church (295 Highview Drive, KIT ON N2N 2K7) you will hear a report from our November Team, Cheryl, Pat and Evangeline.  Starting at 10:30 a.m. EST.  To view the service online clink on the Google Meet link here.

Happy Love Day Everyone!

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 Gathering (Thailand Team Report - This Sunday, February 15 at Highview)

 

The November 2025 Team

L to R: Evangeline, Cheryl, Ruth Anne, Pat

If you are due for some good news these days.....

You are warmly invited to the first in a two part series at Highview that begins this Sunday.

"I Was Hungry" will run on February 15 and February 22, featuring the astonishing partnerships in Regions Beyond that God has gifted our small congregation.

The Gathering

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Service begins at 10:30 a.m.

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

Hear from Cheryl, Pat, Evangeline and myself the stories of God's presence as we engaged with the children and served alongside Pastors Suradet and Yupa this past November 2025. 

 

Updates on English learning, stories of unexpected fireworks, and so many moments where we were moved and inspired, just by the children themselves.

You will also hear a brief report on our new property project, reflecting on the time Ken and I just spent at Hot Springs in January 2026.

If you can't join us in person, you are welcome to link in on line at Highview's Google Meet, also starting at 10:30 a.m. EST.

[Note:  The second in our series, "The Table," will feature the important work of the Pignon Church in Haiti at Auberge des Vieillards (Seniors' Home).  Sunday, February 22, 2026, also at 10:30 a.m.  Check us out at Highview to Haiti.  The weekend also includes our annual Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, February 21st.] 

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

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