Thursday, May 20, 2010

Unpacking

Ruth Anne: We were so glad to have our luggage arrive - 24 hours behind us - this morning! Everything seems to be fairly intact, and it's been fun to unpack the gifts we brought back for our families - a way of saying thanks for their support of our going.

That part of the unpacking is fun. There are other aspects of unpacking after a big trip like this that I don't find to be such fun. Laundry for one. Sorting through the everything so that I know where it is next time I need to go. Lots to organize in terms of what goes where. There's a bit of chaos before it all gets ordered again and I can put things where I need them for my "regular life" here at home.

Unpacking my heart can be messy too. There's a little bit of chaos as I transition from loving a family in Thailand to leading a church in Ontario. I think it's more than just the jet lag that spins my head for this first week back. There's a little bit of heart lag too.

I am so very grateful for both a family and a church that not only lets me go so far for as long as I do, but also for their patience as I get re-oriented. Yesterday was a lovely re-entry day, with both my immediate family and the Staff at Highview welcoming me home with no expectations that I actually contribute very much at all just yet.

And the very amazing thing about it all is this. That everything that just happened in Thailand is completely connected to what happens here. God has shown, over and over again, just how Present Everywhere He is, as I keep on unpacking the spiritual treasures I've brought home with me, to share with everyone here, to enrich and strengthen and increase what He's got going for me right here.

Oh, and just as an aside to Mike....Yupa's brooms made it home in very good shape. Thanks for your help in cutting them down to size and packing them!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

We're Back!.....But Our Baggage Has Yet to Catch Up

Ruth Anne: Okay....just a very quick post to let you all know that we're back safe and sound after a rather arduous journey home. Mostly the plane rides themselves were fine. It was the transfer at Los Angeles that started things going a bit hairy. Confusion over picking up bags, getting separated for about 10 minutes, and a very rude clerk who actually gave us instructions that ultimately left our bags in LA.

So that's where they are now. We're here though. Safe. Glad to be home.

Thank you all for your prayers and love and support. The stories are not done. Keep watching the post for more of what God accomplished these past weeks.

And we'll let you know what's up with the bags as soon as we can.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Waiting In Taipei

Megan:

Okay. If you will all direct your attention to the picture. Do those LOOK like steamed buns to anyone? I mean really? The outside consistency was like that of a dumpling, and the inside was filled with either mushy, greasy pork or chicken. I couldn't tell which, which just adds to its level of scariness (and untastiness). Here in the airport there are actually no western restaurants. So when I saw "steamed buns" that sounded rather safe to me. No one told me they were dumpling-soggy perogie hybrids masquerading as buns. The one definite thing I am looking forward to when I get home (besides seeing friends and family) is that when western food is called something, it typically IS that thing. A bun is a bun and an ice cream is an ice cream. Thank goodness!

In other news, the goodbye today was hard. I was very sad though, that girl Bee was not at the airport with the rest of the high school kids today. She was one of my little buddies, so I was disappointed I didn't get a chance to say another goodbye. But as Ruth Anne and I went to each child and gave them a hug (well, the girls anyway...the boys were too cool for hugs, of course) I got to Miki and Saiy. They completely just attached themselves to my side and started bawling. I nearly started bawling too. It was only after I assured them I would be coming back that things calmed down. It was nice to feel that I made such an impact with them, but it's sad in the sense that I've made them all sad. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when I come back though! That's what I'll keep thinking about.

ps. Noooooot looking forward to the long flight we're about to get on! Eek! Please pray for strength, good health (as in, feet not swelling up like balloons on steroids!), and as little crankiness as possible. :) Thank you everyone! Can't wait to see all of you!

Ruth Anne:

They've just called for our boarding passes which means we're on our way. Like Megan says, it was a hard goodbye at the airport. That bit where they keep watching until we're totally out of sight, waving and waving like crazy, always gets me. I loved that Mike was there with us at the end, and I was able to use him to interpret to Suradet my final words of deep gratitude and growing affection, important since it's not culturally appropriate to do the clutching, sobbing, kissing face thing I do with Yupa and the girls.

Gotta go. This may be our last posting until we arrive home. Our layovers are really short from here on in.

Thank you all for your prayers and your support. God has used this trip more than you know...in ways we'll be unpacking for a long time.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Boy's Bamboo Hut

As we get to know our Thai Family at Hot Springs better, I am appreciating more and more the creativity, ingenuity and initiative required to care for 15 children, within the boundaries of limited resources.

I'd like to take you on a brief photo tour of the brand new accommodations Suradet has built for our boys. First, some background. From the first time I visited for an extended period of time in October of 2008, Suradet has expressed to me his concern that the original sleeping arrangements for the children would not be appropriate as the children grew older. As you recall, the church building was not designed with an orphan home in mind. The basement rooms were merely the quickest and best place for the children Suradet and Yupa invited into their lives three years ago.

Besides the environmental and aesthetic issues, the situational placement of the rooms in comparison to where Suradet and Yupa sleep does not provide enough supervision to ensure that things stay safe and healthy as the kids move into their teen years.

The end goal is to build a proper dorm, such as is the case at the other orphan homes. It would be a clean, simple structure, with space for houseparents separating two larger spaces - one for the boys and one for the girls. (Suradet also has a vision to add at least 15 more children at Hot Springs, but that's a matter for another blog.)

This was not a project Highview could commit to immediately. The love and generosity of our Sponsors is unquestioned. The way our church has embraced our Thai Family is amazing. So our ongoing partnership and helping Suradet achieve the full potential God has envisioned is something we want to be part of and continue to plan towards together. However, when it became clear that such a project would not be happening in the immediate future, and given that puberty does not get put on hold, Suradet set about to solve the problem in the interim....Thai style.

The new bamboo hut is a very sturdy structure made of a combination of purchased materials (very inexpensive) and materials gleaned from the property (free). It is up off the ground and enjoys more circulation and therefore is much cooler than the guest house rooms where Suradet had moved the boys for a few months during construction.


The wardrobes purchased last visit have gone with them, as you can see. The walls look airy to us, but believe me, in the heat you want as much circulation and air flow as possible.
Shoes for school are kept safely up off the ground.
We are back to mattresses on the floor for now, and mosquito netting has been installed.
The boys hut is situated to the left of the church building if you are looking at the property from the road. Some simple "landscaping" and leveling of the area around, plus the addition of some gravel has actually improved the play space outdoors. The boys still use the same washrooms they had when they were indoors.

This isn't a perfect arrangement by any means. However, when I asked the boys if they liked their new place they were enthusiastically positive. (I believe they are trusting me more to give me honest answers, as Entorn most certainly did when I asked him if he liked his new haircut. "Mai chorp." was his quick response. "Not like.")

I was given special permission to go inside (normally the rule is "no girls allowed") and it really does have the feel of a fun club house or tree house. And like I said, when you hear bamboo do not think rickety. It's a strong and sturdy structure.

Every time I visit Hot Springs I am more impressed with Suradet. He does not sit around and wait for someone else to solve the challenges. He is very aware of the needs of the kids and will do whatever he can with whatever he can to make sure they have the best possible place in which to grow up. He's patient, and has a great faith in a sovereign God who's timing is perfect.

When he and I talked about the next steps, and I explained that Highview is engaging in her own building project and that our prayer and hope is that more would join the adventure so that more can be done for the kingdom, including Thailand, he listened seriously until we understood each other, and then sat back in his chair and smiled. "Work together future many years," he said moving his hand back and forth quickly between us and then indicating a future time line. "Yes, I said. We are together for a long time." There was a pause, then Suradet pointed upwards. "Trust God."

That we will, Suradet. We will trust a God who has promised to give us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) no matter where on the planet we serve Him.


Suradet shops in the open market for groceries for his family.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

And Now Let the Weak Say I Am Strong


Ruth Anne: Last morning worship. Before I climb the stairs for last morning worship, I am already undone. There is an overwhelming understanding that this trip, even more than the others, has been a deconstruction of my own heart. God has dismantled me so that I can watch Him carefully, painfully, gently move in among the ruins.

We talk about a partnership with Suradet and Yupa. It has been a clear desire from the beginning that there be no whiff of Western arrogance, no sense of rich us providing for poor them. And I think for the most part we've been able to main that equitable posture.

Still, God keeps doing a work of humility in me.

I have spoken and written before about how the song "Give Thanks" has come to have special meaning for me as I think of our Thai Family and Friends at Asia's Hope.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Because He's given Jesus Christ His Son

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Up until this morning the words to the second part, especially, moved me because of the reality of those words for the orphans. These are reclaimed lives. Trajectories of despair give over to futures full of possibility. There is so much for which to give thanks.

But this morning the Lord hit me with one of His sledgehammers of love. We were singing that song. And we got to the part about the weak being strong. And suddenly it wasn't about them anymore.

"That's you," He whispered, "the weak one saying that you're strong now. Because of what I've done for you. Here. With these loving hearts who have so much to give to you."

I have been entirely on the receiving end this time in Asia. Yes, we send the support. Yes, when I am home I will jump at any chance to bring awareness of the plight of Asian orphans, and add to the resource pool whenever I can. Yes, Highview and others are givers in this grand adventure of compassion.

But what has been brought home to me this trip more clearly than any other time, is that God is up to something gloriously reciprocal. We are only beginning to understand exactly how much we have to be grateful for because we are partnered with these kids.

Megan and I received again as morning worship came to a close and Suradet invited the children to stand around us and lay their little hands on us and pray for us. Little hands, little voices, big prayers, big love. I could only stand there and receive. And cry for the undeserved grace of it all.

We are packing now, heading to Mike's this afternoon for an over night there meant to better prepare us for the long ride home. But to be honest, I think God has been readying me for home the entire time.


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We have been to the night market!

Megan:

As I sit at hot springs and listen to awful karaoke, I am a happy camper despite how poor the music is. If you're wondering about the karaoke, apparently a karaoke bar set up shop literally RIGHT next to hot springs last year. The karaoke is as loud at night as it is bad, and Suradet says some nights it keeps the children up a bit. Think Achy Breaky Heart sung by a constipated elephant. That's about how it sounds.

But I'm a happy camper because we went to the Sunday night market. Suradet and Yupa took us out for dinner, and for some reason we went to the Central Airport Plaza (just to get mcdonalds), which is an ENORMOUS mall. We're talking five stories tall, and with an aquarium in the middle. It also happened to be the last day of the ice cream festival! That basically means that a ton of different ice cream stores come together and all sell ice cream. It was amazing. But we were so full from our mcdonalds that we didn't have room for ice cream. :( I think we should have started with the ice cream! Haha!

Sadly we didn't have time to actually shop at the mall. But maybe next time!

We were a little nervous on the way over because we were heading right into a storm. The wind was insane, and by the time we got to the mall it was pouring! But after we had dinner it was barely raining, so the trip to the night market was still on!

The market itself was amazing. It's just this big huge mass of people with their little tables all selling different things. Lots of jewellery, bags, and clothing, but even games and spices as well!

I myself spent a grand total of 1,600 baht which equals about $50 Canadian. And guess what? I got pretty much ALL my souvenires tonight! Haha, I'm so excited.

I'm very thankful we had Suradet and Yupa with us though, because they are master bargainers. We wouldn't have gotten nearly as good prices as we did without them. Though I did manage a couple of good haggles myself (even talking one lady down from 450 to 300 baht!).

The even better news is that we get to go to another night market tomorrow night! :) see, tonight was "Sunday night market" which, as the name states, is only on Sundays. But then there's the regular night market that Mike is taking us to tomorrow. So what few things I still need to get will be accomplished tomorrow. I also didn't actually get any souvenires for myself tonight (totally forgot!) so I should probably get myself a little elephant or something then too. Ruth anne and I managed to also grab some things for our annual Christmas Bazaar back home!

Yet another plus tonight is that it has cooled way down thanks to the storm. Right now with the fan on, our room is 31 C. That's the coolest I think it's ever been!

Buuut, it's time for me to get to bed! I'm glad we got to call Highview today, I hooe some of you heard it (and that we made sense, haha). Goodnight all!

(Oh yeah, for anyone wondering about our schedule...tonight is our last at hot springs! :( Tomorrow after breakfast we'll pack, and then after lunch we'll head off to Mike's to stay there overnight. He'll be driving us to the airport, and then Suradet and some of the children will meet us at the airport to say a final, teary goodbye.)
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Wild Mountainside Honey


Ruth Anne: Hot, hot days continue. We saw Tutu last night and she told me that the temperatures have broken 30 year old records. Even the Thais can't believe how hot it is. A thunder roll becomes a welcome herald of something cooler to come.

The heat both curtails our activities and enhances the possibility of experiencing the quiet, spontaneous delights of Hot Springs life.

It tempts heat-related illness to go out on any excursions, and so these past few days have found us pretty much stationed right here at Hot Springs. That evolves into something of a pattern where we are up for 5:30 devotions, have breakfast and then hang out under the dining shelter with the kids playing games until first nap at 10. From there it's pretty much an alternating nap, eat, play scenario until evening devotions and bed.

Friday was like that. Too hot for anything. Except at one point Suradet and Moo, the husband of Suradet's sister, took off up the hill into the jungle with a cooler and a machete. They returned about an hour later and Suradet came to show us what they'd gone for.

Wild honeycombs, with a few rather unimpressed jungle bees, sat is glorious gooeyness on the bottom. Within 10 minutes Suradet had extracted the honey into a bowl and an impromptu snack of bread and honey happened before our eyes.

It's hard even for me to explain why this delights me so much. If you know me, you know that I love honey. My personal blog (which I cannot access from here) is called "Bread and Honey" partly because I love honey and partly because of the Biblical metaphors of sustenance and nurture represented by both those foods. To have that played out in such a wild and unexpected way seemed a very personal gift.

Suradet wouldn't have known. But God does. And as I let the sweet jungle treasure play in my mouth, my soul was touched in ways unexplainable.

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103

As I write, it is Sunday afternoon. We have already had our morning worship. I preached through an interpretor on Haggai 2:4-9 on God's desire to bring us peace. We had Communion together. We prayed together. And all throughout there was a powerful sense of God's power and goodness. How sweet it all is to my soul.

Tonight we will go to a different night market that's only open on Sunday night. It's within the "Old City" so this should be interesting.

Tomorrow we will stay to see the kids off to school. Then we will pack up from here and leave to spend our last night at Mike and Debbie's before getting on the plane Tuesday afternoon.

I am finding it harder each time I come, to approach the goodbye. Yupa and I already had a private cry together, each of us murmering words of deep affection and sorrow of separation in our own language, words not understood by our ears, but our hearts comprending fully.


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Friday, May 14, 2010

Good Thing We Can Nap

Ruth Anne: Today the highschool kids went to school, on a Friday, the first day back after two weeks off. We went to go register with them, but it turned out we just dropped them off and came back to Hot Springs. Spent the morning downloading pictures from my cameras to the computer and then on to my usb key for Suradet.

But by 10 I'd had it. The temperature was climbing again and we just had to lay low. Coming back to the room we checked. Yup. 44C. Anybody want to convert that to F?

If these last few days keep us low and slow that's probably a good thing for me. The two hour nap I had BEFORE lunch is just a small part of what God is allowing for me here in resting my soul.

During evening worship we sang a song we haven't sung for a bit a Highview, The Power Of Your Love. Tonight it hit me, that phrase....and as I wait, I'll rise up like the eagle, and I will soar with You, Your Spirit leads me on, in the power of Your love.

I came here completely depleated by the demands of what has been for me a very demanding ministry season. I was and am surrounded by respect and love flowing out of a strong, pure faith. God has used this time in gentle and astonishing ways to fill up all the exhausted places of me.
I am rising up like an eagle out of this place.

The children are memorizing Psalm 23. Here's my version.

The Lord knows exactly what I need, when I need it. He makes me lie down in the hot, green Thai jungle. He leads me beside Hot Springs. He restores my soul.

He clearly knows what these children need as well. We got word today that another sponsor, independent of Highview, will come alongside to help meet the needs here. What an answer to prayer and what a perfect time for us to hear about it.

We also got word today through an email from the travel registry in Canada, that the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok has been closed until the distrubances there are resolved. Please know that we contune to be completely uneffected by any of this. You wouldn't know anything was happening at all.

Except of course for all the beautiful and powerful things God is doing here in this amazing place called Hot Springs, where I wait, being filled by the power of His love.

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

A lazy summer day!


Megan:

Today was a day of rest. Usually that's what happens on a Sunday, but after a wonderful, but exhausting, day like yesterday everyone needed it.

It was evident even from our first moments together at morning devotions. The girls were all late and we quickly found out it was because they weren't feeling well. I didn't have thaaaaat much sympathy though, since I wouldn't feel well if I'd had five helpings of a spicy lunch the day before either! (No lie...they pigged out! I'm glad they could, because they never get that kind of chance...but you eat that much and your body's going to complain sooner or later!)

After devotions was breakfast, and then bracelets, dominoes, and checkers with the kids. The bracelets weren't as big a hit as we thought, but Miki, Saiy, Bee and Sai stuck with it! I taught them some basic designs and they caught on really fast, especially Saiy. The boys loved dominoes.

Then Suradet took us out for lunch. I got my kao pad gai (fried rice with chicken) and was pulling out the tomatoes when I found a decent sized bug in the middle of my rice. Needless to say, I lost my appetite a little bit, and didn't finish my meal. Then poor Yupa went and bought me seaweed flavour Lays chips. Not the greatest flavour ever, but I very much appreciated the gesture.

Yupa tries so hard to please my western tastes, even serving us french toast for breakfast! Though I have no clue how she found out about that because we never requested nor mentioned it. So that was a bonus! :)

Then Suradet took us to a little internet place so Ruth anne could upload pictures from her laptop into the blog. Unfortunately there was no wireless there, and no ether net cable to plug her laptop in. So we just went on the blog (on their computers) and published all the waiting comments!

When we got back to hot springs we both slept. I have a funny feeling a lot of the kids did too since we didn't see them around very much even when we woke up.

During supper (where we got a surprising amount of dessert, not that I'm complaining) we found out the answer to another great mystery. There is a new little boy there, because Suradet's sister and her husband work there now. We thought they'd said his name was "bennigo", because when we'd repeat it back they'd nod and smile. However, when we'd call his name later he would never respond. We knew he was really shy so we just let it slide.

But today Ruth anne goes "bennigo is shy" and the girls go "miayko". His name is Miayko (I have no clue if its spelled correctly, that's how it sounds phonetically) not Bennigo! No wonder he wasn't responding to us!

Another funny moment happened just after dinner while we were back in our room. Three of the older girls (Thim, Saiy and Nut) came up to see us. We couldn't figure out why they'd come, and they couldn't communicate it. But they were saying something that sounded suspisciously like "michael jackson" (they weren't of course, it just sounded similar) so after they said it a couple times Ruth anne goes "Michael jackson!!!" And starts trying to do the moon walk. They looked like "what on earth is this crazy woman doing?" Not going to lie, I had the same look on my face too! Haha. But eventually we sorted out they were taking us to worship.

Now the girls are here and sleeping over, so I'd better go! Don't want to be rude! :) goodnight world!


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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Best Day of My Life Ever!

Ruth Anne: Certainly, lots of wonderful things have happened in my life, and I would not want to discount any one of them in any way. But the convergence of joy that this particular Thailand day has held will, without question, be marked as beyond words brilliant and God-filled and profoundly good.

It started with an excursion to a waterfall park about an hour and a half north of Hot Springs, one of many in Northern Thailand that have become a natural place for people to rest and play. While there is no entrance fee to the park, funds raised for our trip provided the money for gas and the very traditional Thai picnic that we half brought from home and half picked up along the way. This was a kind of outing that a family of 17 would not be able to afford very often.

While Yupa set up the picnic, Megan and I followed the children down an extensive and sometimes rugged staircase. This takes you to where you can plonk yourself right down in the middle of water that's rushing over smooth white rocks.

The kids LOVED it!!!! And that's what prompted a worship moment for me that was so intense I can barely find the words to describe it. It was as if three tastes of heaven were converging at once. There was the natural and spectacular beauty of the surroundings, Eden like, white water contrasting the green lush. Insert into the picture, fifteen spectacularly beautiful children, children you've longed to be with for the whole past year. Just their wet happy faces and impossible smiles was another glimpse of the beauty of heaven. And then, let it register just how much pure joy was coming off the children. Their delight squealing, carefree and happy and playing, in this singular moment of joy..... And I sat there in the middle of the rushing water and could barely breathe. God's presence, heaven's nearness was so strong so real. Oh my heart, you are forever wrecked by the ecstasy of this moment.

The Thai picnic followed and I'll save the description of that for another blog dedicated to courageous eating. But we lingered in the park long enough for me to lay myself down on the straw mat and have a snooze. A little later, after my nap, Megan and I were sitting watching the younger kids play in a shallower part, and Suradet took the same spot on the mat to rest himself. Sounds like a simple thing, but to me it sort of represented a new level of relaxed connection. Megan gave it the words. More like we were on a family outing than guests being shown around. I liked that.

But this perfect day was not over.

Next we were heading back down to Chiang Mai for the shopping trip. It had been an idea birthed a few trips ago already that we might raise enough money to take the kids into one of the bigger stores in Chiang Mai and allot a certain amount for them to buy a brand new item of clothing. While our kids are not in rags by any means, second hand and few would best describe their wardrobes. Plus the exchange rate meant that about 10 dollars per child would go a long, long way.

Apparently, it wasn't until last minute that Suradet told the children of the reason we were dragging them into a store after a big outing already. But as he explained it you could see their faces completely brighten when they realized they could go choose something for themselves. They scattered happily in clusters of about three or four, helping each other choose.

Anyone who knows me knows that I loathe shopping at home. But this....This was like what the shopping must be like in heaven (a comment for my Sisterhood....you guys would have loved this for sure!).

The day finally ended with evening devotions. Suradet summarized our day and the children together said 'Korp Koon, ka!'. Thank you very much. I told them, best as I could that the gifts we bring are from an entire church who loves them, that we pray for them and have their pictures up on the wall. I told them that our gifts were to encourage them to stay strong in their faith, and if they did that, it would be the best thanks we would ever have. Then we prayed, every voice together and at the end Suradet asked me to close.

And as I was going through the day in my prayer my voice broke in gratefulness. I try not to do that too much, although it's hard when my heart is so deeply touched most of my time here. But last night it was too much and my emotion was very evident.

Afterwards a few of the girls hung around for extra hugs and I kissed each face and told them how much I loved them.

Sai-y hung to the last. Her hug was strong and she started to sob. Sai-y doesn't try to communicate with me as much as some of the others, but when she does, it's like this, more private and without words. She's 17, small and serious, and somewhat reserved in her personality.

So when she approaches me I know she's going to say or do something important.

And so we stood there for at least 10 minutes, both of us crying now, overwhelmed by the enormous generosity of God who gave us all this, all this.

I can't say it often enough. We are making a difference here. God is using every dollar, every Sponsors packet, every letter, every visit to drastically change a desperate trajectory into sobbing gratitude and the potential for great things in the lives of a family, our family, in Thailand.

Can I say thank you enough for letting me come here? No, I can't. I can't.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Let The Rains Begin

Ruth Anne: Today, a break in the weather, finally!! Brace yourselves, everyone, for sermon illustrations using heat and thirst as central metaphors! It really has been intense, both emotionally and physically the entire we've been here so far.

But today saw a welcome cloud cover build into black and thunderous storm of joy that poured out its gift ny late afternoon. When it started it was just rain. Megan and I were in the guest house and heard the whistle that usually means supper. So we put on our ponchos and went over

No supper but a few of the girls were still painting the wooden crosses we had brought as part of the craft package. Megan joined the ones playing Blokus.

As the storm grew Nut came from Yupa's kitchen, obviously sent to encourages us to get back to our rooms. But before we could make our way through the translationsn the wind took overn sending us all scurrying into the relative shelter of the kitchen area.

What happened during the next 20 minutes was a strange weave of adventure and intimacy. As Bee and Sai-y clung to me and little Sai to Megan the storm raged in exaggerated torrents of red mud all around us. The other girls either clung to each other or were having too much fun peeking up and over the walln and then running to come tell us what was going on.

There was some cause for concern:owever. These were winds strong enough to drive the rain sideways under the dining shelter straight at the openings in the bamboo walls that were the only things separating us from the thrashing outside . At one pointn a loud metal ripping sound made us all jump, as part of the roof was pried up by the force of the storm.

Both Megan and I love a good thunderstorm back home, so we were having a great time, able to laugh and reassure and cuddle the girls through to the dying down of the wind and the gentling of the rain.

And now it is a mere 29.5 C in our room (all windows open and fans still on full) and everyone feels a bit more human again.

That was one thing about today. The other is about the spunk of a little girl who dared to take me in an arm wrestle. She didn't win, but man is she strong!!

You have to have in your mind a picture of the thin and frightened child the Team met on our first night here, and then compared that to the small but mighty 14 year old who gave me a good run for my money on the wrestling table.

I've said this before, but the song "Give Thanks" has an important connection for me when I consider the truth of the realities lived out in Thailand. "And now let the weak say I am strong.....because of waht the Lord has done for us."

Miki's sponsors are a couple from our church that we all call Nana and Grandad. Guys, just know that this is one strong young lady, all because of the goodness of your hearts. To all Sponsors, thank you. In so many ways, your love is making enormous differnces in the lives of thse kids.

Megan and I are both feeling very glad for the cooler night to settle into now. Tomorrow is a big day. Waterfall - nam dtok - in the morning, and ourbshopping trip in the afternoon!!!


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Monday, May 10, 2010

Another day.

Megan:

AN INSECT LAID EGGS ON MY SHIRT. What makes it worse is that I must have put it on without noticing, because I didn't see it til I was sitting down at the table 20 minutes later. Ew ew ew ew. Now I'll have to go and shake everything out to make sure there are no more baby nasties in my clothing. Gross!

In other news though, I don't think we've blogged about yesterday, other than the enormously long (but rewarding) church service.

After the service was done I went straight back to bed because I could barely keep my eyes open. I think our regular 5am wake up calls are taking their toll on me! So I slept straight through lunch, which was a little disappointing because all the congregation members stayed for it. Oh well, there is always next sunday at least!

I didn't wake up until 2:30pm or so, and ruth anne I just stayed in our room because it was so hot (the kids were staying indoors too!)

At 3:30pm ruth anne, yupa, seng-jen (suradet's sister), and I headed back to the hot springs. Ruth anne and I wanted to treat the two of them, because it was mother's day afterall. The three of them went for thai massages, but I stayed behind to explore, since I find massages somewhat weird.

I saw the geisers (holy heat batman!) And then went to order myself a bottle of water in thai. I was doing perfect until the very end. I'd handed her my money and was about to walk away when she asked a sentence in thai. I must have a blank expression on my face because she elaborated: "you want straw?" She spoke english. Who knew?

From there we came back to hot springs (the church where we stay, not the actual hot springs we'd just been at...in case that was confusing haha). Ruth anne brought out her laptop and the kids all watched videos of her past trips here. They ADORE seeing themselves in videos. They have a complete riot every time they see themselves.

From there was supper, evening devotions, and straight to bed! We were both pooped! Actually, ruth anne made a semi successful call to the sunday morning team right before we went to bed. So that was nice. :)

A word on the heat: IT IS SO HOT. We have one of those little temperature gauges in our room that we check every day...it says our room is 44 C. Yeah. That's how hot it is here. When we go to bed it's usually a frigid 37 C. Ruth Anne says it's never been this hot here before. We haven't had any clouds either. It's been non-stop sunshine.
Everyone's praying for rain. Not just for physical relief, but because of the plant life. It takes a lot of water for them to be taking care of all the plants they have!

It was kind of funny though...ruth anne was trying to explain that back home in Canada we never have heat like this, and when it does get really hot they put out warnings for people to not go outside. And that when it does get too hot and old people go outside, they will die. Suradet and yupa were absolutely horrified that the elderly people of Canada couldn't take severe heat!

The only reason I don't really feel like a wimp for complaining about being hot all the tome is because all the thais are doing it too. I had kind of assumed they'd be used to this heat, but even they keep going "too hot! Too hot!" All the time. Even they're not used to how hot it has been this past week.

But don't worry everyone, we're drinking a ton of water! I think I got up to about 5 litres the other day. I didn't know that was physically possible, haha!

Well that's all for now. We're supposed to be leaving for our overnight stay at wiang pa pao in about 45 minutes, and let me tell you, we're looking forward to the airconditioned truck ride! :) more later!
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Sunday, May 9, 2010

Craving An Ice Cap

Ruth Anne: Craving an ice cap about now. This is certainly the hottest of the four trips to Thailand that I remember. Those on the first trip will remember the temperatures in Phnom Penh. Well, yeah, that's coming close. With two fans on and a natural breeze helping, our room has chilled to a more comfortable 36 degrees. Right now it's Sunday afternoon and everyone at Hot Springs is observing a Sabbath siesta (although I don't think that's the Thai word for it :).

Even with the discomforts - the heat, rice three times a day, stopping to check the bathroom for giant spiders and scorpions, that sort of thing - my prevailing mood, especially today, is one of astonished yet deeply quiet gratitude.

This morning we worshiped at Hot Springs. What a holy thing it is to sense such a strong presence of God's Spirit even without understanding the words. True, some of the songs are now familiar enough that I can stumble along repeating the sounds and getting it right maybe 50 percent of the time. I have my Thai English Bible and know enough numbers to at least find the passage. There's something of a conext, and enough basic vocab that when Suradet talks about the trouble with the Red Shirts threatening our visit here and when he commends us and our church for trusting God to let us come, I can follow along almost sort of.

But really, mostly I have no clue what's being said. Yet I am totally aware of the spirit of the worshipers, and the strong heart of this Asian preacher man that I have grown to love as my brother.

So, ice caps and ant free (softer) beds not withstanding, I am having a different craving filled now. That's the deep longing I feel most of the time in Canada, waiting for the next visit, anticipating with great delight the next time I would be worshipping at Hot Springs.

Most of you reading this are in bed as I write. Half way around the world it is Mother's Day already. And this mother (and Granny Ruth to a beautiful brood as my husband reminded me in an email this morning) is far away from the most important people in her life who understand me so well that they've let me be here this day.....with these "also important" people.

Thank you.

And I'm stopping at the first Tim's as soon as I get back!!!!
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Saturday, May 8, 2010

An Update for May 8

Ruth Anne; We are settling in to what has become for me at least, that familiar Hot Springs life. The slower pace, the easy way of it, the children especially, are all working their tonic on my work-ravaged soul. I am now keenly aware of how much l've been pushing myself this past while since Dad died and how badly I have needed the simple love of my Thai friends to bring some healing.

Yesterday's experience at the youth prison has left me all the more in awe of a God who just keeps surprising us. Who would have thought that I could have anything to say to such a crowd. But recent experiences, with a family member currently serving time, gave me a connectiong point that I can only believe God chose to use in the hearts of the precious faces there.

I am also preaching on Sunday morning, that is if we can find an interpretor. Mike Flinchum has safely returned and will be with us tonight as we do our evening devotions. However he's not available tomorrow morning. So we'll see what happens. It's part of the adventure. Actually if it turns out I can't that will be good to me. I have yet to hear Suradet preach and would love to this trip.

The heat seems worse than any other time, mostly I think because the rains haven't started yet. Bugs are not as bad, howver, so I guess it goes hand in hand.

Can I say again how deeply grateful I am to be allowed back to this place of peace and filling. Not only are we completely oblivious to any turmoil in other places in the country, but Hot Springs especially is like being at the cottage for me. Hope that's ok with everyone!

Sponsors, your packets were well received as always. We are taking lots of pictures and video.

Time for lunch soon.

Thank you for your prayers. We feel them.
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Friday, May 7, 2010

Our first full day at Hot Springs!

Megan:

Today we woke up to roosters crowing. At 5am. That's when we had to get up to go to morning devotions. Normally I would have complained about that time (who am I kidding...I still complained!) but the devotion was really neat.

Suradet is getting the kids to memorize psalms. Today they went around and recited psalm 91 for us, which made me incredibly happy since that's my favourite psalm. He's giving them money for however much they can remember. Only Miki has made it too 100 baht!

After they went through today's chapter (on the adulteress among us), Suradet asked Ruth Anne to pray over each child. That was a really cool sight to see.

We had a short wait after that, then it was time for breakfast. It came as somewhat of a surprise to me that "breakfast" basically means first lunch. We had pork fried rice, chicken wings, cucumbers, hot cucumber soup, and mango for dessert. And since I had only eaten about half of it (I was full!) poor Yupa thought I didn't like it and brought out our bread and yogurt. So then I had some of that too.

Much to my happiness, after breakfast we brought out the beading supplies we'd brought for the kids. They were a big hit with both the girls and the boys. Somchai and Entorn sat beside me and were happily chatting to me in Thai. I think they knew I couldn't speak it. But they would ask me questions, and I'd smile and nod, and then we'd all laugh. Who knows what I agreed to!

They were also happy to see Ruth Anne's pictures of her family and her last visit. They were particularily taken with a video of Abby saying "sawatdee ka Bao!".

After our hang outs, it was time for lunch! Since we had to go out anyway, we went to a cute Thai restaurant where Suradet assured us had good ice cream. I wasn't feeling too hungry, so I asked for just a bowl of rice. Even though it wasn't on the menu, they asked the waitress if I could have french fries. Without me even saying anything! and when I was finished my fries, Yupa practically forced me to order some ice cream (not that I'm complaining haha).

From there it was on to the youth prison. Apparently every couple weeks (or every friday...couldn't quite catch it) Suradet, Yupa, Tutu, pastor Mike, Tutu's son Zachary's band, and a few of the children go to the prison to evangelize as Suradet called it. Ruth Anne and I were both particularily excited to see this, and they had even asked Ruth Anne to have something prepared!

So in we go, and the first thing you see is a looooot of boys. Probably about 150 or so. I couldn't believe it. They brought about 15 girls in later (strange number difference, I know).

Suradet and a man who looked suspisciously like a scout leader spoke first, and introduced me and Ruth Anne. We had to stand up individually and they all clapped. Embarrassing for me, but a cool thing to tell as a story later! Then Ruth Anne went up and spoke her bit.

From there we went to dinner, this really cute outdoor place. It made me think more hawaiian than thai, what with it being pure bamboo and sea shell wind chimes, etc. But lovely nonetheless. And guess what? They had ham and french fries on the menu! I have got to be the most accidental western eater in a thai world. Believe me people, I came expecting to eat lots of rice, really. And I haven't even asked for fries. It just happens. :) but I'm quite pleased!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bring the heat.


Megan:

If there's one thing people keep asking me about, it's the heat. And after having been at hot springs for a day, I can answer you all now: the heat is brutal. It's basically "hmm, I think I might have an asthma attack. and I'm not even asthmatic."

Let me paint a picture about how hot it is. If you set a cold water bottle down on any surface (indoor or outdoor) it's warm within 5 minutes. When you're drinking water, you're already dehydrated before your next sip. During the day the fan actually makes things worse because it only blows the hot on you at a greater speed. And finally, Ruth Anne says it's the hottest she can ever remember while being here. So you know it has to be hot, haha!
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Waiting For Our Souls to Catch Up


Ruth Anne:

There's a story somewhere about a North American businessman who was traveling Africa with the help of an indigenous guide and several others who were carrying goods. He had a deadline to make, business to do, so in the first three days of their trek through the jungle, he pressed his guide to keep everyone moving.

On the third day, however, the businessman was confused and irritated when his hired workers refused to move. The guide tried to explain. "The men have been running so fast for three days. They will now wait until their souls catch up with them."

I have come to understand these first few days in Thailand, staying in the comfort of the home of our gracious hosts, Mike and Debbie Flinchum, to be days set aside just for this purpose. There is part of me that still would prefer to be picked up from the airport and head straight out to Hot Springs. Let's get on with why we're here. Let's be with those kids, doing morning devotion times and eating under the dining shelter and playing games and learning Thai and loving and being loved in return. Let me at it!

But there is wisdom is letting your soul catch up with you.

It's more than just the jet lag, as real and disorienting as that can be. It's more than just the fatigue of having been mostly awake for the past 30 hours and the resting that's required to feel halfways normal again. There's something true about losing your soul along the way when you're flying so fast.

So, as anxious as I am for this day to begin, for us to get on our way to Hot Springs and the children, and the beautiful gift of knowing and being known, and loving and being loved, I am very grateful for this time just now.

Because before the flight and on top of the jet lag, I know my own soul has been trying to catch up with me. It's easy to lose yourself in the jungle of pressing demands and an overbooked schedule. It's hard for a soul to keep up.

Last night before dinner Tutu treated us to a swim in the pool that belongs to the gated-community where she lives, and where Mike and Debbie's home is also. The water was warm from being in the sun all day, but now that same sun was setting over the hills, and the air was not as vicious. There was an orange haze over the water, and even though I was half a world away, I couldn't help but be reminded of the sunsets on Georgian Bay that restore me so thoroughly each summer. And there in the midst of the "perk" of an evening swim, I opened myself and received another portion of God's restoration.

Soon we will be packing up to head to the airport to greet Mike, who is coming back from spending time with his family in the US. Then we will get in the truck - the new truck! - and head for the hills - literally.

Soon we will leave our time of catching up and engage in the reason we're here.

Very soon.

A busy day.


Megan:

And so the rice has begun.

After a lovely sleep (thanks to everyone at home who prayed for us to have a good first night's sleep here!) we both got up and had a leisurely breakfast of yogurt, bread with peanut butter (only me), and dragon fruit (only Ruth Anne). After hearing from both Ruth Anne and Starr about how amazing dragon fruit is, I feel a little traitorous saying that I don't like it...but I don't! It reminds me of papaya, and if there's one fruit I never want to see again for the rest of my life, it's papaya (ask anyone on the Haiti team about the weird papaya drink we had, and you'll understand).

Tutu picked us up at 11:30am sharp, and brought along Nem and her little son Aiden (I have no clue if I've spelled either of those right...at least they're spelled phonetically) who live at the Wiang Pa Pao farm (again...I have no clue about spelling and Ruth Anne's having a nap so I can't ask her. Sorry!). We went straight to Makro (think Costco...but bigger) to buy supplies for the Doi Saket orphanages (all four of them!). It was amazing to see two carts piled high with supplies for over 150 kids, and really makes you realize the work that goes into something like that. Tutu is an amazing woman.

She took us to the restaurant there, and this is where the rice comes into play. I had egg fried rice (rice with onions and egg thrown in) and Ruth Anne had pork fried rice (self-explanatory). It was very tasty, but quite filling, and I felt bad not finishing it all. Tutu and Nem had "papaya salad" as well, which Ruth Anne tried, but I stayed away from. There's just something about staring at pointy crustaceans in my food that doesn't sit well with me.

From there we went to Doi Saket 1 to drop off the first load of supplies. Ruth Anne was quite excited to see her friend Birdy again, and we also met Zachary and his wife again (who you'll recall from two posts back). Doi Saket 1 reminds me a lot of going to summer camp. There's a girls and boys dorm, the learning center, the "auditorium", the kitchen, etc. There weren't too many kids around there, we were wondering if some of them might still be in school.

After that it was off to Doi Saket 2. It's amazing the love these children obviously have for Tutu. She gets out of the truck and right away there are at least four kids suddenly attached to her. However, there were many affectionate children who also came up to me and Ruth Anne and offered little "sawatdee's" and hugs to us. Doi Saket 2 marked our second group picture with lots of children. :) Hopefully there will be many more to come.

Then we went to Doi Saket 3 and 4 (they're together now) where we met many more very affectionate children all offering us hugs. It was so cute. And they absolutely love having their picture taken. When they get to see themselves on that little screen they just giggle away. So be



prepared for quite a few pictures of children when we get back!

As we were driving away, Tutu turns around and goes "Want to see crazy fish?" Seeing as we're getting into the habit of "going with the flow" we both said sure, not knowing at all if we were literally going to see 'crazy fish' or not. But sure enough, we got to a body of water, Tutu and Nem bought some fish food, and they threw it into the water. I don't think I've ever seen so many fish at the surface before. It was incredible. Ruth Anne and Tutu tell me there were ENORMOUS catfish on the other side, but that required crossing this rickety little bridge which I had no faith in, so I stayed with Nem and Aiden and watched the normal kind of crazy catfish.

Now we're back at Mike and Debbie's, taking a rest before Tutu comes and takes us to the pool for a quick swim. Some interesting stories of the day:

Ruth Anne started taking her promise to my parents (to take good care of me) a little too literally, which I realized when I tried to get out of Tutu's truck and found the child safety lock to be on. I had to wait for Ruth Anne to walk around and let me out. Just kidding about taking it too literally though, apparently Tutu didn't even know the child safety lock was on. I just happened to get lucky. :)

Ruth Anne has also begun to confuse me, sometimes while trying and others without. For instance, while we were at Doi Saket 3 and 4 she leans over and goes "So are you ready for the documentary?" I just kind of looked at her, eyebrows raised, as she started going on about the commitment I'd made to Asia's Hope to make a documentary of my time here. After several minutes of me staring at her with a somewhat glazed expression, she started laughing. Yep, it had all been a joke. Thanks Ruth Anne. haha.

But then when we got back to the house I went to the fridge and realized we only had one bottle of water left. So I came out and asked if I should put the water we got last night into the fridge. She just looked at me and went "What water?" And I said "The water we got last night?" And she goes "What water?" It didn't take her long to realize we had actually gotten water, and it was sitting about five feet away from her. I guess the heat is taking it's toll! ;)

Thanks to everyone for their prayers, they're very much appreciated! More to come. :)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Famous Airport Welcome Picture




Here we are, being greeted and welcomed by L to R - Bee, Yupa, Ruth Anne, Thima, Sai-y, Nut, Miki, Suradet, Bee (in front) and Megan.



Tutu Bee, Asia's Hope Director, Thailand, and two travel-weary but delighted Canadians.

Today will be recovery day. We'll post again when we can.
We love you all and miss you much and are excited to be here all at the same time.

Ruth Anne

We're here!

Megan:

We've arrived safe and sound in Chiang Mai. In fact, we've already finished our first day here, which is hard to believe!

When we got to the airport some of the kids (boy Bee, girl Bee, Thim, Sai, Nut, and Miki) came to meet us, along with Tutu, Suradet, and Yupa of course. They brought us a gorgeous bouquet of flowers each, and if that wasn't enough, gave us flower garlands to wear and single stem roses! The garlands are hanging in my room as I write, and let me tell you, they smell good!

Then we were driven to Mike and Debbie's house, where we'll be staying until Thursday morning when we pick Mike up from the airport. After hanging with the kids for a little, Ruth Anne and I were given time to rest up. Ruth Anne opted for a shower, I opted for a nap.

Tutu's son Zachary and his wife (and little 2 month old daughter Michelle) then took us to Carrefour for dinner and to buy some essential items like breakfast foods, water, etc. I had mcdonalds for dinner, and interestingly enough, their burgers taste better here! Who knew?

Now it's time to go to bed. We're both wiped after a very long day, but in very good spirits. :) thanks to everyone for their prayers! More to blog tomorrow!
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Monday, May 3, 2010

Almost There

Ruth Anne: We promise that soon there will be more exciting posts than those written from airport waiting lounges :). But for now, this is all part of the experience. I remember Dave Driver saying over and again that first trip, "Ruth Anne! You've got to make the trip part of the journey." Just another thing I love about that guy - his ability to be real and profound in the simplest of ways.

Megan fared well on our long, long ride, even though she did mention something about shooting herself in the face at about 10 hour mark. Personally, I think I'm finally getting the swing of this, because it seems to get a bit easier each time. We were able to sleep "enough" to help recharge the batteries for this last leg.

And now all I can think of is seeing the kids at the airport. And because now I know the airport well enough....the plan is to buy them ice cream at that Dairy Queen right there, and have a little visit right off the bat. Oh yes! Just thought of that this minute and sent off an email to Suradet to get permission.

So soon now. On the way over, and still recovering from what seemed like an impossibly stress-filled past three weeks or so, all I can hear God telling me is that this trip will have some similar components for me than the first one - particularly in reminding me of His sufficiency against my inadequacies, and that all He wants to do He can do, even when I am feeling small and empty.
That word from Him disturbs me a little. It took a bit to recover from the spiritual renovations that went on. But I am ever so grateful for them, and, with respect for the implications, look forward to anything God wants to do in me again and new this time.

Megan promises to write something once we get there. So far, it's been all about airports and airplanes and that's about it.

Seven minutes to boarding call.

Are We There Yet?

Ruth Anne:

Nope.

Waiting bleary in Los Angeles for our 1:15 a.m. (that's 4:15 a.m. Ontario time!) flight across the Pacific Ocean. And although we are feeling the dragging effects of such a long day, we have actually experienced very smooth goings so far (not counting the 'hard time' Megan got at US customs for having "too much luggage to haul around Thailand").

Already I am in that surreal state where you can barely tell where you are, and you're not really sure what day it is. Except I'm very mindful of the significant morning we spent together at Highview 'yesterday'. I am still recovering from the surprise of having 24 MORE parking spaces spoken for in our Fundraising Campaign for Phase One of the Property Expansion Project, bringing the total to 54 out of 100, and only five days into the campaign! What a great note to leave on!

Both Megan and I felt your love 'this morning' as we were being said good bye to. Megan says she's never got that many hugs in one day in her whole life! George, thanks so much for your send off. Your specific 'charge' to each of us meant a lot and is trailing after us as we go, in all the good ways significant blessings can do.

Megan is traveling like a seasoned trooper. We are enjoying easy conversation that makes a "red eye" flight less brutal. Although......we haven't even started the most grueling part of the journey quite yet....the 13 hours we'll get to spend trying to sleep between here and Taipei.

I can't wait to see the kids! I can't wait to "talk" with Suradet and Yupa. To hug Tutu and encourage her. To visit with Lew, the young widow recovering from the loss of her husband and her own damaged body following a motorcycle accident. I can't wait to be there, undeservedly receiving from God in this unexpected place of strength and restoration.

Abby and Zachary, I miss you so much already. Kristyn, thank you so much for your support in letting me go for this length of time. Ken...what can I say? You are my hero in so many ways.

Okay....can we get on the plane soon? I need to tuck myself into a corner and sleep.

Megan would sign off on this posting too....except I think she's just konked out in the chair beside me. (Starr, the photo is proof that I take pictures of more than just you sleeping in LAX :)

Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Night Before

Ruth Anne: Who can sleep, but sleep is the only thing left to do tonight. And I'd better do it well because I'm really, really tired.

Tomorrow, Megan and I will get on a plane and head to the other side of the world. We're going because God has been go amazingly generous to us in allowing us to forge a deep and exciting partnership with a rather unusual "family" in Northern Thailand.

My own heartspace is very ready to receive from God right now. You can check out my personal blog "Bread and Honey" to catch more on that.

Meanwhile, it's time to let go and let all the planning so far, and all the packing so far, and the lists and the emails and all of it....be enough.

Pray for our traveling please. This is always an item of need, but particularly with things in Thailand being a little dicy at the moment. Pray for Mega, her first time to Hot Springs (but not to a missions trip since she is a Haiti Team veteran).

And pray that both of us will be open to the lessons He has for us for the next three weeks.

Keep a watch. We'll be posting as we go, as much as we can.

One day to go!


Megan:
 
We're both excitedly getting ready for tomorrow. I can hardly believe it's already here. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in Ruth Anne's office on a cold November day, talking about how fun this trip would be.
 
But one thing that neither of us are too savvy with? Technology. So here I am, the day before we're going to leave, attempting to set up our blackberry-to-blog posts. Let's all hope they work, otherwise we're not going to have too many posts while we're gone! :)
 
Can't wait to start blogging during our trip!

 




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