Kudos to the Team

Just wanted to express my deep appreciation for the members of the 2012 Thailand Team.
L to R George, Linda, Dave, Emerson, Jonathan, Sam, Ruth Anne, Elaine, Heidi, Megan, Nick.

This is the Team that spent months preparing ESL lessons, packed 10 suitcases full of supplies, endured the long flights, stretched way out of their time-oriented comfort zones, overcame language challenges, ate rice, rode in the back of the truck long after the novelty wore off, sweated through the heat, ate rice, adapted to more kids than expected for Day Camp, ate rice, put up with each others' idiosyncrasies, shared the bathroom, ate rice, ate a frog, played with kids, cared for each others' heat stroke, celebrated Emerson's birthday in a spectacular way, took pictures, slept on the floor, ate rice, and let their hearts get ripped out when it was time to leave the kids.

Way to go Team. You held it together and let God do good and deep things inside your soul. Lives were changed, ours included. You enriched my life by the time we shared in Thailand. Thank you for sacrificing in order to go. Thank you for the ways you are still sorting it through and unpacking your soul, allowing God to continue the good work He's begun in you.

There are kids in Thailand who love you. Never forget that.

Hard Goodbyes

It certainly doesn't get any easier.

This is my sixth visit to Hot Springs. I wish the repetition could somehow make the saying of goodbye hurt less. But it doesn't. I think it hurts more, actually.

Our last day was long and hot and lazy. With a departing flight of 11:53 pm (delayed another 30 minutes after that) we had the luxury of a full day: all three meals, both morning and evening worship, and as much easy be-with as we could squeeze out of every minute.

The be-with wasn't too hard. Played Funky Monkey with Beeyung (who isn't a bad loser, but is also a rather exuberant winner;), admired Jom-Kwan's new dress (daughter of current staff couple), packed some more, and tried to get my heart around what I had prepared to teach at both morning and evening worship times.

Yup. It was the worship that started making it feel like the last day for me. Stupid song.

There's a sog we've sung in church not all that long ago.

Give thanks, with a greatful heart.
Give thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks 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.

That song.

So I asked Suradet to teach me in Thai, and we've been singing at worship times. We did this morning. It's a hard song to sing here.

When I first heard my Thai friends singing it - a group of Asia's Hope Staff at Doisaket learning it for an upcoming retreat - I was struck with the beauty of hearing voices sing about strength and riches, when they clearly have so little.

But more recently I've been hit with one of those hammers of mercy, as God so often, and so beautifully and brutally does from time to time. Gently, boldly speaking into my soul.

Because really I'm the weak one. I'm the poor one. I have forgotten in my spirit how over resourced and under nourished my Western abundance driven soul is.

So, now, after having spent another immersion with these incredibly faithful people, let me the weak say that I've been strenthened. And let me the poor say I am rich for having been in their presence. And God's presence

Oh my.

And we're singing that yesterday. And, man! How hard it is to say goodbye.

A Beautiful Wreckage of the Soul.

Heidi and I are now sitting at our gate in the Seoul, Korea airport.

This is after we had one of the most heart-wrenching goodbyes of all time. I don't think I've cried that much in a long time. I don't think our kids have cried that much in a long time either.

We had evening devotions, where Ruth Anne led a devotion from Acts that ripped our hearts out a little. But then they asked us to say something, and after that laid hands on us and prayed over us.

Then most of the kids brought us pictures they had drawn for us! I'm so excited to look through them all when I get home.

We headed off to the airport with all the older kids (the littles had to be in bed at that time), where we had more beautiful soul wreckage. They hugged and wouldn't let go, and we cried some more.

When we went through security, they were standing at the windows, and we waved until we couldn't see them anymore. Then we sat and cried because our hearts were wrecked in the most beautiful way possible.

The first flight was surprisingly easy, since we slept for all 5 hours! Praying the 13 hour flight will feel as fast!

Megan.

A "Chill Day".

Today has been nice and quiet, but fun. Devotions were going to start at 6am, but we realized that decision had been made when the kids were sleeping, so they wouldn't know about it. We ended up starting at a nice compromise of 5:45am.

The rest of the day has been a mix of just resting and playing with the kids. We watched Kung Fu Panda, then started Cats & Dogs, we've done Dominoes and bracelets and colouring, and we might even do some painting!

Trying to pack as many fun activities in with the kids as possible before Heidi and I catch our evening flight home.

Tonight we're hoping to squeeze in an evening devotion, play with some glowsticks, and eat some candy before we have to be at the airport for 9:30pm.

More to come!

Megan.

Wednesday Evening.

Well, tonight was filled with confusion, exhaustion, and rejuvenation.

We had been told we were heading off to a dinner cruise on the river, so we'd dressed a tad nicer than normal and set off.

However, when we pulled into Tesco-Lotus (a giant grocery store/mall), we knew something was up. We searched forever for a parking spot, then were led in a circle before ending up at The Pizza Company.

Turns out the cruise was all booked up for tonight, but Mike and Tutu had still wanted to take us out to celebrate Heidi's and my last night here.

After filling their stomachs with some good old pizza and pop (and after sitting in airconditioning), the team significantly perked up. As Ruth Anne said, I think it was the pick-me-up people were needing.

The drive home in the truck was filled with songs from Cinderella, Sound of Music, and other classics (as well as a lot of laughter).

Suradet was kind, and moved devotions to 6am tomorrow, so we get to sleep in! Woohoo!

Megan.

Nam Tok!

Today we went to a waterfall! The drive was longer than expected (about 2 hours, due to multiple pit stops), and felt even longer since we'd packed 34 people into two trucks. Ouch!

But once we got there all was forgotten as soon as the kids saw the waterfall. We threw our stuff down, and off they went climbing down the waterfall. The Highview team opted for the stairs instead.

The water was crystal clear and refreshingly cool. The kids (and a couple team members) climbed the falls like monkeys, while others sat and enjoyed the rushing water.

After an hour or two of that, we all headed up for lunch. There was a grand variety of things to eat, though the wasps were a bit of a nuisance.

We continued to play and laugh for a little while longer, before packing up and heading back. The ride home was no more comfortable, but it was fun!

Now we've got one hour to rest and get ready for a dinner river cruise. We just never stop going! :)

(That, and I think Suradet is trying to pack in a few things before Heidi and I leave tomorrow!)

Megan.

Short Evening Update.

Not much to report! We'd tuckered everyone out, so the rest of the afternoon consisted of sleeping or watching a bootleg (with thai subtitles) copy of The Incredibles.

We went out for dinner to Suradet's favourite restaurant where two kids who came to our camp work, to give Yupa a cooking break.

It was a bit of a later dinner, so we're all in bed now, gearing up for our trip to the waterfall tomorrow!

Megan.

(Ps. If you could please pray for George! He was washing a shirt in the sink at their guest house, pushed too hard, and broke the sink off the wall. It smashed, and cut one of his toes. The cut's not very big, but if it continues to bleed, he may have to get stitches tomorrow. Pray for healing so the stitches won't be needed! Thanks!)

Things don't always go as planned...

And such was the case today.

The morning started as planned; we left at 7:30am to head to the elephant park which was 1.5 hours away. (Unfortunately Saiy wasn't feeling well so she stayed home.)

We paid for our tickets, and went straight to get seats at the elephant show. The show itself started 20 minutes late, and the action once it did start was just alright. The kids seemed to enjoy it though, and that's what matters.

After the show was the fun part, because we got to meet the elephants! There was a lot of petting and posing for pictures, and most of the kids even fed a couple elephants. I even managed to coax girl Bee down, and the elephant placed its rider's hat on her head! It was great seeing them conquer their fears.

We were supposed to ride elephants, but the wait was 1.5 hours, so we opted out. Suradet took us to the "elephant nursery" instead, and we saw a 9-day-old elephant.

There was quite a bit of confusion surrounding lunch, which ended in a fair bit of waiting for the kids. So we headed for Tiger Kingdom instead of the snake show after, because we'd taken too much time.

For Tiger Kingdom, we found out, you pay a few to get inside, but once you're inside you have to pay another fee if you want to go anywhere near a tiger. Only Nick and Sam paid the second fee, so the rest of us watched the tigers from afar for a little while.

That ended in ice cream, and back to the orphanage for everyone to recuperate. I think we've tired them out again! Haha.

So, maybe not the plan, but as long as the kids had fun doing it, we're happy too. :)

Megan.

Caves, frogs, and wats - oh my!

After two late nights (11pm) in a row, and two early morning wake ups (5am), the team is starting to feel the tiredness. Which was evidenced when only 2/3 of the team showed up for morning devotions. However, it's a very happy tired!

This morning we went with most of the kids to a nearby Buddhist cave. We had been warned by Ruth Anne of the steep steps, but everyone who went got up just fine, with breath to spare. We paused at a lookout, then the group (excluding me who has mild vertigo and a claustrophobia in caves) went down into the cave.

Suradet being the kick-butt pastor he is got everyone to recite their favourite scriptures, then sing a worship song down there, in defiance of the Buddhist displays.

We dropped the kids back off at the orphanage, then continued on our way to Yupa's mother's house for lunch. When everyone had finished they brought out a spicy frog dish, complete with whole, small frogs. Linda and Ruth Anne managed to convince almost everyone (including myself) to try a frog with rice. Everyone managed to keep their's down!

Then Suradet drove us to two wats (Buddhist temples), the first of which we got to go inside. A kind elderly monk let us in. I'm always amazed at the architecture.

Now, as usual, the group is resting, gearing up for an hour or two of playing with the kids, then going out to dinner and our last market!

Megan.

(Ps. Turns out Emerson's mosquito attack is actually the chicken pox! Suradet and Yupa recognized it right away. Pray he doesn't scratch, and gets better before we have to leave!)

And on the seventh day...

Yesterday was just so much fun, no one has much energy today!

Most of us (with the exception of Nick, Sam, Emerson, and George) climbed the step steeps up a small part of their mountain/hill for morning devotions at 5:30am. Those are always neat because we get to watch the sunrise as we're worshipping.

Devotions had a bit of an interesting moment when the cicadas all started buzzing together, and we became worried one of the seven plagues might be on its way. However, nothing came of that, thank goodness. It was simply a sign that today was going to be extremely hot.

At breakfast it became apparent why some of the team had not made it. Sam wasn't feeling well (he hadn't been since last night, but the culprit is definitely dehydration), Nick's back was hurting and couldn't do the steps, and Emerson had somehow been attacked by mosquitoes in the night, so George stayed with him to let him sleep.

Emerson has about 34 mosquito bites just on his face and neck. However, Linda isn't worried, and informed us at lunch that he frequently attracts mosquitoes, but seems to be immune to the itch they bring. He's still in regular, chatty high spirits. :)

The church service was long, but good. Different groups of the kids went up to lead us in worship songs, Dave gave his testimony, Ruth Anne preached, and they took up communion in the new fancy communion plates RA had brought. Also, three kids from our camp came, and one brought another friend as well!

At lunch we enjoyed the company of a friend of Suradet's who is planning on starting his own orphanage.

Right now I think almost every child and team member is sleeping, worn out from yesterday, and escaping the heat that's come our way!

Please pray for a renewed sense of energy for everyone!

Megan.

Something of heaven touches earth

Sometimes earth gets a kiss from heaven.

It happened yesterday. A pool full of used-to-be-orphans shrieking their joyful playing under a bright afternoon sun.

The profound dichotomy is not lost on me in that moment. How joy has been traded for despair; belonging for abandonment. These are reclaimed treasures spending an afternoon very, very differently than they would be had they not been rescued.

The harsh reality of it is, that without Suradet's intervention, and without our partnership in that intervention, these children would be begging, starving, pimped out for drug money, or trying to survive on their own through prostitution. This is not an exaggeration. Not here.

This reality always sobers me in disturbing ways.

Then there's this. With such an intergenerational Team from Highview, another part of the redemptive beauty of the day was how easily all of us played together. Skin colour, language...didn't matter. Every tribe, every tongue ever nation....hallelujah, hallelujah.

So this day, this glorious day, we are allowed a peek into the glory that's waiting. I swam over to Tutu, gave her a big wet hug and said, "I'm pretty sure there's a pool in heaven just like this.".

Now for Sunday. Worship with Hot Springs Church. Resting this afternoon. Chiang Mai walking market this evening.

And in the sweet spaces of every moment, Heaven's Breath.

Thank you all again and again, for every support you have offered. It is not taken for granted.
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Best Day Ever continued.

So we'd left off as the team was relaxing. Shortly after we'd all had our naps, it was time to go out for dinner.

We had been planning to take the kids out for dinner and to the market, but Suradet said we'd tired them out already. (However, some of us have a sneaking suspicion it was partially because they were tired and partially because they all had indigestion. After how much they'd eaten at our "feast" - the group of Jonathan, Sam, Entorn, Somchai, Bee, and Fruk ate six plates of chicken by themselves - we wouldn't have been surprised.) Thim, boy Bee, and Nut were able to come with us though.

We went to Suradet's favourite restaurant, where all the teens/kids opted to get fries. I think rice sickness is setting in!

After that was our first night market, one created more for locals. Though we did spot seven white people there (it's like a game for us here - spot the white people). Ruth Anne offered 20 baht (about $0.70) to whoever spotted the first white person, and Heidi and I now own cute owl keychains to prove we did :)

The market was large, but with very tiny pathways packed with people. Every food stall we passed brought a new smell, and the air was sticky even at 9pm. The experience itself however, was great. Though someone did try to pickpocket me. I don't keep anything in my back pocket, so I got the last laugh.

Now we're all exhausted, and everyone is in bed as I write this. It's almost 11pm, and we have to be up 5am for devotions! Pray for us! Haha.

Megan.
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Best day ever!

Or at least, one of the best! The entire team got to sleep in (we were all exhausted from camp), and woke up to a breakfast consisting of fries, tuna salad sandwiches, and fresh mango.

Then Heidi, Dave, Nick, Suradet, Yupa, and I went to the Hot Springs because Dave and Nick wanted a hot mineral soak for their backs (please pray, their backs have been acting up, and when most of your drives are done in the back of a truck, it doesn't help) and Heidi and I were told we could get foot massages if we wanted. No one else wanted one! We thought they were all crazy. :)

Right after we gathered all the kids and headed to Tutu's house. She lives in a gorgeous gated community (just a few houses away from Pastor Mike!) and we wanted to treat the kids. We had a feast for lunch in an airconditioned house, pure bliss for everyone.

Then we went to the community's pool, which we had all to ourselves. It was two of the best hours of my life. The kids ran around, jumped in the water, splashed each other and us, posed for photos, and were simply just kids. Many of them had never seen a pool, let alone a huge one all to themselves. As Ruth Anne said "I think there will be a pool just like this in Heaven".

Right now we're relaxing (we tuckered those kids out, about half fell asleep on the ride home!) but we're hoping to take all the kids out for supper, then head to a night market.

So hopefully, more to come in a few hours!

Megan.
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Question:

How many kids does it take to fix a scrape on Jonathan's knee?

Answer: six. One to pour the anti-septic (it was blue...we're assuming/hoping it was rubbing alcohol), one to arrange the gauze bandage, one to cut and place the first aid tape, one to aid in getting the tape to stick to a sweaty knee, one to hold the supplies once they'd been used, and one to fuss over him.

And all that for an old fashioned fall in the dirt. Never let it be said we lack in first aid training here! Haha.

Megan.
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One quick note about worship.

I realized I've mentioned that the worship here is great, but I've never really explained why.

In Thailand, they don't worry about how you sound when you sing. They don't pick their choir based on the best voices, or who looks the best on stage. They pick their choir based on how much passion the members have.

It's incredible, and inspiring. Every devotion we have here, the kids are eyes closed, practically yelling their worship to God.

There's nothing quite like the sound of 17 children giving their all to God in song, and wanting to give more when worship is done.

They leave behind any troubles or worries, and it's solely them and God in that moment.

It will forever be one of the sweetest sounds my ears will ever hear.

Megan.
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Day 5 of camp complete!

Well today was our last day of camp, and God did some pretty cool things.

It started when Ray (one of our camp girls) came in with a large bag of tamarinds. She gave it to Heidi and I, saying it was a thanks from her mom for the english lessons we had done.

We went through our verses and songs, and a rousing rendition of "Going on a Lion Hunt" (the kids love when we come across the lion and they get to scream).

The lessons all seemed to go well, there are always smiles on everyone's faces.

After lunch we gave them their presents that the team had worked into the night to put together (a combo of fun and practical: toothbrush, pencil, eraser, crayons, bandaid, glowstick, candy, stickers, etc). They also each got a stuffed turtle (donated by a generous teacher before we left), and heaven help anyone who tries to pry a turtle out of one of those kids' hands! They were immediately attached.

A neat moment was showing the kids what a glowstick was. They'd never seen one, so heidi and I did a demonstration, letting them cup their hands around a glowing glowstick to see it at work. The looks of amazement and excitement was so worth it.

When they all had their packages, Suradet asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus. One of the teen boys from Heidi and my group came forward. Praise God! There's now a party going on in Heaven. We're curious to see if any of the children will come to church on Sunday, so more on that later!

Shortly after, we had a soul-quieting moment when we were asked to each pray over every individual child. It was amazing. I've never really been asked to bless anyone in my life, and now I've blessed 45 children!

We said our goodbyes after that, watching all the kids pile into what Ruth Anne has coined "the orphan mobile". It will probably hit us harder tomorrow that we won't see many of these kids again. Though, Suradet has asked us to do this all again next year, for even more children! WOO!

God is good!

Megan.
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Day Camp is Done!

We can't believe it!!

Five intense days in increasing heat have come to a close in a big and beautiful way.

Our ESL Day Camp is done, with more memories and connections made than we'll be able to process for quite some time. Despite having three Team members down and out with dehydration - all have more or less recovered by now - God moved in and through us, in all our language, climate and cultural limitations, to create a beautiful thing. Kids were loved in Jesus' name. And it was a beautiful thing.

When Suradet first broached the subject of doing a combined English Day Camp, it seemed like an idea that was too crazy wonderful to be possible. Bring a Team all the way from Canada to teach some English to kids who live in the general vicinity of our Thai family, in Maeon, just north of Chiang Mai? What a big undertaking!! Suradet and I had made a strong connection. Other smaller Teams had come and had their hearts won over. But a big Team with a job to do?

The time made sense, though. Our visits up to this point had been thoroughly relational in nature. More like family coming to visit than a traditional missions trip. Our times here afforded us the opprotunity to get to know Suradet and Yupa and the kids, and to see them in action, doing what God had called them to do. We needed to learn from them. And we did - and we still do.

This venture succeeded largely because we took our time to quietly be in this time and space with them, listening, learning, being served in gentle ways, long before we could make any solid contribution to ministry here.

And now, it's done. The first attempt. God came through. So much fun. So much English! And....and....one teenage boy made a decision for Christ!!!

I am so proud of our Team. Dedicated servants, even with the strangeness and heat. Way to go!!!! No doubt in my mind that God has been honoured!!!

We are resting for the rest of this day. Then the next part of the adventure begins.


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Camp day 4, complete!

So today was an interesting day! It all started when Heidi and I both woke up sick. She was sick to her stomach and threw up, I had a pounding headache I'd had since the night before still.

But we knew right away the culprit was dehydration. We hadn't really been paying attention to drinking water yesterday, but when we added it up this morning, we'd only had two cups of water each from 1pm-10pm. Not smart. So we were given the morning off, and slept on and off until lunch, drinking lots in between! We're both back to health now. :)

The camp (from what I heard) went well, the kids arrived even EARLIER this morning because they couldn't wait to get here! How cool is that?

After lunch we all went to THE Hot Springs with the camp kids. They loved to run around and stick their feet in the water, and after 30 minutes there, we bought every child (and leader - yay!) ice cream. It was awesome to watch them just be kids and enjoy themselves. Even in the heat!

Tonight should be a quiet night of devotions and getting ready for the final day of camp tomorrow. I think there's a little solemnity surrounding tomorrow, since no one wants to say goodbye to these kids! Prayers for strength and fun would be appreciated.

Megan.
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Camp Day 3!

As of 15 minutes ago we finished our third day of camp.

It was feeling a little harder to get out of bed at 5am this morning (not just for us, many of the kids didn't even show to devotions, which is rare).

But we gathered up our strength - everyone was still in good spirits - and headed to the church for day 3. The morning went by fast, and we did much of the same as yesterday. Though we did teach them "Skinamarinky-dinky-dink" and Dance, Shout, Sing. The latter was a cool experience for Heidi and I, because Ruth Anne had taught it to us 11 years ago, and here we were side by side teaching other children that age.

Lunch was probably the most adventurous part of the day. There was a strange brown "meat" that Nick assured the teens (me, Heidi, Jonathan, Sam, Elaine, and Emerson) was tofu. But then Mike piped up from the other end of the table and went "Oh, that's not tofu. I'm not sure you want to know what it is." Well of course with a challenge like that, we had to accept it. So we took a bite, took a huge swig of water to wash it down, and asked what it was. "Congealed pig's blood aka Blood Pudding," said Mike. Oh joy. Never let it be said we aren't adventurous! Haha.

After lunch was activities, which went well. It is quite hot today, so there was a lot of sweating going on, but a lot of laughing too. Suradet was feeling the exhaustion today I'm thinking, because he ended camp 15 minutes early.

Now everything is quiet, as the heat has driven most people in to rest. I think I'll do the same. :)

Megan.

(Ps. The parents of our day camp kids have been telling Suradet they can never get their kids out of bed for the drive to school. But for camp they're up early, and waiting at the door for Suradet because they're so excited to come back!)

Some random notes.

1. There was a video taken back at Highview where Heidi and I had taken a video camera and got people to say hi to Hot Springs. We've watched it every single day so far! They seem to particularly enjoy James running away from the camera, the youth throwing snow into the air, and Louanne jumping into Anne Campbell's video.

2. Wonders never cease. We had french fries, chicken fingers, eggs, and toast for breakfast today. I never thought I'd see the day! (And it was delicious!)

3. We now have 17 kids at the orphanage, but the husband and wife who also work at the orphanage have two young children, so there's a grand total of 19 running around (it's wonderful).

4. The girls at the orphanage are continuously in awe of how much our "men" (I use quotations since I'm including Sam and Jonathan in that haha) can eat at a single sitting. Heidi and I love it, because we just hand them our leftovers, and it looks like we both cleaned our plates!

5. While the temperature is quite hot in the afternoon (around 35C I believe, and that's not including humidity), the evenings become a perfect temperature of around 17C. With the fan on full blast and the windows all open, we can actually sleep with really light comforters on!

6. And lastly, you know you're not Thai when your hand can't fit in the Pringles container. :( Haha! The openings to their cans here are much smaller, most likely able to fit a Thai person's hand, but not our's. Makes every Pringle an adventure to get out!

Megan.
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Day Camp has begun!

Yesterday marked the beginning of our week-long ESL camp! And so far, it's been going quite swimmingly.

We ended up having 40 children show up yesterday instead of the 30 we were told we'd have, but none of us were really surprised.

They were divided up into four groups (si-faa, si-lee-ung, si-sham-poo, and si-keow AKA blue, yellow, pink, and green) and each group was to have an english lesson with a couple members of the highview team. Monday's lesson was about greetings. Today's lesson was different for each group, and we're going to cycle through (numbers, colours, letters, and body-parts).

We have a bible verse of the day, and then we do some worship and some silly songs (today Heidi and I taught them the Hokey Pokey). We also taught them two songs we teach at KidsRock - Stand on the Rock, and Your Everlasting Love. There's nothing quite like hearing and seeing 40 Thai children yell "Your everlasting loooooooooooooooooooooooove!!!!" while bouncing up and down.

Activities come after lunch, and they vary from beading (surprisingly popular!), puzzles, sports, art, chess, and nature activities.

It's an exhausting but spirit-filling day! Tomorrow we're taking the kids to the actual Hot Springs as an afternoon outing, because who wouldn't want to go swimming in hot water? Haha! Guess I'm not quite Thai yet! :)

Megan.
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And we're on!

So, it would appear, thanks to the genius of me and James, the blog is up and running! Sorry to those who had to wait so long!

This post is the story of Nick, one seatbelt, and one corrupt police officer from this past Friday:

Heidi, Dave, Sam, Nick, Suradet, and I had gone out into Chiang Mai to look for a guitar for Dave, and to go to Carrefour for some groceries.

As we were driving to Carrefour (now called The Big C in some attempt at rebranding) Suradet noticed the police up ahead and quickly turned to Nick (who was in the passenger seat) saying "Seatbelt! Seatbelt!". Nick couldn't get it on fast enough, the cops spied us, and sure enough, we got pulled over.

The cop came up to Suradet's window, and said something in Thai, then asked Nick his name in English, and informed him it was unsafe to not wear a seatbelt. He said he was writing a ticket that would have to be paid at the police station. Nick (smartly) asked if he could pay the cop now, and the cop said "Yes, 400 baht".

He didn't have 400 baht, only 1000, and obviously you don't get change from the corrupt police. So Heidi and I each gave 200 baht to the cop and paid him off.

Suradet (and the rest of us) won't let Nick live it done now, and frequently yell "SEATBELT?" at Nick on drives.

(Ps. We unfortunately didn't find any guitar Dave quite liked in the 4 shops we visited!)

Megan.
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Testing testing!

I'm hoping this works! We might just have our blog up and running!

Megan.
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In Seoul

Time for a quick posting. We have arrived safely in Seoul and are enjoying the 4 hour layover as a time to rest, freshen up and stretch a bit. That 14 hour flight is grueling, but Korean Air takes good care of its passengers and we ate well...yes...on an airplane. At least most of us did :).

While here, just got an email from Mike Flinchum, an Asia's Hope Staff from West Virginia and a great help to us in our connection with Hot Springs. He has been a guide, interpreter and friend. It will be good to see his face at the airport in Chiang Mai....along with all our amazing children, and Pastor Suradet and Yupa as well.

Oh my. Can't wait.

Ruth Anne

May He Work In Us What Is Pleasing To Him

May the God of peace
who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever and ever.
Amen

Hebrews 13:20-21

Almost On Our Way

Well here we are, the Thailand 2012 Team.

It's only a matter of days now, and 11 Highviewers will get on a plane that will take us half way around the world to our adventure. We will be working alongside Pastor Suradet and his wife Yupa to provide an ESL Day Camp for neighbouring children in a small community just north of Chiang Mai. And when we're not "in camp mode" we will be living with and loving on the 17 children that have become our Thai family, sleeping there, eating with them, playing chess, doing puzzles, and visiting around the area to gain a better understanding of culture and language.

And it will be life changing!

We have to get there first. And the packing is important. And the handing off of responsibilities here, making sure we're spending time with our faithful families who'll stay home and support us by pulling extra weight when we're gone. Sorting out the carry on from the checked bags. Finalizing the finances. Going over the lists.

It's big job. And it's a long way. And it's really, really different from what it's like here at home. And we'll be tired and disoriented and hot a lot of the time. And an ESL Day Camp, why, we've never done that before!

But what our souls will gain in the exchange makes this so, so worth it! We will never be the same again.

And what we hope of course is that there will be some precious children that might say the same about our visit. That somehow, just by being there, by our time there and our ongoing sponsorship support and love, we can bring hope to kids who would otherwise be caught in a destructive cycle of poverty.

Can't wait to see our beautiful children. There's new ones since my visit last year. And Saiy is graduating, oh my. A young woman now. And Thim, my own sponsored girl, growing up so lovely. And all of them. Miki and Bee and Bao and Nut and Entorn and Boy and Beeyung and Somchai and Yawalek and Rompo and Fruk and Bee and Kanopit and Wirapong and Wirachai...all of them. Can't wait to meet the new ones. Can't wait to see my kids.

What a gift. What an adventure this whole thing has turned out to be.

On our way.

ESL Team Leaves for Hot Springs on March 13

The very cool thing about this is that it was Suradet's idea.

On March 13, fourteen Highviewers will get on a plane and travel half way around the world to Chiang Mai, Thailand. We will partner with our Thai family at Asia's Hope's Hot Springs Orphan Home (also the church that gathers there) in an outreach adventure to teach English as a second language to neighbourhood children in the village of Maeon.

Since 2008, when we came alongside to sponsor Pastor Suradet and his wife Yupa, who had brought 13 children to live with them on the church property where they pastor, Highview has visited there five times. Mostly our trips have been relaxed and personal, more like visits to family than a missions trip, giving us the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and gentle culture, and to build genuine relationships with the children and staff.

It was in this spirit of learning and partnership that conversations began two trips ago in 2010, about the possibility of bringing a larger team to teach English. Suradet has numerous requests on a frequent basis, from parents in his village, to have their children taught English. English is a very positive asset for Thais, as they continue to work toward holding their own in a world that is becoming increasingly small, but with many economic and educational possibilities. Learning English is particularly important for children from low economic areas, as it can become a key that unlocks doors of opportunity that will help them break out of a cycle of poverty.

Hey, we thought together, us "farangs" (foreigners) speak English. Why don't we provide a fun day camp kind of environment where we can be together, teach some basics, and just love on these beautiful children?

So that's what we hope to do.

We will leave on March 13 and return in two groups, one on March 30 and the other April 3. Day Camp will run from March 19 to 23, leaving us some time to rest from the trip there, get to know our Hot Springs kids first, and have some time to get a taste for Thai culture on the off days when there is no camp.

We are almost ready to go. Lots of packing to do yet, and lots of details to cover, but it's happening.

A great team has assembled.

George Gabber and Linda Patton and their family, Jonathan, Elaine and Emmerson.
Ian and Renee Peers and their son Quin.
Dave Driver and his son Sam.
Megan Ogilvie
Heidi Bramer
Nick Hoffos
Ruth Anne Breithaupt

Each brings something unique and needed to the table.
Each is open for what God will want to teach us as we go.

And it is true, that the very cool thing about this whole deal, is that it was Suradet's idea in the first place. When we started our relationship with Hot Springs, we declared from the beginning that we wanted to have a partnership not a project. The times we have been able spend with them has increased our respect and love, watching Suradet and Yupa in action, being very comfortable to follow their lead.

This is going to be amazing!

We will keep you posted via this blog. And we thank you for your prayers.