Bai Teo (Out for Fun)

From Ruth Anne:

Two days left.

With so much of this trip being in the 'unexpected' category...both happy surprises and challenging situations....having any sort of regular blogging time has seemed difficult.  Hence, here we are with less than 48 hours to go, having neglected to report on some significant experiences.

For instance.....Chiang Mai Night Safari!

Originally planned was a trip to the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium.  Funds were collected at home to provide for this slightly 'expensive' (from a Thai perspective) outing.  However, when the children's school (elementary) included this in their end of year trip schedule, an alternative needed to be found.  The Night Safari was Yupa's suggestion, and both Megan and I agree, we enjoyed it better than we might have the Zoo.

Most importantly, the children had a riot!

Two tram rides take you through two separate exhibits where the gentler animals can come right up to the open sides of the vehicle, all up close and personal like.  We're talking deer, wild pigs, zebras, kudus and giraffes!  From a safer distance we were able to 'visit' with rhinos, hippos, lions, tigers and bears, oh my!

A wild cat show is next, followed by "Predators of the Night", a fascinating show/exhibit were a recorded narration accompanies live appearances of various nocturnal creatures who somehow show up on cue and leave, more or less, on cue.  Most fun was the binturang (look it up, sort of a mix between a cat, a racoon and and bear) who did not want to leave with his two buddies, and hung out (literally on the wire in front of us) for longer than the trainers were pleased with.

Colourful, traditional dancing was part of the deal, as was a spectacular music/fountain/light show near to the end.  The kind that makes you ask several times throughout, "How do they DO that?"

In all of this, to watch the children was undeniably the best part of the experience.  Wild eyes, excited chatter, reaching out to touch the animals they can, pointing and being amazed at the ones they can't.  Laughing, listening, holding hands with us, with each other, as we made our way from exhibit to exhibit.  Just a normal 24-person family out for some fun.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this memory.  Sometimes, with the children looking so good and being so very much part of this stable family environment, it's easy for me/us to forget that they have come from distressing situations.  A day like this just would not have happened for them had they not come to Hot Springs, had God not seen fit to connect Highview with this treasure and provide for them and us in such astonishingly beautiful Night Safari kinds of ways.

From Megan:

And we can't forget to report on yesterday! We went swimming at Tutu's! (For those who don't know, Tutu is the National Director of Asia's Hope, and one of the biggest hearts for children we know.) She used to live in a nice complex, but has recently moved to her own place that she and her husband bought and designed, complete with apartments for guests, a conference centre, their own house, and a POOL. A rather impressive pool too. And in Tutu's wisdom, she even designed it to have a little wading pool attached to the side for the littler ones who can't swim yet.

It did not take long for the kids to change and launch themselves into the pool. For about 1.5 wonderful hours they were just kids. There were no hardships, no challenges, and no responsibility to deal with. They were just themselves. It was beautiful.

There was a lot of laughter, and a LOT of splashing. Tutu even had enough life jackets for the less capable swimmers, so everyone could play in the pool.

After swimming was a lovely, full Thai dinner from Tutu, eaten in the 'dining hall' area. Rice, chicken, pork, a Karin rice porridge dish, asian pears, pineapple, and soup! Plus, in Thai style, corn for dessert.

While some of the adults chatted, the kids wandered around, getting to know Tutu's other two guests, Doug and Jeff, better. Many of you have probably heard Doug's name before (he and his wife are from Guelph, and have been helping to support Hot Springs), but Jeff is a new one. He's currently helping Tutu raise funds for some new projects on the go (and a very interesting character - a man with a very thick French accent, who's currently living in Hong Kong, working for an American company, visiting Thailand). I had some good conversation with both of them, which was great. Meeting new people is always a joy.

At about 8:30pm we called it a night, knowing we still had a 40 minute drive back, making it a slightly-later-than-usual night for the kids (but that's what makes outings more awesome, right?). The ride back was filled with a peaceful contentment (and admittedly some laughter as the kids looked through my photos from the day). It was a good day.

Better The Cake Than The Kids

From Ruth Anne:

It's a wonderful thing to take for granted - that people are praying for you.  I know this to be true because every day there are folks in Canada who pray for all the precious treasures God has linked us to here in Thailand.  I know this also because it's 'standard practice' for any Missions Team, no matter how small and no matter what the 'task', to be prayed over and commissioned before departure.  And I know this because both Megan and I have a truly lavish wealth in the friends and family who regularly pray for us.

Today all that praying was put to very good use.

Driving in Thailand is tricky at the best of times.  While road rage is actually quite rare, following basic traffic rules doesn't happen so much either.  The lines on the road are more like 'suggestions' as to where you might 'like to drive', maybe.  Most of the time this results in an easy going (for Thais) kind of terrifying (for Farangs) sort of car ballet, vehicles weaving in and out, the giving and taking of large trucks and motos, mid sized cars and doubledecker tour buses alike. 

Today all that weaving could easily have caused some serious trouble. 

I was riding in the front with Suradet, so I saw it coming; a large dark blue/black pick up truck swerved around someone turning left in the opposite direction at an intersection, coming fully head on into our lane.  Another large truck was coming up quickly on our left, driving on the shoulder as they often do.  Suradet's instincts kicked in, assessing the entire situation in a split second, causing him to slam on the brakes as the offending vehicle swerved back to its own side of the road and sped on.

In the back Megan and five of our treasures were sitting on benches (this is the vehicle they take to school).  I heard a sickening bang. 

From Megan:

We actually didn't have any idea of what was unfolding ahead of us (you can't really see out front from where we sit), so we had no idea anything was wrong until the brakes slammed and the six of us were "flying", so to speak. We didn't have far to go (me and Da especially, since we were closest to the front of the truck). I hit the wall that separates the back of the truck with the cab, and then felt two little bodies slam into me.  Across from me Da, Bao, and Nuch all kind of squished forward together.

But that was it. As soon as we had clearly stopped, I asked in Thai if they were all okay, picked up my glasses from where they'd fallen (and managed to stay in one piece!), and saw that we were miraculously okay. Except the cake, that is. We were out to get two cakes for Yupa's birthday (it'll be a surprise at church tomorrow), and when we all flew forward, my body plus two others very easily squished that cake into a bit of a mush. But the other cake still reads 'happy birthday Yupa', so we'll be fine. In fact, the girls now find it a hilarious story to tell of how the cake got smushed, so that's good. But I digress.

We're all okay. Bao and I have a very mild case of whiplash, and everyone has a couple bumps and bruises, but absolutely nothing compared to what could have been, given the lack of seat belts (not required for passengers riding in the back according to Thai traffic law). And they're all in good spirits. We spent the rest of the ride back retelling each other how the cake got squished, and how we'll explain to the congregation why we're giving Yupa an ugly cake tomorrow. So there doesn't seem to be any lasting trauma either. God is good! I guess I should go email my mom so she doesn't have to find out in a blog post, right?

From Ruth Anne again:

I will admit that this was a 'close call'.  And I should reaffirm that Suradet's driving was impeccable in all of this.  He was well within the speed limit, completely in his own lane with the clear right of way.  His instincts and reflexes were right on, a testimony no doubt to his years of experience driving not only in Thai city traffic, but on those treacherous mountain roads as well. 

So here we are, none the worse for wear, at least so far and all things given, with a squished cake to tell the story of God's protective hand upon us. 

And yet. 

There is a harsh reality that at any given time, either here or at home, life as we know can change in a second.  We wake up every day completely unaware of what will unfold.  The word is full of dangerous drivers, deathly disasters, dreadful disease.  As often as not, when these unexpected things hit us, we think we're just going 'out for cake' but something very different transpires.

This morning I woke up to an email regarding a dear friend at Highview who has received some decidedly harsh news concerning her eight month battle with cancer.  My heart is so heavy.

AND prayer is effective in BOTH scenarios.  To be prayed for and then spared a tragic car accident brings God glory.  To be sustained in prayer throughout a cancer journey also demonstrates His power and presence.  Both are sobering reminders that everything is precious and we sin greatly in taking ANYTHING for granted. 

For all who are praying, for us and for our friend, thank you.  Thank you so very much.  And actually, right now, I'm not taking it for granted at all.

Simple Things

From Ruth Anne

Circle standing.  Feels like a lost art in my life somehow.  Just that simple, casual conversation between lots of you, standing there, in a circle.

Happened yesterday between the quick run down the road to book today's elephant ride, and supper.  It was a girls' thing this time.  Porn, Da, Bao, Wara, Nok Gaew, Nut, Kratae, Bouy and Apple, with Megan and I.  Started smaller, but others joined us.  Not even sure what we were talking about, and it doesn't even really matter.  What stands out was the easy, fun way of being together, laughing, gaining insights into how they think, what's important, what's funny.  Just standing, together, in a circle.

We do lots of things in circles here.  Morning and evening devotions, various games.  (Sometimes it feels like we're running in circles, but that's alleviated by letting go of my linear and very Western mindset.)  Circles are interactive.  Circles are inclusive, at least they are here.  Circles allow for a different kind of 'face time'.

It constantly astounds me that I have been welcomed into the circle of Hot Springs.  That I'm there worshiping with them in the mornings, teaching English in the evenings.  That I'm standing randomly, casually in a circle with some laughing, happy, crazy girls, feeling loved and very much welcome.  It's part of the healing of this place, I think.  Many who've come here from Highview have mentioned it to me.  There's a deeper connection of souls because of this underlying base of welcome, of being brought into the circle.

I am mindful now of the circles in my life at home.  Of allowing others to join.  Of not always having to plan them.  Of the welcome that each one of us so desperately needs.

It's still cool as I write.  Yesterday bumped into the 40's and it's looking like the same thing for today, so we're enjoying it while we can.  But.....today Megan and May get to ride the elephant! 

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From Megan

While Ruth Anne has the eloquent and introspective posts, I tend to lean more toward the simpler side (mainly just because I have very little skill in written eloquence - haha). I think while I'm here, my posts will consist of my gratitude. I still can't believe that I get to be here, let alone this being my fourth trip! I'm thankful for:

1. Elephant rides! You'll hear more about this later, I'm sure, but May and I get to go on an elephant ride this morning (the only two at the orphanage right now who have never ridden one)! We leave in about 10 minutes actually, so my typing has never been so speedy.

2. Cool mornings. Cool is all a matter of perspective, of course, as their mornings tend to only go down to about 23 or 24, but it still feels lovely compared to the heat of the day. Of course the kids are all bundled in their long pants and hoodies in the morning, because I don't think they enjoy it quite as much as I do!

3. Impromptu lessons. Being here is constantly an ongoing English/Thai lesson. I'm learning so many new words, and so are they. We've gotten to the point where we'll have little conversations that are a mash up of English and Thai - and we get it.

4. Bakeries. Most of you will know that I have a thing for baked goods. Both making them and eating them. So when it was suggested that we stop at Ruth Anne's favourite bakery yesterday, who was I to say no (better yet, WHY would I say no)? Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It could easily rival any Western bakery, and if I'm able, I'll be bringing some interesting but delicious snacks home for people to try! Maybe it'll even inspire my next baking creation.

5. Down time. I'm not a person who usually enjoys a lot of 'down time'. I'm constantly on the go at home, heading from one thing to next - and I like that. I don't know what to do with myself when I sit. But being here is teaching me the art of sitting and enjoying the moment. That a time of making bracelets or sitting in silence just enjoying each others company with shy smiles can be just as lovely as keeping myself on the go. There's a slower pace here, but it's contagious. They live in the moment, and appreciate each one they're given. I like that.

So Far So Thai

From Ruth Anne

If ministry here is unpredictable at best, this trip has started out to prove that to be exceptionally true.  Beginning even before we left, we were informed that the plans for English Camp, laid out last October, had changed due to the schedules at the school where it was to be held.  Nothing Suradet could do about it.  We just weren't going to be able to do the camp within the two weeks we're here. 

Then, in the car on the way in from the airport, Suradet told us that the school had planned an outing to Chiang Mai Zoo as an end of year reward for the students.  Our scheduled trip there, and the funds that we had raised for that trip, needed to be redirected.  Okay then. 

If my times in Thailand have taught me anything, it's how to unplan the plans.  English Camp will be all ready for next year.  And we're talking about taking the kids instead to Chiang Mai Night Safari, another outing they have never been on and would not be able to afford otherwise.  No date set as yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Sunday was the highlight day for me so far.  With considerable help from some of the girls and also Yupa, I was able to preach my second sermon in Thai.  This is an act of grace on the part of my listeners, who assure me they've understood, but are mostly certainly demonstrating great patience and love in listening to my stumbling efforts to communicate.  More importantly, I love Sundays at Hot Springs because of the sweet people that call this their church family, and who have remarkably adopted me into it with them.  It was a delight to my Thai-parched soul to embrace and welcome and fawn over the little ladies, and to be ever so formal and yet ever so excited to say hello to some fine and strong gentlemen whom I have also missed.

Megan was all composed and relaxed giving a short 'testimony' about waiting on God's timing, handling the translation component like a pro.  Later she was able to minister to one of our older girls in that beautiful big-sister kind of way that is only possible because she's been here before to make that kind of friendship possible. 

While the mornings begin cool and fresh, around 23C the days are cooking up to about 36C, making us ever so grateful for the AC at the guest house and the chance every day so far to escape the heat and take the last edges off the jet lag in the afternoons.

For me, coming back after my 3 month day, this feels like home-away-from-home more than ever before.  I continue to be amazed by, impressed with and totally crazy about both Suradet and Yupa, and the deeply honest work they do.  If ever there was a reflection of Isaiah 58 in action, this is it.

From Megan.

Well, I've certainly missed this place. I'd already known it, but as soon as that first little face peeked around the corner at the airport, it hit me like a ton of bricks. How happy I was to be back. How much I'd been craving to be back.

This is my fourth time going over the course of six years, so I've been able to watch these kids grow up. In fact, most of the ones who were "youngins" my first time around are all now University students, and I'm meeting new little faces.

Some highlights of the trip so far:

- I tried one of their hotter peppers! Try everything once is what I *attempt* to make my motto while here (but I will admit, I draw the line on a few things - living things, for one, and quite a few types of seafood). But let me tell you, that pepper was HOT. There may have been a couple involuntary tears shed, but the actual taste was good. Suradet was both impressed and concerned for my lack of white person common sense.

- The impromptu Thai/English lessons that occur. I've spent several lovely, fresh mornings with some of the girls, teaching them English for fun girly words while they teach me the Thai form (hey, you never know when you'll need to say braid, hair, nail polish, colours, etc).

- Singing karaoke with Miki. Now in University, it's much rarer to see her, and the other University students. But she and Thim came yesterday, and I got to spend some time with my closest Thai friends. Miki LOVES to sing, and while I mostly hide in groups on the rare occasion I do sing in public, I quite enjoy it too. So we sat on that front porch in the heat of the day, and sang for all we were worth to a couple of her favourite bands - One Direction and Justin Bieber.

- Spending time with Thim. This being my fourth time around, (and thanks to Facebook and the fact that Thim is studying to be an English teacher), we've developed a nice relationship, and communication is fairly easy. On Sunday she was going through some heartache, and I was so pleased that the two of us could just sit down and talk it out, like I would with any of my friends back home. The amount of trust that we've built over the last few years warms my heart.

- The morning sunrise. I'll never get over it. Every morning, seeing the hazy orange sun break over the mountains just takes my breath away. Be prepared for multiple pictures when I get home.

All in all, though our plans have now become God's plans and no longer our own (as they should have been from the start, I suppose), I'm excited to see where these last two weeks will go!