When You Get What You Asked For But Not In the Way You Hoped: The Ongoing Story of the Land Deed

So.

The answer from the Land Deed Office was, well, No.

More than that.  It was a 'come back in three years and ask again but we aren't promising anything anytime soon' kind of no.

For those just tuning in, you might want to refer back to my previous post on Thursday, October 17 (2019).  That was a week ago when we were all brimming with optimism because we were having more action on the pursuit of a land deed for a property ideal for our building project than we'd had in four years of waiting already.   In that post, I had left it purposely hanging because that's the place of trust, and there was something important about leaving it at that.

Obviously, this is NOT the answer we were hoping for.  And obviously, a three-year ambiguous maybe/no doesn't help at all with planning, and certainly doesn't address the need that's driving the project.  But I have to admit, I got what I asked for.

Because the last time we were all there with Ken, and Yupa's Dad was there with us too, we prayed together.  And I distinctly remember saying that we really, really wanted to build here and we really, really needed the land deed, but that, more than all the other really's, what we really, really, really desired was for God to lead us in the direction best suited for the care of these children.  I even remember turning my palms up in that 'letting go' posture of prayer that has become so important to me over this past decade.  I asked God to inspire us, lead us, provide for us.

So.

There it is. 

And it's been almost a week now since we heard the no.  And here's how I feel God's answering our prayers in ways we weren't expecting.  Because what I now realize I love about the 'no' is.....

1.  Being with people who are so resilient.

In the face of a smack-up-the-side-of-the-head kind of disappointment, there was such a solid sense of -- what can I call it? -- confidence, resolve, calm.  It was as if this was just one more step in the way forward, instead of being a set back.  'Oh. Okay then.'  Reflective pause.  'There must be another plan for us.  Let's figure it out together.'  Like that.  And I can't help but wonder at the goldmine that I've been given in the privilege of working with people who have lived their way through poverty and know how to keep moving forward against all odds.

2.  The expanded vision a 'no' can bring.

In the conversations that have happened since, a few new ideas have emerged, all of which are embryonic and require significant incubation.  Still, as this past week has unfolded, there does seem to be something forming that might possibly turn this no into a broader vision than we imagined originally.   We've talked about the purchase of another property (one in particular that's available in the seems-impossible-right-now) for our immediate need, while waiting out the three years on the original property and developing that at a later time in order to house more orphan and at-risk children.  Wouldn't that be a redemptive surprise?

3.  The call-to-action this spurs in me.

Being here this month, including this refusal of the land deed, has only clarified in my own mind (and I think I speak for our Team) that building a proper home for our kids is becoming more urgent.   Whether or not we wait, or pursue the purchase of another property, it's time for more intentionality in seeking the kinds of partnerships that will sustain New Family Foundation into the future.  The time is now.

I love the intimate places such times of trust provide.  We truly are following the lead of a God who wants the best for us, for these kids.  And I can't wait to see what's going to happen.  If we buy land first, it will cost us more, yes.  But it's nothing God can't handle.

We go the 'no' on a Friday.  The very next day, without any pressure or anxiety whatsoever, Suradet and I went out to walk the perimeter of another property close by that has better access to electricity (less cost for installation), is already leveled (less cost for excavation), still has a stunning view of the mountains to the east, and is close to the church and to both schools.  If we had the $250,000 to buy it now would I?  Not sure, but we might.

 Either way, what we do have is an unwavering conviction that something really good is around the corner.  It's just going to take some honest work and steady tenacity to get there.

Note:  Pictures included taken at new property. 

Timing Is Everything: The Unfinished Story of The Land Deed

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest,

if we do not give up.

"Follow me in case of snakes." A. Suradet

If there's anything I'm learning from my Thai family it's the capacity for an expanded relationship with time.  This is an 'event-oriented' culture, compared to our Western 'time-oriented' way of doing life, and it's likely one of the biggest differences this Type-A, first-born-female, administrative-maniac, efficiency-loving missionary-wannabe, excessive-user-of-hyphenated-words, has had to navigate.

This expansion of time thing has never been more evident as in our pursuit of a deed for a piece of property on which we hope to build a proper open concept home for the children. 

So many incredible flowers on the property.

The property itself is being donated (for a small transfer fee), and is ideal for our purposes.  Situated in between Hot Springs Church and both the elementary and high schools where our kids attend, it allows for Suradet and Yupa to continue their ministry as local pastors without disrupting the flow of life for the children.  It's on a quieter road than where we are now, this neighbourhood being significantly built up over the past ten years to the point where the children are not allowed to walk along the road due to traffic.  The new place is literally a five minute walk to a local community football (soccer) field.  And the layout of the land, and the view, are both quite captivating.  I for one would have loved to grow up here.

LOVE working this this Team!

But we need a deed.  The property is properly owned, but local municipal government has the right to control the use of land by providing or withholding the official documentation required to develop the land.   We've been asking, but the wait has lasted four years to now.


"At the proper time" takes on new meaning when considering these things.  Because, to be honest, a lot of things have needed to line up before we could do anything with the property anyways.  It wasn't until last year in November that New Family Foundation was officially approved as a charitable foundation in Thailand.  Up until May of 2018, I certainly would not have had the head space and focus to navigate the multi-layered, highly complex territory of Thai business and charitable law.  And, well, right now at least, we have no money.

That last little matter notwithstanding, we have persisted.  It's a matter of trust.  God's timing is perfect, after all.  We just keep taking the next steps forward to see what He's going to do.

And it seems that something's right about the timing of this trip, with Ken here especially, for the first two weeks of October.  Because after four years of trying and being told we just have to wait, something different has happened.  We've got some traction.

I night attribute this to three things that are different this time out than in all our previous attempts.

Suradet, Me, Yupa's Dad, Yupa, Ken, Pi Pooey

One - We went in person to the desk of the Land Deed officer.  Before this, all requests had been made by phone, which is normal and expected and normally considered more than sufficient in carrying out these matters.  But since Ken and I were here, Suradet had the idea that maybe a face to face was in order, just to get a bit more attention.

Bleached and Abandoned

Two - That face to face included white faces.  I'm sorry to say so, but the presence of 'farangs' (foreigners), who are usually associated with having resources, does make a difference in the social order of things around here.  The assumption is that if you have Western people backing you, then there's a greater possibility of whatever you're planning actually happening.  [Note: This can also backfire, like when the company arrives to pump out your septic tanks and charges you triple because there's a 'farang' (me!), sitting on the porch working.  But that's another (true) story.]  It seems that Ken and I were able to provide some leverage in this way.  [Another Note:  I am currently in the process of writing an academic paper about Paul's experience as a missionary that includes something called 'status inconsistency.  I'm eager to explore the delicacies of this more, especially in terms of how to balance out power inequities.  But that's another (long) piece of writing.]

Preferred location for main buildings.

Three - The Deed Officer apparently had not known we were interested in building a place for children in need.  She said most land deeds are requested so that properties can be developed for business and they are trying to keep that area more on the quiet side of things.  With this new understanding, the Officer, whose name is Pi Pooey (means sister of enrichment, more or less) said she would process things differently.  She herself is a supporter of under-resourced children in Thailand, and as such is more inclined to help us achieve our goals.

So, on Tuesday, October 15, she made good on this promise by actually coming out to the property itself in order to receive a site map, official documentation that we are a registered charity, and copies of the Thai citizenship of the current owners, all of which we had easily at hand.   I have to admit, since the process has hit so many snags up until now, I was surprised when she actually arrived.

So what's next? 

On Wednesday, October 17 there was a regional meeting where our request and documentation was presented.  We have been told we will hear an answer on Friday.

I'm writing this on Thursday.

Although I could save myself another posting, and/or even wrap up this post more 'tidily' by waiting until tomorrow for the outcome, it seems actually more appropriate to invite you to sit with me in this particular moment.  Because, we're still waiting.  And truth be told, even once we hear a yes from the regional council, we're still looking at a two month period of time before we have the paper in hand.

So we're waiting.  Still.  Waiting.  Waiting and being still in that ever-expanding dimension of time that is trusting God.  Might be a day or two, might be another month, might be who knows?

 But I do know it will be "at the proper time" because that's just how God works these things. 
And I'm learning more and more to just be still in that space. 
Like right now. 
Here, on the porch outside on an October day without knowing for sure. 

Explaining our vision again.

Collusions and Collisions of the Remarkable Kind

Ken and Bill "After All These Years"

With the fog of jet lag and general recovery from the trip, it's always a trick to figure out what day it is in the first week here.  Tuesday?  Yes, I think so. 

It's been a big day, too.  Our long time friends, Bill and Celine Hamade have been on their own wild adventure through Asia, and we made it happen that a stop over in Thailand would overlap Ken's time here this month.  And we're making the best of it by taking some out trips.  Today we stopped in for the Elephant Show at the Measa Camp, and then went on up the mountain to a spectacular garden with a worth-the-crazy-drive view.  Between the two, we ate lunch by a small cascading river, on a bamboo platform with a very low table; very Thai style.

Ken mentioned how 'worlds colliding' it is to be all the way here in Thailand with Bill.  These two guys have been friends since kindergarten.  Not kidding.  (That's 57 years...do the math!)  Lots of times at school, in each other's homes, at the cottage.....but a first for Thailand.

Both Bill and Celine have been incredibly supportive of the work being done with the children here at Hot Springs, sponsoring a child, and Bill having visited once before in January 2018.  That they would make a point of staying here with us these days means so much.  Their generosity and humour encourage Suradet and Yupa in ways hard to explain.

Catching the rainbow after a spray

While the purpose of this posting today is mostly just to share with you some shots of our first few days (and also to shameless show off some of the shots I was able to get with my new-to-me camera), it's also been a moment to once again marvel at the 'long story' of God who writes fascinating chapters into our lives.  No way these two guys, first hanging out at the sand station and having recess snacks together, could ever have imagined a life time of friendship that would have them hanging out with the elephants and enjoying Thai shrimp all these years later.

It's so cool when Sponsors get to visit, always.  This one just has that extra level of goodness to it.

Girls choosing their books

Celine is a natural.

A picture can't possibly...

So many flowers!

A quick run around the hoped-for property before the storm hits.