Pardon the Absence
A LOT has happened while we've been away!
This Summer's Visit
From July 23 to August 6, Abby and I visited Hot Springs for what was a short but definitely sweet time together with the kids. Traveling with my own granddaughter and introducing her to our Thai family and them to her has been a long time desire of my heart. So to see how easily and beautifully she adapted and blended into life there was more that spectacular. I have rarely traveled with someone who did not seem to have any culture shock whatsoever for a first time experience, myself included. I'll let her tell her own stories in her own way in her own time, but don't be surprised if some of her reflections get published here very soon.
Make Believe Tea Party
In August we've been running our first ever Make Believe Tea Party fundraiser, in honour of Yupa, our leader-mom at Hot Springs, and Mother's Day in Thailand, August 12. I will have some exciting updates and new about that for you next week, so stay tuned! Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!!
November Visit
From October 30 to November 20, plans are in place for another Team to visit. This will include three of our Sponsors, Norma, Cheryl and Evangeline who will have the opportunity to spend time with the child they have been paired with. It's all part of our very personal and connected approach to our sponsorship program, and while we understand not every Sponsor can do so, we are delighted when Sponsors make the trip. Our focus for the November Team will be on our English learning initiatives, prompted by Cheryl's presence and her life time of experience teaching children to read.
January Visit Possible
And not to start rumours or anything, but there is a whiff of a plan to have another Team spend some of January in a carpentry-focused visit, helping to bring some badly needed upgrades to our children's bedrooms by building replacement wardrobes. More on all of that later.
On a Personal Note
Personally, the summer has been one of upheaval, both planned and unplanned. In the midst of a downsizing move between the home we've lived at for the past 36 years in Waterloo and a new, yet to be completed Granny Flat in Kitchener, I had a medical emergency when my appendix ruptured June 27. The good news is that everything was taken care of beautifully, and I can't say enough about the care I received every step of the way at Grand River Hospital. Amazing. The difficult part was that it all happened right when we were clearing out the house, and packing up boxes I was not allowed to lift. Ken took the brunt, but we are also truly grateful for the help received on so many levels! At this point I am almost fully recovered, but still finding I need to be careful not to push myself physically. I honestly didn't know before this how much I need my abdominal muscles for so many ordinary functions of life!! Not getting out in the kayak has been my most distressing concern...so all things considered, I'm doing very well.
Staying Connected
All of this many of you already know because you're on the mailing list for my regular email updates and/or you follow things with me on Facebook and my own personal blog Bread and Honey I'll provide the blog link here. But also, if you would like to be put on the email update mailing list, or even if you want to connect with me through Facebook, please let me know by emailing me at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.
It's great to be back.
I'm looking forward to connecting more regularly again!!!!!!!!
The mission of New Family Foundation is to provide a
loving home
for at-risk and
orphaned children in Northern Thailand
to help them
achieve their best potential in education, vocation and service to society.
Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv
Canadian Representative
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