Garage Sale September 20th 8 to 1 - Focus on Chalon

Chalon at her high school graduation

In Chalon's own words:  "I want to be a history or social studies teacher, so I thought that if I graduated, I would take the civil service exam to become a history teacher because I like this field and am interested in it. I also want to be with the children so that they can have fun and be happy."

  

 NEW FAMILY FOUNDATION GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

HIGHVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

What the Garage Sale is about:

Providing the young adults who have come under our care with the opportunities to pursue post secondary education according to their own goals and hopes for their future.

Why it's important:

"In Northern Thailand, an area that has seen little development over the years, the enrollment of Karen children in primary education is just 51% (compared to national average at 89%) whilst only 1 in 4 Karen children complete their secondary education. One of the main reasons for the low number of children enrolled is the distance to schools."

Full article here.

Come see what treasures you can find,

 or have a treat at our Bake Table.

Always grateful,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Garage Sale Saturday, September 20 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Focus on Bell

Bell, first year science program at

Chiang Mai University

Bell is a highly motivated student with the grades and determination to take her far.  She has started her science program at Chiang Mai University, securing one of the limited, highly sought-after spots at the school.  She is keeping her career options open, but has expressed an interest in the field of pharmacy.

 NEW FAMILY FOUNDATION GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

HIGHVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

What the Garage Sale is about:

Providing the young adults who have come under our care with the opportunities to pursue post secondary education according to their own goals and hopes for their future.

Why it's important:

"But in many parts of Asia, girls are absent when it comes to secondary education. They drop out because it’s not safe for them to travel to school, or to be in the classroom; they leave due to early marriage or pregnancy; their families prioritize educating their boys over girls. And the pandemic didn’t improve things: UNESCO estimates that another 11 million girls may not return to school as a result of Covid-19."

For full The Asia Foundation article click here.

Come see what treasures you can find,

 or have a treat at our Bake Table.

Always grateful,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Co-Ed Self Defense Seminar - Saturday, October 4 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

 

Things you should know:

• "We teach self-defense, not martial arts. We don’t teach karate or kickboxing. They are both fighting systems. Self Defense is not about fighting, it is about preventing violence and protecting yourself should conflict occur and exiting to ensure personal safety."

• Qualified instructors from Karate for Christ
• Wear comfortable 'moveable' clothing.
• Ages 13 and up.
• Cost: $35.00
• Raising Funds for New Family Foundation general operations.
• Capacity:  Limited to 30 participants.
• To Register:
• Email Ruth Anne at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca
• Sign up on Sundays at Highview.

Come on out for an informative and fun afternoon!

Garage Sale Saturday September 20 8 to 1 - Focus on Da

 

In Da's own words:

"I want to study nursing. 

My hope for the future is to graduate as a nurse 

and become a good nurse for the people. 

However, I think that if I work for a while, 

I want to continue my studies to become 

a Master's degree and become a nursing teacher."

NEW FAMILY FOUNDATION GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

HIGHVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

What the Garage Sale is about:

Providing the young adults who have come under our care with the opportunities to pursue post secondary education according to their own goals and hopes for their future.

Why it's important:

"Hill tribe people face a higher degree of poverty than other groups in Thailand.¹¹ The majority are engaged in agriculture as their main economic activity, and household-based handicraft production and wage employment as secondary sources of income. Production inputs are limited, they lack access to basic social services (including education and health) and they also lack opportunities for systematic skill development, income and employment. Population growth at an annual rate of 2.9 percent (compared with the national average of 1.2 percent)¹² is also an issue of concern, in addition to natural resource and environmental degradation." (underlines added)

For full academic article click here

What you can do:

Donate - gently use, priced items.  Drop off September 15 to 19, 9 to 4 at 295 Highview Drive.

Volunteer - still need two or three people to help with tear down on Saturday at noon at 295 Highview Drive

Shop - Come see what treasures you can find, or have a treat at our Bake Table.

Always grateful,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Garage Sale Saturday, September 20 8 to 1 p.m. Focus on Tae

Tae is studying Business and Horticulture

at Maejo University in Chiang Mai

NEW FAMILY FOUNDATION GARAGE SALE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

HIGHVIEW COMMUNITY CHURCH

295 Highview Drive KIT ON N2N 2K7

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

What the Garage Sale is about:

Providing the young adults who have come under our care with the opportunities to pursue post secondary education according to their own goals and hopes for their future.

Why it's important:

"Access to any form of education for these ethnic groups is often difficult. Language barrier could be the first obstacle in this case as the language of each hill tribe is very differentfrom Thai. The family situation is also one of the barriers. Children sometimes come from drug addicted families, parents sometimes do not see the point in education at all. They want their children to work, or the family does not have enough money to send their children to schools of higher education. Another big obstacle is transportation. It is often very difficult for children from hill tribes to travel daily from villages in the mountains to schools in larger cities. Sometimes schools are located in villages in the mountains. Unfortunately, education here is at a very low level and ends at the sixth year of primary school, at the age of twelve."  (emphasis as per original article)

From: Mendelu Full article here.

Tae came to us from a Karen village 

up in the mountains of Northern Thailand,

 with no opportunity to attend school past sixth grade.

What you can do:

Donate - gently use, priced items.  Drop off September 15 to 19, 9 to 4 at 295 Highview Drive.

Volunteer - still need two or three people to help with prep on Friday from 9 to 2 at 295 Highview Drive

Shop - Come see what treasures you can find, or have a treat at our Bake Table.

Always grateful,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Thailand Team October 25 to November 15, 2025

We are happy to announce that we have decided on date and have our tickets for the next Thailand Team visit to Hot Springs!

Leaving in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, October 25 and returning on Saturday, November 15.  

This particular Team represents our broadening scope of interest and support in that I am the only one going who is from Highview.  Let me introduce (in some cases re-introduce) the Team.

Returning for a third and second time respectively, we have Pi (big sister) Evangeline (in the sunglasses) and Crew (teacher) Cheryl, a mother-daughter Team who were part of the adventure last November.  (The man driving is a short-term staff member who was serving with us at the time.)  Evangeline's expertise is the artistic side of photography and video.  Plus she is the Sponsor of one of our teen girls, who are both eager to see each other again.  Cheryl brings her specific skill set in teaching English, plus the fact that she and her husband Rich sponsor one of our young boys, Micah.  Again, happy reunions and lots of fun learning are anticipated.

Next we have Pat, a longtime friend of Cheryl's.  And that's just how the word gets around.  Pat also brings an English teaching background, with an additional bonus of a degree in and a passion for music.  With music being so much part of our life at Hot Springs, we can't wait to see how God will bring this together.

While Pa (aunt) Norma will not be travelling with us this time, her experience and servant heart will still be part of our Team as we prepare.  (Surrounded by - LtoR - Lukmee, Micah, Beemai, Da - sponsored by Norma and Esther - and Wanmai)

And then there's me, in this photo enjoying the electrolyte-rich coconut water still in the shell, last November when we took the kids to Hot Springs Park for a swim.  

There's always lots to prepare for, gather, pray about, talk about and do before any Team trip.  Your prayers and support mean more than we can say.  And we'll try to keep everyone updated as we head into the fall.

Also, Sponsors be on the alert.  

You will be hearing from me soon 

about gathering items for your Child's packet, 

due date October 19, 2025.  

Plus, don't forget about the Garage Sale.  Details here.

                                       

Always grateful,

Ruth Anne

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

Annual Garage Sale for Student Fund - Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

at

Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive

Kitchener Ontario N2N 2K7

from

8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Good quality items at honest-to-goodness garage sale prices!!

Come out and support our university students in their academic adventures.

To donate:

Watch here for drop off time at Highview during the week of September 15 to 19.

Gently used, clean and priced items appreciated.

To volunteer:

For Friday pricing and cleaning and set up.

For Saturday early set up, during the sale, clean up and tear down, drivers for unsold items.

Contact me, Ruth Anne, at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.

Thanks to everyone who makes this a successful sale each year!

Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

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.

https://newfamilythailand.org

                                            

     https://www.hcckw.ca                                                                    https://www.adventive.ca

 

Co-Ed Self Defense Seminar - Saturday, October 4 - 1:00 p.m.

We are pleased to offer, 

for the very first time ever, 

in partnership with Sensei Neil McGillivary 

and Karate for Christ,

CO-ED SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR

Saturday, October 4, 2025

1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

at Highview Community Church

295 Highview Drive, KIT ON N2N 2K7

Ages 13 and up.

Cost: $35.00

All proceeds go to New Family Foundation

General Operations 

      

Space is limited so register early via email

rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca

 

Before We Ask

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask."

Matthew 6:8

We're all excited at Hot Springs right now.  

New guitars!

Unless you are really into buying top of the line instruments, 

which we aren't, guitars in Thailand are actually quite reasonable.  

These ones, of decent quality, were only about $175 CDN each.

It's not like we didn't already have some.  

Of course we did.

Guitars are used every day in morning and evening worship.

And as well on Sundays when everyone gathers for church.

And at the beginning of every meeting.

And just any given afternoon when work is done

 and you just feel like singing.

But when a number of the children

all suddenly expressed a desire to learn,

and since making music is just an important element of an abundant life,

and when the guitars you've got have a lot of mileage on them,

we thought it would be good to increase our collection.

But here's the thing.

We run a tight budget.

New guitars,

as reasonable as they are, 

were not in the budget.

And that's where a surprise 'extra' gift,

an unforeseen little donation,

made available without asking,

was channeled toward the guitars.

I'm thinking there could be a new line in the budget for next year.

But already this year, right now, we're making some music.

It's like this a lot.

God just keeps being specific like this.

But I guess, after all, 

these are His kids.

Let's Make Some Noise!

Colour on the Cajon and Anu on the Guitar

You turned my wailing into dancing;

You removed my mourning rags and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing your praises

and not be silent.

LORD my God, I will praise you forever.  

Psalm 30:11-12

Children make noise.  Although, it could be argued that Thai children make considerably less noise than Western children, but I'll leave that to another discussion.  In general, the truth is, when kids are around you'll know it.

And while Hot Springs is unquestionably a peaceful place, out in the country as it is, a family that has gathered 25 children will have a certain decibel level to it.  And honestly?  We encourage every sound bite.

Sometimes I can forget that our kids have come from harsher realities that often make children grow silent.  Malnourishment has certainly been the experience of most of the children who come to us, and it's one of the first differences we see in their development after a few months of three solid meals.  And it's not just physically.  Emotionally and cognitively, there's more spark, more life, more noise.

Worship is enhanced when we all participate.

Certainly there's crying sometimes.  And, while rare, is a bawling snitch on a brother or sister from time to time.  Running too fast can result in a fall with appropriate expressions of injury to knees and pride.  But I'm pretty sure most everyone who's visited would say it's the singing that we hear the most.

The boys' turn.

Of course, there's lots of opportunity.  Morning and evening worship times begin with two to three songs, accompanied by the guitar and the cajon.  Sundays are full of music, and participation is highly valued, giving the children the chance to gain confidence and share their voices with their church community.

But it's the singing and laughing and happy sounds that happen in between, spontaneously, candidly that strike me the most.  This is when no one is looking, no one has a camera.  Just making a joyful noise just because.

Singing while doing some hand washing is common.

Dogs also bark.  Roosters also crow.  Wild parakeets and other bird calls I don't recognize punctuate the air.  Sometimes a very large truck rumbles down the road.  And sometimes there's karaoke happening from the resort next store.  

But mostly, always, someone somewhere is singing.   And sometimes I hear them repeating something we've learned together when I'm there.  Like Lukmee, intently colouring while clearly lilting, "The Lord has a will, and I have a need, to follow that will, to humbly be still.  To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it, following my Father's will."  (Amy Grant)

Lukmee

Sing it, girl.  Sing it.

This is the first summer in a long time I'm not heading to Thailand.

Missing me some certain children and their music-to-my-heart songs.