Those Risky Risk Factors

Fireworks for Loi Krathong

as seen from our New Property

on the same day we celebrated receiving the land deed.

It's coming.

Piece by piece, this whole process of writing up proposals and laying out strategic plans for funding is coming together.  It's been a learning curve for me, for sure, and a bit tedious at times.  But after significant reading and research, and with the help of folks more experienced than I, and with the sweet inspiration of all the faces of the children themselves to keep me going, we're making headway on the practical, nickels and dimes, business-like portion of our Property Development Project.

It's a daunting thing.  We estimate right now that we'll need $500,000.00 CDN to complete the entire build.  And most of the time that number registers as 'big' just on its own.

But then you get to the part of the proposal where they want you to do a 'risk assessment.'  In other words, what are all the things that might prevent you from accomplishing your goal?  And the money piece is only part of it.

Suradet, Yupa and myself with land deed.

So thanks a a lot, Proposal Writing Guide.  As if I haven't already thought about these things.  It's what could keep me up at night, if I let it.  Ironically, there's a risk to my peace of mind in writing out the risk factors.

But there's great benefit, I'm finding, of being forced to write it out.   It is actually having the opposite effect.  It places the risks squarely on the page to be considered with calm honesty, without letting anxiety exaggerate and thrash about, all messy and freaked out.

A long time ago someone once suggested to me that it's a good mental health practice, as Bible people, to make sure we don't think about our problems without attaching a promise.  That unnecessary worry can be replaced by necessary problem-solving when we remind ourselves of God's faithful presence as expressed in His own words.  He said a problem, or a risk-factor in this case, might be like a fire that breaks out in the corner of a room in your house.  This would be alarming.  But that same fire, surrounded by the fireplace of trust - where God's promises come in - is an entirely different thing.

I don't have to go far to attach a promise to the list of risk factors I'm describing in the proposal.  It's a verse that I believe God brought to my attention already last September when two things were happening at the same time; one was receiving the long-awaited land deed for the property, and the other was mapping our my own personal Ministry Development and Spiritual Formation Plan for the 2025/2026 season.

Now to Him to is able to do immeasurably more

than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us,

to Him be glory in the church,

and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations,

for ever and ever.

Amen!

Ephesians 3:20-21

And yes, I've been coming back to this a lot lately, so without even going back to look it up, I know I've posted this somewhere not that long ago.  It's going to keep coming up.  In fact, others have been independently telling me that this same verse is coming to mind as they too are becoming inspired and excited about all that could happen in this project.

And whatever else all that means, I do know that this is what I am attaching myself to as I set out to write up the risk factors.  And if you are the praying sort, we'd love it if you would pray with us.  These are significant moments in the New Family Foundation story.  And we know we do not walk through these chapters alone.  

Next up:  The children's rooms, our better plan, and why we have to move in the first place.

If you're so inclined:

You can help us get a head start on the fundraising by emailing donations@hcckw.ca and designating your contribution to "Property Development Project."  

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

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

 

This

 

[On Sunday morning at Highview, I was invited to participate in a morning of 'God Stories' where folks share how they've encountered God in various moments of their lives.  Fresh off our most recent trip to Hot Springs, I had many to choose from.  I chose this moment, because....God is faithful.]

Here's a little song I've taught to the children at Hot Springs.

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

In emails and letters and blogs, I have told and will keep on telling the God stories that describe the broader things He is doing among us and for us at New Family Foundation. 

You’ll hear more about the New Property, about specific children’s lives and how they’ve been changed, about the recent Team’s experiences later on in February when we’ve been invited to bring a report.  Keep checking on [this] Highview to Thailand blog.  And if you want to be added to our monthly email list, please just let me know.  You’ll get lots of God-stories there. 

So many God-stories, so little time.

For this morning, I wanted to share something more personal.  And it has to do with this song.

I’ve taught it to our gathered family at Hot Springs for a few reasons.

For one, it’s simple and repeatable and has the rhyming thing going on that is so helpful in teaching English.  And we know that in learning a new language, music is a great way to get it into that different part of your brain than where language is stored.  So, a good teaching tool.

But also, there's the message of it.  The gentleness of it.  The needful place of it for children whose early lives have included various degrees of neglect and rejection and trauma…to internalize this idea that a loving Father has a plan and a purpose and will for them….to know that they can rest in it, nest it and fully be blessed in it….I want our kids not just to know that, but to feel it.

And music does that.

This past trip, on the last day before we left, the Friday afternoon,

when the kids got back from school, we didn’t do our usual English learning groups.  Instead, we had some games available, and I brought out the paper and markers and scissors and glue, and just let them go at it to make things for their Sponsors. 

There’s this happy chaos that goes on around that table when we do this.  Big mess, kids passing around the supplies, asking me how to spell things, kids presenting their work to me for admiration, and making me promise to bring it back for their Sponsors, which by the way they all know by name. 

And that last afternoon, as I was sitting at that table, one of the kids starts singing….the Lord has a will, and I have a need.  And without any interruption to what they were doing, they all quietly join in, me too, just around that table, affirming their safety in the nesting of God’s will for them.

They’re safe.

And it is not lost on me, in that moment.  That they are here, right around me, safe.  Because if they weren’t here…..

And I’ll inject the harshness of this thought into this sweet moment, because that’s how it happened for me, I believe being placed there by the Spirit of God speaking to me in that moment.  That there’s no telling what they might be doing on a given Friday afternoon if they weren’t here, in light of the disturbing statistics on the plight of children born into poverty, and its connection to the more sinister underbelly of the tourism industry in southeast Asia. 

And it ambushes me in that moment.  I have to stop singing. 

But the Spirit doesn’t let me off there.  I think it’s plenty enough, but He wants to take it further.

And I am reminded of all the times in my own childhood when maybe I didn’t feel important or seen or safe.  And I fast forward through my teen and young adult years, though the decades of my life, closing in on seven of them now, and all the times I was confused and wondering what good God might possibly be able to extract from the darker chapters of my story.

 And in that moment, with children singing around me, I hear Him say just one word.

 “This.”

 As in all of this is actually a glimpse of how God makes all the sad things untrue eventually. 

One day.  Right now.

So, this morning I want to bear testimony to the faithfulness of God, Who has indeed had a will for my life, and I have indeed had a need to rest in it, nest it, and fully be blessed it, following that will no matter what.  

 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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

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

Time to Go

It's being prayed over for that last evening worship time where that whole idea that you can't outgive God hits home.

Beautiful little voices, small hands reaching forward, blessings and blessings and prayers and songs being poured over you like gentle flowing ribbons of all things being exactly as they should be.

This.

It's foolish to think we come to give.  The receiving is ever so much more.

Our last few days have been good reminders of the patient faithfulness of a God who knows us deeply, intimately, lovingly.  Small conversations with the children.  Hearing stories about how Suradet and Yupa's marriage and ministry partnership began.  Chasing dancing shrimp across the table.  Conversations as a Team about how God has been ever so present among us from the get go.

We are packed, weighed (bags only please), and as 'ready' as we can be to leave this place.  Last night was the showering of last minute pictures and gifts for Sponsors and Supports...and us.  (How many bracelets can one Gramma wear?  I'm finding out.)  This morning is breakfast and then an 8:00 a.m. departure for the airport.

Our flight takes off from Chiang Mai airport at 11:50.  We trust we will arrive in Canada Saturday night at 8:20.  Hoping for at least a little bit of a layover in Taipei this time.  I understand the snow is gone and I have mixed feelings about that to be honest.

Big sigh.

I do not deserve this.  Not by any stretch of imagination.  Except for that 'more than we can ask or imagine' bit from Ephesians 3:20.  Except for that.

Friends and family who let us do this, we thank you.  It means so much.  Truly.

Okay....here we go.  Body, mind, soul.  That's the order in which we will arrive.

 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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

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

Esther in Her Element

One happy side feature of this trip - and likely for many trips to come - has been connecting with Esther Weatherall, Highview's first home-grown, on-the-field, full-time career missionary!

She serves at Bahn Dem Rak in Chiang Mai, and since we're so close....of course we had to go pay a visit and get a tour.

This is an entirely different environment than our more rural life at Hot Springs, matching Esther's keen, in-the-thick-of-things personality.  Narrow streets, lots of motorbikes, and something of an intense neighbourhood vibe.  This is exactly why YWAM has moved in to provide a place for children, youth and adults to come together in a safe space and experience the love of Jesus.  And this is why Esther's here.

Esther's story is her own to tell, but it's meaningful to me that she celebrated her 18th birthday while on a trip we took together visiting Hot Springs and exposing her for the first time to Thai culture and the potential of ministry here.  She has since then diligently pursued her education, completing her Masters in Missiology at Providence University College before arriving for her third extended stint serving in Thailand.  She's got the spunk to get herself around not just in the busy traffic of Chiang Mai, but throughout the country, and other places in Southeast Asia when necessary for conferences and visas and such.

While our Team's purpose here was laser focused on teaching English to the children at Hot Springs, to the point that we opted out of some of the usual outings, we all felt that this little side visit with Esther was inspiring, eye-opening, and time well spent.  Even down to the 'very Thai' lunch we had in a little eatery down the way.  

Esther's desk in the BDR office.

(Highview Youth: Note the picture in the bottom left corner.)

I often marvel at how God brings things together from such far flung places on the earth; and how He puts the right people in our lives at just the right time; how He equips us for the work He's 'prepared in advance for us to do' (Ephesians 2:10).  

And oh...it was fun to be able to bring a few gifts and goodies from various folks at home who are missing Esther very much.  Yes, the PS4 arrived intact!

We pray strength and blessings and wisdom and all the goodness of God's plans and purposes for Esther as we grows into all He's put before her to do and be.

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.

New Family Foundation

                                            

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

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more

than we can ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work in us,

to Him be the glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations,

forever and ever.

Amen!

Ephesians 3:20-21

We've waited ten years.  It's time to party!

Under a spectacular supermoon, and with the enhancements of fireworks down the road for the Thai festival of lights known as Loi Krathong (neither of which we could have arranged for ourselves, and I'll come back to this), we spent a truly mystical evening over at our new property last night.

We were marking the long-awaited arrival of the <insert drum roll here> LAND DEED!!!!!!  This elusive piece of paper is the necessary documentation that allows us to legally begin developing this property to house our gathered family, making us both compliant with Thai law and securing a stable future. 

Just by way of a brief recap.  Currently New Family Foundation operates from property owned by the Korean Methodist Church who has generously allowed us to welcome the children and retrofit existing structures to house them.  This property is considered 'King's land' however, and, while it's permitted to do many things with it, including meeting for religious activities, children's welfare homes are required to operate on deeded property.   We have been granted as 'letter of permit' that makes our current situation legal, but not permanent.  There is an expectation that we are actively working towards securing deeded property to build our own place.

And 'actively working toward' is exactly what we've been doing over the past ten years.  

It's hard to summarize all that has gone into this journey; all the meetings, all the letters, all the inquiries, all the mapping out of property lines, all the discussions, all the considering of other alternatives, all the dreams, all the pictures taken and building plans drawn, all the prayers, all the frustrations, all the doubts, all the tears, all the begging, pleading prayers, and then, all the prayers of complete surrender to the timing, plans and purposes of a loving God who knows what these children need.

We gathered under the sala that has already been built there (in faith) and tried our best to express the enormity of our gratitude, and the excitement of hope for the future.  Then we broke open the snacks and gathered out in the open spaces already excavated (in faith) under the a brilliant moon, and enjoyed a truly over-the-top fireworks display put on by a rather large contingent of Chinese celebrants who set it all up (just for us) a little bit down the road.  

And also the lanterns.  Can hardly describe it!!!  Am I wrong in thinking God timed it just right?

Children laughing, squealing, pointing, some of them seeing fireworks for the very first time.  Running back to tell those of us sitting back on the bench, how it exciting it all was - "Boom! Boom! - and running back up the little hill again where they were jumping and clutching one another, and living their best lives.

And it was like all the wild gratitude we had inside of us was filling up the wide sky with joy and hope and more-than-we-can-ask-or-imagine expectation of all God has in mind for us.  

Boom-boom!  Yes, point it out, point at all God has done, is doing, will do according to His power that is at work in us.  To Him be all the glory!  Always and forever.  Amen and amen.

["A long obedience in the same direction" is a quote attributed to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who, being an outspoken atheist and a fervent critic of Christianity, ironically has captured the essence of what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus.  See also the book of the same title by Eugene Peterson.]

So Worth It

I can't believe how quickly the time is going, although, it really shouldn't surprise me, I guess, since it happens every time.

Here we are beginning our second full week already!  So much is happening, and lots of pictures are being taken, even though I would describe our time as happening in a very pleasantly quiet and steady kind of pace.  Other than a few stops to nearby coffee shops, and a quick trip into Pao Pao (think Dollar Store meets Costco) for supplies, we've basically stayed put here at home.

We need it.  Jet lag takes its toll, and we have yet to experience some of November's more typical 'fresher' weather, with the rainy season lingering and the humidity hanging heavy in the air.  

Not to complain.  The Team is doing remarkably well, with two small group English lessons already under our belt, even before we tuck into this week's more consistent schedule of every afternoon after school.  Having both Cheryl and Pat, retired English teachers, on board, and the benefit of specifically targeting reading and writing activities has made an observable different in the children's engagement and progress.

Sunday was wonderful, as expected.  Honestly?  I think it's just the deep goodness of worshiping together with brothers and sisters who are entirely different and completely the same all at once.  That's the unity of our connection.  And it was especially palpable while we took Communion together. 

 

Our little group of ladies even gave a special rendition of "You Are My All in All," accompanied by our music teacher Pat.  But I have to say that the part I liked the best was the worship dance performed by Wanmai, Beemai, and Somjeet, to the track of "I Believe (The Creed)" by Hillsong.  And the great thing was the it was one of the older girls, Tangmo, who did the choreography and led the younger girls.  

It was, of course, fun to have Esther join us for Sunday morning, and then stay to hang out and chat and just speak English.  Her entire ministry here is 90% in Thai, and that gets very wearing, so we were happy to provide familiar company.  

And so begins week two.

I will say that I am noticing the inflation, even in the little stops to 7-11 and the coffee shops.  Everything here is proportionately more expensive than it was last year at this time, maybe even since last March when I was here.  Part of my 'task' when here is to rework our 2025 Budget with Suradet and Yupa to help make up the deficit, looking for where we can cut back if that's even possible.  Yupa is probably the most frugal person I have ever met.  So we're already counting every 'satang' (Thailand's smallest coin value).  

But more that our pragmatic, reasonable efforts, we continue to present our need before God, expecting good things.  In the almost eight years we have existed as New Family Foundation, we have never been disappointed.  And if I ever get anxious, all I have to do is remember His faithfulness in the past, and the fact that on that very first visit I heard Him say that these were His kids.  He's got this.

As I have alluded to in a few places already, Sponsors and Supporters can expect a year end Christmas appeal sometime very soon after our return to Canada.  I have a little surprise from the market in mind.  Just putting that teaser out there.  

And here's Pakin's amazing smile just to say it's all worth it.  Because it so is.