The Press of Human Need

Time spent at a Burmese refugee camp in Mae Sot provides more opportunities to consider all that's truly good in the midst of all that's truly awful.

Check it out at Bread and Honey.

Pondering A Healing Obedience

Making courageous choices to heal.  Check out the line to Bread and Honey.

Here For This

Here for this.  Next installment on my January 2017 visit.

From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

First reflections from this current trip to Thailand December 27, 2016 to January 27, 2017.

What Child Is This?

Reflections on these days before I head back to Thailand on December 27, 2016 to January 27, 2017.

Check out the link to Bread and Honey. 

Counting Down the Days

It's really only days now until Pastors Suradet and Yupa and their daughter Bao (Bell) arrive on Canadian soil. 

For myself, and most of us at Highview, the anticipation of this visit has been amplified, not necessarily in excitement, but more in urgency, meaning, and depth.  We are eager for them to be with us so we can be comforted, healed and strengthened together in the aftermath of the tragic loss of their son Bee on September 1st in a motorcycle accident.

It was my profound honour to be able to spend the week of mourning with them in Thailand at the beginning of this month.  I suppose one day I will write more about that experience, but not right now.  It's still too fresh, and too painful.  However, it did give me important insight into how Thai's experience death, how they grieve, and the part community plays in in all.  We now have the chance to be their community as well.

From October 6th to 28th we have them!  Sensitivity to tender hearts notwithstanding, this will be their first time here in the fall season, and various outings to see the colours, choose a pumpkin from the patch, and rake some leaves are already in the works.  We hope to arrange for Bao to spend a day in a Canadian school (with Abby).   We have tickets to a Rangers game!  So an itinerary is building for sure.  Time for just laying low, resting, and being away from regular responsibilities will also be a priority, especially during this time.

Here are some highlights so far:

Arrival - Thursday, October 6
Sorry, van is already full :(

Sunday Morning at Highview - Sunday, October 9
Thanksgiving Sunday Sermon "A Stubborn Kind of Gratitude" Ruth Anne preaching.  Suradet and Yupa bringing greetings.  Opportunity to express sympathies with cards and greetings following the service.


Sunday Morning at Highview - Sunday, October 16
SERIES: The Ones We Can't Ignore  SERMON: "Not Hungry Anymore"  Ruth Anne re-telling the story of Hot Springs and how Suradet and Yupa's own stories provide the passion for their ministry.

Sponsors' Appreciation Night - Friday, October 21
SPONSORS TAKE NOTE - This is for you. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Updates on your kids and a chance to ask questions.  Held at the church.

Goodbye Potluck - Thursday, October 27
Opportunity for one last time together 6:00 p.m. 79 Blythwood Road Waterloo please rsvp so we know how many are coming.  rabreithaupt@buildingbiggerhearts.ca

Departure - Friday, October 28

In between there are other times available, and some have already spoken to me.  We will want to be careful not to overbook their visit with us, and they ARE rather popular :), so please let me know at your earliest convenience if you'd like to have them for a meal or take them on an outing.  Use the email provided above.

Please be praying for safe travels, strength and healing in their grief, and opportunities to bless them, even as we are blessed by their presence.

Coming Again to Canada!

It is with so much excitement that we announce the next visit of Pastors Suradet and Yupa from Hot Springs Church and Children's Home, along with their daughter Bell (Bao)!

October 6 to 28 Highview will once again be graced with their gentle, beautiful, strong spirits as they come to be with us for the third time (first time for Bell). 

Always their presence inspires us.  It's their compelling story of prayer and radical hospitality as they have been parents to so many children, children who are orphaned or otherwise marginalized in the northern part of Thailand, near Chiang Mai.  Countless children in South East Asia are left to fend for themselves by adults who are so overcome with their own poverty they feel they have no recourse.  Suradet and Yupa, under the umbrella of Asia's Hope, have reached out, and now clothe and feed, love and nurture 24 children along with the two born to them. 

Highview's partnership in this mission of mercy has been such a privilege.  We have received over and above anything we have offered in terms of support and encouragement.  The bond between our churches is strong and life-giving and reciprocal in every way.

So, we are keen to see what God has in mind for this particular visit.  It will include outings and opportunities to have our friends over for dinner.  We will hear from Yupa and Suradet on Sundays, October 9 and 16 respectively.  Sponsors of the children will be invited to a special appreciation dessert night.  And this will be their first time visiting in the fall when the leaves are changing colour; something that does not happen where they live, so we'll be sure to make a drive out into the country just to see it
.

So....please be praying.  If you would like to contribute to their air fare, please let us know or place it in the offering on Sundays marked "Suradet and Yupa's fall 2016 visit".  Watch for opportunities to have them to your home.  We'll keep you posted as to how the plans come together.

What a gift.