Whew..... glad that project's done!

I just got home from the post office, and feel a sense of relief from a project that took longer than I'd anticipated. The Simplebulldog media team finished the production of the DVD about our work with the Tsunami victims and last month, the reproduction of them was completed. Mike and I decided that I would send it out to as many people as we had addresses for that had been over here and worked on a rebuilding project or have given money to help with the projects for the Moken people. We knew they would enjoy the memories and seeing what has been accomplished more recently. Today, as I dropped off the last batch, the process at the post office reminded me of the laborious task it is to get simple things done here. Before I even entered the the building, I already had hand addressed each one, stuffed them with a letter and the DVD and in order to get the small packet rate had to staple them shut. Then at the post office, they required me to stamp them with two different stamps and peel a sticker to put on each one and fill out a customs sheet and glue each one individually to the envelope. As I stood at the counter; stamping, writing, gluing, etc.- I was pretty sure there should be a faster automated way to simply mail a DVD to friends in the USA. Anyway, if you don't get one in the next few weeks and want one, I still have plenty here and would love to stamp, glue, staple, stuff, and write on a few more. Let me know! This is not our post office, but an image I found of a typical rural Thai post office.

Something that bothers me......

One thing that I really love about living in here is the diversity of the body of Christ and the love and acceptance of the differences in believers. Because we are a minority in a country that is just 1% Christian, it is crucial for the few Christians that are here to be unified and focus on what is really most important. We must let go of our differences in style of worship, style of dress, etc. and focus on God's message of salvation and then trust in His spirits leading in different peoples personalities.

When we are in the USA and we hear of disagreements that Christians are having it makes us so sad. Do we think it really matters to God if we have on blue jeans or dresses when we are talking to Him about our concern for people in our world who don't know him personally? Do we really think that God accepts one song of worship to Him more than someone else's that is a different style from ours.

This coming weekend I am looking forward to a Women's Retreat here in Chiang Mai of ladies from many different countries and denominations. It is a time every year for missionaries to get away and be refreshed. Our original backgrounds are so different just like the people in our church here. There will be Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, former Buddhist, etc., etc., -- but all that will really matter is that we hear from Jesus the message that He has for each of us through our speakers, different styles of worship, and other seminars throughout the weekend. In our personal walks with God, our target is to talk to God in prayer throughout each day, read His word to hear from Him, share His love with others to reach a lost world, and to be a part of building up the body of Christ (not tearing it down because of differences).

As I was thinking about this just this morning, God led me in a book that I've been reading to these words. " There are many different kinds of people in the world, so there will probably always be a need for different ways of worshipping the same Lord. To me, the idea of condemning others because they don't belong to my denomination is about as un-Christian as one can get...... To decide that you or your group are the right way is presumptuous and seductive."

I look forward to this weekend where we can hold hands across the spaces between us.

Our message at church this morning along this line was also a good reminder. A danger of we missionaries is to pour out our life for the ministry instead of for Jesus. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN JESUS!

Sub Teaching

Once again, my respect and appreciation for school teachers has been renewed. I am subbing for 3 days in a 6th grade class. When my daughters graduated from high school, I assumed that I would continue to be involved at their school, but I have not. My life use to revolve around Grace International School, as I taught PE there, substituted other years, and was very involved in my girls lives, sports, and the whole social community through the school. From the time this school was founded (almost 10 years ago) - we were a part. Mike was on the original search committee that found the facility and we helped in setting up the new school.

I miss it- because what was so much a part of my life , I now feel quite disconnected from. Since I've known they always need sub teachers, and I had some free time this fall, I called out and told them to put me on the sub list and the next day I got a call. The school has changed so much. What started out as a small school to educate around 150 missionary kids has grown to over 500, and is very international. Just today, I had my group of 6th graders tell me their passport countries and we had 12 different countries represented. (USA, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Germany, India, New Zealand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Australia, Finland, and Pakistan.)

I had some of these kids in kdgt. and have watched them grow up. It's fun to get reacquainted with them. When I look at all of their personalities, I tried to remember back to my own daughters at these ages and imagine what they were like. My how time flies! Today as they were working, I was thinking about the potential in each of them who are growing up to be unique individuals and will influence so many people that God brings into their lives. I love being around them... they are our future!

Here's a photo of our classroom today:

My appreciation for teachers that I referred to is because of the tiredness that I felt at the end of the day. My lessons of teaching were actually quite easy and the days went by so fast. Don't ask my why I came home so tired, except maybe my body was just not use to it. These kids are so good and so easy to teach. I can step out of the classroom to do something and come back, and they are continuing on just as they were when I left. I have one more day with them on Monday-- and I have to say I'm looking forward to the time with them.

Thankfulness

I have a little exercise that I do every now and then that helps me to appreciate all my blessings, especially when I notice that I'm feeling disappointed in too many things. It doesn't take long at all. I just take my "Quiet Time Journal" and start at the top of the page and list everything that I have to be thankful for as they come to mind. I needed it this morning! I can't believe how it changes my focus so quickly. Instead of dwelling on things that I'd like to be different-- I suddenly realize how good I have it. When I get to the bottom of the page I stop. I usually could keep going, once my brain switches to a mode of gratefulness- but I make myself stop at one page. If I went back and compared the lists over time-- the majority would probably be repeated items-- but it's fun the way God brings new things into my life too. Try it-- it only takes a few minutes and is so worth the time!

Juum

It is very encouraging to us to see our Thai staff get a passion for the world and want to be missionaries in neighboring countries. We have been sending short term projects to a communist country just across our borders. Over time, one of our staff girls, Juum has gained an increasing burden for the unreached in this country. She has been praying and preparing to go there for a long time. Last week, we had a send off lunch for her and as she shared her burden and heart for the people to the point of giving up her comfortable life-style here, we were very moved by her heart and passion. It will not be easy for her there at all, but she is trusting God to meet her needs as she obeys Him. Pray for Juum as she is settling in now and for her safety. She's in the plaid shirt here sharing (through tears) at her going-away lunch.

Juum has been at Mae Jo University for the past 8 years, and had been the director there. This is her with her staff team last year, next to "K" who is directing the team this year. The other three girls here on that team are all getting married in the next few months, but Cha and Checky have joined that team.

Role Reversal with our Lori!

Warning: this is a bit long and you can’t read this one in a short amount of time.

We’ve prayed for our daughters, even before they were born, then through their infancy, childhood, teen years, and adult life—that they would walk with God, and live their life as a total sacrifice for Him. So now that I see Lori following him with total abandonment —why do I feel this bit of concern and fear for what is ahead of her? Lori has been in the application and training process now for about 8 months with the International Mission Board “Journeyman Program.” Her acceptance is now official and she is assigned to the “Extreme Team” in Peru, South America. Her work will be in the Amazon river basin. This assignment is only for the hard core, tough at heart people and I have known that was her desire all along. A few days ago, she sent me four pages of her job description and I am still processing it in my own heart.

Through all these 25 years of wanting to protect her from accidents and health hazards, her future is now totally out of my control. (Not that it wasn’t before, it just really is now.) Here is a brief job description of what she’ll be doing. I’ll just pull out bits and pieces:
Someone willing to completely spend themselves in the reaching of the last unreached groups of South America and make huge personal sacrifices, live a life of honor, and maintain their focus on the Lord and the task He has given you. We strive to reach the most unreached peoples of the jungles and mountains. Due to the remoteness of these communities, you should expect travel to be long and difficult.

Now that above part is totally what I want for my daughter, but these comments- jump off of the page into the life of someone we love:
--Majority of your term (2 years for Lori) will be living in tents, thatched roof huts, dirt floors in adobe houses, or river beaches, with mosquito nets with no privacy and many bugs.

--If in the mountains; intense cold, weeks without bathing, and traveling long distances by foot.

--If in the jungle, temperatures of 90-105 F., 90% humidity, (no AC), will bathe and wash clothes in rivers. (These temperatures are similar to her Asian upbringing)

--Eating strange things, living in unsanitary conditions with no running water or electricity.

--HAVING LONG PERIODS WITHOUT COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That means me… her mother)

--Some of the most COMMON illnesses are Malaria, Typhoid, Dengue Fever, Intestinal parasites, and other Tropical diseases. You will rarely have access to adequate medical facilities, but will receive significant medical training.

There is a lot more information here and I only picked out the parts that I had to reread a few times to be sure I understood. You may feel this is a bit irresponsible for a mission to send young people out like this. However, we have the greatest respect for IMB and the work they do. We have worked with this group throughout our years in missions, and they have some of the best training and take wonderful care of their people.

So after reading through this, in my next phone call with Lori, I’m asking if she really is up for this, and thinks she can handle it, etc. She had just met with a guy who had recently returned from the Peru Extreme team, and he shared stories with her on what it was really like. She shared with me that that she was honestly scared at times. But she went on to say. “Our life here on earth is so short, why not live it totally for God? I don’t have a husband and kids right now, so this is a time in my life where I can do this. I’ve been trained in “Outdoor Leadership” skills, I’m able and can do this type of work and a lot of people can’t do it. So why shouldn’t I go and do it for God? Who else is going to reach these people? I feel like God has told me to go reach these people, so I want to obey.” She continued on with more words of encouragement for me, but I distinctly recognized a role reversal at that point. All our lives, these are the things that we have told her- and now she is needing to comfort me with keeping an eternal perspective on life. I asked Mike “Is she just young and naive, not realizing the risks ahead of her?” He reminded me to “let her dream her dreams, follow her heart, and let her go.” I wonder what our parents thought of us at ages 24 and 26, when we left them for a third world developing country and then gave birth to their grandchildren over there. Today, I remembered a conversation we had with Lori in high school where she was asking us why we needed to live in a foreign country. I’m pretty sure the answer for her at that time was the same-“Life is short- we want to live it for God and follow Him where He leads us.”

Lori is so excited about this new adventure in her life, and will be in training in Virginia from October 20 to December 18. We will spend Christmas together and then she leaves Jan. 2 for more training in Guatemala. In the meantime, every time we talk to her, she is preparing herself by reading books on survival in the Amazon, missions, and studying Spanish. We appreciate your prayers for her and us as we trust God to enable us to “let go” and allow her to follow her heart on this adventure.

Another new cultural experience...

Mike is in the south this week and I stayed up here in Chiang Mai. He planned out his schedule for the next few months and he will be gone for 44 days and home for 14. :(- I'll be back and forth with him between Chiang Mai and Ranong. On Friday, they got news that Taaw's father died. Taaw is one of the workers that has helped so much with the skilled jobs on the island, and has become a Christian this year. Mike thought it would be good for the team to go visit the family together. It was a 5 hour drive each way, so they spent the night last night. The main reason they went was to visit his mom and just spend time with the family. Last night he called to say it was another new cultural experience. He found out it is their culture for the close family friends to gamble after a death to try and come up with the money to pay for the funeral. They had called in four professional gamblers to lead the gambling. There were 2 professionals under each temporary tent and then about 40 close friends and family members under the two tents gambling into the night. Mike and Taaw spent the night with the team on the downstairs floor of their home and then Taaw wanted to come back to Ranong this morning. Please pray for Taaw and his new walk with Jesus and his witness to his family during this time. Here is a picture I had of Mike and Taaw.

Truths on Suffering

Although being alive inevitably involves pain and heartbreak, there is no such thing as an impossible situation for one who draws wisdom, strength, and courage from God. That faith is not dependent upon external events.

Cotton Candy

You know, I don't even like cotton candy that much- just a bite of it, is enough sugar for me. For some reason though, whenever I see the cotton candy man with his pretty pastel sweetness, it makes me happy and I feel like buying it for some little person to make them happy too.

Taco's for Thai's

Last weekend I had a fun time with our northern Thai Campus Crusade staff girls. They hadn’t been to our home for quite awhile, so I wanted to treat them and decided on “Build your own Tacos” for our menu. I wasn’t too sure if they would like Mexican food or not, so thought it’d be a good idea to have a lot of taco fillers and ended up with 16 choices. They called in the morning to tell me there would be 12 of them coming and that they were really excited. I enjoyed spending most of the afternoon in the kitchen cutting up and cooking for them, as preparing food in Thailand, typically takes a lot longer than in our quick/instant food culture of the USA. Another Thai friend of mine reminded me that Thai’s like a program at each gathering, so although I was just planning a relaxed evening, I decided that I should have a program for them. I planned a full evening of dinner, a craft time together, desserts, and a marathon board type game with “cool” prizes. It was a fun evening together except for one little glitch, that is typical of hosting a party in Thailand…...

In the past, I used to make my own tortillas, but now we can find them here at certain stores. As I was trying to separate the store bought ones, they were seriously stuck together. Just before they arrived, I calmly tried to separate them (in a state of frantic) but one by one each one ended up with a big hole in the middle. I could separate them around the edges, but heating them and everything else I tried proved they were old and permanently stuck together. I’m thinking, "How do I show them how to make their first ever Taco, with a big hole I the middle?" It’s good that I had bought several packs, because eventually, I retrieved just enough for everyone to have a hole-less Taco. The other challenge to “test my flexibility attitude’ came after they arrived and I was ready for the meal with 12 places neatly set at two tables. No big deal in Thai culture that 2 decided not to come, 3 were in the middle of a 40 day fast, and 3 came 45 minutes late. Needless to say, Mike and I are eating a lot of leftovers this week. Haven’t I been here long enough to flex and remember that it’s the relationships that matter most? It turned out to be a great time together, and they SAID they loved the Taco’s. They really got into the craft time of decorating baseball caps, and the game was a huge hit- especially my prizes. Of course they wanted to end the evening with a time of prayer, in which I was so blessed as they asked to pray for me.

Sporting their newly decorated hats.

A day at Payap University

So what does a Thai CCC staff member do on campus every afternoon anyway? This week, I spent the afternoon with some of our staff at Payap. This was the very first campus on which we opened up the ministry in Chiang Mai back in 1992. I hadn't been on Payap campus for awhile and it has changed so much! New buildings were everywhere, and the students although they are in uniform's with black bottoms and white tops-- are so so trendy in style and accessories. Our staff have a study/lounge type area on campus, that they have chosen as their place to hang out and meet with students. My desire was to go out witnessing with them and meet new students, but they were all busy with back to back appointments with students, the whole time I was there. Instead, I helped a student who asked me to help her work on her English pronunciation for a dictation that she was preparing for. I'll introduce you to their team of 4:

Yu, doing a Bible Study with one of her disciples.

Rew, the campus director is doing a Discovering Group Bible Study with his disciple.

Moo is doing a beginning follow-up with these girls, who became new Christians just last month.
Nong and I walked around campus looking for some students to talk with and found this girl who was very friendly. She was just ready to go take a test, so Nong asked if she could pray for her. They hope to meet again next week to talk some more.

The team ends each day before they leave campus by meeting all together with key students to pray for each other. I was so encouraged to see them all in action meeting with students and teaching them how to know God personally and walk with Him, throughout the afternoon.

Faces of China

Finally, my last post from the Olympics..... Throughout my time in China, I loved observing the Chinese people, the way they interacted with their children, their style of dress, reactions, expressions, and all the aspects of their personalities that makes China a unique country and culture. People are the essence of any culture and my favorite part of any country I visit or live in. Here are some of the uniquely Chinese people I found. They are so very proud of their Chinese heritage and country as you may observe. The security level felt like a blanket covering every venue I was at the entire time.

Hard Workin' Husband

After being married to Mike for 31 years, there are some things I still don't understand about him. :) He is one of the hardest working men I know. A few days ago when we were working together in the south, all I could think about was how hot, humid, dirty and stinky that place was. Honestly, I was not having a good time at all. With sweat running down both of our faces, I decided to ask him, "Do you really enjoy this type of work better than sitting in an air conditioned office with a computer in front of you or people to interact with?" His reply was, "By the sound of your question, it's obvious that you don't."

He seriously works so hard, going from one list of things to do to the next, serving others and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. He has such a huge heart to help these people and make life better for them.

His focus now is moving in the direction of equipping the people we've been working with to live completely on their own. That has been the goal all along, but we see it becoming more of a reality. I took a few photos of some of the ways I saw Mike demonstrating this.

For a few years now, they've had a supply of tools that are shared and passed around. Mike thought it would be good to get each of the families their own tool box. After he went out and got some basic tools that they use on thier boat motors, we divided them up and assembled a plastic box full of tools to give each of the men.

This is the location where two more of the pre-fab houses will go up. It is right next to a pier on the mainland. Two houses have been put up already. This is where the staff workers stay when they need to come into town and where we keep supplies. The materials for the next two houses are stacked up here with tarps over them. They are still waiting for the monsoons to let up before they start building. Organizing more of the supplies and tools before they begin to put the houses together.
Another way they are helping the Moken's to live on their own, is getting them a few more boats to continue their livelihood of fishing. Mike ordered these boats from a craftsman who makes them from scratch and they were finally done last week- so that he could pick them up. Pray for continued wisdom for Mike in knowing how to best equip them in all areas of life. Today, about 10 of the villagers came into town for some business and got caught in a rainstorm, so they are spending the night with Mike at our little rental house. I can just imagine them lined up wall to wall on the floor downstairs tonight.

The Great Wall

I know, I know, you're getting tired of hearing about my trip to China. I've now been back as long as I was gone-- 17 days. I'm ready to get on with life, too. Just one more post coming and then I'll be done.

After living on this side of the world for most of my life, it's been a dream to see the Great Wall. The day we went, I was prepared to be dissappointed. I've been to enough tourist spots that have lost thier authentic nature and thought this would be another one of those. Our group had rented buses to invite athletes and new friends we'd met, to take along with us for relationship building.

The Great Wall was no dissapointment one bit to me- and on the contray, it was so spectacular. The most amazing think to me was to stand on the wall and look over the mountain ridges for miles and miles, and farther than my eye could see, it continued across China. I'm sorry that my pictures just do not capture the beauty of it. It is recognized as the greatest construction project in man's civilized history and one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It truly was a wonder to me.

Bethany is Better Update!

Bethany suffered alot of pain from her kidney stone last Monday through Friday. By Saturday she was feeling better and has been off the pain medication now for 3 days. We don't know if the stone broke up, passed or what really happened. We are just glad that she's back to normal and back to classes. Thanks for your prayers and support to us during that time.

Edible Scorpions anyone?

I've had alot of chances to eat unusual foods here in Asia, but China had it's good share of new food experiences for me. Wangfujing Street is a street we went to one evening that is famous for its exotic food served on wooden sticks. They sell a wide variety of food, such as squid, fish, crab, starfish, scorpions and other bug kebabs. These scorpions were alive and still moving. I didn't even consider trying them! Not even sure what these are in the next photo-- lizards I guess???

Besides the many varieties of meat kebabs you can get sugar coated fruit kebabs. I tried the candied tomatoes and plums??? Even if you are not planning on eating, the place is worth a visit just to explore all of the interesting critters on display. There were lots of dares taking place and photo taking of people eating the weird stuff.
Another day, we couldn't find a place to eat and decided to try out this restaurant. We weren't sure what we ordering sometimes, and laughed so hard when this order came. It looked like ribs on the menu, but ended up being huge pork bone joints with an ounce or two of meet on them. They gave us plastic gloves to hold the bones as we gnawed on them. My expression shows I wasn't doing too good at concealing my disgust.

This was another authentic Mongolian meal with a Chinese friend who ordered us Peking duck, ox tail, mutton, grilled broccoli with chestnuts, ox tendon, and more.
McDonald's were everywhere, easy to find, and easy to order. I ate at more McDonald's than I ever have in 2 weeks of my life, and I think you can understand why. I'm real McDonaled out for awhile now.

Tian'anmen Square

Tian'amen Square is the largest city square in the world. This gate tower is just across from the square and is the main gate of the Forbidden City. We've all seen these landmarks in pictures, but seeing them in person brought back memories, mainly the massacre of 1989.

Some of our group is standing in front of the "Monument to the Peoples Heroes". Right next to us is the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. Inside is a crystal coffin in which Chairman Mao Zedong's body lies in state with the Communist Party's flag covering him. He founded and led the Communist party in 1921, and died in 1976. I didn't realize a body could stay preserved for 32 years, but saw it with my own eyes.
This is another one of the gate towers used by the emperor's to pass in and out of the inner city.


After looking at the monuments and government buildings around the square, we walked into this market area to have some authentic Chinese food for lunch. I'm thankful for my Chinese friends who did the ordering for us, as that was often a challenge without speaking the language.

Palm Oil

I noticed these last few days in southern Thailand that it is Oil Palm Fruit Season. The fruit sort of fascinates me, probably because I've never seen it growing in the USA. First I kept noticing how the palm trees were cascading and lush with the fruit. Then as we were travelling on the roads, we kept passing farmers with truckloads of it. The harvest had been gathered and they were going to the palm oil market or processing plant, which we never did see.

On the other hand, coconuts seems to always be in season and abundant. We passed several processing places along the road as we travelled.

Now THAT'S alot of coconuts to crack open by hand. See the little lady sitting under her umbrella? Wonder how many coconuts she handles each day!

Photos That Changed The World

This website Photos That Changed the World has some intriguing photos. To make them even more interesting, read the explanations under them. I've seen some of these before without realizing the story behind them.

Kidney Stone for Bethany

Bethany is now going on day #5 with her kidney stone. She still is waiting to get rid of it. This is a whole new experience for us. She has been in so much pain even on the pain medication, and missed her whole first week of classes. She has been laying around in her dorm room all week. I feel so helpless, but don't think there is much I could do even if I was there. Please pray for her to pass it soon, and wisdom for her and us and doctors, if there is anything else we can do.

One World-One Dream

The whole city of Beijing totally embraced the Olympic Spirit in every aspect. Compared to other visits to China, it was not the same place we have known in many ways. The city was on a two week holiday. Schools and work places were closed. Cars were only allowed on the streets if their license plates were odd or the next day even. Even the normal vendors that normally cover all the streets were not allowed out during the Olympics. People were trained to say "Welcome to Beijing" everywhere we went. We found that most of them could not say anything else in English, but they were always faithful to recite this greeting.

But on the positive side the city was beautiful. It was so clean and groomed with Olympic decor EVERYWHERE! The top picture was taken in the famous Tian-amen Square.

This next one was on the Olympic Green which the Chinese people were so very proud of. As I mentioned before- it was my favorite place to go.


Since I hadn't been in a Walmart for 8 months and I wanted to show my Thai friend what they were like, we decided to stop in and check one out. This picture was taken in the TV sales dept. It was like this all around the city. If there was a TV-- there were crowds around it to watch this historical event in their city. They also played the Olympic theme song -"One World-One Dream" non-stop in public places. After hearing it over and over one day for several hours in a restaurant, I felt like buying them a new CD to play.
They also had big screens like this all over the city and there were always crowds gathered around to cheer for the Chinese athletes-- even in the rain!This is the official Chinese Olympic uniform that we saw alot on their athletes and spectators. Chinese sticker flags were worn on faces also. I'm still amazed that I got to be a part of the One World One Dream experience.