First Impressions

Bye- Bye USA  (Miami shoreline)

Baggage Claim at Port au Prince airport

Trip from airport to our national directors home

Off to Haiti

The long awaited day has arrived.  We leave in just a bit for our flight to Haiti. I was asked this morning, "How do you feel about going to Haiti?"  My answer.... mixed feelings.  Excited, apprehensive, and most of all yearning to hear God's voice.

The excitement is because I (speaking for myself) really enjoy travel, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and learning from  others.  We've never even been to this part of the world so I'm a bit curious.  But this is not going to be a fun touristy experience to simply visit a new country.  I feel just a little bit of apprehension about the devastation and desperateness of the people that we will see.  The reports that we hear are so sad. We've lived in developing countries enough, that it should not be too shocking to me. More than both of those feelings, we feel  a bit of a weight on this trip concerning some decisions about our  future involvement.  We do not want to work in Haiti because other people think we are the best people for the job at hand.  We also do not want to work there because there is a need that we can fill.  There are needs in every country of the world. We really  want to hear God's voice and confirmation that this is what "HE" wants for us.  We appreciate your prayers. I hear that we will have internet there- so that's always a good thing for me. Stay tuned!

Coast to Coast

Our week in California seems like a blink of the eye.  Today we flew from LAX, California across the USA to our Campus Crusade headquarters in  Orlando, Florida.   On our last day in CA., we decided that one more 'hour long' drive  to the wedding venue in Vista would be helpful.  Once we are back in Thailand again, it will be a bit difficult to do  the 'in person'  research, so we tried to get as much done as possible.  We all feel quite satisfied with all that we were able to accomplish in our week of planning and are pretty excited about the big day of celebration on  September 4th.

For our 'out of state' guests, we'd like to have a fun activity the day after the wedding to enjoy each other a bit more.  Progress was made.  This photo gives a clue to what we have in mind.  What Iowan does not enjoy some time to enjoy the ocean and beaches of California?

A big huge thank-you to our "host/hostess with the mostest" Larry and Sandy.  I absolutely cannot believe that I did not get one picture of them and when we left for our flight at 6am this morn- decided it was not a kind time to take a photo. They are some of the most giving and gracious people we've ever met and we thank them so much for sharing their home with us and blessing us in so many ways. We have learned much from them and their generous spirits and their desire and ways of blessing others. We hope that Alaska treats you well.  

*S*N*O*W*

Yesterday, we took some time to go visit Lori at her new job near Crestline.  She is only about a 1.30  hour drive away from Bethany. It had rained the day before in the LA area, which meant snow up in the mountains.  Beings that one week ago, we were in 100 plus degrees weather in Thailand- the snow was a bit refreshing to us.

Michael's family actually lives right near this area in Redlands, so they took off work and joined us for the visit.  Lori's job is to teach "Outdoor Science" to 5th and 6th graders.  The school systems take the kids up to the camp for a week and they have a week of hands on Science curriculum.  We pretended we were Lori's students and she gave us a brief sample lesson in one of the classrooms.  This job is totally in Loris field of  study,  "Outdoor Leadership" - so it is great to see her working in her field of expertise. She is great at this type of work and loves working with the kids.

The name of the camp that she is working at is Thousand Pines, and it is a real pretty camp nestled in the California mountains.  We even drove by our old headquarters at Arrowhead Springs which brought back lots of memories, too.  It was a fun day to spend time with the Allen family discussing wedding plans, and to get to see Lori in her new world and job.

Wedding Preparations

We are making progress day by day.  My style is a bit  more of  researching and comparing before the final decisions are made but with only one week as an option- it's about time already for the committements to be made.  This week we have met and researched  caterer's, flowers, hotels for out of state guests, cake and bakery items, and lots more of wedding details.

In between, we've also tried to do some catching up with 2 of 4 daughters and enjoy some  meals with friends.  What fun to get together with the Allen family, Janet & Bob, Lenard & Evie, Keith & Ginny, Dale & Marghy, Dave & Karen,  and most of all- our wonderful hosts, Larry and Sandy.  Sorry to the rest of our Californian friends-- but time just doesn't permit this time.  A few photos from the last few days.

Our first day after arrival in the USA, Michael and Bethany took us to see the wedding venue that they had chosen.  We were joined by Michael's family- Roy, Debra, and Kristen. Bethany's roommates (and bridesmaids) joined us too- so 4 of the 6 bridesmaids got to see the location with us.   This was breakfast on the way to Vista.

 

Checking out the view where she'll say "I do".

A bit more bonding of the two families as we explored the Oceanside Pier together and enjoyed some good California Mexican food.

Daddy-Daughter shot

Checkin out the Getty Villa in Malibu while waiting for Michael to get off work last night.

Silly Bethany... wait... which one is Bethany???

Enjoying our girls again

Michael-Bethany-Titus-Lori

GCTC Celebration

Thailand National Staff Conference 2010 is now history. But it definitely left a good mark in the history books of our minds. Taking place the week of the Thai New Year Songkran water throwing festival, we had a tendency to stay together at our conference center as getting out in traffic would have kept us dodging around what we think is the world’s largest water fight throughout Chiang Mai each year.

Our last night together was a "special night" of celebration together for the year around the pool and  new building at our center. We are thankful for this new facility and the great resource that it will be to have more meeting rooms and bring in more students for fun and fellowship together. Those upstairs meeting rooms were lined with wall to wall sleeping bags all week for the single staff to sleep  in for the conference. 

Once again a favorite menu item was the whole roasted pig and Mike was the chief carver serving it to our staff.

Every special celebration in Thailand should include some grilled fresh seafood, too.

This year the seating was at tables assigned by the year that you graduated from the GCTC (Great Commission Training Center) and joined the TCCC staff.  It was a bit nostalgic for us to look around at the the different class years full of memories, especially those first batches when we started GCTC in Thailand in 1988.  After having two years of no GCTC- this made our 20th graduation.

The program included alot of Praise and Worship and picture/video's of staff events throughout the year.

The place was decorated beautifully Thai style with alot of fresh flowers.

There was a time of prayer for the three trainees from this year  after receiving their certificates. They now have thier new assignments and will begin their first year in ministry as full time staff.

This year there will be 10 new trainees and 2 interns.  The final morning together they were assigned their campus for training practice along with their personal trainer and then we had a time of prayer for them. We are thrilled that God is continuing to raise up Thai laborers for the harvest field in Thailand and expectant for all that God will do through these lives yielded to Him for their year of training at GCTC.

The next two weeks all of our Thai staff will be taking Bible courses through our International School of Leadership. We pray that this time will equip them better to know God's word and have a time in Chiang Mai of personal development for next year.

Mike and I flew out the day the conference ended and have just arrived in the USA.  We will spend a week with Bethany focusing on wedding plans.  Lori has moved here, too with a new job so we have already got to see her also- hoping to make the most of our week here with both girls. The first two days have been a bit crazy and intense already, but with only one week on the screen we need to do what we gotta do.  We are feeling very blessed and thankful for this time that we have here.  Pictures to come soon!

lots of things: prison, pizza, conference, etc.

Oh- so much to say and so little time.  Let's condense and summarize today.......

The visit with Eve and Ice to visit their mom was emotionally hard and yet such a sweet time.  As soon as we met up with them, their subtle and contained excitement was obvious.  While waiting for several security checkpoints, we talked and I learned alot more about the situation.  She has been in prison for 5 years (for drugs) and they still love her dearly. Kat and Aoum the dorm parents came with us.  We all took a turn to talk to their mom on the phone.  There was a glass wall between us so we could watch each other while we talked. The room had around 20 other inmates and family conversations going on at the same time so it was loud.  Some of the women inmates were holding thier babies and showing them to family members.  They get to keep them with them until they are one year old. Their mom's court hearings and good behaviour have moved her up.  Instead of a 40 year sentence it is not just 20 years. The next visit, they will get to sit in the same room with her.  It will be their first time to touch in over 5 years.   During the whole 15 minute visit, their was alot of joy in the conversations.  The girls were so excited to tell their mom that they get to go to the beach next week for thier annual visit and she asked them to take pictures to send her.  The hardest part was when the bell rang and watching their mom burst into tears and sob as she walked away. I just can't imagine the pain she feels as a mother to not be able to be involved in her adorable girls lives. They told me that the  girls cried the whole visit when they fist started visiting, but now they have gotten use to it and enjoy talking with her each time.

Eve

The tasting of pizza was another dream come true for them that day.  Not sure if it was all they hoped it to be, but now they can say that they have tasted the infamous dish of pizza. After a stop at a fun girly store where they got to pick out some jewelry and hair stuff we said our goodbyes.  Plans were made for a visit to see their dad sometime in the near future. Oh, how we love these girls!

Ice

Thailand National CCC Staff Conference

We had to rush from there to the opening of our Thailand National Staff Conference and have been in meetings from early morn till late night every day.  So different from conferences in the USA where people need more  breaks in the schedule. Our staff are truly like one big family and a crazy one at that.  How many conferences open the first day with an exercise time together where everyone is laughing hysterically at some of the games?

The opening session was also quite entertaining "Thai-style" with lots of laughter, dancing, and music.

A talent show was also alot of fun as they watched each other perform in acts that are out of their normal character.

It was complete with judges and their snide evaluations.

Our teaching times have been great too.  I was so proud of my hubby last night as he gave the main talk and shared his heart for God and the ministry so effectively.

We are both done now with our teaching responsibilities, and down to two days till departure.  I've actually been sick in bed most of today- hoping to get well before the long trip. Not good timing for this at all! Temperatures are still in the 100's everyday and the water throwing festival is taking place all over the country.  More on that later!

Prison and Pizza

Tomorrow will be a full day!  Besides our national staff conference having our opening afternoon together- we get to spend some time with two of our favorite little girls, Eve and Ice.  You may remember awhile back, they were told that we wanted to take them some place special and when asked where they wanted to go their first wish was to visit thier parents in prison (40 year sentences) and to taste pizza.  Because of  some scheduling problems over summer break , it hasn't worked out yet-  but tomorrow is finally the day.  Honestly I'm not sure what to expect thinking of these two girls only getting to see thier mom 1-2 times per year, but I am praying that we can be sensitive to just be there for them and help their wish of seeing thier mom come true.

I still haven't had a chance to share about our last visit to their home- which was one of the funnest ever.  It was while the Waterloo team was here and the guys wanted to take them out a basketball hoop and some basketballs, which they've never had as far as we know.

Soon after we got there, they started trying to figure out the best place on the property to play basketball.  The dirt driveway/play area was really the only option, and nailed up to a tree.

The children started arriving home from school and it was fun to pass out a special treat for each of them.  They rarely get a bag of chips and carton of milk, so it's always fun to see their delight.

After the backboard was up, Mike challenged the older boys at House of Blessing  to play the foreigners in a game.  It turned into a pretty competitive game and every kid in the orphanage gathered around to enjoy the fun of a new sport and cheer them on.  I especially enjoyed seeing the older boys have so much fun.  Usually our visits consist of fun little crafty things that are more for the girls, but the boys were obviously loving the attention they were getting and the new gift that they knew would be bringing them alot of hours of fun with basketball. A challenge was even made for a rematch in one year-- so the Waterloo boys better get practiced up.

 Before we left, a big circle was made to sing and pray together with Aoum leading us.

How many times will I repeat that one of the sweetest sounds to my ears is Thai children singing together at the top of their voices with so much sincerity in each word and note.

Saying good-bye to sweet Eve, but looking forward to our visit tomorrow.

My plate is full

Lately I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with allot of upcoming events in my life. For years now, we have tried to continue with our ministry in Thailand while also meeting the needs of our daughters in the USA.  Sometimes this is more challenging than others. Try helping  plan your daughter's wedding in California while you  are in Thailand. :(-  I'm so thankful for vonnage phones and Skype- but each time I send Bethany some samples from Thailand in the international mail, I have to wait almost two weeks for her to get them and respond.  We just don't have that kind of time anymore. With prices here being a small fraction of the costs in California-- it is worth it to us to order alot from here- let alone the uniqueness of things that I find here.  I have had little Thai ladies all over Chiang Mai making hand made things for me and it  really has been  allot of fun to see it all coming together.  It will be so good next week to bridge the distance in our communication and get to Calif to be with Bethany for a bit.  It will make the planning so much easier for me after I actually see the venue that she has chosen.  

This coming week is the Thai New Year Celebration, Songkran, so the city pretty much shuts down.  We will also be part of our national staff conference all this week too, so as of now most of the wedding orders have been picked up and are ready to go. Our ministry leaders just finished a week together. It was so encouraging to hear reports of each ministry from this past year.  There are few things that  I enjoy more than just being  in a room with our staff during thier praise and worship and prayer times.  I don't always  understand all the words, but their expressions communicate way more than words and that passion is one of the reasons  why we've been here so long.  They are an amazing group of committed Christians to work with.

Appreciate your prayers for us next week as all of our staff come together for a week here at our center in Chiang Mai. Mike and I both have some responsibilities and it will be a full week. We leave immediately after the conference for our whirlwind trip to the USA.

No clocks, watches or calendars

I seriously cannot imagine a culture with no time.  As much as I have lived with the Moken people and lived in their culture, it still is mind boggling to me.  It makes me realize how terribly I (and my culture) are time oriented.  Their is no word in their vocabulary for "time", they have no clocks, they use no calendars, no BlackBerrys, no one wears watches. They have no concept of planning ahead. All of life is lived in the here and now. Their meals consist of  hand to mouth. 

So why is it so hard for me to understand?  I am a planner.  I love to always be thinking ahead.  My day-timer is a very valuable possession.  I love calendars.  In fact, I have sort of a weird obsession with them and like one in every room- but maybe that is just because I love some of the pictues on American calendars. Moken's don't know what a calendar is.  They don't know how many days in a month or how many months in a year.  If you ask them their age, they don't know.  It simply is not important to them.

We plan our meals out to be at a pretty scheduled three times per day, right?  They eat whenever food becomes available.  If someone comes in with a catch or decided to cook some greens, that is when they eat.  Most days, they really eat just one meal  a day. Is it any wonder that our body builds are about twice the size of them?

Looking through my files of photos from the island trips, I tried to find some examples.....

This picture is a clear example to me.  One morning, the women were all sitting around doing individual jobs and within minutes had all stopped what they were doing and loaded into this boat.  Trying to figure  out what was happening, I found out that a few of them had decided it was a good time to go collect oysters off a certain bay area.  Even though it was not in their plan for the day, at that time it became the most important task, and they all grabbed a basket to head to the boat together and go collect oysters  to feed their families.

Another example is when a boat comes in with a load of supplies.  Most everyone stops whatever they are doing and comes down to the pier and helps carry the supplies.  It is pretty hard to ever interrupt them with anything, because nothing is an interruption.

It always takes my mind awhile to adjust to this.  Sometimes, I think the children may have a better concept of time. Like the night that I told the kids that  we had gifts for them  and to come to the center after dinner around 7pm  and we would have a little party.  Ha -what a joke to imagine them to think and plan that far ahead.  With the houses so close and the relationships so intertwined- it is more effective to tell one kid.  After we told him within minutes every kid was peering  in the door at us, waiting for the special time.

So here they are just minutes later, waiting for their gifts and listening to Mike as he talks with them. They sang for us first.  One of the sweetest most heart warming sounds to me is Thai children singing together.  Their natural volume level is many decibels louder than when western kids sing and a sweet sound to my ears.

What fun it was for the team to hand out the gifts one by one to each child.

Thank you to Reatha for sending these gift bags over.  The sunglasses were a real hit.

The next morning, I saw them off to school and they were so excited to take thier new gifts to show at school.

Off they go on their daily 45 minute hike to the island school.

The bubbles were a favorite too.

Back to the topic of  time-- this post has taken too much of my time and your time! Shall I choose to sputter about how much time I've spent on this post-- or never mind the clock and time and just do what I enjoy doing because time is too much a part of my culture and I need to live in the present?