An All American BBQ-Year 3

Well they did it again!  The Foltz's "hit it out of the park" with the American BBQ. They had a lot to live up to after the big bash in 2014 that was amazing  and then again in 2015 that got even better.   You can read about the background of these dinners from past years on those posts.  Last week, we just finished the mid-year stint conference.

The first time we set up for 200+, the second year it grew to 300, and this year we fed 400 people! These are people that come to our city for a conference from countries where it is much more difficult to live and work and we get to host them, treat them, and give them a fun night at the conference. 

Marisa loves the planning and decorating for this.  Each table was similar and yet a bit different with the American BBQ theme. 

We laugh at how different it is planning events like these in Thailand.  Everything is so very much cheaper, and yet sometimes you get what you pay for and cannot have high expectations.  They did a beautiful job on the 40 table flower arrangements, and yet the table/chairs/tablecloth deliveries company caused a little stress in their delivery time. 

Jon orders all the food from a favorite restaurant in town that makes great BBQ ribs, chicken, and lots of side dishes. They eat and eat until they are stuffed.  He also arranged for 40 songtao's (red trucks) to shuttle the 400 guests from the hotel to our center and back.

Our Northern Thailand CCC facility is a great place to host events like this, and we are thankful for the space and gift it is to the ministry.

This year we set up a little photo booth and got bales from a horse barn.

Cute cowgirls! 

Marisa and I did most of the set up during the hot afternoon with the scorching sun.  We laughed at ourselves a lot for doing what we do and were so tired.  But once the guests start arriving and it cools down, it is so worth it to see how much they enjoy the evening. 

They spread out throughout the evening in the gym with basketball and volleyball and outside with Frisbee's, corn hole, and ended the evening with a traditional dance party. 

Marisa decorates with a lot of American flags, because the majority of the stinters are from the USA serving in countries all around Asia and this is a taste of  home for them.  However there are a fair amount from other countries, too that seem to enjoy the theme along with us.  

Mike ended the evening again with a fireworks display this year.  It was suppose to be small, but he got a little carried away.

Jon and Marisa, you are quite the party planners.  I heard several say that the BBQ night is their favorite part of the conference, which makes it worth all your work to be a blessing to so many. (Hope it doesn't grow to 500 next year) 

GPro- 2016 (part 2)

Well, just like that-it's over!  For some people it has meant years of planning and anticipation and they have now moved into the follow-up stage. 

3,100 pastors came to Bangkok from over 100 countries last week for training in how to strengthen the world's 2 million-plus undertrained pastors. You can read more about it here and here. 

The logistics of a congress this size were enormous. 

One thing that impressed me is that the entire 8 days, the room was packed from 9:00 in the morning until almost 9:00 at night.  Some conferences, the people tire out and the crowd thins out- but not this group.  They were hungry to soak up all they could about training more pastors. 

Much of the time was spent around tables and in discussion groups, making plans for the future.

The final evening ended with a nice banquet, including some beautiful ice sculptures. 

What a treat it was for us to have two of our daughters and their families involved at the congress. 

We worked alongside around 300 of our staff and students all week, who selfishly served the delegates from early morn till late night.  Here they are in a line being thanked the last night. 

After the delegates left for their home countries, the volunteers met for a morning of praise and worship- still missing Nok and his vision for this congress. 

They were presented some special gifts from Matt and John who came from the USA to lead the operations for the congress.

After a week of lots of picture taking as internationals love to do, we needed one last iServe volunteers group photo.

And after a final lunch in a crowded, hot, and noisy mall; some of the family said a teary good-bye to each other- thankful for the chance to be together, live next door to each other in our hotel, and to work side by side at GPro-2016. 

Hilary and Daniel

Yesterday we celebrated Hilary's upcoming wedding with a shower at Marisa's house.

Marisa prepared a beautiful table and we served a yummy brunch!

Judi is Hilary's mom and we have worked together in both the Philippines and Thailand for over 34 years. We were next door neighbors with them in Bangkok when Hilary was born.  It has been fun to watch her grow up and see how God has provided the right man for her to marry.  Daniel is another Cru staff kid and they are a great match for each other. 

Bethany happened to be in town, so the three of us enjoyed doing this for Hilary together. 

Hilary has spent the last year working in China and they will live together as newlyweds in Austin, Texas.

Congratulations Hilary and Daniel! We all enjoyed throwing a party for you and we are so excited for you and your upcoming wedding and new life together!

GIS Sentimentality

Schools are closing everywhere for summer break. There was a very significant closing at Grace International School here in Chiang Mai this week.

I had just gotten in from Bangkok meetings late the night before, and went out to GIS to see my grand-kids on their last day of school and watch them sing in their last program of the year. Hayley is here on the front far right on her last day of 1st grade. (sorry for the bad lighting)

Summer  in the light blue shirt in the back, is singing with her 4th grade class for the last time.  As I was celebrating the last day of school with  them, it soon dawned on me that this was my last time at this school building.  There were some poems read about all the memories that the walls of this school hold, and some songs written about the sentiments of leaving.

I immediately became sentimental, too- with 16 years of memories on this campus.  When the school was established in 1999, we helped with the beginnings.  In fact, Mike found this World Club facility. Lori (2002), Bethany (2004), and Jenny (2006) all graduated from this school.  I was the PE teacher on these beautiful fields for a short time, and have substitute taught here over the years.

Now three of our grandchildren have been creating their own memories here too, as they receive an outstanding education.   I was able to go into Hayley's class as they got some awards and final papers to take home.

The school is not closing permanently,  but moving campuses from the Hang Dong World Club to a new campus.  It will still provide the great education it always has and be a great community for families- but for a person who does not always like change- the location and it's memories will be missed.

Marisa and I opted to deal with our end of school year mixed emotions, by visiting a new (to us) coffee shop, Fabb Cafe Coffee Roasters. It was a great choice and met all of our emotional needs. Ha!

Later on we drove, out a few miles to see the new facility where the school will be moving next year. With over 500 students and 90% of them being missionary kids, whose parents work in 24 countries- the school is being used in very significant ways to meet the educational needs of MK's.  We look forward to watching God's great plan for this school at their new facility.  If you are an educator and want to do a few years of teaching in a place where you will make a huge difference in the lives of MK's- I recommend you checking out GIS.

burn out

"Blessed are the feet of those who bring good news" Romans 10:15

My heart has been a bit heavy with this topic lately.  It is that time of year (the end of school) that many missionaries come and go.  We have had conversations with several who have shared in honesty- that the road has been too rough lately.  I just read recently that 80% of missionaries "burn out".  They are often in situations that are stressful... not a little bit stressful- but REALLY stressful. The attrition rate for our work, is one of the highest of any.  The challenges in communicating cross culturally are often viewed as just part of the daily life but are realistically major life stressors. There is a constant cloud hanging over missionaries that they are in a foreign place that does not feel like home and the pressure just doesn't go away. When missionaries take the Holmes Stress Test, their score is often in the 'high risk' category, just because of all the changes.

Intimacy is what struggling missionaries need most.  They need to feel understood and not live in isolation.  We have seen that the newer missionaries do not have as much community right where they live because of social media.  The community of support that used to be real touchable face to face conversations has been replaced with the internet and other devices.

God does not want us to be miserable so if we take care of ourselves, we have more to give. I  read that burnout is "trying to give what I do not posses, resulting in a state of emptiness."

In building a ministry or work that will last after we leave, it will be so much more sustainable if we replicate ourselves, rather than do all the work ourselves. That balance is so hard to find and the pressure is always there.

Lord, help us and our co-workers  not to try and do ministry in our own power, but remember that it is your work. Help us to be intentional about down time with vacations, retreats, family time and release the pressure to be busy constantly. Remind us to be honest with friends in sharing our struggles and burdens, before it's too late. Most important of all, may we keep our daily time in your Word and prayer a top priority of every day. Use us to encourage those that are struggling and need a listening ear.

Who would have thought?

36 years ago today, Mike and I took our first commercial airline flight leaving Cedar Rapids, Iowa to move to the Philippines.  The good-byes with the family were horrible.  We had never been on a big plane and little did we know that first flight would lead to a lifetime of countless airline flights.  Our first few days in Asia were eye opening since we had never been out of the USA (except for a 3 day training in Mexico).  "Whoa, this ain't Kansas, Dorothy"- was said often and yet we had so many adventures and new experiences.

I am reminded of Psalm 37:4 today...

"Delight yourself in the Lord,

And He will give you the desires of your heart."

This takes me back to high school, where I had a secret desire or dream to someday travel and work for the Peace Corp to help needy people in a remote country.  God has led me on a much greater adventure than that.  Meeting my life companion with a similar heart and kindred spirit and then doing so much more than two years with the Peace Corp.  Training nationals throughout SE Asia to reach their own countries with God's plan could not be more rewarding.

This day, Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is a day that will always bring back memories of two naive newlyweds boarding that first flight.  Oh, we were so inexperienced and naive.  A big shock our very first day in Asia was finding our special Valentine's See's Chocolates that we brought from America COVERED in ants because we had left the box on the floor while out for the day.  Any experienced missionary here knows that 'gold' like that always goes in a Tupperware or refrigerator for safe keeping.  

An Abraham Lincoln quote today... "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be"

Happy '36 years in Asia' Anniversary, Mike!

Auntie Judy and Uncle Mike

One of the hardest parts of missionary life is being so far away from family members.  It was hard for us when we had our children and raised them in Asia and did not have grandparents and aunts and uncles to share holidays, babysit, and just be "family" together.  The missionary community easily became that substitute extended family for us.  Our girl's and most MK's have more aunts and uncles than they can count.

Now I am beyond that stage of life, but I remember it so well, which is one of the reason's that I've had 3 sister's that are ages 11-13 here with us this week.  Their parents are off on some exotic Thailand beach celebrating their 25th anniversary, while I am playing the role of auntie to the girls. It actually seems pretty natural to me, as their girls have just filled our girls empty rooms.  They are very easy to have around, enjoy reading, and have each other to play with.

They brought their home schooling books with them and spent time each day doing a few assignments.  I was very impressed at how self-motivated they were.

Two little granddaughters of mine were very happy to have some new friends in the neighborhood to play with, too.

We've played board games, outside games, watched movies, and other things that little girls like to do.  The part that I DO NOT miss is thinking of meals three times a day.  Mealtime for empty-nester's is so much easier.

There may have been a little spoiling on my part, but when you only have them for 5 days- you can get by with that.  Our trip to the mall yesterday, seemed more like grazing from place to place on junk food.

This sweet five year old turns six on Monday, so Bethany, Ellie, and Micah bought her some little gifts and we had a hot fudge sundaes birthday party for her today.  Happy Birthday Hayley.... and Tim and Lisa I hope your time away was a very relaxing 25th anniversary celebration this week.

honest confessions

A little honesty here... missionary life is not always a bed of roses. Our feelings come and go in waves... something like:
it's a privilege to do what we do....
to this is hard and too much sacrifice...
to God, you have blessed us so much....
to I am so weary and drained...
and on and on.

It took us several  years to see this pattern- but we eventually noticed that  there is a direct correlation to the times that Satan attacks us -AND-  the times that God is using us and moving in our ministry. Satan does not want His Kingdom to be grown, and so he does his best to attack us right before or during a big ministry event.

AND... he is crafty and knows what is the best way to attack each of us.  It is strategically the things that are most important to us.  For us.... the family!  We have seen so many families of people having an amazing influence in ministry be attacked in very cruel ways. We noticed the pattern way back in the 80's when big teams of summer project students would come to work with us.  When we were right on the verge of introducing hundreds of students to Jesus - our marriage would experience the biggest strain, miss-communications and stress.  It made me feel so unworthy of the work that we were doing.  Who wants to be  a hypocrite, right?  But after a few times, we discovered the pattern- and then were aware and could watch for attacks.  Praying together and  making a strong effort to communicate better, were just some of the tools we learned to defeat the attacks and discouragement.

Not too long ago, I experienced this all once again- even after all these years.   Like I said, Satan knows what areas in our life we are the weakest in and how he can get us down.  For me personally, it is often my Thai  language ability.  I was having a "I hate Thailand" episode of self-pity, hurt, and pain.  I'm usually able to go with the flow and enjoy my life as it is.  At that time, though: I was:
-fighting a bad cold and was physically weak,
-I was in a special training that went from 8:00am to 7:00pm.
-long days on campus in the heat
-immersed in the Thai language with Thai people all day long
The reality that I have been in Thailand for 28 years and do not speak as fluently as I should made me feel stupid, a failure, and worthless.

There is more to this story, but I don't think that I want to be THAT honest here. Basically I was very discouraged, tired of struggling with the Thai language, and feeling at that moment like I did not want to be in Thailand.

The next morning in my quiet time with the Lord- he showed me almost like a flashing digital neon sign.  I was being attacked because God was really using me that week in ministry in an unusual way. My statistics of ministry on campus that week were this:
44 people that my partner and I shared Christ with through the Four Laws Book
21 people that I personally shared God's plan of salvation with (in Thai)
10 people prayed to receive Christ into their life with my partner and I
6 people prayed to receive Christ with me
2 people went through a follow-up Bible study with us

That was a lot of ministry contacts for me in one week.  Plus, I attended several functions that week all in the Thai language completely...a meeting of Christian business people in the evening, had a lunch and a dinner with Thai friends, went to a house dedication,  and even went to a Thai movie at the theaters with our staff. That was a lot of the Thai language for me.

It was so obvious that it was a spiritual battle.  Satan had me down and I decided I was not going to let him win. I learned a few things during that time....
-God has a plan for me and satan wants to defeat me- but if I walk with God through it all satan is defeated.
-God wants me to learn patience... He denies me certain things because He wants me to pray
-Psalm 92:13-15 reminds me that if I am planted in God's house, I will bear fruit in my old age.

Life is busy right now again as we leave for the USA one week from today and have things to take care of here before we leave.  We are weary and tired and the adversary is attacking again.  It is our choice to believe his lies, or walk with God and believe the truth.

I share this with a hope that people new to the ministry will recognize this pattern as we did.  Your attacks might be  something good; even as discouraging as they feel.  If you step back and look- you may see the good reason of why you are being attacked. It is your choice who will win the spiritual battle!

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

When I first became a mom, I was as inexperienced as any new mom could be and to add to that, I had moved to a foreign country  with no family for support.  God provided a close-knit group of women for me in the Philippines  that helped me more than I could ever express. We met weekly and called it "Mothers group" . We were sojourners who witnessed each others new babies, adoptions, disciplines issues, sleepless nights, team conflicts, and ministry changes. We shared our struggles, childrens milestones, cried and laughed together, but mostly listened and prayed for each other.  We celebrated birthdays and holidays together like families do. We needed each other and simply walked through life one day at a time.  As missionaries come and go, the makeup of our group would change a bit each year, but the majority of us were there for each other during those 7 years for our family.

Because of my gratefulness for this group, I've had a desire to help new moms today. We recently had a guest in our home that shared with me some statistics that fueled this desire even more. She travels the world encouraging missionaries.  I asked her, "What do you see as the biggest reason that missionaries leave their work to return home?" I was a bit surprised at her response. She immediately told me, "It's most always the women.  The men enjoy their work and adjust, but the women just don't get connected, feel lonely, and are not happy---  then the whole family goes home."  This topic has come to my attention by a few different mission groups lately.  Through a few other promptings ,I decided to make available a support group of women through our church.

We meet Wednesday  mornings and have studied or discussed two books so far. There are actually several women's Bible study groups in Chiang Mai but one advantage to our group is that we have childcare workers, so that the moms bring their preschoolers, too. We started this group about six months ago and have 14 young moms that come. Some of the babies are young enough that they just stay with us during the study. Because of travel schedules and sick kids, we are never all there on the same week, which makes it hard to get a photo of us together. Through time we are getting closer, more honest with each other, and committed as a group. 

Parenting  is different today than it was for me 30 years ago, probably the biggest reason is the world of social media and the Internet.  When we had a question, we asked each other or looked it up in a book. Now most moms first go to the Internet to search for the answer or text/call friends and family at home. Dependence on local friend is not as necessary as it used to be. There are benefits though to having a community right here where we live and that is my desire for this group.

Last week, we had some special guests who came with Full Sail Ministries  from the USA to share their testimonies with us.  It was a great time of encouragement to all of us.  As a treat they brought us our requested American Girl Scout cookies, and we had some pretty excited ladies here with these treats from the USA. 

I will not be able to join in this weekly meeting for the next few weeks, because of my travel schedule, but I'll be praying each week for their time together.  Without a doubt, I believe that good community is a lifeline to living overseas.  I am so thankful for friends and surrogate aunts and uncles that God has provided for our family over the years, and pray that new missionaries these days can make those relationships a priority.  

Philippines= very special place

This post is dedicated to our staff and friends that we worked with in the Philippines for 7 years from 1979 to 1986.  Last month, Mike and I returned there for a week and I hadn't been back for over 15 years. Ever-since our return from that trip, we've had a full schedule- but I've wanted to share more from this visit. This was the place that Mike and I first learned to work in full time ministry as newlyweds, laid the foundation for our marriage, and lived through our first three pregnancies and deliveries and learned to parent.  It is a very special place to us.  Our life there was so so different from our life now. We didn't have family so we leaned on each other for companionship and  support. The staff that we worked with there are still some of our best friends ever.  I really believe that the people on your team when you first enter the ministry are some of the most influential people in your life.  We learned so so much from our friends that we worked with, lived next door to, and stumbled through learning how to be parents.  I love this group of people:  Earl and Susie, Mike and Kaye, Brenda, James and Theresa, Lee and Edye,  John and Sandy, Hugh and Joanne, Howie and Nancy, Leslie, Ron, the list goes on and on.

I have been far removed from the Philippine culture for so long, but as soon as we landed- floods of memories started coming back to me.  If you were not part of our early days there, you wont' appreciate this.  I however was giddy with all the "come backs"!

Foods like:
Pancit......Adobo......Lumpia......Hot Pandesal......Leche Flan......Magnolia's....., etc.

Places like:
Thomas Morato Ave., EDSA, Timog Circle, Makati, Quezon Blvd, Jeepneys, Faith Bible Church, Polymedic General Hospitol, National Bookstore, Shoe Mart, Alfredo's Steak house, Tropical Hut, Kamuning Market, Mercury drug, Rustan's, Jolibee Yumburgers, etc.

















Our home in 1979 above... and then to the right, look how that tree has grown to be now!

The first day we drove over to our little apartment at 73I Dr. Lazcano where we brought home Marisa, Lori, and Bethany!  Oh, what a special place to us!  The main drag, Thomas Morato Ave.  has now become a street full of restaurants.  Many of them American chains that we do not have in Thailand- right in our old neighborhood. Wish they'd come on over to Thailand, too.

Just some of them are:
Shakeys.......Chilli's........Johnny Rocket........Cinnabon.......Papa Johns......Wendy's......Sbarro's.....Taco
Bell........Seattles Best Coffee........Kenny Rogers........TGI Fridays....... etc.

One of the most encouraging parts to the trip was  hearing from disciples who are still in ministry and them giving us updates of students and staff and how they are still walking with God and serving Him.

This was our very first team in 1978 that we prepared to serve with.  A lot changed about that team but the other three (Ron, James, and Theresa)  are still working with Cru in the Philippines after all these years. What a fun reunion!

Ammi was on our first team with the "I Found It" campaigns. We had so much fun reminiscing with her, too.

The International Graduate School of Leadership is one of campus Crusade's grad school's where some of our Thai CCC staff go for seminary and graduate degrees.  It was fun to get a tour of their new (to us) facility and get some time to catch up with  our Thai staff who are studying there right now; (Mini, Chaw, and Jamie.)

We could not have asked for better host's on this trip; Art and Annie.  Mike discipled Art as a student and new staff and now he directs the GAIN ministry there in the Philippines.

We got to spend a lot of time with them during that week in planes, boats, taxis, jeepneys, squishy small vans, and tricycles. They took good care of us and it was so good to share together again after all these years.  Annie has had a struggle with cancer and her life is a beautiful testimony of someone who is trusting God.

Our beginning roots in the Philippines are very special and significant to us.  35 years ago this week, we landed in that foreign country for the first time.  How thankful we are that God led Mike to leave his stable job with good benefits at John Deere and begin our adventure with Him, that has given us more fulfillment and experiences than we could have ever dreamed of.