The Last Sunday Morning

Feeling an unusual weariness of soul this morning as I wait in these moments of preparation for Hot Springs worship service to begin.

I am speaking this morning. That's not unusual. "Hot Springs' spiritual mother" Suradet calls me, and he strongly encourages me to teach as much as possible when I am here.

And I like doing it. But I am also keenly aware of the inadequacies of my language skills and my lack of cultural context. On this trip, particularly, I feel I have not had time for that essence of being so essential for effective spiritual communication to any group of gathered souls.

There's more. I am not quite ready to turn my heart towards home, still greedy for more of this other home to be home for longer.

Father, empower my words this morning. Be my suffiency in all the inadequacies of my tongue and soul. And help my heart know You as home always.

Amen
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That Moment When You Realize It's Actually Happening Way Better Than You Imagined

Pictures: Children from neighbouring village get ready to ride home at the end of ESL Day Camp Day 3.

"We're here, and it's happening!"

This I say to myself several times a day since Monday, when ESL Day Camp began.

What was dreamed of in a visioning conversation with Suradet around the dinner table last year, and has been meticulously planned for over months of Team meetings in Canada, and eagerly prepared for on the Thailand side of things for a while already, has come to reality under a hot sky and God's gentle love.

I think the moments happen most strongly for me when we're singing. Beautiful Asian children smiling recklessly, doing the actions we taught them only yesterday with vigor and enthusiasm.

Or later, quietly, doing the puzzle. Or when a child just comes up beside you for a hug.

It's happening!

We're here making a difference and that's making a difference in each one of us.

ESL Day Camp. A new adventure.

When I was 11, I felt my first tug to Asia, beleiving God had called me to be a missionary. For such a long time I thought that had been a misunderstanding on my part.

But --

I'm here.

And it's happening.

Stretchy Love

Abby says, "Gramma, when you go to Thailand, I'm going to miss you too much!"
A sad tug at the corners of what is usually a exuberant
little girl smile.

"Well," I say. "It's a good thing love is so stretchy."

Now the face is puzzled. "Stretchy?"

"Yes," I reply. "Love is one of the stretchiest things there is. It can stretch all the way around the world."

"All the way to Thailand?" she asks, suspiciously.

"All the way. All the love we have for each other will still be connecting us, even when we're on the other side of the world from each other." There's a pause as she ponders. "Cool, eh?"

A shy nod. "Good thing," she says.

We hugged a lot today.

Soon

Soon my sweet Thai babies.
Soon.

Leaving for Chiang Mai on March 13. This time, I'm with 10 other Hot Spring servants, heading to do an ESL Day Camp with Pastor Suradet and his wife Yupa, reaching out to neighbourhood children in the village of Maeon.

Still can't believe I get to do this.