Wait. What?

Is it one Day Two so far?  My sense of being 'at home' at Hot Springs only adds to that sense of time disorientation as we ease into life and ministry here.  Starting pace has been good.  The temperature hasn't actually been all that hot compared to other years, but I think all of us might be feeling it more because of the extreme change from what we left behind in Canada - especially this year!

We've had some meetings to talk about finances, and also to arrange last minute details for Day Camp.  We've hung out with the kids under the dining shelter, learning more about the newest little ones and already receiving gifts of rainbow loom bracelets.  We've eaten well, of course, and Yupa is being particularly sensitive to only increase the spice factor a little bit each day.  We've given out the Sponsor Packets and the Sock Monkeys, and spent amazing times worshiping together.  And today we went into Chiang Mai for our first trip to "Big C", to exchange money and grab a few Team supplies.  Lots to do, but in this wonderful, slower-paced way that is rural Thailand.

Today we learned that we have been invited by the principal of the public - that means Buddhist - school to use a brand new assembly room for Day Camp.  Wait.  What?  They want us to come there?   It's larger than the sanctuary at Hot Springs and has air conditioning.  Plus there's playground equipment and a sports field on either side.  We went to visit today, and saw the set up.  Incredible.  And this is being offered to us free of charge!

What's more beautiful and redemptive is this cross over borderlands thing that's happening here!  On the stage is a Buddhist shrine.  We're respectfully on Buddhist territory where we are being shown grace and hospitality.  Today when we were there the principal made it clear that he knew we were Christians and would be teaching the children stories from the Christian Bible.  He was just so happy and very appreciative that volunteers from Canada would come so far to teach the children of his school to read and write English!

It's clear that this favour has been granted us because of the good reputation of Suradet and Yupa.  Several of our Hot Springs kids attend school there, and they have had good relationships with the staff as parents. 

I can't help but make the connection between all our prayers for Suradet and Yupa's mission to be salt and light to their own community, and this invitation.  And I also can't help make the comparison between where Hot Springs is at in terms of their 'own back yard' and where Highview is going.  Oh how much we have to learn from them!

By way of a 'big bug story', I came across a large black spider (not tarantula, but approaching the size) in the bathroom today.  Called for help, and brave and heroic Yupa came to my rescue, with only a little bit of laughing at me :).

By way of Sponsor story, Bouy received a bright lime t-shirt from Bill and Marilyn with the tags still on.  She's wearing the shirt but refuses to take off the tags.  It's rare that she actually gets a brand new shirt all to herself, so the tags become something of a status symbol.  :)

I'm sorry there's no pictures yet.  We haven't been that busy, but the timing for downloading hasn't worked out quite yet.  We'll get on it soon.  Likely tomorrow.