"Normal Life"

Normal life - what does that even mean?

Life here has settled into "normalcy.” Despite my lack of American luxuries like air conditioning, hot showers, meals without rice, driving laws etc... life really is not that different than back home. People are still going grocery shopping (though usually at the open market instead of Safeway), running late, and working through relationships with each other. Teenage girls still think and talk about boys and hair and Facebook. Younger girls still play hand-clapping games, and build sandcastles in the dirt, and twirl around and dress-up. I am still addicted to coffee, enjoy a good book, and love girl talk with my friends back home.

I have set-up a routine for myself and adjusted to the slower pace of Thai time to the point that I rarely think about it anymore. And yet - I still feel as though the expectation I have for myself, and that I feel others have for me as a "missionary" is for something more adventurous, more daring, more holy than “normal life.”

I am learning that God lives every bit as much in the "normal" parts of our lives as he does the brief moments of excitement. He is with us every step of the way, in every conversation regardless of the topic, in every game, chore, and responsibility. How effective might we be if we really learned to abide and consciously reflect on His presence in these moments - to let him shine in and through us in our everyday activities?

Working for a Christian based non-profit in another country does put me into a unique situation, and gives me a platform to share the importance of this cause, of these people, of what Christ is doing here in this ministry. The children here at Remember Nhu need to be recognized, to be supported, to be known. The precious people who find their home under this roof are saved from a horrific existence and I am blessed to be a part of their lives. But I am also realizing more and more that our responsibility exists everywhere and if we diminish that in the United States, we are doing a disservice to our own country. We are all called to live out the gospel, to care for the hurting people in our lives, and to share the good news regardless of our location.

I am so thankful that God is present in every moment of our normal lives. He is the true source of provision, of protection, of strength, affirmation, and every other good gift. Those gifts are available to all of us, to equip us to every good work. Only through Him can we live a life that is adventurous, daring, and holy. He has given us the desire for better than "normal" and only in Him can those desires be fulfilled.

Past the Initial Excitement

In keeping with my word, I wanted complete a blog this week, but I have been struggling with what to write about. I have been transitioning out of going to class everyday and trying to get into a new routine. The girls are back to school after their “summer break” and the house is again quiet during the day. Nhu and I are working out a regular schedule to study for three-(ish) hours every day, and I am starting to dig in on more business related work here.

This past week or two has been a struggle emotionally as I feel like I have gotten past the glamour and initial excitement of moving to another country and living on mission. The lack of community in my life has been building slowly over time, and I am realizing just how spoiled I was at my church with the myriad people and groups Solid Rock has to offer. I was never at a loss for amazing encouragers, mentors, and just contagiously awesome people. The lack of those people in my life on a regular basis has begun to drain me in a couple areas. I have really been feeling as though my patience and energy are starting to wear, not to mention the loneliness factor that has been setting in.

Fortunately, the last few days I feel like I am starting to break through that, and after attending a new church this morning (my third international church I’ve tried since arriving), I am REALLY EXCITED that I may have finally found a local church here that I can get connected with. I also made a point earlier this week to schedule regular Skype dates with a couple people and after having had some really good conversations (and laughing hysterically over a hilarious video that some of my friends back home put together), I am having a really great few days.

I think that this season of this journey will continue to test my ability to rely on the Lord and to turn to Him before anything else in my life. The things/people I have turned to in the past to fill the loneliness or to work through the struggle – that has all been stripped away in this environment, and though that transition is hard, I also realize how much I can grow through that. I am so grateful for God’s closeness in this time, and undeniably blessed that He himself has been teaching and encouraging me. Working on being thankful amidst growing pains and staying focused.

All that to say – I am kicking myself for making it about me when it is SO not about me :).  I am working to keep my mind off myself, and on Jesus and this ministry. Just a few short months ago my attitude was that of innocent excitement, a desire to make a difference in the lives of people here, and an overwhelming gratefulness that God had granted my desire to work internationally. Sometimes I just need to realize how much I have been given, how much I have been blessed, how COOL this time in my life is, and get back to that original attitude. I need to get over my momentary issues, stay focused on what really matters, live content in every circumstance and season, and say THANK YOU GOD!  

"In This World You Will Have Trouble..."

In the last few weeks I have been reflecting on the fact that I am confronted daily with circumstances of poverty, desperation, hardships, and people struggling through life - both here, and in stories from friends back home. Across the world, despite different cultures we all experience these things… I have been considering the thought “if God is good then why….”

I have often wondered, and had friends question, why He allows such atrocity and despair in this world, even among Christians. But that is just it – the Bible does not say that believers of Christ will have it easier than those who do not believe.

I do not have a complete answer yet as to why these things happen (I am studying though so if you are looking for an answer let me know) but I do know that the difference I see between the reaction in people who believe in Jesus and those who do not is hope. Not just a positive attitude about tomorrow or next year, or ten years from now. But the honest belief that the world is being renewed, that God is coming back and will wipe away every tear, that He is in control and has a plan, that ultimately this world is not all that there is. That this life is but a moment in the span of spending eternity with the true God of the Universe and that HE LOVES ME!

That hope, the knowledge of the good news of God’s grace brings joy that transcends circumstances. It somehow creates a spirit of gratefulness that overshadows present situations. Now don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t change how you I or the people here may feel when our world is crumbling. Those feelings are real and should not be diminished. Many people throughout history have cried out to God feeling just the same - disappointment, frustration, confusion, anxiety, heartache (Read Psalm 6 and 13). But at the same time, if you truly believe that God can save you from and out of all this – you WILL experience gratefulness and joy as well. Along with love, they are the truest, deepest, most lasting, rooted emotions that dwell in your heart when the Spirit of God is with you.

Hope, and Joy, but also Comfort… Living far away from my friends, my family, and my church has taught me to live day by day. Jesus is the God of all comfort and He promises never to leave, never to turn his back on us. He is always present, and will comfort all those who let Him. More and more I am finding this to be absolutely true in my life. And therefore, after experiencing this, how I wish that more would know the truth. That they themselves could be given new hope, new joy, new comfort – all of which will last for all eternity.

I realize that it may be impossible in a short blog to address such a huge and controversial topic, but it has been on my heart to write. I have actually recently acquired two different books that were written to address this question. Randy Alcorn’s “If God is Good Why Do We Hurt” and “The Problem of Pain” by CS Lewis.  I am sure these books will go so much deeper than I have even considered, but I do know this – Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

Chiang Mai FC – Nothing like professional sports to make you feel at home

I have now been to two professional soccer games since being here a few months. Soccer/Futbol throughout the world has such a huge following, and Thailand is no exception. Chiang Mai has its own team – ‘Chiang Mai FC’ – they aren’t very good, lost 10 out of the last 10 games they’ve played, but fun nonetheless J.

The last two times I have gone, it has literally been a little piece of home and reminds me of going to Timbers games in Portland. Just like home they have food (though the street vendors food tastes a bit different than at home), team colors, jerseys and random stuff for sale, and of course screaming crazy die-hard fans.

The game we went to a month or so ago was definitely a cultural experience. Though many things are the same, fans are even more intense (which is hard to imagine b/c Timbers fans in Oregon are pretty insane as it is). At the end of the game, we almost ran out thinking there was going to be a riot. The fans were convinced one of the referees was cheating and people were storming the front of the stands, threatening to come out on the field, people were throwing hundreds of water bottles out onto the field, and the whole situation was a bit crazy. We stayed back to be safe and eventually everyone calmed down. The mayor of Chiang Mai came out onto the field and fired the ref in front of everyone on the spot and then made a speech about how he would never let that happen again. Futbol - a very important political agenda J.

The game last night was so much fun. I went with Nhu, the house dad, and some of the other missionaries that are staying here. It had rained that afternoon and the field was soaked. The guys were literally sliding all over the place and splashing around. Then just after halftime it started raining again, not just a little drizzle – a full tropical monsoon. The athletes kept their heart and played in the puddles/wading pool all the way to the end– though I’m not quite sure it was the same game after the rain – the ball literally wouldn’t roll it would just float around the field and stop long before it normally would.

Don’t know what it is about sports, but attending these games really made me feel like I am a part of this community. Relaxing, playing around, having fun, and feeling “at home” in such a drastically different environment has really helped me settle into the reality of my life here. 

Hill Tribes

About 50% of the girls in R-Nhu’s childrens’ homes in Thailand come from the Hill Tribe villages in Northern Thailand. The villages have essentially a separate race – different ethnicity, language, and culture. I have been able to travel to a few different villages during my time here to help with some of the child interviews we do.

The villages provide such a contrast to life in the city here in Chiang Mai. Living in the second biggest city in Thailand, life often feels relatively comfortable. The city has markets, convenience stores, highways, and even luxuries if you are willing to pay. It is not America, but their economy is growing and doing alright. The hill tribes do not fall under that same description. Drive an hour or two outside the city, you begin to see what life is like for many people in this country. Grass huts with one-room homes, dirt roads, struggling to make a living and provide for your family.

These people are warm and welcoming, but many of them don’t speak Thai. The government doesn’t consider them Thai citizens even if they were born in the country and lived here their entire lives. The poverty is higher, the needs are greater, and it is easy to understand why these girls are at risk. People take advantage of the fact that they aren’t Thai citizens, that their family is barely making it. If anything goes wrong – a family illness or disability, a bad crop season or a big storm etc… it could be devastating.

 

After experiencing this firsthand, it reminds me exactly why I am here, why R-Nhu is here, and the importance of this cause. These children are precious, and when they are given a second chance, when their circumstances are altered, life will never be the same.  It is so easy to forget what is just under the surface, how fragile the balance is as they decide to come here. Grateful always for the reminder of how God has a plan for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11.

Songkran ~ Water Fighting to Celebrate the New Year

This post is REALLY late, and I again apologize for the delay in getting this up on the internet. I have told a few people now to keep me accountable in writing every weekend. So – as I post this, I am also uploading three others and will do my best to stay current from here on out. Thanks to all my faithful supporters for being patient with me! J

April 13-15th every year marks the Thai (and many parts of SE Asia due to the influence of the ‘Buddhist year’) New Years. To celebrate new years in times long past, the local people would travel to the temples to give offerings and be blessed by the monks. To symbolize their blessings and a cleansing ritual, the monks would pour a small cup of fragrant water on the person’s shoulder.

As with many holidays over the world – this tradition has morphed into something completely non-spiritual and Thai’s now celebrate new year by hosting the biggest most out of control water fight I have ever experienced. Everyone gets the entire week off of work (and school in my case), and on Thursday and Friday it is pretty much impossible to go anywhere without being soaked. I have been told that Chiang Mai’s party is even bigger than in other part’s of Thailand and that people come from all over Thailand – and foreigners come for the party. Furthermore, as a foreigner, you are a target for children who put ICE in their water to keep it freezing cold and pour it on you from big buckets or the super soakers that are sold in abundance all week.

Every few weeks I am given a weekend away from the Children’s home to get a mental and physical break. I requested that for April, I get the weekend of Songkran to see what all the fuss is about. J I stayed downtown in the heart of the city and on Friday met up with a group of about 10 other foreigners from all over the world. We walked all around the moat in Chiang Mai following the crowds of people. Imagine the number of people that flock into town for a parade, lining the streets, but instead of watching a parade, they literally are just soaking each other. Vendors come in in groves to host music stages and giveaways.

You learn very quickly to only travel in clothes that can be wet and to keep on you only your important belongings, preferably in a water proof pouch (also sold in abundance). In this picture it had just finished raining for an hour (it was about 75 deg). A little boy had just dumped an entire barrel (with the help of his friend) of freezing cold water over me, and then a guy walking buy added the chalk on my face – also a tradition coming from talcum powder that had been used to add fragrance to the water. Can you tell I am really cold!

Having fun, “soaking” up the culture here, and living life Thai style.

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!