On returning from our visa run to Kuala Lumpur, the Chile team was still at the base and a team had arrived from Australian. The base staff and teams had been invited to go to three schools, grades 1 - 6, in Chiang Kong; about an hour and a half drive north. Right on the border of Laos. The teams lead programs with the kids and our boys were showered with stickers and candies for Valentines Day. Different languages didn't stop anyone from having a great time.
In the Chile team's last week we did a few afternoons of bible distribution. One home we went to on the last trip had three women, likely three generations, who invited us onto their deck. Before you know it glasses of ice water came out, tomatoes from the garden and bunches of fresh bananas. While our group had no Thai speakers, with hand gestures and crazy antics from the boys, we were able to spend about 20 minutes together. On the way home we saw one of the ladies explaining to her neighbour how to read the Bible we had left for her. It was such a great experience.
Sadly, the time had come to say goodbye to our beloved friends. Having them with us every day for two months, they had become part of our Thailand family. I have never met a group of people who were always so eager to do whatever job they were assigned, and always with a smile. We had them over for one last family dinner before they left, and were blessed by their love, service, and prayers. (Emmett looks at your pictures Friends every time he comes into the dinning hall.)
On the home front, our mornings have become more structured. As I am a highly qualified, competent homeschool teacher, I have taken in another student! Our friends and neighbours asked if their three year old son, Sadudee, could join us Monday and Tuesday mornings for school. Um... yes? What's another kid when you already have three littles ones, right?! This has forced me to be more organized in my school planning. Oscar is now more involved, before he and Emmett ran wild while I tried to work with Isaac. We do more crafts and snacks, and I'm learning to relax if it all falls apart and ends with crying children!
One of the most rewarding homeschooling outcomes has been seeing Isaac learn how to read! He's not quite able to take over bedtime stories, but watching him sound out words and have many more sight words under his belt has been amazing!
We joined a playgroup that meets every Wednesday which has been so good for the boys to have new friends to play with, and for me to have mamas to hang out with.
Bum (pronounced boom), and Alee, Sadudee's parents, have had us all over for lunch a few times and have been great friends and mentors in Thai culture. Bum also gave me a Thai cooking lesson! I can't wait to share my new skills with you all when we get home.
We had two weeks of no teams on base in the beginning of March; a nice change of pace. Time to recover from the business of the previous two months, and spend time as staff to pray for God's direction in ministry. It was great to spend time together learning, praying and planning for the future.
Monday we filled back up again and the best part is it was people from home! A team from South Abbotsford Church arrived for two weeks of work projects and Bible distribution. On Wednesday a team from MEI, Rob and my old high school came too! While we only knew a few people on these teams, there's something extra special about people coming from home. We were back out with both teams doing bible distribution, the excitement tired Emmett right out.
Friday was Emmett's birthday, my littlest one is now two! He was excited to be awoken by his brothers singing happy birthday, and for cards to open from both sets of Grandparents.
He got sung to again at lunch and received a cake from the staff.
Then that evening had a birthday dinner at the base. We cooked his favourite foods, french fries and hot dogs. The South Abbotsford Church team made the best possible birthday dinner food; Rollkucken and watermelon. A classic Mennonite summertime meal! It was amazing.
One more week with the South Abbotsford Team, and the MEI team leaves tomorrow.
We are excited for what we will get to participate in these last five weeks. While we are looking forward to going home and reconnecting with those we miss, we know there is still so much more in store for us here. We may not know all that lies ahead, but we do know it will be above 35 degrees.
(Super dad made the boys a tire swing!)
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