Over and Back Again

We traveled 18,000+ miles, sat in airplanes for 30+ hours, stayed in 11 different homes, shared in 6 churches and 4 homes, visited with people for 40+ hours that should have been spent in bed, and spent countless hours sharing one on one with people–all in less than one month. In some ways it’s hard to believe that it was just over a month ago that we left Thailand, and here we are once again on Thai soil with our dear Karen people. Not that many years ago, it would have taken most of that time just to get there. We’re thankful that it doesn’t have to take that long anymore, but we did conclude that they probably didn’t have to deal with jet-lag like we do.

Our time with family and friends was truly a blessing. While many people told us how much they were blessed to hear about the work over here, we were also greatly encouraged as we saw their interest. And by God’s grace, some of that interest has resulted in active support of the work here. We continue to pray that God will lead those that felt the call to spend some time over here. God, so much better than we, knows just who should be here.

You may be wondering, as have many others, why our time in America was so short. There were several factors in our decision. For one we were originally planning on starting school in May rather than in June as we are now planning. Also with a new school year often comes the need for new teachers. In the past we have had to leave the work of finding new teachers to our teachers. This method however does not always result in bringing the kind of teachers that we need. With God’s help, we hope to be more involved in the work of looking for new teachers (at this point we need at least two). In addition to that task, there is much other work to be done that, if done before school starts, will make things a bit easier to handle. We’ll admit that another reason was our attachment to the people here. It’s just hard to leave so many dear people behind. . . .

Another question that has been asked us numerous times over the last few months was if we were going to come back. When we first came, we told people that we planned to be here at least three years–though in our minds it was an indefinite commitment. Those three years are nearly completed, but by no means is the work finished. In some ways we feel like it has only begun. It takes time to learn a language, build solid relationships, and adjust to doing something unfamiliar in an unfamiliar environment. So until God indicates we should do otherwise, we are committed and thrilled to be working here.

So here we are in the warm, balmy, smoky mountains of Thailand. Hot season is in full swing–but so is mango season. :) It’s good to be home.