Reflecting on Relationships…

There are so many positive things about “being on the mission field” and in particular about living overseas. However, I think the few negatives can sometimes be just a wee bit overwhelming for kids in particular. I really feel it is important to write about this particular negative first, as it may pertain to so many who might read this blog.

While driving one of Tim’s friends back to his home last week, I learned something very interesting from him. Tim’s friend is from the Philippines. He moved away with his parents to live here in Chiang Mai when he was just a little boy. After spending time in Thailand, his family moved to Virginia in the US for three years. Now he is back in Thailand with another move planned for the States next year. One difference between his family and ours is that we attempt to stay in contact with family and friends not simply from our hometown but from around the world. His family does not. When they left the Philippines, they left. When they left the States, they left. He hasn’t gone back to visit and he doesn’t keep in touch with those he left behind and it doesn’t seem to phase him either.

Our family, on the other hand, does attempt to stay in contact. However, I have begun to feel that our simple words may appear very empty with such a big distance of geography between us. There is too much to put on paper. Emails are great, but we have to work hard to keep them meaningful and personal when there are so many people we want desperately to keep in touch with.

I remember how hard it was for me, as a kid, to write thank you notes that were real to my grandmas, aunts, uncles and stay in touch with my cousins. It wasn’t that I wasn’t thankful or that I was unappreciative or didn’t want to write, but even at a young age I think that I didn’t want my words to come across phony or in a way that I couldn’t express.

Well, to some extent, I think our kids have those same feelings and with the large number of special relationships, I think they feel overwhelmed in trying to maintain relationships from a distance. So when I suggest they write a letter or email, particularly for the younger ones, the “what to say?” issue is so big. Then there are the emotions that are stirred every time letters are written or phone calls made. The emotions are sometimes more that can be bared. I began thinking the other day how long the kids have been doing this. Paul was just four when his world was rocked, and then and again at seven and eight. These experiences develop feelings which turn into habits which contribute to actions…that are sometimes hard to explain.

I am thankful for each of our long distance relationships! At the same time, we must consider how to balance developing new relationships in our new location with keeping in touch with our long distance relationships. This is a balancing act not a substitution!!!

Please pray for our children and their relationships when almost all their most important people in the whole world live so far away.

Shades of Grey

This is a quote from a "Thai in English" online news source.
Despite the demonstrated public distaste for military coups and military rule, one year of political impasse and deteriorating confidence in the prime minister developed into a situation where the public could view the military as a possible protector of the country's hard-won democratic reforms. http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24899

Growing up in the "good ol' USA" I never gave much thought to military coups, let alone ever thinking they could actually be viewed as a "good thing". However, after seeing on the Thai news today that people were actually giving soldiers food and drink and roses and a wai as well…that is the hands-together-in-front-of-the-face-sign-of-respect-thing, my ideas are changing.

I spent some time this afternoon with Scott's assistant, Jick, (after she got my email back to normal) discussing the politics of the day. From what I can gather, I think most people are glad that the Prime Minister has been ousted. They say he was TOO corrupt. From what I have learned, every politician here is viewed as corrupt…but he went over the top. No good person would dare to be in politics! This idea leads me to the topic of "Shades of Grey". According to the book, "Asia-A Christian Perspective" by Mary Ann Lind, one of the seven major cultural differences between Asia and the West is the way in which moral and ethical standards are viewed. In the West, rights and wrongs are absolutes. (Or at least have been until recent years.) This is actually traced back to the Judeo-Christian foundations that influenced Western law. Now, as a Westerner, this idea is sort of just a part of our general knowledge and usually we don't give it much thought. However, while living in Asia, I have begun to see these differences on a daily basis...whether it be how people drive, do their work, or run their government. Even Scott and I have altered our driving substantially since being here...with the words..."Thai Style".

I have learned that is illegal to pay voters for their votes here...yet politicians actually go into the villages and hand out cash for votes and no one thinks bad of him because he has the power. They say it could take up to a year to restore democracy here in Thailand...but has this "buying votes" been their view of democracy all along? The interesting thing is, contemplating these "strange views" while living here, has caused me to critique my "home country ways" a bit more closely. How do the "Western" countries "buy"their votes? Does America really have democracy all wrapped up or do we want to only think we do? Please don't get me wrong, I love the country where I was born. However, the daily exposure to things contrary to the way one has always thought, causes me to get the collander out and sift some of my views a bit.

Kinda like a couple of days ago when I made popcorn and found all these weavles in the popcorn jar. The collander came in real handy as I sifted those little nasty critters to their drowning death and the popcorn was still good. Yes, Mom and Dad, we are still using our Indiana crank for popping and loving it!!!

"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:4

SNOW DAY IN SEPTEMBER

I went to bed a little late and woke up to a phone call at Midnight from my mom wanting to know how I was...well, I was asleep. After jarring my brain to discover more, I realized there had been a military coup. I dismissed it and figured it probably wouldn't affect us this far north. After all, we are about a solid 10 hour drive from Bangkok and that is where the action is. Four hours later I received a text message from a friend in Melbourne, Australia...same thing letting us know of their concern and prayers for our family as they had just heard of the coup. Ok...well wake up time was just around the corner and I wasn't getting any more sleep as I was very awake. The least I can do is turn the TV on and see what's up.

Turn the TV on...I did. The channels that I normally find BBC and CNN had stuff about the King of Thailand...hmmm. They kept showing the same stuff. Would they really block the paid cable stations? I logged on to the internet and began searching. Just a few stories and a little information. But enough to tell me they had declared Martial Law for the country and that schools and banks were closed throughout the country. What does Martial Law mean here in Thailand? Would our kids have school? I was supposed to help with swim lessons for Matthew and Paul's PE classes today.

With Scott in Singapore, I texted him at 5:30am and asked him to check an email I had sent to him with questions...perhaps he knew more being outside the country. Dawn was closer and I was hoping some friends of mine from school would be up with their kids. I made the calls...and woke them up at 6:15am...they knew nothing. Our friends have lived here MANY years...and through many coups. They informed me that these used to happen every 2 years usually without much hoopla. However, there hasn't been one since 1992 and it was a bit more intense.

Matthew was telling me about 3 weeks ago how much he missed winter and snow and the possibility of having snow days. I told him that I did too. We waited for our friends to call us back with news about school. The call came through and much to our surprise and delight we were actually not having school...I told the kids that we were having a snow day.

Well, we don't know how this Military Coup will shake out. You all have more access to the news than I do so I won't bore you with repeating those details. We are trusting in the Lord as we know "He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing." Isaiah 40:23

I will share that I am set to leave for Singapore on Friday as Scott and I will attend a YFC wedding there. It is a bit strange to think of leaving the kids here at this time...but they are in good hands. We will re-assess closer to the time should I need to stay and Scott come home sooner. So...all this to say, we are fine and enjoying the results of the snow for what it is worth in Chiang Mai. At present, it is business as usual and we will wait to see if a blizzard develops.