January 30, 2006

No worries

As I walked by a table where three 5-year-olds were having a conversation, I overheard one say, “Heaven is where no worries.” I moved on so that they could continue uninterrupted, and I thought how lovely. The child was a Korean missionary child. Her English was not perfect, but she was able to communicate. My mind has gone back to that simple thought several times since I heard it. I take a deep breath from time to time and think that thought. It is so easy to get on a worry track.

With two months of relatively dry weather and cooler temperatures, normalcy has returned to Chiang Mai. After three damaging floods before October 2005, there is now a lot of activity that we hope will prevent severe flood damage next year. The river is being dredged and truckloads of sand are being carried away. Cement walls and steps are being constructed in low areas. Many places that were in the path of the water have a neater, cleaner look than ever before. One of those places is First Thai Church. Members and friends have rallied to clean out the mud and debris that had filled the low area. A new building project is now underway. This will raise and strengthen the lowest area, which is mainly used for funeral services and church meals.

The school year is now half over. The arrival of a new student from England brings my total to eighteen. It will take time for her to feel part of the group even though the others are being helpful. She had been home-schooled, and a full day away from her mom is still hard for her.

International Day will be our next school celebration. This takes place February 24. Students will dress in their country’s representative outfits, and parents will set up areas representing their home countries with books, flags, posters, information, and food. Students will have time to visit all these places and sample the foods. In the afternoon, there will be an assembly that will include dances and songs from these ten countries. It is wonderful to see the children’s pride in their home countries and to watch them enjoy each others’ home countries.

This year Easter comes during our April break. It is the hottest time of the year, and everybody needs a break badly by then. Some folks retreat to the mountains where there are breezes and lower temperatures, and others head to the beach. I will be visiting former mission friends in New Zealand and exploring Christchurch. It will be cool since it will be fall in the Southern Hemisphere. When I return, the Songkron Festival will be going on. This is three-day holiday celebrated by having water thrown on you wherever you go. It is not unusual to see people in pickup trucks with 55-gallon drums filled with water in their beds. They drive around splashing everyone they can get near to.

Chiang Mai International School is now planning for next year. Usually teachers come for a two-year contract. The administration is looking for replacements now. Since teachers are hired from overseas, this is no easy task. If you know of anyone interested in a teaching position overseas in a wonderful school, you can check out the CMIS’s Web site.

Thank you for your Christmas letters and cards. It was great to hear from so many of you and get caught up a bit. I hope this finds each of you well and enjoying life.

My best to you,

Michal

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 122