| September 28, 2005
Dear Friends,
Today I sit watching the tail of Hurricane Ophelia whip the city
with rain and wind. The effects here in Myrtle Beach, where I
am staying for itineration, will not be ruinous, but we are still
praying that the people in the city of Wilmington will be safe.
Water, water, everywhere
Since Christmas it has seemed to be the year of water destruction.
I was safely in the northern mountains when the tsunami struck
Thailand, and because I was without radio or television, you probably
saw and heard more of the terrible news than I did. Still, the
heartaches caused by the tsunami were part of the headlines in
every Thai newspaper for the next three months. In late March,
I came to the United States for interpretation assignment. The
beaches near my Dad’s home seemed benevolent and beautiful
until the television and radio programs all focused on the horrors
of Hurrricane Katrina.
Just before Katrina struck the Gulf coast, I learned that my
house in Thailand had filled up with three feet of water one Sunday
morning while the current occupants were at church. Chiang Mai
was having its worst flood in 40 years. When I return in late
October, I will have a major sorting and tossing job, because
the room that was flooded in my split-level house was my office.
My office has filing cabinets, a large desk, and floor-to-ceiling
bookshelves, where I kept forms, documents, books, music, lesson
materials and I can’t remember what else. Certainly, I have
little reason to complain for myself; other people have lost lives,
jobs, and property in the many water tragedies of 2005. If God
is keeping all the people’s tears in a jar, as Psalm 56
so poetically petitions, then we must pray that those salty tears
never be released on the earth.
Tears too
Speaking of tears, my mother lost her battle with cancer and
passed away in late September 2004. I returned home for the memorial
service and a short time with my family. The good people of First
Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach, Covenant Towers Adult Community,
and so many of Mom’s friends from clubs in the city were
most helpful and comforting. When I went back to Thailand, it
was hard to believe that my mother had really left this earth.
My mind and life were quickly filled with teaching, performances,
and Christmas celebrations. Since I came back to the United States,
I have had more time to share memories of my mother with family
and friends in Myrtle Beach and Indiana. How grateful I am for
my mother’s 78 years on this earth. I am happy to report
that my dad is adjusting well to life as a widower, and he is
living in a very supportive community.
Performances
Last year, I returned to Chiang Mai in time to play two performances
with the newly formed Chiang Mai Symphony Orchestra, a volunteer
group organized and directed by Sompong Wongdii, our string instructor
at Payap University. I was honored to play Mozart’s Concerto
for Flute and Harp with the orchestra and my harpist friend, Judi
Utley. I was also pleased to plan and play in a concert that involved
just Judi, a former Payap flute student, and me. I have been proud
to have my current and former students performing in many prestigious
concerts for the university, in Bangkok, and in Chiang Mai.
Cell group
Last school year (June 2004 - March 2005), I was grateful for
the growth and strengthening of the small cell group of Christian
music majors that meets weekly at my house. Occasionally we were
able to attract some non-Christian students to the meetings also.
One particularly moving meeting came in August when I invited
all of the music majors to attend and help us share memories of
a first-year student who had died in a car accident. Although
we had all attended her funeral services, I felt like the students
needed a time to speak and share with each other. It wasn’t
enough, I felt, just to listen to the church officials (both Buddhist
and Christian) who had spoken at the services. These interactions
have helped the students trust me as a confidant and have helped
the Christian students strengthen each other in their faith. I
am pleased to report that the cell group has continued during
my absence.
Plans and prayers
In the month that remains of my itineration assignment, I will
be speaking at churches in Virginia and Michigan, as well as making
several local presentations in Myrtle Beach. I will return to
Chiang Mai at the end of October. Please pray that I will be able
to pick up where I left off at Payap University, quickly learning
the names of the new freshmen, clearing my house of the flooded
items, and teaching again with renewed vigor, both music and the
Christian way. Thank you for all your support.
Truly,
Annette
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
121
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