Even though we were told that
the house probably would not be on the auction bill the bank refused
to assure us that we would be safe in leaving the country for
any extended period of time. And so we cut our stay in the United
States short, leaving many of you, perhaps, perplexed and confused.
For that we are truly sorry.
We did return home to Thailand find that the house had not been
sold. But we were not back two weeks when another man showed up
to tell us that he was interested in purchasing the house, which
our landlord was now selling on the open market. To make a long
story short: we now have a new landlord. By the grace of God this
new landlord has agreed to allow us to stay the three years of
our lease (although he has made it known that he would like to
move in as soon as we feel comfortable in leaving). Unfortunately
for him the previous landlord refused to give him credit on the
sale price for the three month security deposit she had received
from us and the August rental payment we had already made to her.
To his credit, he waived August’s rent payment and assured
us that he would make good on the full three-month security deposit
at the conclusion of our lease. Praise God.
Next came more blessing: the new landlord has agreed to repair
the leaky roof, paint the entire outside of the house, finish
the fence/wall around the yard (to keep the dog in), to restore
much of the house that was eaten by termites (and provide termite
services to ensure it doesn’t happen again), repair and
redecorate several rooms in the house, (including the kitchen),
provide a garage door, and, in short, do what needs to be done
in the next year or two to make it comfortable for him to move
in when we are ready to move out. He has also made overtures to
buy all of our furniture when we do move out.
What might surprise you is that this landlord is a retired American
businessman. What means a lot to us is that it is easier for both
parties to communicate their respective needs, desires, and expectations
and when we do we are assured that both of us understand each
other. The surprising thing for me (Glen), has been the disappointment
in realizing that I might actually consider something like this
saga a challenge. It reminds me that I am too comfortable where
I am, doing what I am doing.
The Lord has always been a constant source of hope and comfort
in these somewhat uncertain times. Even more, however, do I continue
to agonize over the question of our comfort amidst a world in
turmoil. On this anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I also call
to mind (mine and yours) the hungry and the hurting, the oppressed
and the insecure the world over. I ask you to join the Hallead
family in prayer that those who do not have the benefits of living
in relatively safe countries like Thailand or the United States
may rest in the security they may find in Christ. I am constantly
reminded of the Kenyan man who said to me, “You fear because
you have so much to lose (materially). I have no fear because
all that I have (Jesus) cannot be taken away.” And I ask
myself (and you too to consider) “how much of my perceived
hope, safety, and security is wrongly placed in governments or
my own strength and not placed firmly in the one by whom all governments
and persons will someday be judged.”
In the midst of the relative comfort and safety of Thailand our
heart goes out to nations such as Kenya, which is in the midst
of rebuilding. We covet your prayers for the new leadership of
the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. We hope and pray that
you, being rooted and established in love, will join with all
of those of us the world over who always keep before us the call
of the Lord and seek to be faithful in all that we do.
May Lord richly bless you with the security that can be found
in God alone!
Glen, Carol, Zach, Natalie, Jacob, and Caleb Hallead
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
184 |
