I returned to the States on Thursday and want to share about the last few days in Thailand and perhaps some summary thoughts.
First of all, its 5 am here. I did pretty well sleeping the first three nights, but last night sleep and me just couldn't find each other. I went to bed around midnight and have been up since 2:30. I did forget to take Melatonin, so I am contributing the short night to that.
Our trip to Doi Chang was beautiful. The village is way up in the mountains. On this day, the clouds were hanging low and would swiftly drift about and through us. It was an incredible sight. Another incredible sight was the construction of the cafe Pastor Pat is building.(I posted pics on my FB page). A year ago, Bria and I stood on that land and prayed for all that God was going to do here. Today, the building is well on its way, stopped only by the lack of funds. Pat dreams of having a cafe where he can train and employ his village people. He will be able to roast his coffee and teach others. He plans to use this business to share the Gospel and to help his people earn an income. He has a room for conferences, an office, the processing plant behind the building all being worked on. His vision is clear, his passion complete and his trust in God full! He is able to preach a couple of times a month and hopes to be able to do more once this place is up and running.
After touring the site, we went to his family home for coffee of course. Coffee making here is quite the art and cannot be rushed. I had three different cups of coffee. One was an Americana with a little milk and froth with an some beautiful latte art, the second was a pour over, and the third, my favorite, was an iced coffee with homey. But this wasn't just any honey. This was special honey found only on the side of the cliffs in the mountain. The bees that produce this honey pollinate a white flower that gives this honey the most unique and delicious flavor I have ever tasted, and I eat Amish honey regularly. I couldn't believe the taste which I wouldn't even begin to describe. It made me wonder though if the honey in the "Land Flowing with Milk and Honey" tasted like this. It was certainly heavenly! Pat's cafe will be the only one on the mountain to serve this drink.
We also enjoyed once again interacting with Pat's grandmother. She is such a delight. She reminds me of Miss Mary Misner, for those of you who know her. Always smiling, always giving, and always pulling things out of her bag that surprise you. Need a knife, no problem, pair of scissors, it's in there, snacks, absolutely. Their bags are small but bottomless! After finishing our visit, we headed to a place where we were served traditional Akha food. Very yummy!
Upon returning, I wanted to stop by Grace Place and say goodbye to the kids and staff and to give the staff some gifts that I brought for them. It was a bitter sweet time of just sitting with the kids and staff, enjoying just being together and then saying goodbye.
On Tues morning the GROW children were excitedly making jewelry. I was able to bring some home, but Faa will bring more with her this summer. They are beautiful. I did bring some handmade cards home with me. When we went to leave for CM, one of the boys was in the back of the truck. He said he was going with me to see Pi Zac. He's been having Pi Zac withdrawal. So after removing him, Faa and headed back to CM.
Tues and Wed we did some shopping, Faa had a couple of dr. appointments. We, saw Maat and bought some blue herbal tea she made for me, stopped by to say goodbye to Tutu, Pastor Mike and Jerry who was still there, met with Mimie, had dinner on the 24th floor of a hotel overlooking the city, took a quick shower, and headed to the airport Wed night for my midnight flight to Seoul.
I met some wonderful people on the way home, had great conversations, slept a little and finally arrived in Cleveland Thur afternoon. Once home, I jumped right back in to life. Val was at the end of her spring break, and we had wedding invitation to create, dinner to eat, then off to kickboxing with Val, more wedding planning, catching up with Tim and hearing how Zac's trip home alone and first week back had gone. Then it was time for a must needed night's sleep.
It's interesting how each of my trips take on a theme. If you've followed my blogs in the past, I have mentioned this. This year was a trip of goodbyes it seemed. I realized that many of the kids our church sponsors are growing up, graduating and moving on. It was then I realized I wouldn't get to see some of them this trip. Several will be graduating between now and the next two years. One couple at GROW said goodbye at the end of March as the husband with his family goes on to pursue his dream and passion of being a pastor. We had developed a friendship with them these past three years and hope to be able to visit them in CM next year. And so on. So my heart has been heavy and very full. I am so thankful for the opportunity to know these people that are moving on. They all have enriched my life, challenged my thinking and given me so much love. Farwells aren't forever for those who are in Christ though. It is that truth that I hold onto as we say our goodbyes, entrusting them into God's hands.
Thank you for following my updates here. I hope to have brought you into my experiences a little, informed you on what's happening here so you can rejoice with us as well as pray for the work here. It is never easy, but oh so worth it.
Jeana Harley
