Thailand Highlights

(For some reason there are formatting issues... sorry about that, and bless you for struggling through!)

Watching the faces of the parents as the children sang during the closing program. I was on stage, so I had the perfect vantage point to see their expressions of pride and delight… and the sparkling array of camera flashes!

Leading about 160-180 children of missionaries in worship everyday. Several of these children gave their hearts to Christ during the week!

Using songs I’d written during the worship time. I wasn’t sure which songs would work best, so I brought a whole stack with me--songs we sing in church, traditional favorites like “Jesus Loves Me” and “The B-I-B-L-E”, VBS favorites, and some I’d written. I was so excited during a prep meeting when it was agreed that my songs conveyed the meaning of the lessons the best!

Hearing over and over “Thank-you for coming from the US to teach our children!! They look forward to this conference all year. It’s the only time they get to play with other American kids.”

Getting to know servants of the Lord from all over Asia, many of whom are making great sacrifices to spread God’s love.

Feeling like a celebrity walking through the hotel and Night Bazaar as children excitedly pointed at me and introduced me to their parents. Each child is so special!!

Leading our team of nine women in prayer and reflection as we went through this journey together.

”Talking” with Kaye, the hotel staff worker in charge of my classroom. After I found out he knew some English (he sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads” for me!), I asked him if he understood what we had been telling the children. He said, “Oh, yes! I love God and read my Bible!” I gave him the Jesus Film on DVD which he received with great joy.

Spending time with Mee at the night market. A kindred spirit, Mee makes Christmas tree balls out of yarn and thread which are beautiful. She explained how she makes her ornaments and we talked together twice. I was surprised to find out that she can write English and even has email! (More on another post.)

Getting to know Teerapol, a young man on his first business trip to the US, on the long flight from Bangkok to NYC. He had a book of English phrases for businessmen, so I asked if he needed help. We talked about the difference between Thai and US foods, customs, driving, etc. He wrote the names of each of our team members in Thai, and I gave him the Jesus Film on DVD. He graciously accepted it and mentioned that he has a Christian friend in Thailand.

Holding Owen (10 months) during the long flight to Thailand, so his mother could eat her meals. Although she didn’t want to know how to receive Christ, I prayed for Owen while I held him… that he would grow into a strong man of God and serve the Lord.

Riding an elephant! I went with our team just to be a good sport, but found that I loved it!!

Worshiping with Thai believers Sunday morning. We sang the English words to the tunes we recognized as they sang the Thai words. This is what I imagine heaven will be like! All languages being used to praise God! J And the pastor’s message on “Love is Patient” was perfect timing on the day before our 32-hour journey home. (Photo taken outside the church.)

Please continue to pray for the missionaries who attended the conference, the children who received Christ, Teerapol, Kaye, Mee, the Thai believers, Owen and his mom, and our team. That all of us would walk closer to Jesus today than we did yesterday.

Mee and I

After working with the children all day, we went to the night bazaar several times. The sidewalk on both sides of the road was lined with two rows of portable metal stalls leaving enough room for one person to walk down the center of the walk. With people going both ways there was no room for personal space! Just stopping to look at a vendor's wares caused a major traffic jam. And since buying something requires a lengthy dance of haggling over the price-- squishing, jostling, and sucking it in only begin to describe the effects of the press of the crowd.

My first potential transaction just about sent me back to our hotel. A gorgeous skirt hung up high in a shop along the sidewalk. Just looking at it was enough for me to be noticed by an eager vendor who suddenly broke into a steady stream of halting monotone English-- "Hello Madam! Best price for you! Tell me best price!" I asked her how much, and in the pause of trying to remember the exchange rate, convert Bahts into dollars, and evaluate whether it was a good deal, I was hit by a barrage of more broken English and also advice from my teammates about how to figure Bahts to dollars, how to bargain her down, etc. My introverted personality wanted quiet so I could think, but my hesitation just made it worse. In confusion and frustration I walked away without the skirt still being assaulted by the Thai woman's sales techniques.


That first night got better as I learned the rhythm of offer - counter offer and grew more comfortable with the exchange rate. I found another skirt I liked later and successfully made a good deal all by myself (although I didn't like it as much as the first). I kept meaning to return to the first place, but we didn't get back that far. I never saw the beginning or ending of the bazaar. It seemed endless.

Our meeting place every night became a small plaza in front of McDonald's. There was open space in which to gather (ahh!), and the brightly lit sign towering above the booths was our homing beacon in the sea of confusion... and there was a clean western bathroom (although it cost 5B to use it!)

I didn't notice her or her merchandise the first night, but during a rendezvous under the yellow and red neon the second night, Kristen called my attention to her beautiful Christmas ornaments. We had been talking about tree ornaments earlier that day, so I went over to investigate, even though I was pretty sure I didn't want to buy any. After a brief look, however, I knew I had to have one!

While I waited for Kristen to get her "best price" for the two she wanted, I selected the prettiest small one, made in the reds-greens-and-golds of Christmas. I went small because I heard the prices she gave Kristen-- not cheap! As I admired the exceptional needlework, I knew (and so did the vendor, I think!) that I HAD to have such a pretty thing even if it was more expensive than most of the other things I had purchased. Most of the wares at the bazaar were cheaply made things for tourists manufactured in who-knows-where! But this ball was a work of art, handmade by the woman sitting in front of me. The perfect memento of my trip.



Soon everyone in our group also wanted an ornament exactly like the one I found. (That happened many times--- I'd find something cool, then everyone also had to have one. I guess I'm a trend-setter! Ya, right!) Of course, mine was the last one she had like it, but the woman agreed to make enough for our group and bring them to our hotel by 5pm the next day, since we didn't think we would be coming to the night bazaar again. We all paid for our ornaments, then arranged for a sang-taw (enclosed small pickup with benches in back) trip back to the hotel.

Since the conference was finished, we spent Saturday at the elephant camp and other touristy spots. (Maybe I'll write about them later.) When we returned to the hotel, we checked at the hotel desk and found the bag of ornaments with a hand-written note-- in English. The woman who made them spoke rather good English, superior English compared to most night bazaar vendors and my Thai! I wondered if she wrote the note, or simply spoke to the hotel clerk who could have written it for her. Since we had gotten back to early from our sight-seeing, four of us decided to take yet another trip-- our third-- to the night bazaar. None of us wanted to stay very late... but by the time we each found what we were looking for, it was very late!

My purpose in going back was to see if the "ornament lady" was still there. I had remembered someone back home that I wanted to get a special gift for, and her ornaments would do perfectly. Besides, I wanted to see if she had written the note. If she could read and write English (quite an accomplishment, since Thai uses a completely different alphabet!) I could get her address and order some ornaments through the mail. I knew there would be others I would want to give such a beautiful gift to in the future. I waited for the others to do lots of shopping before finally getting back to the McDonald's plaza... and there she was!

Right away I asked if she was the one who had written the note. She said she had, and yes, she would give me her address and do business through the mail. She would even give me her email address if that was easier! I never thought a street vendor would have email... silly me! Because I was a return customer, she gave me a tiny ball keychain she had made the same way as the ornaments which was displayed on a card where she wrote her email address. It wasn't until this point that I asked her name. "Mee," she said. "It means bear. A few years ago a friend gave me the new name because my hair is dark and I am tall-- big, like a bear," she smiled.

As the rest of the group sat on the steps in front of Mee's booth, she invited me to sit down next to her on a stool low to the ground while she made a hanging loop on the new ornament I had chosen. We talked for almost half an hour. She answered my many questions about how she made the ornaments. She said, and I believe her since I didn't see anything like her wares, that she is the only one who makes these balls because it is difficult and time-consuming. I know if we lived closer we would probably be good friends. Our love for quality handmade needlework, beauty, and pattern/symmetry, I think would only be the beginning of what we have in common. I could tell by talking with her that we think alike and have similar personalities. I know our time through email won't be as nice as in-person visits would be, but I'm looking forward to the developing relationship between Mee and me.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! We arrived home from Thailand on Monday after being awake for about 48 hours with only a couple of 2-3 hour naps. I adjusted back to Eastern Standard Time very well, but was really tired for a couple of days. Reentry is going fine, just very busy, which is why it's taken so long to write to you. :-)


(Above: Just a few more hours to go before landing in Indy right before the blizzard of the decade. My feet were SO swollen from sitting so long in airplanes!)

I was a little nervous about the journey home because our team leader was staying in Thailand for another conference. As co-leader, I had to make sure we got home. I counted to seven many, many times to make sure I had everyone. But by your prayers and God's grace we arrived home without incident!

You'd probably like to know what happened on the last day of the conference since I asked you to pray for the children and Mrs. Susan as she presented the Gospel to the children. Even though most of the children are from missionary families, several made commitments to Jesus! On Thursday Mrs. Susan told one of the younger groups that she was going to give them an opportunity to ask Jesus to come into their hearts the next day. One little girl raised her hand and said, "Mrs. Susan, that's a long time to wait!" So, of course, Mrs. Susan led her and a couple of others in a prayer to receive Jesus right then! The next day there were several others. How sweet to be able to get a glimpse of the Holy Spirit working!

I'm sure you'd also like to know what happened regarding the closing program for the parents. I worked on putting together a program using the songs we sang during the week. (They were all ones I'd written, by the way. Mrs. Susan suggested I use them since they went to well with what she was teaching-- very cool to be used this way!!) I worked on it during breaks in between classes, lunchtime, and in the evenings. Although I worked on it constantly (and the other ladies got to do some fun things without me!) I wasn't stressed and had enough time to put it together. (Thanks for praying!!) Up until just moments before we were supposed to go on stage, I was working with teachers to make sure they knew what they were supposed to do. Since the parents had sessions in the main conference room where we were to perform, we weren't able to do a dress rehearsal, and the teachers had to get groups off and on stage at the right times. Way before the last child was in place, the camera flashes sparkled in the audience. Some parents were noticeably crying, and others, I'm sure had a tear ready to fall. The children did a great job! What a blessing it was for the parents to watch their children on stage-- something they don't get to do in the countries where they serve. And what a blessing for me to hear songs God has given me coming "back at me" as they praised Him!

During the cleanup, three of the conference board members asked me if I would consider coming back next year. I told them I'd love to if God wants me to... and I'd love to even if He doesn't (but of course, I wouldn't!) So we'll see.
This is the last official "Thailand" email I'll be sending out, but I'll continue to share stories about my time there on my blog a couple times a week until I run out of things to say. Be sure to go there to see photos of the closing program! (cathyhowie.blogspot.com) Thanks again, for serving the Lord with me and ministering to these missionary families. They were SO grateful! I knew we were serving these families, but I had no idea how much it would mean to them! I felt like our childcare role was a supporting one, but in talking with the parents, it was THE most important one for them. Many said their children REALLY look forward to this conference every year. Our group provided most of the childcare staff. Without us, without you sending me, the conference would not have happened. The goal of the group sponsoring the conference is to provide these families with what they need to educate their children, so they can stay on the mission field. You were a key part of that this year.

Thanks from them... and thanks from me! It was a pleasure serving with you!!

lots of love,
cathy

Around the World...
... in 64 hours, more or less.

(I know it's been awhile since I added anything new here, but I was without Internet access for a bit. I'll tell you about the end of our journey, then add something new every day or so about the days I didn't write.)

We began our journey home at 5pm in Chiang Mai. 32 hours later we were back on Indiana soil. The really cool thing about the trip home is that we continued around the world. When we traveled to Thailand we went over the northern Atlantic. On the way home we continued East, flying over the north Pacific. The not-so-cool part about the flights is how l--o--n--g it took! I don't think I got more than 6 or 7 hours, taken in 1-2 hour naps, over those 32 hours. And my feet swelled up like pudgy balloons! This is Wednesday, and they're still swollen.

I sat next to a young businessman from Thailand making his first trip to the US. That leg of the trip was 18 hours long, so there was plenty of time to get to know him! Most of the time we compared the US and Thai cultures. He asked questions about life in the US, and I tried to give him a crash course in what to expect. Teerapol (TEE-rah-pole) was very friendly and made the long trip interesting. He told me what I was eating during the three Thai meals we had on the plane, and I tried to tell him that American food tastes very different in the US than what is served in Thailand! :-) I'm sure he's figured that out by now.

I also tried to explain snow since after his meetings in Orlando, he'll be spending a day in New York City the end of this week. By the way, I'm REALLY glad the blizzard came to Indiana when it did... a day earlier and we'd be stuck in New York! As it turned out, we've had two snow days following the day we got home which has made for a nice time to decompress!

Toward the end of the flight, I asked Teerapol if he would like the Jesus Film on DVD. He took it gladly. His English was very minimal, and my Thai is non-existent, so the DVD is the only way I can tell him about Jesus. I'm so glad I brought some with me, and that I had the foresight to keep a couple for the trip home. (I left a handful in Thailand with a new friend.)

So I'm home. I'll write some more each day about the highlights of the trip. It was GREAT!!! Talk to you tomorrow! (

Sorry there isn't a photo. I can't get Blogspot to cooperate!)

Hi everyone-- Saawa tii kha!

This conference is the most fun I've had in a long time! I'm really tired after the long day of leading worship with the kids yesterday and this morning, and of walking in the night market bargaining with vendors last night, but I'm also energized. I love everything about what I'm doing-- leading worship, singing my songs, working with these great children, enjoying the camaraderie with my teammates from church, the Thai culture and food, and lots more that I can't remember because I'm a little brain dead.

This is the smallest group of children. Yesterday we had a group of 62! Today we're breaking them into two groups for their benefit as well as ours!!

Please pray for two new friends. One who follows Jesus, and one who knows about Him in her head, but maybe not in her heart. Also continue to pray for the children. Mrs. Susan will ask them to respond to Jesus' call tomorrow.

Wiggles, giggles, energy, enthusiasm, hugs, smiles, singing, praying, worshiping....

It's only lunch time, and I'm wiped!! I've had almost 200 children go through the worship time this morning. Each group has its own personalit:. the 3's and 4's are very sober and missing mommy and daddy; the 5's and 6's are attentive and a little wiggly; the 7-9's have all the answers and love to sing; and the 10-11's are the best singers and best listeners.

The last group really blessed me today. As I met with the Bible teacher (I'm only doing the musical part of the worship times) yesterday, we connected right away. We talked about which Bible stories would be on which days, what the memory verses are, etc., so that I could pick out the songs. After looking through all the music I brought, it turns out that the songs which fit the best are the ones I wrote. When the oldest group finished singing my latest song, I was overwhelmed-- they sang their hearts out and really got into it. When I can hear with my ears what I hear in my head, there is a special thing that happens. Kind of like the same thing Eric Liddell felt when he ran fast, the way God made him-- "When I run I feel God's pleasure."

Thanks for all your prayers!! The backdrop is done after some long hours yesterday, and the songs and program order for the parents' concert came together before I went to bed last night (actually early this morning!) Our team unity is strong, and everyone is doing well. There was a bit of culture adjustment and jet lag, but that seems to be mostly gone. Please continue to pray that we would be able to develop some significant relationships with the kids and parents quickly over the next couple of days. I'm also praying that the hotel staff would see a difference in the people who are here for this conference and understand that the difference is because of Jesus. We can't communicate with them very well, but we can love them and pray for them.

Thanks!!



When we arrived none of the supplies we thought we would have were here... but there were lots of things we didn't know we would have like water-looking fabric, light blue interfacing, netting and jewels. With lots of help from others we got an undersea backdrop made and dressed up the treasure chest. FUN! The theme for the kids part of the conference is Undersea Adventure-- Going deep with Jesus for treasure.

Tuesday morning

The conference begins today! I'm excited, but apprehensive, too. I've been given lots of latitude, but with that comes very little info. I'm not really sure what I'm doing... but I know the conference ends with the children singing in a program for their parents. That's a little nerve-wracking for me as there are expectations, but I'm not really sure what they are. Please pray for my high-structure personality to relax and be flexible. I want to do a great job so that the parents and children will have a special time.

This afternoon we're planning on going shopping (none of us speaks any Thai!) for backdrop supplies. We can't get what we need at the tourist markets, so we'll be immersed in Thai culture. That should be fun!! We also need to get it made before tomorrow morning. I work well under time pressure, so that should go fine... but I wouldn't mind your prayers!! Of course, it's almost midnight for most of you, but pray anyway! :-)

Last night we went to a traditional Thai meal that included dancers, musicians, and actors performing all around us. It was fascinating, but I don't "get" the music. They obviously, did though, as the dancers moved in complete unison. Watching the interaction between the musicians was fun-- much the same as what happens on stage with a Keynote band. :-)



I'll try to write again soon! Thanks to those of you who are writing back to me. I love hearing from you... but I don't have time to write back right now. I might have to wait until I get back to the US to respond.

Blessings to each of you!!

Cathy

Hello everyone! Sawa dii Kha!!

(Written Monday morning. It's taken my awhile to figure out the Internet here. The photo is of one of three vans it took to get our group to our hotel from the Chiang Mai airport. I took it just moments after passing through customs... we didn't have to open a single bag!)

It is Monday morning, and the Super Bowl has well begun. Several of our team went to a Western club to take in the game, but I chose to stay here and catch my breath. I hope to send this before lunch in from the business center downstairs. We'll see if it happens!

The journey here had it's share of challenges-- a canceled flight out of Indianapolis, and missing luggage in New York City, but both ended well. Saturday's and Sunday's flight (the 17-hour one!) went very well. Most of us slept off and on, so that when we arrived Sunday night at 9pm, we were tired and able to go to bed as if it was the right time to sleep! The flight for me was interesting. I sat next to a young woman, Tulie, and her 10-month old son who were on their way to Laos to visit her parents who hadn't met their grandson yet. I got to hold Owen lots and helped Tulie with him. He was exceptionally good sitting on her or my lap the entire time! She kept missing her (American) husband who will join her in Laos in a couple of weeks, especially in caring for her baby. I felt very useful and enjoyed talking to her. She asked many questions about Christianity without my prompting, but only wanted surface details and didn't want the Thai (she speaks Lao and Thai) "Jesus" DVD I brought. While I held Owen, I placed my hand on his head and prayed for him and his mom, that Owen will grow searching for God who delights to reveal Himself to those who seek.

Today will be a mish mash of events... the Super Bowl for those who want it, eating lunch with a missionary here, having a traditional Thai dinner, and ending the day with a meeting to get ready for tomorrow. We met the organizers of the conference at the airport in Bangkok. They have come from all over East Asia. Planning the conference was mostly done over email... what an amazing era we live in! As we flew over places like Iceland, Estonia, Russia, and Kazakhstan, I thought about missionary journeys not too long ago that were really long and grueling. Just getting to their places of service was an undertaking. Flying in a plane for 17 hours with a personal TV and three hot meals isn't really roughing it for the Gospel. Please pray for me as I co-lead this venture. Some of the women are already struggling. Pray that I will be a loving, encouraging leader!

The hotel is amazing! The rooms are spacious and beautiful, but definitely not Western! The rooms and hallways surround an open foyer up through all stories. We're on the 11th floor and it's quite dizzying to look down to the front desk.

Thanks for your prayers--

I'll be in touch again, soon!!

love,
cathy

I’m in the thick of packing and getting ready to leave for Thailand on FRIDAY!! It has been in interesting journey since I felt God was asking me to go on this trip. Originally, I thought I was going to work in childcare and possibly teach some of the children. With each email from the kids’ program coordinator, my responsibilities have changed and grown! First, I was asked to be the “music person” for the entire program—150 kids! Then I deduced that there is going to be a closing program for the parents which will feature the children singing some of the songs I teach them. Since many of these missionary kids (MK’s) are from isolated, remote settings, being in a group to sing in front of their parents is a unique opportunity. For them AND their parents!!

After picking up on a couple of things, last week I decided to ask the big question: am I in charge of this program, or am I just providing the songs? A couple of days later I received the answer, that yes, this program will be all my doing. I’ve been painting small props (see post below) and packing things like paint brushes, duct tape (a set-building staple!), special pearlescent paint, drop cloths, etc. I’m REALLY excited about this! It’s way more “up my alley” than just childcare! :-) The theme is “God’s Treasures” and the setting is “under the sea”.

One of the things that excites me about leading the music (besides the fact that I love to sing!) is the opportunity to get close to a couple of the kids. I’m asking God to point out a few who need special encouragement who I can ask to be special helpers. Here are the things I’m asking God for—

+To connect with a few MK's on a significant level in order to be able to encourage them in their relationship with Jesus
+To build strong relationships with the others who are going with me
+To see more clearly the spiritual battle that is raging on earth
+To talk with some Thai unbelievers
+To worship God through the music I will teach the kids, and lead them well before the Throne
+To have my view of God enlarged to more closely resemble who He really is

I'd appreciate your prayers...