Work - a burden or gift?

I think sometimes our culture paints a distorted image of what work is  . . . either it's something so bad that we have to be paid to do it. . . . . or it's something that defines who we are and gives us our identity. 

Keeping a healthy concept of work is not always easy and this past year in Thailand has given me cause to reflect on this a lot as I have been pursuing meaningful work in a new place and season. I want to take this opportunity to share a bit of this journey with you. 

Work - a burden or gift?

When we first arrived in Thailand, I knew clearly the work that was before me - it was to help settle our family, set up our home, support Tyler and the kids in the season of transition and also to build community here and learn as much as possible about our new host culture. I didn't see this as less important than Tyler's paid job which had brought us here. We were (and are) a team. It was sacred work and it was hard work. It was fulfilling (most of the time) and exhausting (some of the time) and unsettling at times too - but it was what I was supposed to be doing and it was more than enough! I started Thai classes in our first year here as well but other than that, I was full-time working from home. 

 Of course, there are no pictures of me working from home because who takes photos of that? . . . . . but here's some laundry.

. . . . . and here's my kids creating laundry.

At the beginning of our second year here though, as the intensity of our family's transition dwindled, I started to feel a yearning for something more. The motivations however, were so much more than just "finding something to do" here in Thailand.

I think there were 3 main catalysts for this change. 

1.  The desire to use my gifts and passions - some of these had been laying dormant in me for a while (there's only so many spreadsheets you can create as a housewife - ha ha!) and I wanted to be a good steward of these gifts and of the time I had while everyone-else was at school.
2. The desire to be part of something bigger than my family, something Thai, something that Jesus was doing here in this place He had brought us. There was a world out there on my doorstep and I was anxious to engage with it more. 
3. The desire to help provide for our family - of course, a little more money is always helpful and we had some needs that we were praying for God to meet.

So what's next God? 

So I prayed and I talked to friends and I pursued options and filled in forms and met with people looking for just the skills I had to offer. It was not a particularly smooth ride! I considered online options, ministry opportunities, even starting my own business or teaching. In the end, I pursued 3 roles in depth that all fulfilled at least one of the above criteria. Each attempt taught me more about what I was looking for, what I was able to give within the limits of family schedules and what God was calling me to . . . . .but none turned out to be the right fit. 

Rung, embroiderer at Thai Village

Finally, about 6 weeks ago, a friend mentioned that Thai Village were hiring. Thai Village work with local artisans to provide vocational training and income generation opportunities here in Chiang Mai and they combine this with community building and outreach, working with the local church. I found they were a great match with my passions and skill set AND as it turned out, they could also be flexible with my schedule so I could still keep my Mum commitments and keep up my Thai language study. What a gift!

So now a new season of work outside the home is beginning for me. The previous roles remain but I get to add to this, more relationships with Thai nationals and more opportunities to use my gifts in administration and organization to serve them. I'm excited and will be starting to work 20 hours/wk at Thai Village as soon as I have my work permit and volunteer visa sorted out. 

Even though I haven't officially started yet, I have already met some of the wonderful artisans at Thai Village and I've seen their dedication and passion for work too. Sadly, in our broken world, not everyone has the opportunity to choose dignified work and people made in the image of God are forced into other degrading forms of existence just to survive. But I am seeing here at Thai Village what I saw at JOYN in India too - that work is transformative and empowering and that a lot can happen with a little opportunity.

JOYN blockprinters at work in Rajpur, India

Eet at Thai Village - tin smithing Christmas ornaments

Training and longterm job creation provide so much more than just a job in these countries. They provide a way out from oppression and injustice and the best part is, the opportunity just lays the path, the artisans themselves are the ones who walk it and they are changing their own futures and communities. This was such a powerful lesson that I learned during my 2 years at JOYN in India and I know the artisans at Thai Village will have more to teach me. I love seeing how dignified work brings life and joy to a community from within. And I love learning from these artisans what the real meaning of work is.

Work can be hard, yes, but  . . . . . 
Work is a privilege.
Our desire to work is God-given.
Work is part of the image of God in us
Work is co-creating something beautiful with God
Work is not to be taken for granted
And work is sacred - all kinds of work, in every season.

So grateful for this good gift of purposeful work at Thai Village.