Thai Village home visits - a volunteer's perspective

Only a handful of our artisans at Thai Village work out of our small office in Pa Daet, Chiang Mai. The majority come in for training and to pick up materials, and then take their work with them to complete at home. It's for this reason, that home visits are a really important part of taking care of our Thai Village team.

Occasionally I get to go with our Thai managers on one of their home visits, as I did this week. We sit on the floor together over lunch and hear our artisan's struggles, their hopes and dreams and how we can support them. We hope it's an encouragement to them. It certainly is to me and here's why:

1. Purpose: A lot of my work at Thai Village is paper-pushing behind the scenes. I actually quite like it and I'm happy to do it but the home visits remind me why I do what I do. On home visits, I get to see in person the impact of a stable income on our artisans, on their families and on their communities. We hear how it is enabling them to climb out of difficult situations and how it has brought hope and dignity. For me, this is the "why" of the number-crunching on the inventory and the following up of sales contacts. That "God is Good" banner that I just sold is more than just a pretty decoration; it's a livelihood; it's a medical bill paid or school fees covered; it's a true symbol that God's goodness has reached a small cement room in a corner of Chiang Mai. That is what spurs me on. 

2. Inspiration: So often, I find that visiting our artisans leaves me inspired and motivated by their example. It's a challenge honestly when I meet a young Mum, working multiple jobs, barely sleeping to provide for her family or a Christian convert so passionate for Jesus that he is spending all his spare time and money visiting neighbors and villages to share the good news. I often leave with renewed vision to live my own life with more faith, more perseverance and more gratitude. 

3. Perspective: It is too easy for all of us to live a life separate from those who are different to us, who have not had the privileged life we have. Here in Chiang Mai, my kids go to an international school, we have air conditioning in our home and access to health care and travel opportunities. This is a privileged life for sure but if I didn't see first-hand the paths that my brothers and sisters have to walk, I could easily forget that. I could feel hard done by that we can't travel to the US/UK as often as we would like or that our car is old and falling apart. I'm so glad for work that adjusts the lens on my view of the world and helps me keep things in perspective. 

4. Responsibility: On that same note, it is being with our artisans that reminds me of the responsibility I have to use what I have to serve those less privileged - to give, to pray, to volunteer, to buy ethically, to speak out for justice. We know the command to "love our neighbour" but we don't always know how to do it. I often stall at this. But the home visits help me see tangible ways to help, to hold hands in prayer, to encourage and to help sell our products so our artisans can make a living. You can make a difference too. Our customers are a hugely important link in the chain of self-sustainability here at Thai Village. We all have a part to play.  

5. Connection: Finally, I love home visits because it gives me the chance to connect, to build relationships across the lines of culture, language and economic status. To be honest, it is not easy or fast. My language acquisition is slow. I don't get a lot of what the conversations are about over our lunch and I rely on our bilingual team members to fill me in, but I am learning, I am growing, I am present and that bond is somehow powerful. I feel a connection with these new friends and I hope they feel it too.

Today I got to meet this lovely family. 

Jalern is a skilled carpenter and is currently working on a new Easter design for Thai Village. He and his engaging wife are hard-working, talented, creative, humble and kind and the visit hit all five of the above points for me. I know many of our team left inspired, encouraged and energized in our work. These are salt of the earth people and we are so honored to be partnering with them.

On behalf of Jalern and many others, thanks to all of you who support Thai Village with your prayers and purchases. It makes a difference. 

My small thoughts and His big plans

As you may have seen, I just got back from a jam-packed 12-day sales tour of the UK with Thai Village. This whole trip was a leap of faith for me - buying the ticket to go when our finances were tight, not knowing whether I would have enough events booked to make it worth it, leaving the family here for 2 weeks in a busy intense season etc etc. But in it all, I had a peace and following that turned out to be a whole adventure in learning how God's ways are so far beyond our small human understanding.

The whole thing actually started off with a big diversion from my original plan as I had initially thought to go to the US instead of the UK. Despite making some inquiries there however, it clearly wasn't the time as doors weren't opening and then some friends in the UK suggested I come there instead. From there, the ball was rolling and I ended up with 14 events booked in 12 days. The doors were clearly opening elsewhere.

Honored to have a table (top right) at the Healing Space, Storm Church, Worthing

My hopes for this trip were to raise some support for my work with Thai Village and to expand our market for our handcrafted products, which had previously been mostly in the US and Thailand. Seemed like a pretty good plan to me but I realized fairly soon that God's plans were much bigger than just that. I felt foolish in the end that whilst I was focusing on the numbers, He was focusing on the people (of course - duhh!). I was amazed at some of the conversations He led me into, and the way that some events turned out to have a different purpose than I had imagined. Oh how small my plans seemed in comparison! In addition I got to be with my Mum again, just 3 months after the loss of Len, her husband, and that turned out to be really well-timed too.

With my Mum at one of the many events she helped me with

Wonderful time at Zara's house

Another thing I learned was that even when it came to sales of our products, God was turning my expectations on their head! My two "big" events with lots of foot traffic actually made little sales and my best event by far in terms of numbers was at the house of my ever-faithful godmother in London with her neighbours and church friends. We reflected afterwards how the event had more than surpassed any of our expectations. After this, I was actually so low on product, I had to order more to be express shipped from Thailand!

With my godmother, Juliet 

Finally, I want to end with a fun story that illustrates this lesson of my limited human understanding so well. As I said, I had a jam-packed schedule for this whole visit, thanks to the many friends and family who helped me set up events and hosted me. Unfortunately one of my larger fairs on my first Saturday in the UK fell through at the last minute. I should have known to trust and not to worry but I was disappointed and frustrated that all the other fairs for that day were now fully booked and it was too late to organize a private event.

On the morning of that Saturday, I woke up with such a drive to find something and I prayed one more time for God to open a door, before quickly scrolling through a local events listing on my phone. The only thing I saw that I hadn't already tried was a church bell-ringing fundraiser being held about 20 minutes from my Mum's house. I wasn't that hopeful that they would want to have a random lady from Thailand at their fundraiser at the last minute but I tried the phone number just in case. No answer. Not sure why, but I wasn't in the mood to accept a closed door that morning, and after breakfast, I decided to just fill my car with all my stuff anyway and drive over to the church and wait to ambush the organizers! 

So when the bell-ringing ladies arrived that morning with their cakes and raffle prizes for their event, there I was accosting them at the gate with my story of plans falling through and hopes for a venue. God was at work and they were very gracious! I was able to give a few items towards their fundraising raffle and they welcomed me with open arms to share their space, giving Thai Village a little table in the corner of the church! That day I got to ring bells for the first time in my life and also met many lovely people from churches all over Worthing. Sales were not huge but the people were huge-hearted and since many churches were represented, I got several invitations to other events locally and I'm excited to see where this will lead for Thai Village! 

Thai Village at Findon parish bellringers fundraiser 

This was one of the lovely ladies that I ambushed outside the church door!

 All in all, it was an incredible trip . .. and my family back in Thailand survived too, despite coming home to a house with no power and water because I had forgotten to pay the bill before I left!! Oops.

Today is Thanksgiving in one of my adopted countries and today I want to thank all of you who helped make this UK visit such a success - especially my Mum for her huge efforts (and for keeping the heating revved up way above her comfort level the whole time I was there), but also Sue, Zara, Juliet, Susie, Jon and Elma, Janet, Ginny, Lynn and many others at New Life and of course the bell-ringing ladies! Above all, I give thanks to our God who works so far beyond our small human mindset to bring about His good purposes in all of our lives. 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways.' declares the Lord.

As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55: 8-9 

P.S. If you haven't checked out our gorgeous Thai Village products yet, you can do so on our website www.thaivillage.org. US folks can order through the website but UK orders need to come through me for now! Thankyou!

Upside-down Values

Our family has faced a few challenging situations recently - personally, professionally and socially. They were minor issues in the big picture of things but they caused a fair amount of turmoil and soul-searching. I won't go into details here but it has left me reflecting on the values by which we judge ourselves, and if we're honest, by which we judge others too.

Back in India, during a season of similar struggles, I wrote the following poem/prayer for our home church fellowship there. I have come back to it often as I have wrestled to see myself and my family according to God's values and not those of the world around me. 

I share it here because I know I'm not the only one wrestling. I share it because there are too many voices saying the opposite. And I share it because sometimes it is important to name the lie in order to more fully grasp the truth.

The Upside-down Kingdom

The world says, "Blessed are the strong and powerful, for they can get what they want."
Jesus says, "Blessed are the weak for my power is made perfect in weakness."  (2 Cor 12:9-10)

The world says, "Blessed are you when life is easy and you have everything you need, for that is where happiness is to be found."
Jesus says, "Blessed are you when you suffer, for suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom 5:3-4, 2 Cor 4:16-18)

Sumitra, weaver, JOYN India

The world says, "Blessed are you, when people speak highly of you, for everyone will know of your good reputation." 
Jesus says, "Blessed are you when you are insulted, misunderstood and persecuted, for great will be your reward in heaven."  (Matt 5:11-12)

The world says, "Blessed are the knowledgeable and educated for they will go far in this life."
Jesus says, "Blessed are those who qualify in kingdom wisdom, for God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise." (I Cor 1:27-29; 1 Cor 2:6-16)

Kids' club, Casa Victoria, Ecuador

The world says, "Blessed are those who live a good life, for God will use them."
Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have messed up and know his grace, for he who has been forgiven much, loves much."  (1 Tim 1:15-16; Luke 7:44-48)

The world says, "Blessed are the healthy and strong, for they can win races and achieve success."
Jesus says, "Blessed are the feeble and weak-kneed, for God has chosen them to show his all-surpassing power and glory."  (2 Cor 4:1-12)

Mr. Sudkaet, wood carver, Thai Village

We live in a world that craves power and riches.
Father forgive us when we conform more to the ways of this world and help us to choose your path of humility and service. (Phil 2:1-11, Matt 20:28)

We live in a world that sees only the visible and judges on the outside.
Father forgive us when we see only with our physical eyes
and help us to see the invisible work of your kingdom around us.  (2 Cor 4:18)

We live in a world that is temporary and will wither and die.
Father forgive us when we are so ingrained in this world that we live as if this is all there is and help us to invest in your Kingdom that will last forever.  (Matt 6:19-21)

Amen

(Thanks to Casa Victoria, Ecuador, JOYN LLC, India, and Thai Village Inc., Thailand for the pictures in this post and for many inspiring examples of these truths.)

Not by Sight

I used to walk paths like this . . .

Walking into the unknown, photo credit Hannah Swift, Shimla, India

. . . . and now I walk paths like this.

This is not me but this is the track where I walk often.

Exercising muscles that haven't been used for a while is never easy. I recently started walking this route regularly again after a bit of a break for the school holidays and it's shocking how stiff I feel. 

Ten times around the track and I find I can barely get out of the car again when I get home! It's sad really . . . . . but I know if I keep at it, the muscle tone will come back. Meanwhile, I'm so grateful for friends who walk with me and keep me motivated. 

I've been exercising another neglected muscle recently too - my faith. We're praying in my salary for Thai Village and waiting on God for some needs in our house in the US. I feel the same stiffness in my spirit sometimes that I feel in my body when I walk. I'm so stilted in my faith. 

If I'm honest, there is definitely a side of me that would much rather have all my ducks in a row - to know how all our bills are going to be paid and when I'm going to get my salary. But then there's a side too that is excited to give these needs to God and see what He will do. I want to grow in my trust and dependence and it's a daily choice to walk that path in faith.

Just like exercising though, I find I need walking companions around me to help me build the muscle.

Many of my friends here in Chiang Mai are missionaries "on support" and depend on God for all their needs. I often hear stories of His timely provision - a car donated in a time of need or school fees covered or a surprise full university scholarship.  Many times it's more than they hoped for or could imagine - but they had to wait on God's timing. It's not all glamour and amazing stories of course - but my own experience and that of many friends here reminds me how generously and extravagantly God provides when we dare to depend on Him and not ourselves. 

The other group that teach me so much about faith here are the poor. For believers who have little wealth in the world's eyes, faith is just a way of life. This week, I sat on the floor of a tiny one-roomed home for three and listened as my friends at Thai Village encouraged a new worker to trust God for her family's future. It was so natural to them and inspiring (well, after they translated to me what they actually said!) Thankfully at the same time, they were also giving her a means to build that very future and all this together is what I love about Thai Village.

Manager Pii Suai discussing work assignments with new artisan Pii Miu 
Afterwards we prayed and there were tears and hugs and hope and it was beautiful!

This week, I also heard from a dear Indian friend who has already been through way more suffering than any person should in their whole life, and I told her how inspiring she was to me in her dependence on God. She said, "I won't ever forget that I am nothing without God." Maybe that's what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Blessed are the poor". That truth is etched deeply in our souls through times of suffering and dependence. 

So, here I am, surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses - yet still I falter, and wobble and squirm in the unknowns! And then I read this in "Jesus Calling" this week.

"When some basic need is lacking - time, energy, money - consider yourself blessed. Your very lack is an opportunity to latch onto Me in unashamed dependence. When you begin a day with inadequate resources, you must concentrate your efforts on the present moment. This is the place where I always await you. Awareness of your inadequacy is a rich blessing, training you to rely wholeheartedly on me."  (Sarah Young)

A timely word for me! And so I choose to exercise this faith muscle. I want spiritual fitness even more than I want physical fitness and though the laps around the track are hard some times, I know it will be worth it. Let's walk together friends - through stiffness, through resistance in our mortal bodies and with faltering steps. There is treasure to be found there . . . . and I'm pretty sure it's of greater worth than a few calories burned. 

Many thanks to Karen B for the beautiful artwork in this post (orchid.karen@gmail.com) 

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.