All three of our children have wrestled with the dilemma alluded to in the term “third culture kids” living in, but never quite being of, an environment different from that in which they spent their early lives.   All of them have expressed the difficulty of not knowing where they should call home.  Kenny, the youngest of our children, was six when we first came to serve in Thailand and so had few memories of life in the States, so, for him, Thailand really seemed like “home.”  He recently had the opportunity to return to Thailand for the first time after leaving for college two years ago.

As part of Kenny’s major in Community Development, he came back not just to visit, but to spend a month exploring various ministries working here in northern Thailand.  We were excited by this opportunity for Kenny because we felt this could be a chance for Kenny to see Thailand from a new perspective through implementing knowledge that he has gained about international community development. 

Three of Kenny’s friends joined him for this trip, and it included sharing experiences of which he had cherished memories:  going to the night bazaar; riding motorcycles in and around town; hiking to Khunkorn water fall; going up the river to ride elephants; camping at Phu Chi Fa, near the border of Laos; and worshiping with friends from his international school where he spoke at chapel.   But we also wanted to introduce them to a number of ministries which are attempting to build bridges with people who do not understand the Gospel, by showing Christian love and mercy through a number of different projects. 

We were happy that Kenny would have the chance to learn more about our ministry with the Ahka, as well as meeting other partner organizations.  We hoped these experiences would give Kenny new eyes for Thailand, to help him love it in a new way.    Time was spent with Supporting Hearts Ministry, sharing with the Burmese children who had no place to go and have been welcomed at “Open Doors” where they receive love and care in the name of Jesus.  We spent time in one Akha village doing a water system (watch for details in a future journal) and in another helping to plant coffee.   They helped with the care of goats at Narrow Gates Goat Farm, and helped build a pizza oven for Shoulder to Shoulder/United Hearts ministry which reaches out to street kids.  At Eden Home, a ministry to children whose parents are in prison, they helped with spackling and painting rooms in a newly constructed building.    

All of these activities and opportunities provided Kenny and his friends with fresh perspectives about community development and the many issues that must be addressed when doing ministry in another culture.  It was exciting for Ruth and me to share in many of these projects and to introduce them to some of the Ahka Christian leaders who now work alongside us in the villages, bringing the good news of Jesus to people who have been in darkness.   It was also good to be reminded of the many other ministries who are also working among the Ahka to bring the light of Christ to northern Thailand.  We are blessed to be able to partner with so many wonderful brothers and sisters, and we found that our eyes were opened to Thailand in fresh and new ways as well!    Please pray for us as we continue to seek new opportunities to show the love of Christ here in Thailand, and for Kenny and his friends as they reflect on what they learned through their many shared experiences.  What a privilege it was to invest in their lives even as they invested in the lives of others!