This morning I woke up to the sound of voices singing in Thai, “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! 

The Thai students in the Christian hostel next door were starting off their day lifting up the name of Jesus in praise and worship.  After almost 6 months of travel in the U.S., it was a lovely welcome back to life in Chiang Mai.

While I was on my U.S. assignment, I had a wonderful time visiting friends and supporters across the country. 

What a blessing it was to reconnect with so many people I love and enjoy getting caught up with what is going on in their lives!  I also had all kinds of adventures along the way.  I went to the beach on both coasts, took a ride in a 1927 Model-T, ate lobster and peach cobbler, went canoeing, went contra dancing, saw a friend in a community theater production, shared fellowship with missionary colleagues from all over the world in Green Lake WI, participated in making a mosaic altar, went to the Guggenheim and the Getty Museums, attended the Cincinnati Symphony, went to see “Mamma Mia” on Broadway, met Isabella Rossellini in the LaGuardia Airport and more!

In short, I was spoiled rotten!  I also attended a class in Souther California and received certification to facilitate  workshops using the Art4Healing ®  therapeutic art process.  I spoke 49 times, sharing stories of what God is doing in Thailand.  I took 28 flights, and stayed in 21 different homes and 13 different hotels/camps/senior centers.  Thank you to all of you who generously shared your love, support and friendship with me over the last 6 months.  Your kindness is overwhelming.

 MY SUMMER BY THE NUMBERS...

28 flights
21 different homestays
13 camps/hotels/senior centers
49 speaking engagements

Nevertheless, as much as I loved being in the U.S. over these last months, I am also glad to be back in Chiang Mai.  

When I went to the market this morning, I got out of my car and the parking attendant said, “I haven’t seen you in a long time.  Where have you been?”  While walking around in the open air market, one of our New Life Center graduates came running up to give me a hug and tell me all about her new job.  I told her how much I enjoyed seeing her postings on Facebook and keeping up with what she is doing.   Next I went into the pharmacy where I saw one of the teachers from the gallery where I take art classes on the weekend.  A big smile came across her face as she grabbed my shoulders and said, “You’re BACK!  Everyone has been asking when Kit was coming back.  It has been too long.”   And in the evening when I went to the grocery store, I ran across my IM missionary colleague, Kim Brown.   She wanted to know how my travels have been since I saw her at Green Lake.  …How is it possible in a city of a million people that I could inadvertently run across 4 people I know all in one day?

There is something marvelous about being known and recognized.   

Perhaps this is what it means to “belong”.  Surely today was a gift of grace – God’s gentle affirmation that I am in the right place.  It’s not easy to have one foot in the U.S. and the other halfway around the world in Thailand.  Having multiple “homes” is a bit crazy-making, really.  But in the midst of it all, the goodness of God blankets the earth no matter what continent I find myself on.  

As you head into autumn, my prayer is that you too will know where you belong and find comfort in the simple moments of being known.  Places and seasons may change, but the goodness of the Lord remains the same.  As always, thank you for your friendship and support that enables me to continue serving in Thailand.   

Blessings, Kit

Chiang Mai, Thailand