Back to Thailand
The past few months have been a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences. My journey in America began on June 6th, and the joy doubled when my wife joined me on September 27th. This long voyage has been filled with countless blessings and extraordinary encounters. We've had the privilege of connecting with incredible individuals who share our passion for our mission and ministry.
Our experiences have ranged from being blessed by organizations like Make-A-Wish and Give Kids The World, to engaging in cooking classes. These activities, along with the support of dedicated volunteers, have deeply impressed my wife. She has been amazed by the abundance of opportunities in the U.S., and the extensive network of programs and foundations committed to aiding others. This landscape of generosity and support stands in stark contrast to our experiences in Thailand.
Reflecting on these differences, I believe cultural and religious backgrounds play a significant role. Thai culture, deeply influenced by Buddhism, often embraces a fatalistic outlook, attributing life circumstances to past actions or lives. This belief in karma can sometimes dampen the impetus to assist those born into challenging situations. My wife, who practiced Buddhism for three decades, often felt that self-reliance was the primary doctrine, summed up in the belief, “No one can help you besides yourself.” These observations are based solely on our personal experiences and not on empirical data.
Hebrews13:15-16, By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Over the last decade, my wife and I have dedicated ourselves to aiding the underprivileged in Thailand. Our search for supportive programs and charities revealed a stark reality: such resources are almost non-existent. The few foundations we encountered were mostly established by foreigners, many of whom were influenced by Christian values. This contrasted sharply with the American landscape, where the tax code incentivizes charitable donations. This system plays a crucial role in empowering foundations and charities. Without these tax benefits, I can only imagine what the challenges faced by the disabled and disadvantaged in America would be. Thailand, as far as we know, lacks similar incentives for charitable giving.
Our time in the United States has been an eye-opening experience, not just in witnessing the scope of charitable work, but also in understanding the mechanisms that enable such generosity. It’s a revelation to see how societal structures and cultural beliefs shape the approach to philanthropy and community support. This journey has not only been about helping others but also about learning and appreciating the diverse ways in which societies operate and contribute to the well-being of their members.
Cooking classes were a blast! My wife put her heart and soul into those classes and we all had had a great time meeting some amazing people and enjoyed some great food. My wife spent hours preparing and perfecting her recipes, while I spent hours trying to remember and recall all the ways that God has blessed us and all of the miracles He has worked in ours and our kids lives. I was amazed how easy it was for the first 9 hours and with just a little brainstorming I could recall even more, with enough to fill 12 hours of cooking classes with stories!
It has been a truly amazing journey witnessing the multitude of ways God has provided for our needs. His blessings have ranged from financial support to plane tickets, tax exemptions to security cameras for our home. Witnessing God's unwavering care has been nothing short of miraculous. This journey, which began nearly a year ago, has been a profound walk of faith and a period of significant growth. We've learned to rely completely on God for everything, reaffirming our belief in the mission He entrusted to us.
Admittedly, this path hasn't been without challenges. However, reflecting on the numerous miracles we've witnessed over the past decade, our faith has been strengthened, especially in this past year.
Psalm 23:1-3 captures the essence of our experience: 'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.' This verse beautifully reflects our journey – a testament to God's guidance, provision, and rejuvenating presence in our lives.
We are in Longview, WA right now visiting my brother and waiting for our flight back on Dec 6th. We are excited to go back and get back to regular life. We miss the kids and wait to hold them again!