After having spent a wonderful time visiting family and friends in America, we returned to Thailand to find the HOT season in full force.Even though the afternoon temperatures were reaching over 100 degrees I still felt like we had come home again.It's wonderful to see family, friends and especially grandchildren but those weeks in America still felt like a visit, not home.When God calls you to a land He gives you a love for that land and people that surpasses any that you might have had before.It was on our first Sunday afternoon back that He gave us an experience, which only solidifies this love.

It was late in the afternoon and both LaMon and I were looking forward to resting in an air-conditioned room after a long day of Sunday activities when the doorbell rang downstairs.I went to answer, not having any idea who it could be.So it was with surprise that I opened the door to find 5 of our 4th year students standing on the stoop bearing gifts.I had no idea what was about to happen when I called LaMon to come downstairs and join us. After talking with the students for a brief time Anuchan (president of the student body) explained that in Northern Thailand during the Thai New Year young people wish to show their respect and admiration to their elders who have had an impact on their lives.He went on to explain the ceremony, which they wanted to share with us.The group had prepared a bowl of water with flowers and spices in it, both LaMon and I were asked to dip our hands into the water, put some water on our heads and then to give each of the students a blessing as we put our hands on each of their heads.It is difficult to explain the emotions, which went through me as I placed my hands on each of these young peoples heads and asked God's blessings on them.More than this I had such a sense of humility that God had placed these future leaders into our lives and we must be faithful to His calling to train the future leaders of the church in Thailand.

This doesn't mean that I still don't miss my grandchildren and cry when I think of them growing up and not being there, that I don't worry when one of our fathers falls ill and we aren't there to care for them, that I don't sometimes yearn to hear English spoken in the malls as I shop or that I don't at times wish I could just sit down for a long chat with my sisters and daughter.But it does mean that when I have these low times I have the assurance that He will be faithful to comfort me and sustain me through the dark times and bring me back to the full light of His love and care as I serve as your missionary here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.Thank you for the support and confidence that American Baptist Churches has placed in us as your missionaries.