On August 29th, the CRICS (Chiang Rai International Christian School) 2017-18 school year will begin, marking the 20th year since its early beginnings as the Family Learning Center of Chiang Rai (1998).

Who are they? They are teachers who live in Myanmar, but have come to Thailand to live at a school for a month during the hottest season of the year.

As I sit down to write this newsletter, it’s hard to believe that my flight to the United States takes off in less than a month. So much to think about!

It was a balmy evening as 40 teen girls from the New Life Center slipped on their sneakers and ventured over to a meeting room at Chiang Mai University.

It is a Friday morning. The sun is shining hard and bright to warm our Thai soil and I’m on my second cup of coffee. Mornings are my favorite time to spend at home. I take advantage of the slight coolness (high 60’s) to don a cozy sweatshirt and soft pants.

I’m smiling as I begin to type this message to all of you. The sheer joy of connecting with you from so far away captivates me.