"Refresh"-ed
We've been really blessed to have this time in Chiang Mai, at a retreat this week. It's been so good to get away from city and work for a bit and to get some perspective that only time away can give you. We've been really encouraged to meet workers from all over Asia and to hear about their work. We also had the joy of meeting some old friends from our pre-field training who are working in Vietnam and just happened to also be staying here and got to spend some time with them. It's been a complete joy to see Claire and Eliza becoming buddies with kids who can speak their language and how quickly and naturally it's happened. I love watching them after dinner endlessly running circles with their friends, comparing number of silly bands, jumping up and down, etc. The pool has also been a big hit and we've been in there most days ..and nights too. We've had really good classes on stress, self-esteem, parenting, personality, personal growth and goal setting- so many useful topics. The program is called Refresh (through Heart Stream in PA) and we're leaving, feeling very refreshed. We're planning on heading to Chiang Rai (three hour bus ride) today to make a few connections for the future foundation and then we'll be heading home on Friday.
Here are a few pictures of our time in Chiang Mai...
The beautiful Horizon Resort where we were lucky enough to stay for the week.
Claire was great friends with Matya who lives in Cambodia. They were both in a play about the fruits of the spirit.
We had some great times of worship together.
Silas and his good friend Caleb. Caleb really cracked Silas up and they liked to eat meals and swim together.
We were very blessed to be at a retreat with lots of other kid participants. Each day was like VBS and the girls just soaked it up and loved it.
The grounds were really beautiful too and included a lovely botanical garden with a cactus garden, palm tree garden, small zoo, playground, and lots of amazing topiary. Here's Claire with some giant topiary bunnies.
These ornamental potted trees are popular in Thailand, but I'd never seen such a huge one!