Update from Joanna!!!
It’s about 5:00 PM on Sunday as I make my way across the property to my cottage. The weather has cooled to the perfect temperature and soon will get rather cold but now it’s calm and comfortable. I’m followed by one of the dogs but whether it’s Turner or Hootch, I haven’t got a clue. Actually I wonder if any of us residing here at Baan Nam Jai (Home of the Open Heart) really know which is which. I was just at the girls’ house celebrating a short term volunteer’s birthday. It’s hard to believe that I have already been here for over one month. I love sitting outside at this time but it comes with quite a risk as the mosquitoes start swarming at this time. One of the moms is raking leaves and soon will start burning them. I’ve come to love that scent. It’s a good time to reflect as the sun starts it’s decent and I sit here in my kitchen, which is outdoors and doubles as a back porch, and look at the garden I think about my move to Thailand.
Thailand… Chiang Rai… Baan Nam Jai… It’s a place of tremendous beauty. Located outside of the city I’m surrounded by gardens, rice paddies, smells and feels of the country in Asia. The property itself is rather large hosting three large houses, and then an adjoining property with 5 small cottages and the hospice which is still under construction. One of these cottages is what I now call home. Thailand has riches for all of the senses and while it can delight the sense it can weigh you down with challenges. It’s almost hard to explain how you can be totally in love with a place and totally frustrated at once.
The adjustment to Thailand is nothing and everything that I expected. There have been some things that had I really thought about them they probably wouldn’t have taken me by surprise. For instance, Google has gone from being a verb to a noun. I used to use Google maps for helping me get around any new place. I can’t read the street signs so Google is useless. Getting used to riding on a motorbike has also proved to be a challenge. Traffic here is really crazy, I don’t know where I’m going and I’m SOOOO not an experienced rider to be smart and able to react to my situations around me. All this adds up to, quite literally, a deadly equation. The language has also proved challenging but that was one challenge that I was prepared for. I haven’t started learning the language because I’m not ready to get on the death trap highway. However, all that to say that God’s grace is amazing and have found some things easier then expected. The kids speak English and there are several “farang” (foreign) staff. There have been several lovely short term volunteers come that have eased the transition. However, I have left everything that I do know and many times I feel totally helpless and dependant, which is probably good for me.
Although I still feel like a fish out of water I have hit the ground running when it comes to work! I have used my past Executive Assistant skills to assist Paul, the Northern Regional Director. He is new to the position and I’m helping him get organized in his role and help support him as he provides direction to the 11 ministries here in Chiang Rai. He is also over the whole northern region which includes Chiang Mai and Mai Sai which is much bigger then Chiang Rai. I haven’t even gotten into that portion. I am also managing the office here at Baan Nam Jai and working a little bit in the boys’ home.
The kids are incredibly precious and melt your heart the moment you meet them. One of the youngest boys was very timid about me coming into the house to work with them and was very distressed about my first shift. I came over the night before to get introduced and just get to know them just a bit before I spent the night in the boy’s house the next day. The youngest of the boys cried and cried. He didn’t want me to come and work with them! When I got back to my cottage I prayed that God would give us both grace. As I was praying my heart broke for these kids. It struck me that these kids shouldn’t need to have caretakers in their life. If everything were as God intended it to be they would be with a Mom and Dad in a loving home. But we find ourselves in a fallen world and here I am to help care for these kids who have suffered so much. As I’ve started to work with them more they are very unsettled as several of the caretakers they have had for the past couple years have left and I’ve come in. I try to put myself in their shoes as they get used to me. Please pray for God’s grace and that they will start feeling settled, safe and secure with me. Many of the volunteers have told me that they will keep me at arms length because they worry about how long I’ll be here. It breaks my heart.
Financially, I am still in need of support. I need about $600 USD per month to cover my expenses. Please prayerfully consider supporting me. If you’d like to support me please send a check made out to “YWAM,” with a separate piece of paper indicating it is for me, to YWAM Montana, 501 Blacktail Road,
Lakeside, Montana,59922 U.S.A.
Thank you so much for all of your support of my ministry. I truly could not do this without your prayers, encouragement and financial support. I will send pictures soon!
I pray that you are all blessed richly!
Joanna
If you’d like to pray for me please let me know and I’ll put you on my prayer needs list!
New Mailing Address:
Joanna Geiger
P.O. Box 121
Bandu,
A.Muang,
Chiang Rai, 57100
Thialand
My new mobile phone number is +66.0899.513.044
Prayer calendar for Lent
Hi HG,
As you may know, Lent tends to inspire me to start up various activities for spiritual growth. This year I am moved to further developing the prayer life — both individually and collectively. I am creating a prayer calendar for our community — extending to Fairlington’s morning service as well — a calendar containing our worries and fears lifted up to God, one for every (remaining) day of Lent.
I am enlisting you to fill this prayer calendar with me. Please send me by this Saturday two or three prayers you would like to share over this season. Be specific, not just “pray for my friends and family”, but also concise so that I can fit it in a little box in the calendar. I may or may not have room for all your prayers depending on the responses. Hopefully I will get this calendar out by Sunday or early next week.
peace & blessings–
Karen Vroom
kareniw@yahoo.com
Special Request
Hi Friends,
A friend of mine came into town for a week to look for jobs. He flew all the way here, and come to find out, is allergic to cats. Ryan and I really wanted to give him a place to stay, but his allergy is quite serious and that would be unsafe. Could I ask a huge favor? Does anyone have a place he could sleep? Paul will be here until Feb 24, but even a few nights would help. He is super cool and just finished up seminary in St. Paul (ironic huh?).
I left my phone at home, so you can also reach me at emilywismerATgmail.com. Thanks team!
Some days you gotta Jump, Jive, and Wail!
Howdy y’all!!!
Ryan and I have decided to go swing dancing tonight… get excited! Our friend, Paul, is in town, and it has been just too long since we cut a rug. If you have never danced before, fear not because swing lessons start at 730 and are included with your $5 general admission free.
Yes, you heard that right. Basic swing lessons are included in your admission for FREE (echo sound- free free free)!
Ryan and I will probably show up around 8:15 or 8:30 and dance ’til our socks fall off or the cows come home, which ever happens first.
Here is a map and a link with more info:
Give me a call at 512.853.0053 for questions.
Girls group this week
Hi all -
Girls group this week is relocating to Guapos in Shirlington at 7:00 pm. Join us for margaritas in honor of Fat Tuesday! Thanks ladies!
Steph
Pancakes This Sunday!
Come eat Pancakes this Sunday night, February 21st @ 5 pm in upstairs Fellowship Hall. (No HG potluck this Sunday.) Free food. Good conversation.
Also, there is a Fairlington Presbyterian congregational meeting at noon-ish Sunday, February 21st in sanctuary. 
Anyone else stir crazy?
Hey all -
I’m a little stir crazy and Lauren, Jon, and I are heading to lunch at Guapos in Shirlington – should get there about 12:15 pm. I don’t know how stuck you all are, but if you can get out and want to join us, let me know you’re coming! Call my cell 612.708.0793!
Steph
Casa Chirilagua needs volunteers
Hi everyone,
Casa Chirilagua (http://www.casachirilagua.org) is looking for a few good men & women! We are looking for volunteers to help us with the Mujeres de Virtud meeting on this Saturday, February 13th from 10:00 AM to Noon at Commonwealth Baptist Church. Read more of Dawnielle’s email below and email me (sarahedale at gmail.com) if you’d like to help.
“…This is our “Dia de Amistad” or “Friendship Day” Celebration. We are having a breakfast for the ladies followed by our regular meeting time. This will be a great way for a small group to do a service project together.
We need:
1) A group of people to buy decorations and decorate the night before (Friday night)
2) A group of people to organize and cook breakfast for 30 ladies on Saturday morning.
3) Childcare for the morning of the meeting.
4) A special gift for the ladies (a calling card for central america or a flower)
I have also listed out our needs for March (below) as well as Mujeres de Virtud dates for the rest of the year. Put it on your calendar now so you can make it a priority. It’s only once a month! Just let me know when you want to help out and how many people you will be bringing.
Blessings, Dawnielle
Upcoming meetings and needs:
March 19-21
2nd Annual Mujeres de Virtud retreat to Lake Champion, NY!
Pray for us! Last year we had 19 ladies attend from Alexandria and Arlington.
The ladies worked very hard to make and sell tamales as well as organize a yard sale; however, we are still in need of some monetary resources.
We will need:
-Donations for the scholarship fund: $100 can send a lady to the retreat for the weekend
-Donations for the Transportation fund: We estimate about $2000
-People to volunteer to watch kiddos for the weekend to allow single moms to go
-Borrow Mini-vans to cut transportation costs (Let us know if you or your church have one available.)
-Volunteers to drive the vans and volunteer with the camp ground for the weekend (kitchen crew).
Mark these dates on your calendar, Mujeres de Virtud dates for the rest of the year:
April 17
May 8 (Annual Mother’s Day Celebration)
June 5
(Lay low for July and August)
September 18
October 16
November 13
December 11 (Year End Christmas Celebration)
“Blizzard-Like” Conditions
Howdy y’all!
Since the roads are so crazy, we are going to cancel Holy Grounds tomorrow night. Steph is watching the SB at her casa, so if you want To watch, give her a heads up at 612.708.0793.
Holy Grounds Sunday Night
As we say in Texas, Howdy y’all!
Jan and I visited today, and as cool as a time of confession would be Sunday, we are both worried about the quickly approaching snow storm. Additionally, it is Super Bowl Sunday, so the people who aren’t held back from snow may be gone for the big game. Thus, we are going to take a rain (or snow) check for HG’s time of confession and try to fit it in again before Easter. For anyone who can make it safely, we will be airing the Super Bowl in the HG basement and have our usual potluck. If you come, make sure you drive safely.
Go Saints!
Women’s Small Group Canceled Tonight
Hi Ladies,
We’re going to cancel small group for tonight with so many of us out and the fact that I’m incredibly exhausted. I think I’m going to work a little late, then go right to bed when I get home – I’m sure you all understand and have been there too!
We’ll meet back up at my place next week, Feb 9th at 7:00pm (our new time). See you then!
Sarah