you will always have a special place in my heart!
As I write these lines, I am on board flight TG 125 bound for
From Bangkok, we will board another flight that will take us to Manila.
Our season in Chiang Mai is coming to an end.
Ernie and I finished packing our suitcases at 1:00 a.m. this morning. We also thoroughly cleaned up the flat that was our home for the past 13 months.
Our Filipino friends, Tessie, Johnny and Shayne spent some time with us on our last night in Chiang Mai. We gave them all the stuff that we were leaving behind, and prayed a specific blessing for each one of them.
We left our university flat at 5:00 a.m. Before closing the front door, Ernie and I thanked God for a lovely stay in this place. We prayed for the next occupants, that they would experience God’s peace and presence here.
The "Front Room" at our flat
The steps leading to our university flat
Greenery in front of our flat
Tessie ended up bringing us to the airport, although this was not the original plan. Johnny went with us to help us with our bags—it was so gracious and heartwarming of him to do that.
God-sent "angels" Johnny and Tessie just standing by as we checked in
Shayne came to the flat before 5, also wanting to see us off at the airport, but there was no room for her in the car because of our many suitcases.
Lori Shayne
Diana, a Filipina married to a Thai national and who works as one of the secretaries of the president, has also helped us in many ways, but she was in
Ernie and me with Diana
"Best friend" Johnny
Indeed, among our greatest joys during our stay here were our Filipino friends.
Much of my mind is still numb at this point, but I know this is the best time for me to say good-bye.
Ernie, on our way to pre-departure
One last shot, just before boarding
Sunrise over Chiang Mai, September 28, 2008
A few seconds before take-off...
Farewell, Chiang Mai.
It has been a good year.
When I first came a year ago, I didn’t know what to expect. But I gave God my “Yes” even though He knew I did it with reluctance... I only wanted to obey my King, believing that He knows what’s best.
And He rewarded me with such a heartwarming, unforgettable experience in this place.
Chiang Mai is a place where kindness and gentleness abound...a place of beautiful flowers all around...
a place where people are humble, polite, helpful, and kind...
where you can have your fill of delicious Thai dishes and unique handcrafted products...
and your heart is touched by a smile on every face.
Even though we were foreigners, we have felt very safe here.
We could eat at any roadside eatery and it was OK!
Here, we have gained loyal friends.
Above all, in this place, God worked a deep healing and restoration in our hearts.
I never expected my year to turn out this way. Indeed, God is the God of surprise endings!
Good-bye for now, fair and lovely Chiang Mai. I know I will see you again someday.
I will never forget you. You will always have a special place in my heart.
This is my prayer for you as we leave you:
Father of all creation, thank you for all that You have allowed us to experience in this place. As we leave, I ask that You richly bless Chiang Mai. Pour out your abundant goodness over this place. Create in her people, and specifically in the hearts of the special friends we are leaving behind, a hunger, a thirst and a longing for You. In Your mercy, lead them to earnestly seek You, and find You. Please, dear God, lead them to the true destiny that You have planned for them.
2 comments:
Are you getting settled, now that you're back home? Prayed for you this weekend and whenever I think of you. Blessings!!!
I don't know why Im bawling as I read your post! I guess I felt your pain and sadness as you left your loved place for 13 months! Indeed its hard to say goodbye to a loved one. In your case, you have loved this place, letting go can be heartbreaking. But as you have written, deep healing and restoration took place here... how amazing are His ways! He uses the most unorthodox for the accomplishment of His plans and purposes for your life!
Welcome back home, my dearest Manang Lidj!
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