February 8, 2023
Our team made it safely to Chiang Mai with only minimal mishaps. Our flight left Toronto an hour late as we boarded around 1:15 am. It was as we sat in the departure lounge that I realized I left my phone at home – so I will have to borrow phones for photos and use my laptop for everything else. It’s crazy how even with extensive planning and lists, life and fatigue can crowd out thoughts of an item I seldom leave home without.
Our two-hour layover in Tai Pei disappeared as travel time also took an extra hour. This was a cause of stress for a bit as we realized how tight time was becoming! It reminded us to pray and trust in God's provision for the many things beyond our control!!
EVA airlines took great care of us to book us a new flight since our connecting plane already left by the time we disembarked. We were so grateful for the staff in Tai Pei who managed all the challenges and needs to get us on a different flight this morning. They held the plane for us as we were processed through. We arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand at 11:30 am… unfortunately our checked luggage didn’t. The airline assured us that our bags will be here by tomorrow. We will be happy to have them since all our gifts, leadership materials, clothing and personal care items are in those bags!
The highlight of today has been reconnecting with Gan and David, our staff from Fang, Aire (a third-year university student we all love for her exuberance, care and insight), and some YWAM friends from Mom and Dad’s mission training experience who are living in Chiang Mai.
Today is about allowing our bodies to recover from 22 hours of travel and multiple time zone changes. We are glad to adapt to Thai time which is 12 hours ahead of Ontario time. We now know what meals we are eating and when we should be sleeping.
In the evening, we enjoyed being touristy and dining at the Cultural Centre watching traditional Thai dances and after-dinner entertainment. I had a great chance to talk to Air while we sat in the back of the truck together! Her English is terrific and I enjoyed getting to know her better!
Sylvia got to meet two of her sponsor children who are now young women. Jane is in 2nd year university and Pon has has completed university and has her own shoe business! They and their mothers joined us for dinner at the cultural centre and were able to spend time sharing life and stories with Sylvia. Gan sat near them to help with any translation. Both girls are thriving!
We struggled to stay awake until a normal bedtime to help us be fully present for the rest of our time here. 
We are loving our team spirit. We are good at caring for one another and noticing needs. Steve, Gan and David have done a great job of organizing all the details of our days. My desire now is to feel rested enough to be fully present in the opportunities, joys, people and beauty of this amazing experience!
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