The age of miracles is still with us. As I write Rob Dunk is in Bangkok and on his way back to Australia. A couple of weeks ago he was so seriously ill that it was possible he may never leave hospital. A hospital bug was partly responsible for that so the doctors were keen for him to get out, and suggested he spend a couple of weeks to consolidating his recovery. His family (inc 2 doctors) decided to get him on a plane, so here he is for a 4 day stop-over.
On Monday I had the opportunity to go down to Bangkok with Pawinee, Glom, Kerry, 6 teachers and Cheewar, our girl with lupus who lost her toes, and who for a year used to dress Rob’s face daily. We left in a mini-van at 6am and after a tortuously slow journey of 7.5 hours we arrived at the hotel where Rob was staying. He looked in remarkably good condition considering what he has been through. The side of his face is still paralysed but apart from a few words he could speak quite clearly. In fact, he spoke to us non-stop for an hour, testifying to God’s grace, sharing about the days of excruciating pain, and telling us of how he praised and thanked God. He told us of progress so far and exhorted us to pray for his complete healing.
After he spoke I led us to the Lord’s Table, and spoke of the healing that can be found at the Cross – “by his stripes we are healed”. It was a precious time and Rob loved it. We used an embossed silver communion cup and plate that Pawinee had bought in Israel a number of years ago, and it was the first time it had been used. It was rather special to use a cup that was bought not far from where Jesus had the Last Supper with his disciples. We then anointed Rob with oil – also from Israel.
We were there just 2 hours and then we hopped back in the van for a 6.5 hour journey home. Pawinee and Kerry stayed overnight to spend some more time with him on Tuesday and then travelled back in the afternoon. Rob’s flight to Australia is on Wednesday when he goes to Canberra where a daughter lives. Her name is Roxanne Kelly and she was named in the Australia Day Honours list for her work in the administration of the Defence Department.
So, back to Ban Meata where on Tuesday I finally made the transition from the building site to the office. On Friday I took Malcolm and Kay to Khon Kaen where they caught a plane to Bangkok and from there to Perth. I stayed overnight at KK so I could catch up with Why for the last time. We had a wonderful time together for a few hours in which we spoke of her uni results (much improved) and her future goals and aspirations. She graduates in July and will then come back to Phetchabun to teach at the school here while studying for her education degree. We went to Sizzler in a big shopping centre for lunch, and my pork spare ribs were to die for. We talked over matters of faith throughout lunch and it was such a privilege to share Why’s faith journey – a remarkable young lady and we love her very much. Rich and Rebecca and the kids are so proud of her and see the fruits of sponsoring her through her school years and through university, and praying for her throughout.
While on that topic there are 2 other girls who are developing into beautiful young women and becoming gifted worship leaders. Giv and Booay are sponsored by Andrew and Nichole and the girls. Several other friends and family who are reading this also sponsor kids here and as I see them take part in worship or other activities it brings tears to my eyes – I just wish you could see them and meet them face to face.
There is a joke going around about a Thai clock. Instead of numbers there is alternately “Think about Food” and “Eat Food”! I don’t want to be too Thai but I must share with you a couple of wonderful meals over the last week or so. Every year I report on a visit to Mum Whun’s grandma’s place for a meal, and I went again last week. Her grandma is now 89 (bat sip gau), a tiny bird of a lady with failing eyesight and hearing. Her first question when I arrive is “Where’s Colleen?” and I assure her that Colleen talks about her all the time and will come next time. She then tells me all of her ailments which fortunately Whun translates for me although the hand signals give me a fair idea of where the problem lies. I make comforting noises and say “mai sabai” which means “not well”. The meal came out and everybody, including Whun’s Mum and Dad, a couple of aunties, and Giv and Jam, 2 girls from Whun’s house at Ban Meata, sits on a platform which is like a low table. Because Colleen wasn’t there I got to sit on the only stool, which is good because after sitting cross legged for a while it takes time to get my legs straight and working again. There were a couple of bowls of soup with generous quantities of pork pieces and other vegetable dishes along with a basket of sticky rice. In this village setting you eat by rolling a wad of sticky rice then putting your fingers in one of the bowls, pick up what you want and put it in your mouth. It is communal eating at its most basic. And it was stunningly delicious, or “aroi” as they say here.
All of this was done under the verandah of grandma’s house in the jungle and is just a beautiful setting - quintessentially Thailand! Whun and her girls had brought a little portable gas stove (available at Ray’s Outdoors!) so they could make pancakes for dessert. Grandma is suspicious of such new-fangled things (although she has electricity any cooking at her place is done on an open fire) so she moved herself to another platform and watched from a safe distance. Although she uses a long stick to walk she doesn’t suffer my difficulty in sitting for long periods on a hard surface. The pancakes were cooked without any major explosions and there were enough to leave for her lunch (“kin khow”) the next day. Incongruously the whole meal was eaten in front of a TV with a Thai game show followed by a Thai soapie, which although much loved, is truly awful, with much pouting, whining and slapping each other. I left after that meal so grateful for my Thai family and a sense of how their love and hospitality has blessed me so much.
So, onto another meal. Our Whun became a devotee of a roast dinner when she was with us in Adelaide and when we came in August last year she reminded us of this and asked if we would bring a packet of gravy next time. One of the first questions she asked when I arrived was, “Did you bring the gravy?” To my shame, I had forgotten! (Memo to self: Don’t forget next time!!). Anyway, she informed me last weekend that she would cook me roast potatoes and gravy, and mashed potato. So, Sunday afternoon she borrowed some Gravoxfrom Trish, another “ferengue” (foreigner) volunteer and set about preparing the meal. The result was absolutely wonderful – she really is a great cook.
We had to have the meal on the verandah of Mum Whun’shouse because Whun’s “ban” (house) was being used by the Ban Meata manager, so she had to transport it all about 100 metres to where we (Whun, Mum Whun and Cheewar and I) sat on a mat (no stool this time!). She had a container of pork steaks, ceramic dishes of golden brown roast potatoes, mashed potato, sliced carrot, green beans, and the “piece de resistance”, a bowl of gravy with onion in it (because that is what Colleen does). And it was all hot! It was heaven!
Well, Life now consists of sitting in front of my computer writing up a 3-year plan for HOMF. My sugar levels unfortunately have responded accordingly so I’ve had to up the insulin a bit. Only a few days to go and a few things to do apart from the admin work. It’s Moi’s (our new sponsored child) birthday in a week or so, so I want to take her out for a treat. And I also want to take Whun, Aun and Captain out for a meal before I go. Pawinee gave me the keys to Rob’s beautiful Nissan Teana while I’m here so we can ride in style.
My preaching commitments also end on Sunday and I’ll take my last teaching session on worship on Pawinee’s front verandah on Sunday night. Despite the preparation this has entailed I have really enjoyed it and God has blessed it in many ways, and thereby has blessed me as well.
So, that’s it for another year. I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing you all at some stage. Thank you for your prayers – I have felt very supported and there have been times when I needed it.
God bless
Ron
PS Rob and Jean arrived safely in Canberra this morning (Thursday). Thank you for your prayers for them.
