September has certainly been a month of transitions!  From being a student in a dorm room at Tyndale Seminary to being a mom at my daughter Elizabeth’s apartment in Toronto and then a guest and sister to my younger sister, Sorcha at her house in Victoria, British Columbia and now finally back in Thailand at my oldest daughter Sonya’s townhouse in Bangkok.  I will be moving up to Chiangmai, the northern capital of Thailand to resume my mission work next week.
 
         I had wonderful last days at Tyndale.  While other students and professors were intent on their new classes (and assignments!) I was preparing for my return to Thailand and visiting with fellow students and professors.  I had one last assessment at St. Michael’s hospital where I had my knee replacement surgery – and the result was that I am doing fine.  I was told that my knee has healed 70% and should be 90% within a year and 100% within two years – and to keep on exercising for the next 6 months!  That is quite a commitment and one that I must not neglect to do.  
 
       I received the green light for travelling to Thailand and after having done so, I am glad I waited until now.  I ended up having to walk from one end of each airport to the other with my very heavy bags and then sit in the plane from Vancouver to Hong Kong for 13 hours and another 5 hours to Bangkok with a two hour line up at immigration at 1 – 3 AM!   Thank you for your prayers.  I was able to travel without much pain and had a very good trip. 
 
       Before I left Tyndale, the girls in my dorm gave me a special farewell party. Despite their very busy schedules with both work and studies, we got together for over three hours; had fun, ate and sang, reminisced and prayer together.  I was very touched by their thoughtfulness.  Living on campus the past two years, I was able to make many new friends; young and old, of different cultures, spiritual and family backgrounds.  I will really miss them and the community at Tyndale.
 
       I had the opportunity to speak and share my mission work with four churches in Toronto: Keele Street Christian Church, Forward Baptist Church, Thai Christian Church and the Myanmar Church.  We also held our annual FLC Canada board meeting at Tyndale in September.  All went very well. It was very encouraging to me to see their love and commitment to mission work in Thailand and Myanmar. 
 
       I also had time for personal visits with family and friends.  My daughter Elizabeth prepared a special birthday party for grandson Marc who turned one year old on Sept. 12th.  I visited with my aunt, cousins and my niece Zamiram and her son Matthew and many others. I will miss them also.
 
       In Victoria, British Columbia, my step mom, Mary Collins, younger sister Sorcha and two younger brothers, David and Robert and friends gathered together to celebrate Mary’s 65th birthday at a beautiful beach near the University of Victoria.  I really enjoyed my time with them and the lovely surroundings.  Mary was Associate Defence Minister of Canada and later Minister of Health under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.  She was able to help us out when we faced a very serious trial in our Thailand mission at that time. Mary is still involved in the health sector of British Columbia and around the world.  Sorcha has a cute baby boy named Ronan and is a super mom as well as studying and working on her PhD in genetic sciences, David is traffic controller for the Department of Transport and Robert works in computers.  It has been several years since we were together and so it was a very special occasion.
 
       Now, I am in Bangkok and spending time with my eldest daughter Sonya, son-in-law Jason and three grandsons, Aidan, Jacob and Lucas. Sonya is a lawyer, working for the British law firm, Linklaters and Jason directs human resources for Asia for Greenpeace. Jason told me that Greenpeace workers face trials and many challenges in their stance for the environment in Asia.  
 
       I attended with Sonya and Jason the celebration of 20 years of Thai – Morocco relations and friendship at their friends’ hotel.  It was quite a contrast for me to be among ambassadors, movie stars and royal guests dressed in dazzling clothes – knowing that I will soon be in Chiangmai working among our poor, simple tribal peoples. I once read that a missionary needs to be at home in both a mansion and a simple hut. I find that very true!  Both rich and poor in Thailand need the good news of Jesus seen through our living examples and by our words.  
 
Thank you so much for your prayers for my safe travels and my transition back to Thailand.  
 
Please pray for my return to Chiangmai, adjustment to the weather, culture and mission work and that God will strengthen, guide and empower me for serving Him. May all that I do be for God’s glory and honour and a blessing and help to the people of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.  
 
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”  2 Corinthians 2: 14-15
 
 
May God bless and guide you continually,
 
Beverley
 
 

 

 

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