Dear Friend,
 
This week there was a double rainbow over Chiang Mai.  It stretched in a great arc from one end of the city to the other, and the distinct bands of colors were clear and vibrant.  The Great Artist was at work again, and drivers were compelled to pull over and enjoy His majesty.   I love to see those moments when He claims the attention of humanity by the arresting beauty of His creation!   The next day in art class at the New Life Center, one of the girls decided to create an image of Noah's arc with a rainbow in oil pastels.  Something so simple...she drew what she saw and interpreted it.  "This is hope for us", she said.  A 14-year-old girl's simple statement of faith that God was present in history and He is still working now to redeem humanity.

There is a sacredness about the creation of artwork that sometimes takes me by surprise.  In The Mind of the Maker, Dorothy Sayers wrote a theological reflection about art, in particular reference to writing and theater, but what she writes is equally true of the fine arts.  In chapter 9, she writes, "To the human maker,... accustomed to look within himself for the extra-temporal archetype and pattern of his own creative work, it will also be natural to look beyond himself for the external archetype and pattern of his own creative personality-the threefold Person in whose image he is made..."   In our therapeutic art classes, I often witness girls who are using art to reflect on deep spiritual questions about their own identity, their life experiences, and the nature of loss and grief.  The two self portraits pictured here speak volumes about the artist's self-perception.  In the image I call "Mickey/Medusa, one artist describes the struggle between holiness and sin in her.

In the pencil drawing, the artist explained that this was what happened to her when she disobeyed her parents.  She talked about the various marks on the face of the image, and said that even though her real face has healed from her injuries, the scars still exist "on the inside".  Daily, I am reminded that I have so much to learn from each one of the girls, and I value this sacred time spent with them.
 
This month, we opened a new art studio for the residents.  I rented a little shop around the block from the New Life Center.  The girls had fun painting the room green and white, and we look forward to taking full advantage of the new space.  The girls will have access to a wider variety of materials, since I no longer have to carry the day's art supplies over from my home.  All the materials are now at the studio.  My hope is that this will free the students up to be even more creative.  Also, in the past, other students who were using the activity tables for homework or handicrafts had to be relocated when the art class wanted to use the tables.  Now, other students can continue their work, while the art class is relocated!   Peggy Schmitt, our sexual abuse counselor, will also take advantage of the new space to do counseling and therapeutic activities for the girls.  Praise God for this exciting opportunity!
 
My deputation travels in April and May were fruitful.  The churches I went to were so welcoming and receptive.  Thank you to each and every person who hosted me during this time.  And thanks to Anson and Christine Yew and Susan and Dave Rice who let me use their vehicles to get around.  It was wonderful to see longtime friends, and to meet new folks.  And it was a real blessing to reconnect with my family for a special cookout hosted by my father and stepmother.  At the end of the two months, I returned safely to Thailand, and jumped right into work with a NLC Foundation Board meeting the very next morning.  Whew!
 
Then in June, the Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship held our annual missionary retreat, which was attended by 90 people altogether.  It was held in Kanchanaburi, which is an area of Thailand west of Bangkok, along the river Kwai.  The conference center we went to is situated right on the river, with spectacular views of the jungle.  Fifteen dear friends from Kenwood Baptist Church in Cincinnati, OH flew halfway around the world specifically to come and bless the missionaries.  And that they did!  They led special children's and youth programs which the kids thoroughly enjoyed.  The adults were blessed by an outstanding worship team and challenging Biblical teachings along the theme of "Come to Me and Drink", based on John 7:37-38.  The team also met individually with many missionaries to talk with them and to pray for them.  And they brought a gift bag for each missionary family with books, a CD of messages by John Piper, and a tea cozy, handmade by the women at Kenwood.  The week was topped off by a visit to Erawan Falls, where we enjoyed hiking around the falls, splashing in the water, and sliding down a natural rock waterslide.  The conference was a meaningful time of fellowship and rejuvenation, thanks to the generous ministry of the Kenwood team.   
 
In other news, my dear friend, Karen Smith, who is the director of the New Life Center, left last month to go to the U.S. for a year of deputation.  She will be speaking at conferences and in churches all over the country, and has a very rigorous schedule planned.  She will also spend some important time with her family.  Please keep her in your prayers this year.  And keep me and the New Life Center in prayer during her absence!  She is already sorely missed.   And the staff and I will be hard pressed to keep things in order while she's gone. 
 
Finally, thank you to the many churches and individuals who continue to give your generous financial support to help keep me serving in Thailand.  Your sacrificial love is a blessed gift and encouragement to me.  Also, thank you to the people who are faithfully uplifting me in prayer.   God is at work doing daily miracles, and your intercession is a big part of it. 
 
With Love,

Kit