My Jog Around the Seawall

So, I did my 10km race on Sunday around Stanley Park's seawall...it turned out being the first of many cold days we have seen in these parts, and so I started out with layers upon layers of clothes, and muttering under my breath "why in the world am I doing this?". I have to say, it was SO MUCH FUN!!!!

There's something about running with hundreds, or thousands of other people and trying to pass them and getting passed by men in their eighties, or little 8 year old girls, that really spurs you on to go faster. I finished the race in, I believe it was 56 minutes. My goal was to do it in under an hour, and my goal was accomplished! It was awesome.

So, now I'm kind of considering doing a half marathon. Please, nobody hold me to this, but I am thinking about it. I am going to have to see how running in 40 degree weather in Thailand will be before I really commit to anything of that magnitude though.

So it's done. I did it. And I have the t-shirt to prove it!

Can More

I was just in Canmore for the last few days. I was an honorary member of the MB pastor and spouses retreat. I know, I know...I'm not married, but nobody has to know, right? Seriously though, it was a great couple of days connecting with the Alberta pastors, meeting alot of people, and enjoying some fantastic food together.

I know that I wasn't able to see many of you while I was in Alberta, but we'll get some quality time when I come home for Christmas.

I've received alot of questions recently about when we are going and what we will be doing, and so I want to take this opportunity to bring some clarity and share what we know thus far. I am on a team of 5 adults and 2 kids (Bob and Christina and their two boys, Phil and Jason...Reg...and Bitsy). We are all in the middle of MTI (missionary training institute) so we are either studying at Columbia Bible College or at ACTS seminary. We will be starting team building shortly to learn more about each other, how we work together, and our strengths and weaknesses.

So, the plan at the moment is to head to Thailand at the end of January. We will either be doing language study in Lop Buri (one hour north of Bangkok) or Chiang Mai. We are still in the process of figuring that out. Wherever we end up, we will be there studying the language for a year. From that place, we plan on taking many trips up north as a team to see where we will be settling and to be able to spend much time praying together over that place.

After completing a year of language, we will move up north either to Chiang Rai or Chiang Khong. The ministry that we know at this point is two fold. First, there are some 30,000 new believers among the Khmu people so we'll be involved in discipleship, training and coming alongside the Khmu leadership. Second, there are many among the northern Thai who have never heard the gospel and so we want to be involved in church planting among them. It is among the northern Thai people where we will invest in prostitutes, orphans and the destitute. It is more than likely that we will have to learn the Khmu language as well as Thai...so that means my first 3 years will be primarily language learning.

So...that's as much as I know at the moment. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Also, if any of you have skype please email me your address, because I would love to be able to keep in touch while I'm away.

I'm a Runner???

An average weekend in the life of Jessica Richards involves some form of hanging out, drinking coffee, eating food and possibly a leisurely walk or stroll somewhere. Well, this weekend turned out being defintely not average!

As I have mentioned before, I am in training for a 10km run...and even though I run about 4 times a week, I had never gone over 4-6km .... Until yesterday!!!!

As of Saturday, October 14th, 2006 I officially ran 9km without stopping!! And I think I can honestly say that I kind of enjoyed it. There were defintely points where I wanted to quit, or where I wanted to stop and eat (as I found my stomach growling uncontrollably), but overall it was quite an exhilerating experience!


While running, this thought came into my head...in the Bible, Paul uses running a race as an illustration of being a Christian (as does whoever you believe the author of Hebrews to be) 1Cor.9:24, 2Tim.4:7, and Heb.12:1. That picture came to life for me yesterday. As I ran, there were points where I found it easy and didn't really even think about the fact that I was running. I was able to look around me and enjoy the scenery. I felt good, strong, and like I could run forever (alright, maybe not forever, but at least 30minutes more). There were also points where my legs hurt, my stomach grumbled, and I was incredibly tired. I wanted to give up and give in. I didn't want to hurt and struggle anymore. It seemed impossible for me to finish. That's so true of our faith, isn't it? There are moments where everything is good and life seems easy, and we can enjoy the things around us. But there are also moments where we wonder where God is in it all, moments that we struggle and experience pain. But, take a look in Hebrews, "...and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter (finisher) of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame...". Awesome, isn't it? Jesus is the reason that our faith exists, and we can run with perseverance because HE makes it possible!!!

So, that was my weekend! I actually ran 9km! I'm tired and am recuperating, but I'm so excited that I did it, and know that I'm capable when October 29th rolls around!

The Art of "Bonding"

We've been talking about bonding in class...you know the kind...the type of bonding between the parents and the child, that takes place when a baby is born. Well, it is said that a similar thing takes place when one moves to a new and unfamiliar culture. As a child coming into the world, all things are new...you have to learn how to speak, how to communicate, and what actions are considered culturally acceptable.

Now, what happens in those first few moments of "life" in a new culture are vital to how a missionary may conduct the rest of their time and ministry there. It is in those moments where the bonding takes place. The question is, who will we bond with? The expatriates, who share culture and language with us, or the nationals of the country we go to minister to? I'm rooting for the nationals.

And this is why I have begun to think about some things for when I arrive in Thailand. I am considering (and please pray with me about this) moving in with a Thai family for the first few months of of my time there. I realise that it may be difficult and uncomfortable, but what an incredible way to adjust and learn the language (a bit like being thrown in the deep end and having to learn how to swim)!!! I don't want to become Thai, because I will never stop being Canadian, but I do want to 'inculturate' myself and learn how to depend on the Thai people as well as the expats around me.

I know people read this blog...so leave me some comments and let me know what you think!!!

Penticton and Pumpkin Pie

Saturday afternoon consisted of Reg, Bitsy and me climbing into the car and driving for 4 1/2 hours to Penticton. It was seriously a beautiful drive, but for the few hours I missed because I was sleeping. We arrived in Penticton around 6:30pm and met up with Bob and Chris, which officially made this the first time our team had ever been together as a whole unit! It was awesome!

We went out for Thai food, and found ourselves the loudest group in the restaurant (and it wasn't only because of me this time!!!) and then went out to Starbucks so we could sit and talk longer. Seriously, it was so great to be together and get to know each other better. They shared alot about Northern Thailand, we spent much time laughing together, and just becoming more like family. Afterwards we went out into the parking lot and prayed. Such a great ending to a wonderful evening.

Sunday morning we went to the Grace MB church where Bob shared the heart and vision for Thailand in the Sunday School class, and we all introduced ourselves and gave a brief history of who we were and how we ended up at this point. Then Bob had the service to preach.

Afterwards they put on this lovely thanksgiving meal for us (being as we were in Penticton on thanksgiving). There was everything! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and of course pumpkin pie!!!! I seriously only ever eat that stuff once a year, but I LOVE it!!! I also ended up sitting at a table with some of the lovliest people, and I found that I had mutual friends with each of them! So rad! They were all musicians...bluegrass, bagpipes...and used to travel around when they were younger. So amazing!

So, with bellies and hearts full we said goodbye to our new friends and began our journey back home. I am now in Abbotsford readying myself for another thanksgiving dinner with my wonderful house mates, George and Margaret!

I have attached the first ever photos of Hope for Thailand team!!!! Enjoy!!!

Bob, Chris, Me, Bitsy and Reg...

The girls!

West Jet in Abbotsford

I had another blessing this week...another little taste of home. Our very own, beautiful and captivating Kimberlee Darling had a bit of a break in my city...Abbotsford, BC. She has been flying all over the country (West Jetting), diligently serving people their complimentary drinks and snacks and landed about 15 minutes from me! Hurray!!!!! We got together early on Wednesday afternoon and shared an amazing meal (yes, the food was good, but I think the company was better), talked, caught up as best as we could in such a short time, and probably could have gone on alot longer but for her early morning and my book report.

Thanks Kim, for that break and for sharing that time with me. It was greatly appreciated!

Also, check out the prayer request box...some new stuff has been added.

Weekend of Fun

I had a superb weekend filled with laughter, food and very good friends . It all started on Friday when Crystal graced me with her prescence. Not even half an hour after she arrived we went and ate Thai food (I could eat that stuff everyday...oh, wait...Thailand here I come!), and then we went to Joel's house (more affectionately known as Grandpa Joe) for fondue (or "fun"do). It was awesome...a whole bunch of people that haven't seen each other in a long time, or people who have just met all conveining around a pot and dripping chocolate all over the place. Can't ask for much more than that, can you...? That evening ended late...much later than I'm used to.

Saturday began with me going for a run with Joel and Kyle (did you know we are training for a "marathon"? nobody needs to tell Joel that marathons are actually much longer than 10km), then that afternoon Crystal and I went for coffee where we played checkers with pennies and quarters in which she handily kicked my butt...twice...nice strategy Crystal...well played!

That evening we went into Vancouver for a friend's b-day party and mingled amongst prosthetists (prostheletists?). Also a late night.

Finally, the weekend ended with us all getting together again for brunch and spending the day playing pool (the girls won both times), and laying around until it was time for night church.

In the midst of all this getting together and fun times, there were a few moments that stick out in my mind. When Crystal and I were coming back from the birthday party we stopped in to a coffee shop to get something warm to drink. As we were waiting for our "royal lattes", this girl came in, bleeding from her head and asking to use the bathroom. I followed her in there and helped her clean up a bit, but more importantly felt compassion for her. She had gotten into a bit of a tiff and had been pushed on the ground where she hit her head. And then this afternoon while I was walking home from school I ran into this guy who seemed quite dispondant. I started chatting with him and found out that he's had a pretty rough go at life and he was shocked that I would stop and talk with him. I told him that God loves him (which can seem so trite, but it was the right thing to say at that moment) and it cut him to the heart. His name is Pascal if anyone wants to pray for him...

So, I'm tired and yet happy. It was so good to connect with friends and have some laughs and get to meet new people. And I so enjoyed seeing God meet people right where they are at.