A letter from Amy Davisson Galetzka in Thailand
January-March 2013
A TIME TO REFLECT:
Feeding IDP children
New Year celebrations, Lent, and Easter have passed. Although the time has filled up—taking care of Nadia, with family, friends and work—there has still been time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. This time has allowed me to reevaluate and reflect, to start fresh, and also to say thank you.
We left Oregon, and the wonderful time staying with my family, in early February. It was a tremendous blessing to live with my parents and have Nadia get to know them during her first four months of life. We try to continue "seeing" them daily, thanks to technology that makes that so easy (and free!).
After visiting friends and family in California, the three of us travelled back to Thailand. Nadia was an amazing traveler and we all enjoyed the trip. "Baby jet lag" is no fun, but after a couple of weeks we all adjusted to the time change and the hot surroundings. Johnny goes on his work trips to Nepal and Taiwan and returns to stay at home with us in between trips.
During these "see you laters" (I don’t like to say goodbye) and transitions, I have found time to reflect and think about the future. My desire to be a good mother, wife, family member, friend and co-worker has really made me consider my choices, both past, present and future. I hope and pray that I’m living the best way God wants me to live. Here are a few details that came up during these times I’ve had to reflect:
I GIVE THANKS for the past: I am thankful to God, and so many people, for the opportunities I have. My parents made so many things possible for me, including going to Pepperdine University. Attending college there introduced me to Malibu Presbyterian Church, where people then introduced me to ministries in Thailand and Burma (Myanmar).
Amy, Nadia and Johnny
During a trip with fellow college students and leaders from our church to Thailand and Burma, I was introduced to the issues facing people in Burma: a military regime leading the country and abusing its people, refugees, internally displaced people, lack of freedom and human dignity for those living under attack and oppression. More people than I can mention in this space were, and continue to be, a part of this journey. (THANK YOU!!!)
PRESENT:
Things have changed for some who live in Burma, and yet are still the same for many people. Attacks continue in Kachin State, and violence in other areas as well.
In light of a recent devastating fire in a refugee camp, I have reflected on why I first came to Thailand and the inspiration to continue to live and work here. (For the full report, see: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2013/04/10/the-burning-of-karenni-camp-2-and-relief-efforts/).
Many of my co-workers and their families lived in that refugee camp for many years, including K’Paw Say, Gideon and Mucu. They have helped me, challenged me and really been a huge part of the reason I could stay here, far away from my own family, for so long. Relief efforts are ongoing for these families who lost their homes (after they previously lost their homes in their own country and are in exile).
Here are some notes on our relief work during 2012:
• 71 relief teams from 12 ethnic groups working to help displaced people
• 84 medical units (treating around 500-1,000 people) sent with relief teams to help internally displaced people in Burma
• Over 120 relief missions
AND NOW, 2013…
• Day of Prayer for Burma: People from all over the world participated in this day. If you are interested in participating next year, the date is: March 9, 2014. prayforburma.org has more information each year, including a prayer booklet in many different languages.
• Run for Relief: We had a run in Chiang Mai, Thailand (the 10th Annual!), and with the funds were able to support medicine and other relief items for displaced people in Burma. There are many other events like this around the world. runforrelief.org has more information!
• PanRak Foundation ("Sharing Love" Foundation): All of the paperwork for this new foundation here in Thailand has been turned in to the government. The process of becoming officially registered could be just a few months or longer.
Johnny and Nadia practice swimming.
The Songkran festival here in Thailand is the traditional New Year and is a huge countrywide celebration. There is an intense weeklong water fight here in Chiang Mai, so Nadia and I are looking forward to seeing some of the excitement (probably from inside a car or our house!). We will join in a neighborhood party at our neighbor’s house (a home for disabled children) with other children and neighbors.
For Prayer and Consideration:
• In need: Thank you for praying for people in Burma. There are still people living in very desperate situations there, victims of attacks by the Burma Army, victims of violence between religious communities, and other violence. I would ask for peace and justice in this country. Over 100,000 people are still recently displaced in Kachin State.
• Thankful: Nadia is six months old and doing very well! She has adjusted to Thailand and is enjoying her new surroundings and friends—and during the hot dry season no less! We do miss family and are thankful for technology that allows us to "see" grandparents and others almost daily!
• Coming Up:
—In April:
• Relief Team training for some of our relief teams continues as well as relief missions.
• I continue working with our accounting department on procedures, preparing proposals, reports and communication with donors. We are so thankful for those who are funding the relief efforts for the displaced people in Burma!
• I will attend a weeklong gathering, "Business as Mission," and Trade Fair in Chiang Mai at the end of the month. I love these opportunities to learn and meet others who are doing exciting work all over the world, gathered right here in the place where I live!
—In May:
• Relief Team training and missions continue in all the areas where we work.
I am so thankful to you all for reading and for your prayer and financial support. It makes it possible for us to stay and continue this work God has provided.
Please always feel free to get in touch, ask questions about what I am doing, and visit!
God bless you,
Amy (for Johnny and Nadia too!!)
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 195
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