A letter from Amy Davisson Galetzka in Thailand
April-June 2013
Dear friends,
Thank you for your faithful support and prayers. Our family is blessed. Thank God for amazing friends and family around the world I can write this letter to, and look forward to seeing again some day!
I’ve been listening to Bible songs with Nadia each day as we go to work. They are simple, and although we listen to them every morning and afternoon, I’ve been enjoying the repetition and the messages. Some of the lyrics:
Whisper a prayer in the morning, Whisper a prayer at noon, Whisper a prayer in the evening, To keep your heart in tune.
God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon, God answers prayer in the evening, So keep your heart in tune.
Jesus may come in the morning, Jesus may come at noon, Jesus may come in the evening, So keep your heart in tune.
It might not go exactly like that, but it is a sweet, quiet and peaceful song, and honestly a good reminder to be in constant communication with, and to keep my heart and mind focused on, God. It helps me think about priorities, like the little girl sitting in the back seat “singing” along to the songs with me! She recently turned 9 months old and is a constant source of love and fun and amazement.
For me, having a daughter has helped me understand the desperation families in Burma might have when their children, of any age, are in danger or sick. The insecurity of not being able to provide for their families, because of being displaced, or in refugee camps, seems hopeless and disheartening. The desperation of the situation seems more intense during the rainy season (our current season here). Without proper shelter or facilities to keep things dry, stocks of food that are sheltered from the rain, things can be very difficult. These songs cause me to think about some simple truths that help focus my day.
Three months have passed since the last update, and much has changed and much has stayed the same.
In Burma (Myanmar):
One of our relief team medics doing dental care in Kachin IDP camp(For story: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2013/06/22/not-free-or-safe-talks-bring-reduced-fighting-and-more-aid-but-thousands-remain-displaced/)
You might have heard that things are getting better in Burma, and generally, in some areas, that could be true. Currently there are ceasefires with more groups at the same time than there have ever been before. Things are changing. Some more freedom in travel, ceasefire agreements, and other changes have really been praised by the international community. However, people who still are displaced and some who recently have been attacked are still watching as Burma Army camps stay in the same places and are resupplied. The presence of those who were recently attacking the communities continues to create insecurity. The opening for investment brings other issues like land confiscation and oppression as a result of development (while previously it was as a result of attack by the army). These are just a couple of examples of the complicated situation in Burma. I am continuing to learn from my co-workers from Burma about the implications of these changes in the communities where we work. If you would like to know more, please feel free to get in touch with me!
Johnny and Nadia with Sai Nawng and his daughter. He is one of our relief team leaders and his adorable daughter and Nadia were born only a couple days apart! (I highlighted part of his story is in my October 2012 Newsletter). Please pray for Sai Nawng as he leads relief missions to people in Shan State, Burma.
We continue to:
• live in Chiang Mai. I go to the office Monday through Friday and bring Nadia with me. A nice young lady helps take care of her while we are at the office. I’m so thankful for another person in Nadia’s life who loves her!
• work with the relief work for Burma, as there are still people displaced and in need of help there. Although the changes in Burma have stopped fighting in some areas, we will continue to focus on crisis areas as well as support the people in areas that are slowly getting more secure. The relief teams are requesting support for their missions. The medical help, encouragement and monitoring of the situation is requested by the communities. If you are interested in our Annual Report please let me know and I can email it to you.
• be thankful for good health.
Some new developments:
• Our Thai Foundation, Pan Rak or “Sharing Love” Foundation, has been officially registered and we are excited to continue working with the projects that will be supported through this foundation!
• I am currently taking an online course called Poverty and Development for my master's degree in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn more and think more critically about some of the situations I encounter each day and how my actions and responses could be more like Jesus’.
• Nadia started standing up, without holding onto anything, for a few seconds at a time! No steps yet, but it seems like she really wants to be on the move, so maybe by the next update she’ll be walking!
Nadia in a traditional Karen outfit with one of my coworkers.
Looking ahead to the coming months, I am thankful for continued time to work here in Chiang Mai. Johnny and Nadia and I will go to Singapore for five days for a conference (from Eagles Leadership group called “Be the Change”) I will attend. We will also celebrate our four-year wedding anniversary!
In October I will be visiting the U.S.A. to visit churches, friends and family. If you would like to meet up with me, please be in touch! I would love to see you.
September 26-October 3: Southern California (I will be speaking at Malibu Presbyterian Church)
October 4-14: Allentown, State College, Pittsburgh, Pa. (I will be speaking at First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, on Oct. 6 and Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh on Oct.13)
October 15-17: Oregon (Nadia will be 1 year old on October 17!)
October 18-20: Dallas, Texas
October 21-November 3: Oregon, Wash., Calif.
And finally, a few prayer requests:
• for God’s vision when I see people around me, that I will see each person as God does, created in his image.
• for healing for my mother. Her lung cancer has returned and we will know soon what the recommended course of action should be.
• for good family time while traveling and in Chiang Mai.
• for a new job for Johnny as his will end in mid-October.
Blessings,
Amy
The 2013 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 195
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