Time to refuel

By Glenn Harty
September/October 2011

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L-R: Anne Harty, Susan Keays, and Glenn Harty, Scarboro lay missioners serving in Thailand. The Hartys were missioned in 2006 and work at the Camillian Social Centre in Chiang Rai. Susan was missioned in 2002 and works at the Migrant Learning Centre in Chiang Mai L-R: Anne Harty, Susan Keays, and Glenn Harty, Scarboro lay missioners serving in Thailand. The Hartys were missioned in 2006 and work at the Camillian Social Centre in Chiang Rai. Susan was missioned in 2002 and works at the Migrant Learning Centre in Chiang Mai

My wife Anne and I are in day 42 of our 60-day furlough in Canada. We are in our sixth year as Scarboro lay missioners serving in Thailand and this is my second return home. So far this trip, we have slept in eight different beds and made 18 visits to family and friends. Each visit is like a refueling, topping us up a little more, preparing us for our return to Thailand.

Although my focus is on the people we are visiting, I cannot stop thinking about those we left behind in Thailand, wondering how and what they are doing, seeing each one of their faces as I think of them. Their simple lifestyle is to be admired as I am confronted with the abundance of choices here in Canada. The pace here is so fast and decisions are so many, I wonder how I will cope upon our eventual return to Canada when our mission service comes to an end. I expect the earlier decision to go to mission in a foreign country was minimal compared to the future decision to return to Canada.

Our commitment at the Home of Charity for children with special needs, run by the Camillian Social Centre in Chiang Rai, is evolving. Our life is full from dawn to dusk, often Anne going one way and me the other, hopefully meeting up at mealtimes.

I am often requested to design buildings and other structures on the Centre’s property, right through to material purchasing. My emotions often become visible during my involvement with the construction workers, both men and women, who toil under the hot sun. I feel love, anger, admiration, frustration—all present at one time or another while I work on relationship building.

Construction workers at the Camillian Social Centre: Level (checked shirt) who, as his name implies, is fussy about things being level and is a good tradesman; and Onaday, a happy young man who often sings while he works. The majority of people in northern Thailand have nicknames. Construction workers at the Camillian Social Centre: Level (checked shirt) who, as his name implies, is fussy about things being level and is a good tradesman; and Onaday, a happy young man who often sings while he works. The majority of people in northern Thailand have nicknames.

One evening, things were reaching a breaking point. I was having a difficult time getting my point across to the workers. Realizing anger was not the required medicine, the next day I decided to call a meeting. I rounded up two interpreters to help with the meeting and went with one of the workers to fetch juice boxes and cookies. Everyone gathered in a shaded area on the Centre grounds and with the interpreters’ help we proceeded to accomplish a very meaningful discussion.

At the end of the meeting, both parties left smiling, with a better understanding of one another. From that moment on there was a definite improvement in the quality of construction, and my understanding and admiration for the workers blossomed. Open, honest communication was the key.

These are the things I recall with 18 days remaining in our furlough in Canada. I am most grateful for the love and support we receive from family and friends. I will attempt to share this love with all those we come in contact with upon our return to the people of Thailand.

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