We have so much to be thankful for, and we still have so much to grieve and adjust to.
It took about 18 months to 2 years for Thailand to feel like “normal” or “home”, and it is taking at least that long for us to adjust to our return to the US.
Not too long ago one of my kids said, “I feel like a stranger in a strange world.” Yep, I can relate to that, but you, kid, even more so.
That comment might not make sense, or may seem odd, when it looks like our family mirrors your next door neighbor and we are doing our day-to-day thing. But keep in mind that our day-to-day, except visits to the US, was very different (ask us about it sometime!). I told someone the other day that while what I do for my work has not changed significantly, almost every other aspect of my daily “normal” has changed and it feels like it is taking so long for my mind, heart, and body to make the adjustment.
Looking back, I remember the initial adjustment to Thailand, and it was tough: the intense heat and sweaty underwear. Shopping was different and cooking was a real challenge. Building friendships took time.
In my adjustment I have thought often about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ unexpected journey to Egypt and then back to Israel. Would Jesus have felt the same as my kid? Who was their “framily” (friends that became like family) while they were away? Were they well received when they returned? What were the losses they grieved? How were they changed after their time in Egypt?
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are precious to me not because they turn my life into a string of successes but they keep me from collapsing under my string of failures. -John Piper
In our transition there have been days that I have felt like collapsing. Yes, the adjustment has been that hard. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has been my hope, both then and now.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
Join us in prayer
Chris is traveling to Northwestern University Hospital this week. He has testing on Tuesday morning and meets with his doctors after lunch. We ask for prayers for discernment for continued decisions regarding medication, future testing schedule, and the Lord’s continued protection over his life.
Future decisions for Luis as he is on the waiting list for the local technical school.
Our family returns to Thailand in June. Our rental home of 14 years is a mini time capsule which we left in October of 2024. Others have benefited from it but it is time for our family to return, have a small farewell tour of seeing friends and special places and then dismantling our belongings. Your prayers with us for this part of the journey are appreciated.
Photo caption: View from the hiking trail in southern Spain. This spring we made some work trips: Chris traveled for work several times within the US and Becca traveled to Spain to meet with the international counselors.
May God be with you and guide you tomorrow during medical tests.
Praying for Chris’ appointments and medication decisions, as well as your upcoming trip back to Thailand. I understand the adjustment period! It can take a long time when we move, or lose someone or just something from our lives. Each time I lament my “loss” I try to speak positive thankful thoughts to the Lord for where I am now.
I am so curious to know what a day’s activities looked like in Thailand! I hope to ask next time I see you.
God’s blessings on you all,
Brenda
What a lot of work, to return to Thailand and to pack up your life there. I’m sure it will be difficult to return to the States after having a taste of “home.” May that time of transition and time of farewells go as smoothly as can be expected. And I will pray that Luis gets into the technical school he is hoping for, and as always for Chris’s continued recovery. God’s peace settle onto you all.
Feeling this so much as we had a similar experience of reverse culture shock and grief. God has been so good and faithful , but it is HARD nonetheless. 💕
We will keep your family in our prayers. Thank you so much for your beautiful post. May the Lord keep you all strong and bless each person in your family in a special way.
Y’all are in my prayers each and every evening. Out God is good and protects His people. He has y’all in His hands; so fear not. If you ever down in Missouri, let us know and hopefully we can meet up. Frank and Erica
Y’all are in my prayers each and every evening. Out God is good and protects His people. He has y’all in His hands; so fear not. If you ever down in Missouri, let us know and hopefully we can meet up. Frank and Erica
Holding you in our prayers–esp. Chris NOW in Chicago… and your whole family for the Farewell Trip back to Thailand next month!
I remember that feeling very well as a TCK and still feel it sometimes. Praying they are able to make some connections to other TCKs stateside🫶🏼
Chris and Becca, So many prayers for good health, tests reports and medical decisions. Also my prayers for your peace as you return to Tialand to pack up your belongings and say goodbye to your friends and ministries there.
Keep you all in my prayers
Trusting Our Lord to direct your steps every day and
bring all together to work for your good.
Becca- Thank you for sharing so honestly about how hard the cross cultural change is. You’ve worked so hard to align your heart, body and mind, and you are exhausted.
Thank you for helping me actually feel the weight of your family’s adjustments. It’s important for us to feel the depth and pain of it. Also, for seeing the movements of Jesus and His family in a different way, feeling their pain too. We all have a deeper understanding of how to pray. May God give good news at the doctor appointment. May He heal completely, emotionally and physically.
Chris and Rebecca and family, thank you for these faithful and honest updates.
May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you – in today’s adjusting and traveling and health.
Jon
We continue to pray for Chris’ health daily. And now will be praying for his tests and appointments this week. Also, will be lifting your family up as you go on your trip and grieve this huge loss of this move for all of you.
Trusting the Lord to hold you all tight as you continue to go through all these changes.
God Bless!
Becca
Know you, Chris, your children are being prayed for in the areas you’ve brought up in this currant note.
The anticipation of a positive report for and from Chris and his doctors is my prayer; the adjustment to the currant place you are at, the saying goodby to “home” soon all will be my asking for you each.
Caring,
Nancy
Thanks Becca for this meditation. May God hold each of you up every single day. Just as he has up to this point. For those moments when you find yourself collapsed on the floor, know that we love you and we are praying.
Lord, thank you that you are continuously attentive to what Chris, Becca and their children are experiencing. Help them to experience your presence with them each moment, Lord Jesus. Thank you for giving Becca such wonderful writing skill so that we can truly feel what she and Chris and the kids are experiencing. We love you Jesus, our Invisible Friend. Amen
We are continuing to pray with you and for you all! We are grateful to read your updates and pray specifically with you, trusting God to comfort and sustain your hearts and guide your steps.
Blessings in Christ,
Lisa & Mark
Chris and Becca, we do not forget to pray for you daily. It is one of the links we have to your ministry; as we fully believe in the pleasure that the Lord has in hearing His children pray, we do count it as joy and as responsibility.
I think the suddenness of your move has to factor in to the feelings you have even now; at the time, we could hardly imagine it. Still, we were and are now confident that wherever we are, there He is. We’re sorry that the move to the USA has been hard; we are also very grateful that your work as missionaries continues. You “go” for those of us who don’t, whether it is here in the United States or overseas. God is pleased to be served by you; we truly believe that “servitude comes before blessings”, and we’ll pray that is your experience.
I–Grace–have had a life-changing event recently; out of nowhere I began to experience pain that makes that of childbirth seem very mild. On 8 April I had multi-level lumbar laminectomy and fusion along with the removal of a large cyst (benign!) in the same area. This is all the result of spinal stenosis, a ruptured disc and the need to stabilize and free a nerve. I have already had cervical multilevel laminectomy and fusion 5 years ago. This surgery has me following the precautions of no bending, lifting, twisting, pushing or pulling for 12 weeks. I can’t attend worship as I can’t navigate the steps in our lovely but old church building. The choir had to stop (makes us all sad) but the Lord has always known.
Chris is my uncomplaining and humorous caregiver, Praise God!
He knows and He cares. He sustains and He provides. XO
Wow, so much change and grief! Praying for you.
Thank you for helping me see, though I don’t understand (because that isn’t possible), what the transition back to the US is like.
Every time I read about or think about your trip back to Thailand this June, my heart breaks over what I imagine that visit to be like for your family Again, I cannot understand (because that isn’t possible), but I can pray and I do.