Seven Years
(Newsletter 33 / May 6, 2013)
Seven years ago we made the decision to leave everything that was familiar to us and travel literally to the other side of the world. I remember seven years ago Jana coming home from teaching gymnastics and asking me whom I was talking to on the phone. I told her I was interviewing for a job at an International Christian School in Bangkok Thailand. She gave me the look that was intended to be profanity, but since we are good little missionaries we don’t cuss at each other openly 
. I knew immediately it would not go well with her once I finished the phone conversation with ICS. Once I hung up the phone I quickly told her that I was offered a job and the good news was they had an open elementary position. What she did next was not the yelling attack I expected, (I should have known that my lovely wife would not like me looking for a job, completing the application, and finishing the interview process before telling her about it), but instead she smiled and we started searching for Thailand on a map. I knew Jana was not happy about the process, but I think after talking to schools in South Korea, Japan, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, and Ecuador, she knew Thailand was the next place in our journey. As I reflect back on this decision, I think it would be good for Jana and I to share with you some things we have learned in our seven years of teaching and living in BKK.
Jack – I have realized the true definition of depression. I spent an entire year depressed after Marley was born. I believe it was the hardest year of my life and I was worthless as a husband and father during that time. God taught me the value of a dedicated wife and the healing we can receive through talking with people that have been there. The greatest part of that year was realizing my relationship with God was not where I thought it was and my need for daily faith.
Jana – God’s creativity runs deep and wide. We have met so many different and interesting people while living in Thailand. Through each of these encounters and relationships God has revealed Himself to us in different ways. It is through and because of these relationships that my relationship with the Creator has grown.
Jack – The enormous responsibility we have to mentor the next generation. I am not sharing this to boast, but God has opened my eyes to the struggles of our students at ICS. The time we spend talking and caring for these students is a necessity. Numerous young men and women have told us thank you for just taking the time to build a relationship with them outside of school. We believe that is our greatest ministry at ICS.
Jana – God has been teaching me about humility for years and years. He has used so many of the years here in Bangkok to show me how little control I have in my own life AND how much greater His plan is for me than what I have planned for myself.
Jack – There are days I love being a father and days I hate being a father. I love the sweet smiles and hugs Marley gives me constantly throughout the day. But I also hurt when I see people look at her differently or when she struggles to complete tasks that are easier for others. My own father dying at an early age inspired me to change my life, but I wish I could sit down with him now and tell him I finally understand the love he had for me.
Jana – Unreached people groups are hiding within our own communities. We must pray for God to open our eyes to those people in need. We were never aware of the great need for families with special needs children until God made us aware. I think some of the raw emotions that we experienced as God showed/catapulted us into awareness is a taste of the deep love that God has for those who are hurting and lost.
Marley –I would say that she has learned that life is going to be fun sometimes and hard sometimes. There will be times that Daddy/Mommy will let her splash in the rain puddles, eat a French fry, and wrestle the cat into submission. Unfortunately there will also be times that she will not get what she wants just because of who she is. Pulling the cat’s ears, throwing her food, and biting will be followed by disciplinary actions.
Summer Trip
Please pray for our travel this summer. June 7th we will be heading to the States to visit families, churches, and therapists. Our schedule will include Oklahoma City, Durham, Boston, Providence, Atlanta, Knoxville, Sparta, King, and Myrtle Beach. Every summer is hectic for us as we try to balance seeing family with meeting Marley’s doctors. Rarely does the summer seem like a vacation for us, so please pray that we can find a little time to relax. Also pray for Jana and me, as the summer is our main time to get a little break from Marley since we live overseas. Finally pray for us to have opportunities to share with others about the journey God has taken us on these past seven years.
Twitter – jackjanamarley #iftheyhadavoice
