Don't read emails before you sleep...they might blow up your sleep!

26^th Feb, 2008

Here I am…sitting in a little French Lao café working on some Lao and wanting to journal in English. I haven’t written my thoughts all month.

I should go into the spare room each night and do half an hour several days each week. A little each day can build a great deal over the week. It helps me when I write down what I’m thinking, working through and praying for.

I should do that before I go and teach at ARDA. I’ll work out my teaching week and plan it in before I go to teach.

Reading Emails before Sleeping...not a good 'thingy'

I had an argument with Cc last night just before we went to bed. We looked at an email and climbed into bed thinking about the mail…I could hear some apprehension in her voice. I was tired and wanted to sleep. I had my 6am Tue prayer meeting the next morning...

I / we got a bit frustrated with each other. Cc was adamant it was the way ahead…I was tired and rolled over and said, 'ok…I’ll talk to somebody else about it' .

Cc went off…I realised that our mistake was ‘reading an email before we sleep and then trying to ‘talk’ about it…It wasn’t good. That’s a rule that I don’t’ want to break again! No emails before we sleep.

My 'little girl' is turning a corner...

I was put in my place by Sarah a couple of weeks ago. I was in the car park of the school and I asked her to come and kiss me before she goes into school. She said very firmly, ‘dad, I’m not your little girl anymore. I don’t want to kiss and hug you in front of people.’ Ouch!!! I thought to myself, 'Like i've been giving you a bear hug and forehead kiss for the last 5 years of school life and 2 years of kindy...wat's changed today!'.

I crawled back into the car and drove slowly down the road. I never wanted to overstep my ‘father privilege' to hug my kids. I supposed I just did that...Sarah felt ‘kiddish’. In some ways I feel sad that i've lost ‘little girl’. Now I need to find my ‘teenager’ and support her in her new image of herself. Discover 'when' we can hug and how do I treat her under the watch of her friends.

Sarah went to bed the other night and said ‘night’ dad…no hug. She knew I wanted to hug her. I resisted the temptation to run in and hug her. I’ll give her the space she’s asking for. Talk about tough love!

I really enjoy sending Shanae off to kindergarten. We hold hands and walk down to her classroom. We talk rubbish and chit chat along the way...I check that she’s got everything. We put her bag in the bag basket labeled 'Shanae'. She's got one for her shoes too. Then I kneel down and tell her I love her and to have a good day. She tells me that she loves me. We do a special ‘hand wave’ and stare longingly into each other’s eyes.

When I pick her up I ‘coowee’….her ears prick up and when she finds me she runs into my arms. She’s usually riding her pushie (bike) or playing in the cubbie house with Hydie.

Going home

I’m enjoying the thought of ‘going home to Sing and Oz in June. We would have been away for 18months away. I called mum the other day. It was good to hear her voice. I love her and miss her care and concern.

I miss my immediate family and their spouses. In Singapore I miss Cc’s family and all our church friends.

Jan 08 prayer updates

sticky…>>>>Jan 08" shapes="_x0000_i1025">prayer update ________________________________________________

Bits and pieces to keep in mind and prayer about for our coming year…thanks muchly! There are some directions and projects that Cecilia and I are sensing God leading us towards. They seem to be a mixture of our plans and God’s plans. Our year may look nothing or ‘something’ like this at the end. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that our character looks more like Jesus’ character and ‘our’ works more like His work. Please pray that we live the abundant life of Jesus- John10:10

If you sense God speaking to you about our plans or future, please feedback the feedback!

With GREAT HOPE
Ian, Cecilia and Tribe xxxxxxxxxx

Teaching at ARDA
Cecilia will be teaching Beginner B class in the first semester and I will be teaching Pre-intermediate A. For this year, ESL teaching is still the focus for our hands. Honestly, I personally struggle to keep ESL teaching the focus. But I will do that again this year. We are excited about the possibilities that always exist in these classes to build relationships. In the 2nd semester, Cecilia will not teach. We have decided that Cecilia will get ready to ‘homeschool’. In the 2nd Semester I will teach 1 Class of Pre-intermediate B.

Lao Language learning ​(ຫ​ເດສັນ​ກຍຳ​ຮກສັ)
Cecilia and I have stopped attending formal Lao language classes in Candlelight language School. We have some basic language and are pursing our learning through We currently have a tutor coming to our home 6 hours a week. We are working through language experiences and materials from Candlelight. We continue to enjoy learning the language and look for daily opportunities to use it. Language will be an important part of our learning in 2008.

Home Schooling/Co-op Education
Homeschooling in a *Co-op setting will be a focus for this year. There are currently 4 families who have decided to join together and start an ‘Educational Co-op. As a Homeschooling Co-op, we will share resources, skills, and vision to educate our kids with a Biblical world view. We are looking for a small premise to ‘house’ this endeavor. Seth and Sarah will start this year (commencing Sept), Shanae will remain in Pattana school for another year.

After much consideration and some indications from the Lord, Cecilia and I have decided to give some of our attention to lead this project. The larger vision of the Co-op is a potential ‘International Secondary’ school. Maybe the Singapore Diocese wants to get involved? We don’t know. We’ve raised this possibility but we’re not hearing much from them. There’s much to discuss and pray about this project. The vision for the Secondary school is at least 2 years away. The Co-op is an immediate plan.

Community Development Studies

‘Development’ in a ‘Developing country is the BUZZ word. To raise the living standards of people they need toilets, roads, schools, hospitals, clean water… There is a Community Development school that brings in teachers to teach on such topics. They are Christian development practitioners

A better understanding of Community Development seems very relevant for my future work. Whether I work with ARDA or in another Developmental Agency, the courses offered have directly relevance to my next steps.

The course runs for 3 years. Trainers from around the region come into Lao every 3 months for 5 days and teach a selection of modules. The training is 4 weeks yearly, over 3 years. Assignments are expected to written up and handed in the absence of the trainers.

I teach English classes this semester from 7-9pm. So I won’t have a conflict during the 1 week modules. Cecilia teaching is 5-7pm. The church has agreed to support the costs. I just need approval form Andrew Stevens, the Director of ARDA.

Housing
We have taken a second year lease on our current home. And we were able to remain at the same rent- praise the Lord! I did promise to do a few home renovations, and I said that we would pay for the reno. We have good relationships with our Land-lord and the community we live in. I’m building a small playground for the kids. It is fun and we see this home as the Lord’s provision.

Assembly
We are currently attending the Sunday Evening fellowship. This is a gathering for English Believers. Cc is involved in children’s teaching and I’m involved in preaching- once every 2 months. We enjoy the fellowship and the community. We have made many good friends. It has been a vital place for us.

This year, we have started to attend the Lao Church- there are 3 in town. here is some translation in this church. We know several Lao friends there already. Last week was our first week and it was good. The kids were a little ‘board’, but they will grow and learn. But they are doing much better now with some basic language. We understood some of the songs- not much of the preaching.

Hospital Work

I’m part of a small group that makes sure people in hospitals here get extra food. We do a food run weekly. There’s 4 of us and we rotate each week. Once a month I can visit a person in hospital. I’ve got to get two letters to do this. There’s been some fruitfulness that has come out of this work. But we are in need of more helpers to get involved so it’s not too taxing on the few. If you don’t know what I mean be hospitals, read Acts 16. Paul and Silas spent some time in a similar place. This man just came out of hospital.

Being Disciples

What I’ve just outlined is a vision mainly for our hands. Any lasting, eternal work can only come from a vital relationship with the ONE who gives vision and vitality. Our personal, couple and family time with the Lord is fundamental to our Year’s Vision. If we’re not growing and being transformed by this relationship, then there will be little fruit from our hands. John 15 says ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that y bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples

Some highlights of Kunming, China 2007

we landed, climbed trees and...hung out with our friends

23^rd Dec

Today we left for Kunming China. Cecilia and I flew into Kunming in 1995 as a two year old married couple. We arrived today as a 14 year old married couple of three kids!

Cecilia had our winter jackets dusted off. We carried them onto the plane. It was 5 degrees outside when we walked into Kunming airport. Forward thinking Cc had brought some warmer clothes just in case our standard jackets were not good enough. Praise God for Cc!

The kids were a little excited. They didn’t really have much idea about what to expect. To them it was just another ‘Asian city’. For Cc and I, it was a journey back to the past- a time without kids, a time when we ‘didn’t really know each other’. It was a time of new zeal for God’s work. Cc and I rarely talked about ‘going’ back after we left. We scratched around the idea several times, but never with any seriousness. We never thought we’d see Kunming or our friends again. We didn’t think they’d still be living in Kunming after all these years.

Bob and Haedy met us at the air port gate…We’d been wondering what a decade of life does to a person in Kunming. For Bob, the out ward appearance was ‘less’….less hair and less weight. For Haedy, in my mind, she had remained much the same in appearance.

We hugged each other, stared and laughed…I could feel a tear in my eye, I wiped it away. We then introduced the kids. It was fun to do that…a moment of feeling proud parents. Haedy kept saying, ‘I can’t believe you’ve got three kids’. Neither could we really, but it was true, in 11 years with the Lord’s help we had had 22 years (combined years10+8+ 4) of family life!!!

We piled into Bob’s little van and drove slowly into the crowded, noisy, streets…it was like bumper cars at the Royal Show…except for the bumping. Nobody touched us. But every body was so close- amazing skills! The city had grown to 5.5 million people. It my estimation, it was less than half the size 11 years ago.

As we flew in I caught a glimpse of a kilometer long train loaded with huge D24 bulldozers…Were they for export or import? Seeing the construction taking place on the ground, I could see how ‘Zhiang the Builder’ had ordered them to spread the Kunming metropolis further.

Coming from a town of 600, 000 people (Vientiane) and a nation of 4 million (Singapore)… Kunming seemed big to us. On the first day I ran down the ‘Orchard Road’ of Kunming with Bob. It was cold and I got tired very quickly- Bob ran fast and we were 2000 meters above sea level. But the run took me past 3 Wall Marts; 1 KFC and 2 Mac Dondalds!

The streets were packed with goodies…the roads were jammed with new buses and cars…the bike lanes were cluttered with electric scooters and the odd bike. No more old blue ‘Mao’ suites. I saw more colour and fashion on the street in 30 minutes than I had seen in a whole year in Laos. There were ‘real’ Gucci, NIKE and Adidas shops alongside the fake. I saw a group of teen’s staring longingly into the sleek glassy Pierre Cardin watch cabinet.

I could still see the ‘old’ Kunming behind all the new and the bright. People still wear simple clothes; sun burnt faces still sell potatoes and corn from coal fired 44 gallon drums; bike riders still bundle their bikes and negotiate cars with great skill. Forming this view of things seems cliche- ‘Kunming appears to be clamoring for everything new and modern and has found a disdain for everything simple and old’.

Is this my personal opinion for what is good? Is it right? Is it wrong? Is it neither right nor wrong? Is it bad? Should China develop less like the ‘WEST’? Is China following the WEST? Should China ‘deprive’ themselves of development for the sake of using fewer resources and thereby polluting less? American didn’t, isn’t....won’t. Why should they?

We played monopoly...













we visited our 'old homestead'












the kids kept saying, 'once upon a time...'

we 'bao zhaozi'...make Chinese dumpling!!

we walked the streets...






















we love China...




























we got our nail clipped...



























but there's no doubt about it, we had a fantastic trip with wonderful friends, good tucker and in the sprawling metropolis...
but we'd much rather be in our little Lao home and sleeping our our own little pillows! Thanks for praying us back home!!!

What we were doing on 2006 Chrisie...and what we're doing in 2007

Sigh, this time last year the girls had a big cook up at mums and the secret recipes and traditions were being handed down through the generations.

Although, as you can see, Seth is icing his 'Ginger Bread Man' at the JOMA bakery in down town Vientiane. We took the kids there on an excursion just last week. They had a ball....

This year we won't be so near family...we're off to China tomorrow. We'll keep you posted. The last time we had Christmas in China was 1995...We can remember it well...it was freezing cold and the food was nothing like MUMS!!!!!

With love to all of you over Christmas, where ever you are...God's riches love! Don't forget to 'delight yourself in the Lord'!!! Ps 34:7 He came so you can do just that....

I don't know why....

I don't know why...but i'm just feeling a bit sad. Not bad, just sad. Two days now...the sun is warm; the afternoon pleasant...a cool breeze but sad, i'm just a little sad. I've much to be greatful about...It's a our wedding anniversary today...14 years together. The best years of my life. Wonderful years. Not 'peaches and cream' but 'kaya and toast'....all up we've known each other for 18 years. I made the right choice, she's the best for me. Sometimes when I'm not sad nor am I bad, she knows i'm the best for her.

We're going for a lor-mantic meal on Friday...today we gotta teach. So pinch me, kick me, flick me, or pray for me...I'm not bad; just a little sad.

my enemy,
melancholy

in the shadow.s..

The other evening there was a Chinese opera on the Mekong...in the shadow a young man was getting ready to perform.

she loves to dance....he likes to write

Our dancing daughter...went off to a show the other day...we ra, ra! in the audience...she did a great job. She remember all her steps and was very delicate. It was a Lao dance. Sarah was nervous but deep down she loves to dance...















There was an exhibition at the at the dance event....Seth got his 'book on lao' in the exhibition representing his school...he learnt how to type doing this project

watch out for those chickie pox!!!

the kids were off for two weeks with the big rooster disease...they slept a lot for first few days and had small temperatures...they were really good and didn't pick their sores...good self control..they'll be heading back to school on Tue! So that's cool...they really miss school, friends and 'work'...

HOPE Centre Teen GAmes 07

The HOPE Centre had their first teen games this year...it went fabulously! 100 kids turned up and they played a wide variety of games and had lots of fun...it was clean, entertaining and they got to hear the gospel message through various sports messages!!! ...The guy below with the super leg... caught me eye during the games...he was a spectacular sportsman at the 'cain' ball game...He was a fun guy. I taught his mate 'KEY' a few guitar lessons several months ago...Unfortunately Mr Spectacular and Key are now in jail waiting a sentence. They got drunk and had a fight at a club and the police got em...the rest is well...lets keep them in prayer! We need the Teen Games and we need disciples alongside these guys..But most of all, Lord we need you mercy every day!

boon boon...!!! One of our Sing soldiers on holidays after spending much of this year protecting the nation. He's our mate...he made his way through Vietnam and found our little tribe. Boon's stay was short but true to this guy, he's always enjoyable to be around. Boon impresses us with his kind and sensitive acts through the day...his willingness to help out with everything. We kept him in the dog house for two days and he didn't complain so that was cool...Cc does whip up a good breakfast so 'backpackers' are welcome to the Dierden Tribe Dog HOUSE>>> Thanks for the visit Boon boon...love ya!

ways you can build up....

There are some really cool G-news books that you might want to help support financially. All these books are needed. In my opinion, this is a very worthy project. I know the people and I know the history of these projects.

There are three types of books.

1. The first is a story about two friends. It is a series of 4 books. It’s been a very good tool. They want to make it available in books and mp3. They want to print the 4 books in the series- 5000 copies each. They approximate the cost to be 7500 to 8000 U.S.

2. The second book is a Handbook to the G-news book. This book was printed once before and it’s been a top priority for a long time. They want to print 3000 copies. They approximate the cost to be $3000.

3. The third printing need is a commentary on an old book. There are 3 volumes. Volume one was printed and they’re now ready to print 2 and 3. They estimate the cost to be 4000 U.S. for volume 1 and 2.

The above prices are estimates.

If you’d like to give these projects, please email me and I’ll send you the details.

All in a day's lesson...beyond the words!

Meet our two good friends-Kipp and Anna. The little fella in the pouch is Levi. Kip is a Mhong American. That means his parents are from the Mhong tribe but he's lived most of his life in America. Anna is a MK. She was raised in Thailand and is back doing what her parents did...loving tribal people. They are currently teaching English at ARDA until the Lord opens up other things for them.

The other funny looking boy with his shirt off...he's parents are also trying to love Lao people. In fact, this little boy's parents organised this picnic on the river to get to know his English students better. They had a great day and got closer to the students. It was fun but trying. His parents had a long week and they've not been well. But they decided to press on and keep their picnic date. They were pooped when the got home and slept part of Sunday. But they pray that their efforts will be fruitful and meaningful relationships will be built up with their students. There's a lot of things to do when you teach beyond the words...

The students like to play songs, drink beer (the boys), laugh, joke and eat lots of good tucker...so that's what we did. We cooked bamboo soup, ate sticky rice, bbq fish and lots of other veggie, good for ya stuff with lots of chili.

The wife of the tribal boy with his shirt off is grating up carrot for the 'papaya salad'...

The blue insect and the red boy are sunning themselves on a hot rock, all part of the river's edge setting....

'Bo sai Phadek'!!!

Cecilia and the three girls- On, Noy and Iew are making the bamboo soup and other goodies....there is the 'paste' called 'Phadek'. It is made of rotting fish (stinking) and some of the first words Ian managed to say in Lao were 'bo sai Phadek'- Dont' add Phadek! 15 years ago Ian also said Durian smelt like stinking fish...so there is hope that one day, in the not too immediate future, Ian will eat Phadek like he eats durian...with great delight!!!

journal entry Oct

Journal entry..this is a new thing for me. I won't be divulging all of me, but i thought i'd share some things I've been thinking about

I’ve been thinking a lot about starting up a refrigeration business here in Lao. I feel excited when I think about going ‘back on the tools’. The idea of ‘fixing’ fridges and air conditioners gets me excited. I must admit it scares me a little because I’ve not done worked with fridges and aircons for 20 years! The equipment has changed, although the basics are the same. Relearning, or upgrading doesn’t phase me, I’m feel ready to learn something.

Teaching English is a good job. It can and does open doors and hearts. I can build relationships through teaching English. I am doing just that. But my 'heart' isn't totally in the teaching side of it. I struggle with the motivation to teach English. I wonder if God's getting me ready to teach or doing something else. God has given me a lot of compassion that I'm not putting to 'good' use. I'm just thinking out aloud....but if I do a business with an apprentice or two, then they are with me the whole day, I could be discipling these guys all the time. That’s my passion, to win people to Christ and then disciple them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus. That’s why I’m here for. That’s what the good Lord’s called me to do.

I’ve a few questions:

Is fixing fridges and Airconditioners really what God wants me to do, or is it just exciting because it’ll get me out of teaching English?

1. Is this enthusiasm and renewed interest from the Lord, is the Lord directing me and Cecilia down this road?
2. How does this ‘affect’ my calling into ‘full-time’ ministry? Doing refrigeration/doing business in Lao- is this stepping away from what God’s called me to do- which is to teach and pastor people into faith?

Wed 10^th Sarah

Spent some good time with Sarah yesterday…we skipped together then played cricket. We just had a good time talking about who’s she’s sitting with in school- how yukkie boys are and some school yard goss. Her love language is talking. Sarah’s friend Mona is a very good influence on her. Mona loves to talk too but when she works she ‘gets really serious’.

I caught up with Sarah’s teacher the other day. Her name is 'Shelia'. She said glowing things about Sarah’s attitude, friendliness and her social skills. She did say that she’ll be moving Sarah from Joey’s table because she talks too much with him. Joe is a ‘different’ boy. He’s no threat to the ‘girls’. Sarah said he ‘can talk to all the girls’ and they know he’s not ‘hitting’ on them. It’s amazing how some guys can do that. So now my little princess is sitting with her 'arch-enemy’ Polo- whom she calls ‘Bratthead’. That's after the Bratt Dollars- who have big heads!

Seth
Tuesdays are also my day with Seth…we looked a fridge problem last week. That was fun and we’ll prob do that on Fri of this week- im’ so excited to do mechanics with my son. Today I helped him type his ‘Lao’ assignment on my laptop. He grumbled all the way…but he did finish. He is a good student. Teacher Shalini said he’s diligent and helps other students if he can. He’s me mate. I gotta keep close and spend the time. He’ll make a good ‘mechanic’ or ‘doctor’…

Shanae was very precious this morning…she kept coming back to see if I was alright. I’ve not been well. I really appreciated her effort and sincerity.