Two months has been the longest stretch (by far) that we’ve been away from home and out of the country.  Surprisingly, it was fairly easy to adjust to life in Thailand.  But coming home has brought a good deal of reflection and comparison.  As a family, we’ve entered the process of debriefing the summer by [...]

Two nights with no sleep, 18 hours of travel, 24 hours door to door — and we’re HOME! It was an incredible, life-changing summer in Thailand — and we’re HOME! The kids are happy to be back, Amy and I are adjusting to HOME! Comments: Isaiah:  “Hey, dis bwrack Cabela’s truck is still mine!”  (2 [...]

Blogging has been a low priority for a few days.  Amy came down with a stomach infection on Wednesday afternoon and is just now beginning to feel better.  I got the same bug on Saturday.  I can handle most things just fine — except a fever.  I turn into a wimp.  Amy gives birth to [...]

OK — I’ve hiked the Canadian Rockies, fished the Beaverhead River, sailed out of Cancun, walked the Great Wall of China and adventured around the world.  But — island hopping in the Andaman Sea is one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had.  I imagine that God decided to play around with colors, coral, [...]

Ever since Jr. High, I’ve had a hand in working to pay for what I need.  Back then, the Hettinga clan was poor — Dad pastored small churches who believed that it was their job to keep the minister poor and it was God’s job to keep him humble.  I remember getting “new” clothes out [...]

I’m sitting in a British-style pub listening to Muse and using the free wi-fi.  The sun is high and palm trees are waving in the breeze. We made it to Phuket (pronounced Poo-ket for those who are giggling like jr-high boys) on Friday evening.  The island is beautiful and peaceful — at least on the [...]

I’m not sure where it started — I know my parents handed the practice down to my siblings and I.  For the past few years, Amy and I have been passing it on to our kids as each one comes of age.  It’s the practice of giving purity rings to the kids in exchange for [...]

Just walked back from the store.  The boys needed milk and diapers.  Levi seems intent on eliminating his body weight every 24 hours.  And Isaiah has decided to add dysentery to his many skills. ——————————— Thoughtful.  Today is our last in Chiangmai.  In some ways, we’re ready to move on — the kids are hungry [...]

We reconnected as a family on Sunday late afternoon.  Amy, Kait and Ellie returned from the Lahu village (see previous blog) and we all debriefed and then headed for the pool. On Monday morning, Amy & I met with the staff of the Family Connection Foundation (led by Tim Dunham).  I shared a devotion that [...]

Guest blogger:  Amy Hettinga I never thought I would preach in bare feet.  Actually, I never thought I would preach at all to a Sunday morning congregation.  But I did just that today! Early this week I accepted an invitation to preach in a Lahu village church.  While I felt nervous at the prospect of [...]