Garrison January 2013

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The Garrisons Serving with the People of Myanmar (Burma)

M Y A N M A R P R O J E C T J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3

Dear Friends,

Last week was an emotional day for two reasons. We

expected to be tearful about the girls departing, but

we did not expect to be overwhelmed by the

generosity of so many when we received our monthly

nancial report from CornerStone. In spite of our

best efforts, tears kept leaking from our eyes. To say

that we are humbled is an understatement. We pray

that we are a worthy investment. We ask you to pray

that our actions are honoring to the God who loves

us, the God we follow. Thank you.

While we have certainly had difficult seasons living

overseas the last eight years, this seems like the rst

year when we have really had to count the cost of

living in Southeast Asia. Please do not grow weary in

praying for us. Having a second daughter leave the

house brought a deepening sense of loss. We are

thrilled that they are at a university studying

together, but we are saddened that they cant visit on

a four day weekend, or call between classes, or bring

a friend home for the holidays, nor can we attend a

parent event on campus. We are disconnected

from their lives, and they are disconnected from ours.

Initially the changes in Burma (Myanmar) made us

strongly consider whether our time was drawing to

an end on this side of the world. However, as new

conicts erupted in the northern and western areas

of the country, we have not yet sensed that we are

released.

While the cities and surrounding areas in Burma do

indeed have a new sense of freedom, outside the

tourist zones, things are worse. Craig seems busier

than ever trying to coordinate relief efforts and

resources to areas more difficult to access than with

previous interventions.

Pray that we hear clearly and respond appropriately,

in all things, at all times.

Gratefully,

TheGarrisonFamily

Our family saying goodbye to Karas parents in 2004 before

departing for SE Asia.

Last minute picture with the girls before we head to the airport

for their 40+ hour trip back to the US. Ugh.

Spending our last few minutes with them before they passed

through immigration at the airport.

Taking a pause between sending daughters off on a plane and putting away Christmas stuff. We give thanks for our

time together with all our kids, the provision that made it possible, and the freedom to travel between nations.

Miles Apart.

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Sarah and Emilee returned to Thailand to celebrate

Christmas with us. Honestly, it felt a little weird forthem. It was as if they were wearing ill tting clothes;they couldnt get comfortable.

We had moved into a new housethat neither of them had lived in,so there were no sharedmemories at this location. Manyof the girls high school friendsdid not return to northernThailand this Christmas; ourhome church has completely

diff

erent members, and eating aWestern meal together was nolonger a treat. Even crossing overinto Myanmar was a big changefrom what they could remember,because the immigration officerswere not only friendly, they askedto be in a group photograph withus. Evidence of the girls formerlives is diminishing.

We are sad that they didnt feelat home but we are thankfulthey are integrating intoAmerican life. Emilee hasdeveloped a great group of MKfriends, and Sarah has enjoyedhaving a member of theimmediate family not only in thesame hemisphere, but in the neighboring dorm!

Many thanks to each of you who have assisted in theirtransition. Cards, care packages, transportation, wordsof encouragement... thank you.

This school year Kate is working diligently and

wondering about life after high school. Last semester,she researched careers for elementary educationteachers and delivery room nurses.However, her parents have observedthat she has a knack for businessand administration. We lookforward to seeing the path she willfollow.

Jake has never really attempted tointegrate into the daily aspects ofAsian life. He generally dislikes Thai

food and learning the Thailanguage. He can sing the Thainational anthem, and has respect forthe elderly Thai King. Other thanthat, he is simply an American kidliving abroad. Hes got severalfriends at school, plays on the JVbasketball team and still lovesDoritos and hamburgers.

Four very different individuals,with differing tastes, values,dreams and ambitions. May theLord pour out on us Hisunderstanding and wisdom. Weask for your prayers as we try tonurture four radically differentyoung adults in transition, livingin two different hemispheres.

Raising Meat & Potato Kids in a Rice & Curry World

YouKnowYoureaMissionaryKidIf...Youfeeloddbeingtheethnicmajority.

Yourlifestoryusesthephrase,thenwewentto...vetimes.Youcanspeakwithauthorityaboutthequalityofairlinetravel.Youveeatentropicalfruitsthatarentimported.Yousortyourfriendsbythecountrytheygrewupin.YouthinkthewordVisareferstothedocumentstampedinsideyourpassport,notaplasticcreditcard.

Youdontreallyknowwherehomeis.

M Y A N M A R P R O J E C T J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3

All gifts toward our work with the people of Myanmar (Burma) should be sent to: CornerStone

International, P.O. Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390. Please write Myanmar Project on the memo

line. Additionally, you may make secure donations online at http://www.cornerstoneinternational.org/

staff-garrison/.

THANK YOU for your generosity towards our family and the people of Burma!

Contact us by email at:

[email protected].

Sarah Emilee Kate Jake

Someone recently asked: What do you typically eat?

Fried Rice, Garlic Chicken, Chicken Curry, PenangChicken and steamed rice, if its a Thai food night.

Otherwise, we often eat refried beans and tortillas.

On Friday nights, we usually go to our friends house forhomemade pizza!
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Garrison January 2013