I took the last of the cookies out of the oven and carefully stepped over sleeping bodies as I made my way from the kitchen to our bedroom. The last of our sixteen guests had retired for the night, and the only noise was the whirring of fans, strategically stationed to drive off the sauna-like heat descending on our house. The last time we had shared sleeping space with the Ekamai Violin Ensemble had been during the cold season in Chiangrai, and that time we had been trying to keep warm. How fitting that the group that inspired the music school idea is here to celebrate our grand opening with us, I thought.
It had been more than two years since we had taken Daniel to the Sabbath afternoon violin group in Bangkok, and Ricardo had started helping with it. God had used that experience to plant in us the dream of having a music school in Khon Kaen. We had seen how music naturally connected us with the various strata of society and how performances provided a non-threatening space for introducing Jesus. Now, the Ekamai Violin Ensemble had traveled the six hours from Bangkok to play at the grand opening of Peace Music Academy.
I stretched out next to Ricardo, closed my eyes, and let the marvel of God’s leading sink in. The distance between our dream and its actualization was long. I remembered our return to Khon Kaen and the months of searching for an appropriate locale, and how it felt like we would never find one. I remembered how God had led Danny and Sheany Pung to join us, and how their experience had proved invaluable in the process of setting up the school. I remembered how God had brought us our first violin student, Jom. I thanked God for the friendship we were now enjoying with his family. I remembered the evaluation visit from the Department of Education—how they had asked what our purpose was, and how Ricardo had explained that our goals went beyond simply providing quality music education. They had been pleased when he explained that we wanted to share Christian values and facilitate holistic development in our students. Mr. Nopradom, the official in charge of schools offering language, art, and music, had made the process of getting our government permit a smooth one, and we were excited that he would be at the grand opening to cut the ribbon.
It was close to midnight, but I knew Shannon Sorensen was probably just getting to bed also. Her baking had been postponed when she came over to help me fix food for our guests. Cindi Tumberg and Daniëlle K. had made an emergency run to the supermarket while the men bought extra rice—one of the many blessings of working with a team. Chris Sorensen had contacted key municipal leaders and the parent of one of our students, and this had resulted in the free use of tents, chairs, and even voluntary decorating by two monks! Daniëlle had worked meticulously on the program and scheduling with the administrators from the Thailand Adventist Mission who would be arriving in the morning. Ajahn Suporn, our language and culture helper, had arrived from Bangkok and would be emceeing the ceremony. In addition to coordinating music numbers for the program, Danny and Sheany had coordinated the reception meal, which would be a vegetarian feast. Even though the Doss family was away on furlough, they helped by providing their home, located a block from the music school, as a guest house. Their kitchen supplies were a big help as we raced back and forth for last-minute needs.
I held on to the thankfulness welling up inside me, and I consciously catalogued the memories for easy access during times ahead when we would need to “remember how God has led us in the past.” We did not come to Thailand to start a music school. We came to join God in starting a movement for Him. This means building friendships, becoming fluent in Thai, and learning everything we can about Thai culture and the Buddhist worldview so we can communicate the Gospel at the heart level without confusion. Our music school has helped us toward that goal. It gives us a valued role in the community and extends our influence. For me, Peace Music Academy also serves as an analogy for our work here. In a very tangible, visible way, we have followed God’s lead into unknown territory. We have glimpsed His vision and witnessed His provision. If He is this faithful with the infrastructure of our mission, there can be no doubt that He will accomplish the ultimate mission—to reach His children in this country.
