M

Miles Apart.
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.

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 eorts, 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 dicult 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 con icts 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 eorts and resources to areas more dicult to access than with previous interventions. Pray that we hear clearly and respond appropriately, in all things, at all times. Gratefully,
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.

mily rrison Fa The Ga

T h e G arri s o ns

Spending our last few minutes with them before they passed through immigration at the airport.

Servi ng w i th th e P eo p l e o f M yanm ar (B urm a)

Sarah

Emilee

Kate

Jake

Raising Meat & Potato Kids in a Rice & Curry World

Sarah and Emilee returned to Thailand to celebrate Christmas with us. Honestly, it felt a little weird for them. It was as if they were wearing ill tting clothes; they couldnt get comfortable. We had moved into a new house that neither of them had lived in, so there were no shared memories at this location. Many of the girls high school friends did not return to northern Thailand this Christmas; our home church has completely dierent members, and eating a Western meal together was no longer a treat. Even crossing over into Myanmar was a big change from what they could remember, because the immigration ocers were not only friendly, they asked to be in a group photograph with us. Evidence of the girls former lives is diminishing. This school year Kate is working diligently and wondering about life after high school. Last semester, she researched careers for elementary education teachers and delivery room nurses. However, her parents have observed that she has a knack for business and administration. We look forward to seeing the path she will follow. Jake has never really attempted to integrate into the daily aspects of Asian life. He generally dislikes Thai food and learning the Thai language. He can sing the Thai national anthem, and has respect for the elderly Thai King. Other than that, he is simply an American kid living abroad. Hes got several friends at school, plays on the JV basketball team and still loves Doritos and hamburgers. Four very dierent individuals, with diering tastes, values, dreams and ambitions. May the Lord pour out on us His understanding and wisdom. We ask for your prayers as we try to nurture four radically dierent young adults in transition, living in two dierent hemispheres.

We are sad that they didnt feel at home but we are thankful You dont really kn they are integrating into ow where home is. American life. Emilee has developed a great group of MK friends, and Sarah has enjoyed having a member of the immediate family not only in the same hemisphere, but in the neighboring dorm! Many thanks to each of you who have assisted in their transition. Cards, care packages, transportation, words of encouragement... thank you.

You feel odd bein g the ethnic majority. Your life story uses the phrase, then we went to... ve times. You can speak with authority about the quality of airline travel. Youve eaten tropi cal fruits that arent imported. You sort your frien ds by the country they grew up in. You think the wor d Visa refers to the document stam ped inside your passport, no t a plastic credit card.

You Know Youre a Missionar y Kid If...

Someone recently asked: What do you typically eat? Fried Rice, Garlic Chicken, Chicken Curry, Penang Chicken 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 for homemade pizza!

Contact us by email at: garrisoncraig@yahoo.com.

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/ sta-garrison/. THANK YOU for your generosity towards our family and the people of Burma!