We are moving!
We are moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand in July!
Many of you know that we have been talking and praying about this move for a few years. As we have sought wisdom and counsel from others, we have gotten nothing but positive feedback. We are excited that the right time has finally arrived!
Some frequently asked questions...
1. Why Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai just makes so much sense! And Hong Kong is becoming too expensive. We moved here as a family of 3 with a two year old who only wanted bread and apple juice. Now we are a family of 5 and between school, housing, and groceries, our costs keep going up and up. Chiang Mai has a lower cost of living and is home to a school for missionary kids called Grace International School. In Chiang Mai, we can have a house more than double the size of our current (700sq/ft) place, for less than half of what we currently pay in rent. This low cost of living has attracted other organizations to make Chiang Mai their base of operations. Nathan will have many opportunities to network with others doing similar ministry.
2. Thailand = Vacation, right? Are you just wanting to move to the beach?
Nope. We actually currently live near the beach and Chiang Mai is a 8+ hour drive from the ocean. Most of Thailand is not beachfront. (See map above)
3. Will Nathan still work with SALT?
Yes. Nathan's work doesn't really change, just our home base. He will still travel doing theological education. He will still go to meetings and communicate regularly with the SALT office. The only difference might be that he Skypes into staff meetings wearing a dress shirt and pajama pants.
4. Don't you already speak Thai?
No, because we didn't grow up in Thailand. We grew up in Taiwan. (See blog title and About Us)
5. Will you learn Thai?
We see this move to Thailand as long-term and want to connect with the local language and culture as much as we can, even though Nathan's primary teaching emphasis will remain outside of Thailand at first. Shannon plans to attend 10 hours of language school each week for the first year. Nathan may do some intensive language school as time allows, but that will not start until after we are more settled.
6. Where will the kids go to school?
Grace International School. The boys have already been accepted and will be in 4th grade and 1st grade this August. When we visited Chiang Mai over Christmas, they got to tour the (temporary) school campus and meet the Principal. They even have a couple of friends at school already. Although local school in HK has generally been a positive experience, we are so excited for them to go to Grace!
7. Don't you feel like traitors to Morrison Academy (the high school you went to in Taiwan and sports rivals to Grace)?
Absolutely. To the 8 people that care deeply about this... we are sorry.
8. But on Facebook, I saw that video of Daniel performing in Cantonese. Isn't it sad to take him away from a country where he is already fluent in the local language?
Yeah, so Daniel is really not conversational in Cantonese. But he loves being on stage and is quite happy to memorize many lines of a language that he only sort of understands.
9. But... but... :(
We love you too, Hong Kong. We have so many great friendships here. We've had many adventures and learned so much. We have community that knows us and yet loves us anyway. We have people who love our kids and will keep them at a moment's notice. We don't take any of this for granted. Our 7 years in Hong Kong are the longest that we have lived in any one place our whole lives! We will miss you terribly.
10. Can I visit you?
Yes, please!! We would love for you to come visit! A bigger house means space for guests!
Many of you know that we have been talking and praying about this move for a few years. As we have sought wisdom and counsel from others, we have gotten nothing but positive feedback. We are excited that the right time has finally arrived!
1. Why Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai just makes so much sense! And Hong Kong is becoming too expensive. We moved here as a family of 3 with a two year old who only wanted bread and apple juice. Now we are a family of 5 and between school, housing, and groceries, our costs keep going up and up. Chiang Mai has a lower cost of living and is home to a school for missionary kids called Grace International School. In Chiang Mai, we can have a house more than double the size of our current (700sq/ft) place, for less than half of what we currently pay in rent. This low cost of living has attracted other organizations to make Chiang Mai their base of operations. Nathan will have many opportunities to network with others doing similar ministry.
2. Thailand = Vacation, right? Are you just wanting to move to the beach?
Nope. We actually currently live near the beach and Chiang Mai is a 8+ hour drive from the ocean. Most of Thailand is not beachfront. (See map above)
(the beach we must say goodbye to)
3. Will Nathan still work with SALT?
Yes. Nathan's work doesn't really change, just our home base. He will still travel doing theological education. He will still go to meetings and communicate regularly with the SALT office. The only difference might be that he Skypes into staff meetings wearing a dress shirt and pajama pants.
4. Don't you already speak Thai?
No, because we didn't grow up in Thailand. We grew up in Taiwan. (See blog title and About Us)
5. Will you learn Thai?
We see this move to Thailand as long-term and want to connect with the local language and culture as much as we can, even though Nathan's primary teaching emphasis will remain outside of Thailand at first. Shannon plans to attend 10 hours of language school each week for the first year. Nathan may do some intensive language school as time allows, but that will not start until after we are more settled.
6. Where will the kids go to school?
Grace International School. The boys have already been accepted and will be in 4th grade and 1st grade this August. When we visited Chiang Mai over Christmas, they got to tour the (temporary) school campus and meet the Principal. They even have a couple of friends at school already. Although local school in HK has generally been a positive experience, we are so excited for them to go to Grace!
7. Don't you feel like traitors to Morrison Academy (the high school you went to in Taiwan and sports rivals to Grace)?
Absolutely. To the 8 people that care deeply about this... we are sorry.
8. But on Facebook, I saw that video of Daniel performing in Cantonese. Isn't it sad to take him away from a country where he is already fluent in the local language?
Yeah, so Daniel is really not conversational in Cantonese. But he loves being on stage and is quite happy to memorize many lines of a language that he only sort of understands.
9. But... but... :(
We love you too, Hong Kong. We have so many great friendships here. We've had many adventures and learned so much. We have community that knows us and yet loves us anyway. We have people who love our kids and will keep them at a moment's notice. We don't take any of this for granted. Our 7 years in Hong Kong are the longest that we have lived in any one place our whole lives! We will miss you terribly.
10. Can I visit you?
Yes, please!! We would love for you to come visit! A bigger house means space for guests!
Bless you as you move! Maybe we will see you.
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