Earlier this week I woke up to a lovely surprise. An email from our neighbours in Chiang Mai informing us that Sanborn Cottage was under attack! By gremlins!

They heard the sound of running water coming from our house, and knowing the house was empty, they went to investigate. That’s when they noticed our front gate all smashed up. Word on the street is that, yet again, a drunken biker took the corner too fast and slammed into our gate. This time he won’t be back to help fix it, cause he didn’t get caught red handed.

Upon entering our house, our neighbours discovered that Samantha’s bedroom and bathroom were flooded. A pipe or fixture was damaged, and so for the last 2 months since our last tenant left, the bathroom has been filling with water. Samantha’s room was 2 inches deep in water. Her ‘big girl’ mattress is probably destroyed. The changing table will need major repairs, as well as her book shelves and closet. I’m thankful that Thai bathrooms are always built about 4 inches lower than the adjoining rooms. The damage would have been much worse. But the jury is still out as to whether our storage room, where all our important personal stuff is stored, is effected or not.

Our neighbours turned off the water, and left.

A few hours later, Gampon & Mirjam (Pastors at City Gate Church) had a strong feeling that they needed to come over to our house and check things out. They were shocked and surprised to find such a big mess. Thank God for speaking to them and that they listened!!

Mirjam made the grossest discovery of all: The electricity bill had not been paid AND our last tenant left food in the fridge. The power had been cut off. Mirjam said that the fridge smelled like a dead person was stuffed in there.

I’m so thankful that Mirjam, Gampon and Tongkham came to our rescue. Gampon and Tongkham moved the furniture into the sun to dry it out, and cleaned up the mess in the bedroom and bathroom. Mirjam’s a meticulous cleaner – my fridge will be as clean and odour free as it can possibly get. And Samantha’s room will be as dry as it can be. They probably did a better job than I could do on my own.

Gampon also informed us that our truck is fairly banged up – like it’s been in a few fender benders since we left. Why weren’t we told? Who’s been driving it and not taking proper care of it? I feel like people are taking advantage of our goodwill.

News like this makes me want to go home!! I want to be there to make it right. I don’t want this burden to fall on my friends. The initial mess may be cleaned up, but what about the long term effects & damage?? I can’t expect my friends to follow up endlessly. Maybe I’m just a control freak.