CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Mae Sua – Who We Are

Probing Kulabta, I inquired, "What is unique about our company?" She responded, "Most of our employees are women." I further quizzed, "What is different about our staff?" She cheerfully answered, "We train them to be good managers." I retorted, "Then you would be wrong.

What we do is teach them to be good women. In fact, we show them how to be the best females on the face of the earth. Our ladies are comfortable in who they are. Thus, they make the best managers.

Your job as a regional administrator is to help our managers to become better people. We do not micro direct what they do. It takes a caring and respectful person to be a good regional overseer." Kulabta appeared to be thankful for this understanding. It will make a difference in the way she will resolve to succeed.

I expounded, "People skills are more important than balancing down to the last penny. A woman's esteem determines her comportment and her looks. Another way of phrasing that is, if a woman feels good about herself in appearance and good attitude will follow."

Nang Chom Lockhart, my great niece, who had been quiet until now, proceeded, "Kulabta, do you know my daughter, Tira Lockhart Savage?" She avowed, "No mam, I do not believe I do." "Just call me Nang Chom since we are cousins." "Yes mam, I will. I mean, Nang Chom."

"She is twenty-one years old and runs the largest conglomerate of silk on the planet. Her factory did not exist four years ago. Now it produces more silk wedding dresses a year than any other manufacturer. There are no premade dresses. Each one is created to the bride-elect's stipulations.

They have recently opened bridal boutiques in Thailand and the United States. Their regional managers are graduates of their training program.

Almost four years ago the people of three villages were slaughtered, except for the girls and young women ages thirteen to twenty-two. They were taken hostage, beaten and raped many times. They were rescued by multi-national military teams. There were no homes with which to return.

There were about seventy-five women. They were mostly outcasts and shunned by surrounding villages. Tira was eighteen at the time. With the assistance of the Respected Mothers Garden Club and a handful of other women she launched a plan to take control of their own destinies.

The only common thread that these women had was that they came from villages that produced silk. Their sewing skills were limited to a few that sewed by hand. Tira organized the young women into a powerful co-op. She made each woman part owner of the company. All seventy-five had to learn to use a sewing machine to make dresses.

Several hundred beaten down women have been revived. They have gone through her training program and become leaders in Thailand and around our world.

The determination of one woman eighteen years old, who became mother, sister and friend to seventy-plus women, changed the garment industry of the free globe.

Kulabta, you are one woman. You have the power in your mind and heart to influence an army of women and men to make their lives better."

Kulabta was astounded by what Nang Chom had shared. Wondering if she really had the power to impact and courage to influence a large group of individuals to make them more capable in life really made her think. Is it an ideal or can it become a reality?

I told her that she needed to start with unselfish prayer. How would this apply to her relationship with Bobby? She needed to be specific and unselfish? Perhaps patience has not been one of her virtues, but she is learning.

I proclaimed, "We have great hopes for you. We want you to flourish. Minor changes can produce major results. Someone has said, 'life may give you lemons, but if you use them to make lemon pie, lemonade or lemon seasoning you can turn a negative into a positive.' Take heart and look at the situation. When we discover the ways of good life now, we can turn them into roads that are better."

Kulabta asked Nang Chom, "Who watches your child while you are at work?" She articulated, "Sy La Maaw (สายลมอ่อน,) a cousin. She is Ling Noy's mother. Her rates are reasonable and she is a retired teacher who speaks Thai, English and Issan fluently. She will teach your child all three languages. Let me write down her number for you." "Rufus and Martha have used her services. Kulabta was aware of her.

"Thanks for the information." She contacted Sy La Maaw to meet with her and Seebhabee (สี่บาบี,) her son of four years. She grieved over having her dad chase Bobby out of Thailand.

Her actions produced a leering look. Bobby will never forgive her. I do have confidence in the end he will. My vision of them tells me that they will get together. Time has given him an immense stumbling block. He is angry and distraught over the loss of his wife and baby. What can I do to help them? How can I make it right once again?

He needs to blame someone, and that's her. She desires to move on with her life, and doing what we suggested. Will Kulabta become more caring with less anger? I believe with God's help she will improve.

She began going to the little chapel off the side of the church before going to work. It was a great start. Kulabta felt a little awkward for the first few times, but then it started to sooth her emotions. Talking with a strange man, (Rakha) caused her to feel calmer and at peace with herself.

Occasionally Rakha would slip in quietly. Neither of them would say anything. They would sit on opposite sides of the chapel. Upon entering he would appear troubled. By the time he left, he seemed relaxed.

During the third week of her trip to the chapel she heard Rakha's voice, "Thank you Lord for our little conversation." She was appalled but could not hear a thing other than Rakha.

"Does God talk to you?" He imparted, "God confers with anyone who listens. Sometimes it is like a little whisper in the back of our mind. It often occurs when we feel peace in our hearts. It happens when we have a question, and suddenly the answer arrives from nowhere. All these ways, plus some others, are how God speaks to us." It was as if she received the secret of existence. A door was opening for her. All she needed was to go through the thresh hold.

Kulabta shared that she had the sensation of peace. "That is a start. God has a lot to say to us. Being in the chapel or in church puts us where we are receptive." Her emotion was quiet within. She was open to receive much more.

Her mood exhibited a calm that had been absent for the last few years, possibly her entire life. The reaction is what was needed. Her watch was calling to head toward work. She found herself almost smiling as she walked to the office.

As she entered her floor, Kulabta knew what a child knew after raiding the cookie jar, a little guilty, but the fruit of her labor was joyful.

There was a transformation in others as they interacted with her. They commented that something created a difference about her from the previous day. Nang Chom halted by her door and gave her a thumbs-up.

Upon reaching Kulabta's office we realized that there was a change in her. "You have a serenity that means one thing. God has touched your soul."

"I did not hear anything audible, but experienced a satisfaction that has been absent from my spirit."

Certainly, there was a change, and a part of her wants to make amends. Perhaps a chance could be obtained by going to Clark AFB with her Dad.

Possibly, there was a risk until she reversed her wish at the last minute leading her to hide behind the bleachers. Kulabta was reminded of that old saying, "Hindsight is better than foresight." She blew it big time. In my vision he was coming to Chiang Mia, but she was not aware that he would be transferred here.

There was no way of his knowing about her coming here before him. Even if they met face to face, his anger would be vented. Maybe that would give her closure. She believed his anger was deserved, but wanted to gaze into his eyes.

Maybe seeing the vision that he is coming to Chiang Mai will satisfy her. Her fear combined with anger will cause more hurdles. Hopefully, she will calm down. Young people have difficulty interpreting a full revelation. Her outrage will prevent coming to terms with her desires. The best we can do is to inspire her to gain confidence.

Kulabta and Bobby need a large dose of wisdom to solve their troubles. They possess a block that keeps them from finding true love. It seems hopeless at times. Both failed to see the distinct answers.

We human beings can be short sighted. Guidance is required to complete us. Thus, seers provide needed understanding.