Changes, Changes - Monday June 30

On Monday our plans changes two or three times. That's becoming normal. We really do wait on the Lord, He's the only One who knows what will really happen for this day. We spent the morning doing various tasks at the guest house. We unpacked and sorted donations that had come fromt he Goshen church. This was their tourist day and they left early.
Next, we spent time in the book of John writing quiz questions as part of a competition that Dave is trying to develop for the big orphanage here. Our afternoon was spent teaching English again. We will return a couple of other times this week so we are glad that we will see the same class of kids again.
We did Mexican for dinner - great! Funny! The Thais don't like Mexican but we enjoyed it.
Dave is leaving on Tuesday for Cambodia and this computer will be going with him, so there will be few opportunities for blogging. Thanks for your prayers and notes.
Everyone is feeling better. Today we are going to paint at the widow's farm.
Blessings to all of you.

Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29

The days are each new but we are finding that we're having trouble keeping the activities and the places straight. We loved telling the Goshen team about "their" kids. This Goshen GBC is sponsoring two orphan homes, one here in Chiangmai and one in Battambang, Cambodia. They were SO excited to see the home yesterday and meet their kids. One of the things their church did was sponsor a Biggest Loser contest for three months. People must have paid a fee to join the competition. When it was done there was a lot of lost weight AND money to buy 10 new bicycles when they got here. Today they went shopping and bought 18 bikes with the funds they brought. It was very cool!
The older girls made delicious cookies at Debbie's house yesterday. Debbie has a full kitchen in her house, complete with a regular stove and oven. The guest houses in both countries only have burners to cook on and no oven. The teams are on the go most of the time so usually only breakfast is eaten here, or sandwiches on the run. We've enjoyed the luxury of having our laundry done for us and hung out to dry-or get resoaked by the afternoon rains. It has rained most days, but it cools things down for a little while.
On Saturday evening we took the kids swimming again. The Goshen team was nearly asleep on their feet after their plane flights. But they hung in there to swim and meet the kids. We were supposed to go to a restaurant for dinner that we've been to before but, can you believe it, they ran out of rice!!! We went to the "mall" where there was a food court. At the other end of the floor was McD's and KFC but the food court was all Asian - okay but not real great except for the ice cream:)
This morning we went to the large orphanage for church. The pastor from Goshen was speaking today. Most of the service was in Thai, not as much English today. Pastor Jim Brown did have a translator for his message to us. The added blessing of the morning was the baptism service for 5 of the young girls. This meant putting everyone in the trucks and vans and going back to the place where we went swimming. There was Thai singing during each baptism - "Happy Day, When Jesus Washed My Sins Away"- Dave Atkins and Mike the missionary both did the baptisms together. We were blessed to be part of this special time for the girls. We went back to the orphanage for sticky rice and BBQ chicken - all eaten by pulling the meat off the chicken and eating the sticky rice with our fingers. There was good old Coke too. I haven't had sugar Coke for 15 years, but there isn't much diet, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max...whatever...around here so it's usually the loaded stuff!
We had an easy, restful afternoon. The Goshen team sorted their 10 boxes of donated goods and separated them for here and for Cambodia. They are flying on another airline, so they won't have as much a problem as we did with the discount airlines and the weight of luggage.
One of our girls, Jen, has had a sore throat since Cambodia. She is on antibiotics. Jamie was sick today with a fever, but seems better tonight. Kailee, the intern from Wooster, jumped in the pool on her heel and has a very badly bruised heel. They did x-rays today because she really thought it was broken. A lot at once, but everyone has done very well as a whole.
We went to have worship with the Thai college kids at their student center late this afternoon. Several of the Goshen team gave testimonies and there was a lot of singing. We hurried away from the devotional time to get back to the large orphanage so the Goshen team could set up their live feed. They were hoping to show the kids and the new bikes and share with their congreation during the time of the morning services. When the Ohio team left the orphanage for supper around 8:30 it was not working for them. They haven't arrived back at the guest house so we don't know if it worked or not. We spent a couple of hours with the kids from the big orphanage, doing hair, singing crazy songs, looking at their space in their big bedroom, enjoying time with them. Cathy has latched onto the older girls who are all in one area of the dorm. They are 14-16 year olds in 9th and 10th grade. And of course, I was hanging out with the 8-10 year olds. Our schedule looks much calmer this week. We will be teaching English at the Christian school here for part of several days. And I believe we are going to be painting some more. Thanks for those of you who have made comments to the posts. We LOVE MAIL FROM HOME!

Asia's Hope Christian School-Goodbye Cambodia

We were excited to visit the Christian School that WCS and MCS help to support. When we arrived the seating was all prepared for a presenttion. The area is outside with partial walls, rather a carport feel to it. The young children were sitting in front and the older kids all came and sat with the team. These kids work hard with their music and their choreography. Most places that we have visited have some musical numbers and dances prepared to share with us. We were not disappointed. We saw some folkdances and then they did some singing for us. One of the girls that joined our team is from the Wooster GBC. Kailee is here for two months and she took quick ownership of leading the music. She has quite a bag of camp songs, many that our kids knew when she began them. She and the team entertained the student body for a while. Some of us went to the principal's office to unload the suitcases of supplies and curriculum that we had brought with us. They were grateful for our contributions. We spread out to the classes and I enjoyed interacting with the third grade class of 10 children. The schools seem to appreciate any English-speaking guests that can carry on a conversation with the students. When our time was finished, the students all gave me pictures and notes that they had written, keepers for sure!
We visited a western coffee shop to give the children time to get home from school, have dinner and get prepared for our last visit with them. All of the kids go to this school as well as some other children from the community. The children from the three orphan homes in the area met together at the Vista sponsored home for another program. This was very elaborate with beautiful costumes. The neighbor children stood at the gate knowing something was going on and they came inside the yard to watch the program. The next door neighbors stood on something so they could see over the wall - the whole family watched the presentation. Each of the three homes provided one beautiful dance. The directors and their wives make it a point to preserve their Cambodian and Thai cultures. This was our last chance to mingle, play and hug with these kids. The Cambodian kids have a gentleness about them and most of them are smiling all of the time. Someone brought out some glowsticks when it got dark, and those made a very big hit. The girls from Vista stayed a little longer than the rest of us and gave gifts to the children from the Vista congregation.
We concluded our Cambodian time by inviting the college students, 15 of them, to dinner at the guest house. Mex/American dinner of chicken tacos, rice and beans, chips and salsa, fruit and a taste of ice cream. The Cambodians kindly tried most everything but they weren't very keen on the shredded cheese. We enjoyed their visit, but there was a lot of repacking to do at a late hour. We had to be ready to leave on Friday morning at 6 am for the airport. We've enjoyed this large team so much and Friday this all changes. Part of the team leaves to return to the states. So now we have 9 of our original 17 plus the two summer interns. Please pray for three members of the team from Mansfield. Lindsay, David and Ryan who will be regrouping for one week and then leaving for a mission trip to Peru with their youth group from First Alliance. This whole team bonded so well. What a blessing! The staff has complimented the team on how well they have worked together, no overbearing personalities, everyone cooperative and uncomplaining.
Friday's flight was absolutely flawless - there must have been a lot of prayer for us this day. We flew to Bangkok again and then back to Chiangmai where the Thai staff was waiting to bring us back "home". The contrasts between these two countries is huge. Our assumptions rather lump many of the Asian cultures together. But the people and many of their customs are very distinctive. The Cambodian people especially have been devasted again and again and yet they remain a quiet, gentle people. They really have no hope except in Jesus. The Thai people are more outgoing, still very kind, happy people. The Christians here are SO giving, and they have so little in the way of stuff, but very big hearts.
Friday morning we went to the big orphanage to play with the kids and then teach English in age-specific groups. So the whole group of us worked with 1st and 2nd graders, then 3rd and 4th graders and then the older kids. We returned to the guest house for lunch and rest. That is now! The Goshen, Indiana team just arrived and they are having orientation to the house. It is fun to be the "experts" and help them begin this journey in Thailand. They will only be in the two countries for one week. I can't imagine cramming all of this into one week. Dinner together with the teams, possible swimming with the orphans again tonight.

Asia's Hope

From Battambang to Angkor Wat, June 25-26

Thursday wake up call was 4:30 to be ready to leave at 5:30 for a plane flight to Siem Reap where the Angkor Wat (ancient temple ruins) are located. The flight was simple - even included a type of quiche and beverage on the 35 minute flight. Our bus and guide were waiting to take us to the first stop. We toured areas of tombs in an area called "big city", all hand carved around the 12th century. The second area we walked had been uprooted by huge banyon, kapoc, and cotton type trees. Trees grew up and over the stones and uprooted the foundations of this huge complex. We were take to a restaurant for lunch, mostly Khmer food. However, there almost always french fries everywhere we go to eat:) Our hotel was beautiful, very western, even had a pool but none of us had brought our suits for the overnight. We had a two hour rest time, very welcomed, then we gathered on the bus again for Angkor Wat. WOW! Massive ruins - you'll have to see pictures. We climbed a mountain and a narrow steps of a temple to see the sunset - then the rains began and we rushed down the mt. knowing that it would become slippery. This was one hot, long treck for this lady. It was pouring by the time we got to the bottom. We returned to the hotel, cleaned up and enjoyed a buffet and a Khmer dance at the restaurant near the hotel. This area is obviously for tourists. Everything is new, clean and very nice. The tour guides are proud of it. Back home on an early flight this morning. Now we are internetting, taking one more stop at the market and going to the school.

Batambang, Cambodia

Monday morning we piled into the van and truck with overnight luggage and the supplies that had been put aside for the Batambang orphan homes. We had a five hour commercial bus ride through the countryside and arrived at our second hotel after lunch. We checked in and then went to the first orphan home. These children were some that have been with Asia's Hope the longest. They have moved to different homes since the beginning, but they were waiting anxiously for us at their current location. We are always greeted by smiles, hugs, and an English greeting. This group of kids was a wide range of ages. They were very prepared for an audience. Each age group sang with choreographed music. Our kids did a couple of numbers and then we sang for them. It was so much fun when they recognized some of our music and had to show us how they did the same song. We brought out the nail polish for the girls. Everyone had their nails painted, some more than once! We left some of the supplies for them. They each received a small fleece stuffed bear that had been made by a group in Mansfield. This group of kids will eventually be moving to a permanent location a little further away.
The second orphan home is brand new. More miracle stories! God has provided so many neat opportunities to show Himself at work with this ministry. There was a young Christian man and his wife with three little girls who were very anxious to go to work for Asia's Hope. Dave explained to him that he would love to hire him and he had a lot of children waiting to be placed in a home, but he had no sponsor to pay for the orphan home. Shortly after his last conversation with this man, a pastor called Dave and said they were interested in sponsoring a home and they had money to start right then. So Dave was able to call this young family to be the mom and dad at the new home that is only about 2-3 weeks old. There are 23 children plus the man's 3 kids at this home. We found the children lined up in two long lines to greet us when we arrived. They were all in new clothes, the boys all in white socks and new tennis shoes, and looking very proud to welcome the guests. They were a bit more reserved than the other groups. Their present home is also very nice. My favorite part was a balcony on the second floor that overlooks their vegetable garden. There was jump roping, Uno playing, an active game of kicking a small object around (don't know what it was called) and of course, more nail polishing:) We played with the chidlren until it was almost dark and then we gathered together to dedicate this home and each child to the Lord. This was the first time that Dave, the director, had seen the children.
The next miracle story would take to long to explain but the short version is that a Canadian lady gave $50,000. to buy land for these two homes and through some neat circumstances Asia's Hope now owns 22 acres including fish ponds, mango trees, and enough space to have two orphan homes on the property with the farm in between. Remember that the goal is smaller homes of around 20 so that churches can take on a home for support. So we got to see the land and the beginning of the first building. It will probably take a year or so to complete all of the work for both buildings as I understand it. Then both of the Batambang homes will move to this area permanently. One of the sponsoring churches is from Goshen, Indiana, the GBC there. They are arriving here next week to visit and to see "their" children and the new land and project. So for a few days when part of our team leaves, we will have new people coming. I don't know how they can keep track of all that is going on here. It's a big job and yet everyone has been so gracious to us, moving us around and getting us where we need to be.
We spent the night in a simple but very nice hotel (good air conditioning). After breakfast we left to come home. The 5 hour trip took us 7 hours. There was rain on the way home and we saw the remains of three accidents, two with overturned trucks and one with a moto that had two fatalities. We were back so late today that we did not go to the student center as we had originally planned. Tomorrow we leave at 5 am to travel by plane to the historic area of Siem Reap. We'll be there overnight. Pray for our luggage issues. It's a long story, but weight allowances have changed and it was very expensive to get our supplies here. We have to get our own things back to Thailand as inexpensively as possible and that is creating some challenges.

Worship and Bus Travel- June 21-22

Sunday morning we worshipped with the students and Cambodians that attend the church at the student center. It was great to hear the music and sing with them - two languages-one God-awesome!
Sunday also gave us opportunity to visit the Russian market - young kids selling books are instantly there to guide you through the market and "help"you make your selections. Some even gave advice for bargaining. Of course, they had stories to tell that most of us believed were only stories, but Cathy believed every word!!! We found some gifts:)
Next we had a tuk-tuk experience- a motor bike that pulls the surrey with the fringe on top- it seats four and off you go through the city. Can't begin to describe traffic in the city!
We went to a buddist temple, climbed the many steps to the top and went into the temple - it was dark...such a true picture. The statues and incense were all at the foot of the large budda. In front of each statue was money and people bringing bills that they laid in front of the statues. Some were on their knees praying, others were putting a heavy box on their head - someone told is it was paying penance. Women and children carried long stems of flowers that were put into huge vases. It was all very sad.
Outside the temple were men with birds, monkeys,beggars, people selling all kinds of food - the kind Duey wouldn't eat - or any of us either!!
We went to an outreach dinner where the college students had invited unbelievers to come to a nice dinner at the hotel. We all spread out at the tables to serve as hosts to them. There was some music and the gospel presented. There was mostly Cambodian food - not so great for the Americans, but the Cambodians ate well. We were told that there at least 2 people who received Christ.
Home to pack for the long bus trip to Batambang on Monday. There were 3 birthdays during the trip - mine on the 21, and two on the 22. So they actually found a bakery with a cake - we split this little cake 17 ways after blowing out the candles - very memorable birthday experience.

Monday we got up early and went to the bus station - almost didn't make it on time. The bus trip was 5 hours through the countryside. River, villages, cows, water buffaloes, rice paddies, temples, thatched roofs on wood and grass square hut/houses on stilts, motos, cars - many Toyotas like our old blue Camray.

Batambang hotel did not save us enough rooms so when we arrived there we had to flex and go to another hotel. Major important word for this trip FLEX....the new hotel is good. More about the orphans here tomorrow. It is breakfast time and we are ready to leave the hotel to go back to Phnom Penh - 5 hours back on the bus.

Everyone has been totally healthy. Everyone is getting along well. Prayers are being answered. We are all being blessed daily.

Great way to spend a birthday - June 21

Extra sleep was very welcome this morning. When the alarm went off at 8 am Cathy and I were both still sleeping. We had one hour to get ready and eat breakfast. Breakfast is simple- American cereal, toast and pbandj, fruit - coffee or tea - all prepared standing around a table in the small square kitchen of the guest house. Finding a place to eat it may be in the dining area at the table for 8-10 or any where in the casual sitting space where you can find a seat.
Our outing this morning was to a museum remembering the thousands and thousands that were killed during the Khmer Rouge. Dave gave the kids a good history lesson yesterday (complete with a large Cambodian map on the wall of the guest house). Today's walk through this high school that had been turned into a prison, turned into the museum was very sobering and sad, but very helpful in learning about the people here. We spent an hour and a half there walking through the simple exhibits. What a contrast in presentation from Yad Vashem, the Holocost memorial in Israel. Yet, you came away with the same grieving spirit for what terrible things man will do to man, and a great sense of loss and sadness for those who needlessly lost their lives.
Our afternoon was in great contrast to the morning. After lunch at the guesthouse, we went to a very simple waterpark - really more like a pool with a few extras. The orphans from the three orphan homes in the city were there and our kids had a ball with all of them for about 3 hours. The kids left the park before we did. When we were all changed we went to visit each of their orphan homes. This was particularly neat because Central Vineyard in Columbus is the sponsor of one home we visited and Vista, a Heritage church plant in Dublin sponsors another of the homes we visited. The kids all great you at the gate of their home with hugs and welcomes and some kind of English. They are happy to have guests. They love to have their pictures taken and be picked up, hands held, games played with them. The homes are all fully gated and fences in as are most homes. Everything is simple, clean, well-cared for. We stayed briefly with each of them, rushing home to change clothes before we went to supper. We went downtown to a very nice restaurant. Sherrod, our team leader, had called ahead and ordered our meals. So we tried a lot of good things. Duey, you'd be very hungry by now!!! It was really very good.
Time for the ride home and sleep. Church is early tomorrow.

sometime in June - 19-20

Today is June 20. We gathered our bags, our donation supplies, and headed for the airport for the trip to Cambodia. I don't have time to tell the details now, but it was a rough day. Rules for packing weight have changed and we found ourselves with some decisions to make regarding our luggage. We DID ALL make it here with all of the luggage. Tonight I am in the capital city of Phenom Penh at an internet cafe that is close to our guest house. This is the only way we can communicate this week so the blog won't have much activity until we get back to Thailand in a week. We will be traveling by van ( no driving rules at all here!!), by bus and by plane. The guest house is filled to the max- lots of kids in a small space. We so appreciate the prayers of everyone at home as learn about this culture and the people here. We are on our way to the student center.
Love to all

June 17 and 18

Tuesday was SO exciting because we furnished most of a kitchen for the new kitchen area at the main orphan home where we have spent most of our time this week. One of my teacher friends gave me a generous gift to use in purchasing supplies. There is a wonderful couple who served as missionaries in Thailand for 10 years. They went home for 10 years and now have returned to help with Asia's Hope. The wife, Debbie took Joyce (the director's wife) and I into the city to shop for the equipment for the kitchen. We bought pots, woks, plates, spoons, cups, knives and other utencils, a large burner on a stand (cookstove), and some rugs. It was awesome to help provide these needs.
The evening included some music with the kids at the orphan home. Then they held hands, did homework with our help and enjoyed interacting with the kids until bedtime.

Wednesday we drove for over an hour to the farm that has been established to grow crops for the orphan homes. It is being designed as a place for widows from the hill tribes to live and work. This farm is another miracle from God. It is 22 acres that are being purchased and there was a free house with it. The house is in terrible condition so the groups that come are working on needs of the house. We spent the day painting inside and outside of the house. The staff who live there prepared a Thai meal for us at lunch. It was hot and humid and we were covered with paint. The kids loved the physical work and had a good time. We cleaned up and actually went to McDonald's for supper at a mall nearby. God's leading is evident. His protection is more evident - people drive like maniacs here. Tonight we did a short puppet show at the orphan home and sang songs with the kids. There is one of the girls who is 16 and she cuts all of the girls' hair.. I brought her hair cutting scissors and she was very thankful. We are all worn out from the heat and physical work today. We know that we have one more full day here before we make the journey to Cambodia by air on Friday. Tomorrow we will be teaching English at the Christian school that the orphans attend. Pray for the team that will be changing when we go to Cambodia. One girl is not going and we are adding others. I'm wanting to put pictures on this, but I need a lesson and everyone is too busy or too tired tonight.

Tourist Day on Monday

Monday was designated as tourist day. That was a change from the original schedule but that happens often as we have already discovered. Each morning starts out with a short devotional and directions for the day.
I have now experienced an elephant ride! Most of the group chose to take advantage of this experience before the elephant show. The ride was in a special seat on the elephant's back. The trainer rode the front and talked to the elephant and guided him. We climbed a muddy hill, rode through the trees, close to the water, through the village. The elephants take riders from ages 15 to age 60 and they live to be around 80 years old. Seems similar to humans. We watched the elephants play soccer, dance, and paint. Their trainers put the paint on the brush and gave it to them to hold with their trunks and they painted very nice trees and flowers at our show.
Next was the snake show. I guess we were watching a brave snake handler, but I kept wondering why anyone would take such risks. The ring master was a real trip. The kids did enjoy it for the most part, only one sat at the top row looking the opposite direction.
The orchid farm was amazing seeing all of the orchids growing and looking at the jewelry that has been with the real tiny orchids. We've eaten Asian food every meal and our lunch was very good at the orchid farm.
A trip to a hill tribe village was a great visual for understanding where the kids come from that are at the orphanages. When we arrived the ladies and babies spread out their handmade items for us to buy. Not many people come to their village so they are excited to sell things to get money for food. It was a long, hot ride up to this village but everyone appreciated the opportunity to see it and interact with the people there.
Our evening included dinner at a beautiful cultural center with music and dances that were native to Thailand and to the hill tribes. The adventure concluded with fire balloons being launched outside.
Full day, many tired kids and adults, and a grasp of some of the Thai culture that will help us during the week.

Arrival, energy, blessings, and jet lag

No surprise to anyone who knows me - I needed help getting onto this site to start my posts. Tonight is the first opportunity. Thanks to one of my roommates, Kristen for getting me started.

Arrival was without incident. All of the luggage arrived with us and everyone met up at the right time and place. Vans and open trucks picked us up at the airport and we experienced Thai roads and crazy drivers on the fast ride to the guest house. The beautiful mountains frame the horizon on all sides. They are very green but don't look at all like our pine tree covered mountains.
We left on Thursday afternoon and unbelievably, it was Saturday afternoon when we reached the guest house. The Atkins house that is used as the guest house is one year old. It is similar in size to our Baker Lake house in the main living area. Then there are three bedrooms upstairs that accomodate 16 people in the bunk beds. We've filled every bed in the house this week!

On Sunday morning everyone was up very early full of energy and ready to go before our transportation came for us. The orphan homes are a few miles away from the guest house, so we have to pile into vans, cars and trucks to get there. The morning service included all of the kids who live at the two orphan homes in Chiangmai, all of the team from Ohio and the staff of the orphan homes and their families. The praise band consisted of staff and family and included drums, bass, guitar and a key board. It was so neat to sing because the words were in Thai and English on the screen and we could all sing. There was a translator for the talking. A couple of our kids shared, there were several groups of the kids that sang a special number for us, we sang one for them, and Dave Atkins gave a short lesson. We all shared in communion as well. One of the babies was brought in and it was her nap time, so I had close to an hour of baby-holding. Such happy, sweet kids are here. The step by step leading of this ministry has some amazing stories that we've enjoyed hearing already. We took a tour of the buildings after church and then went to lunch together at a nearby restaurant. Because of space and the number of our team, most of our meals will be eaten at a restaurant except breakfasts. We had some genuine pad thai and fried rice. And I'm happy to find Coke light here - close to my diet coke:)
Sunday we also sorted out all of the supplies that were sent by supporters in our extra suitcases. AMAZING! We brought SO MANY needed items that we sorted all over the living space of the house and then divided it up between Thailand and Cambodia.
Late Sunday afternoon we went into the city to the Student Center. This is a house supplied by Asia's Hope for Christian college students. There are 7 or 8 girls who live there while they go to school. Two of them are the first two graduates of Asia's Hope program. I was happy to present the handmade quilts of two of our third grade classes to these twogirls. The kids all enjoyed a singing time, and a sharing time with the college age group. There were 15-20 college students that joined our team. At about 9:00 pm we went to the night market that is only open on Sunday night. After a couple hours of this fun event, and our jet lag fully evident, we all headed for bed.
Well, it's Monday night, but I'll save today's events for the next post.
Thanks for your prayers as we work with the school kids this week.

Getting Ready

So I'm down here in Nashville, TN getting my body acclimated to the hot temperatures that we are sure to experience on our trip over in Asia.  Also getting a little time with the world's most handsome baby boy, Gideon (O.k. his dad actually wrote that part) :)

Hopefully we'll have time to keep everyone updated on this wonderful trip and the incredible opportunity of service this will be.