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.
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4 comments:
SO glad you were able to get on and share!! I've been anxious to hear how things have been going. Sounds like such an exciting time. We're all looking forward to seeing some pictures!! Love dave, Em, and Gideon
Hi, Nana! We were so excited to read about your travels. What was the name of the baby you were holding?
We miss you. We are working our schoolwork and reading LOTS of books from the library.
Have you seen any animals in Thailand? If so, what kind? We enjoyed hearing about the food you are trying....have you decided what you are going to make at home when you return?
You told us you went swimming....where did you go? To a swimming pool? Was the water nice and blue or was it dirty?
SO many questions from us! Hope you are having a great time....we are SO missing you!!!! Love to you.
Coral, Jonah, Daddy and Mama
Hi Judy! We've been anxiously awaiting your first post! Thanks for your very vivid descriptions to help us visualize things better. Is the food very spicy? How's the heat? Does it cost anything to do the internet? What are the bathrooms & showers like? Are there children trying to sell you things like we experienced in Israel & Petra?
Don went to Minerva today and picked sweet cherries, which he spent all afternoon helping mom & dad can, and then brought home a carload for us, so we spent the evening stemming and pitting cherries with the Mitchells as there were too many for us, and we still have lots to share with our crew. Hope's bicycle trip is going very well, and Sallie is having a wonderful time helping on the kitchen crew.
Praying for you constantly - for unity, effective ministry, and some wonderful experiences where God reveals Himself to all of you in a new and unforgettable way.
Hugs,
Don & Donna
Oh Coke Light! After having lived here a year now, I order a Coke Light at restaurants without even thinking of "Diet Coke" anymore. Funny things... :) Love reading about your daily experiences!
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