It's hard to believe that it's been two weeks since I returned to the states! Two weeks of catching-up with sleep, emails, yard work, ministry tasks, and most important - family. The great thing about family is knowing that your loved - no matter how far or long you're away.
The same is true in our spiritual family. In Romans 8:30, Paul writes "nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God". A great promise to remember - especially in troubling times.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
cake and coca-cola
The last full day in Phnom Penh was spent with the team going in three directions. The medical team (Anna, Darlene, Eileen, Sonya & Christie) spent the morning at CSI (Cooperative Services International), a Christian based free medical clinic and minor surgery center. Although it was a slow morning at the clinic, the gals helped organize and unpack supplies that were moved from their previous location.
The teaching team (Greg, Mary & Jen) went to the christian school in the morning to teach English - with Greg acting out the motions and sound effects of "Old McDonald's Farm" - I wish I had a picture of that!
The fix-it team (Ron and Dave), worked on some maintenance projects at the guest house. At noon, the teams regrouped and took tuk-tuks (a motorbike taxi) to the Russian outdoor market to make our final souvenir purchases.
The team then headed back to the orphanage school to present the last part of our bible program.
After the program, the kids were given a special treat - cake and coca-cola. You would have thought the children were told they were going to Disney World! The team had a great time hanging-out with the kids and sharing pictures and good-byes.
After many hugs, the team made their way to the van so we could head back into Phnom Penh to treat the orphanage Directors and their wives to supper. These people are the real Asia's Hope - caring for and loving these children 24/7. It was an honor for our team to thank and encourage them.
The team finished the day recapping the trip and reflecting on what God had shown each of us. Here was a short list of the highlights:
The teaching team (Greg, Mary & Jen) went to the christian school in the morning to teach English - with Greg acting out the motions and sound effects of "Old McDonald's Farm" - I wish I had a picture of that!
The fix-it team (Ron and Dave), worked on some maintenance projects at the guest house. At noon, the teams regrouped and took tuk-tuks (a motorbike taxi) to the Russian outdoor market to make our final souvenir purchases.
The team then headed back to the orphanage school to present the last part of our bible program.
After the program, the kids were given a special treat - cake and coca-cola. You would have thought the children were told they were going to Disney World! The team had a great time hanging-out with the kids and sharing pictures and good-byes.
After many hugs, the team made their way to the van so we could head back into Phnom Penh to treat the orphanage Directors and their wives to supper. These people are the real Asia's Hope - caring for and loving these children 24/7. It was an honor for our team to thank and encourage them.
The team finished the day recapping the trip and reflecting on what God had shown each of us. Here was a short list of the highlights:
- 1,000,000 motos
- 10,000 hugs (conservative estimate)
- 750 immunizations (orphans & staff)
- 314 orphans
- 80 staff members
- 124 care packages (to the government orphanage)
- 19 university students
- 9 team members (7 from Crossroads)
- 8 orphanages
- 5 widows
- 2 countries
- 1 awesome God!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
on the road again
The team said good-bye to the kids and staff from Battambang last night - it's amazing how quickly friendships develop when we have a common bond! After an emotional departure from the orphanage, we were treated to a western dinner at the home of Kevin and Jill Kane, missionaries with Grace Brethren International Ministries. It was great to get a taste of home!
Today, we will take the five hour bus ride from Battambang to Phnom Penh. Tonight we will conduct one of two bible programs from the orphanages in Phnom Penh. So far, the Cambodian leg of the trip has be more physically demanding, as we expected - hotter temps, lower conveniences.
The team is doing well. Staying healthy and attitudes continue to be great. The medical team will work at the CSI clinic tomorrow - a free medical clinic in Phnom Penh.
Today, we will take the five hour bus ride from Battambang to Phnom Penh. Tonight we will conduct one of two bible programs from the orphanages in Phnom Penh. So far, the Cambodian leg of the trip has be more physically demanding, as we expected - hotter temps, lower conveniences.
The team is doing well. Staying healthy and attitudes continue to be great. The medical team will work at the CSI clinic tomorrow - a free medical clinic in Phnom Penh.
house of pain 3
The team arrived in Battambang, Cambodia Monday afternoon after a 5 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh. Asia's Hope presently has 3 orphanages in Battambang and will soon be adding the 4th. We had a chance Monday evening to visit the kids - all 3 orphanages danced and sang and we shared the first of a 2 part bible DVD.
This morning, the team visited the newly constructed orphanage that will house 40 kids. This will be the future floor plan that Asia's Hope would like to build when property is purchased. The main entrance opens into a common area and separates the boys and girls sleeping areas.
Then it was off to immunize the kids and staff. In a little more than 2 hours, over 170 immunizations were given. Same strategy, different day... simultaneous shots in each arm and each leg followed-up with candy! And they still want to hug us!
Tonight we will head back and finish the second part of the bible program and craft. I remember many of the children from last year - and they remembered me. Each looks happy and healthy. God is good!
All for now, as we prepare to head back to
the orphanage.
This morning, the team visited the newly constructed orphanage that will house 40 kids. This will be the future floor plan that Asia's Hope would like to build when property is purchased. The main entrance opens into a common area and separates the boys and girls sleeping areas.
Then it was off to immunize the kids and staff. In a little more than 2 hours, over 170 immunizations were given. Same strategy, different day... simultaneous shots in each arm and each leg followed-up with candy! And they still want to hug us!
Tonight we will head back and finish the second part of the bible program and craft. I remember many of the children from last year - and they remembered me. Each looks happy and healthy. God is good!
All for now, as we prepare to head back to
the orphanage.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
house of pain 2
The team arrived in Cambodia Friday night, unpacked, and turned in for a good nights rest. Saturday morning we were up and out by 8:30 am in route for The new Asia's Hope school for immunizations. After being greeted by smiling orphans, they performed apsara dances to introduce the team to their culture.
The team then got to work with the first round of immunizations in Phenom Penh. In short order, over 150 immunizations were administered. Some children received 4 immunizations at one time - without a whimper!
From there, the team visited the 4 orphanages within a half mile radius of the new school. The children greeted us with hugs and smiles as we visited each home. I was amazed at one of the orphanages when a small girl pulled out a photo of my family that I gave her on my last trip over a year ago. She pointed to me and said that she was praying for me to return. These children are a blessing from God and are contagious!
After an afternoon of hanging-out with the children, we went back to the guest house, cleaned up and went out to eat. Tomorrow the team will conduct an outreach at the government orphanage. This will be a great opportunity to share the love of Christ. All for now as I'm at an Internet cafe!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
last day in thailand
It's hard to believe our week in Thailand is coming to an end. The last day here started much as the first, a packed agenda from early morning to late evening. Part of the team left the guesthouse at 7am to finish projects at the main orphanage. Dave, Greg & Ron finished the concrete work behind the new nursery while Anna, Darlene & Sonya inventoried medical supplies and transformed the former on-site guest house into a clinic for th
e children and staff.Our gals then gave the Asia's Hope staff prayer shaulls that were made by a women's small group at Crossroads - they were touched deeply by the gifts and the reminder that people are praying for them on the other side of the world.
By noon, we headed for Chiang Mai to visit The Garden of Hope - a ministry in the downtown red-light d
istrict that "transforms the lives of the sexually exploited for God's Glory". This non-denominational group rescues hill tribe children and women who are trapped in the thriving sex-slave industry. Estimates in Thailand reveal that the average victim is 14 years old and up to 30,000 children are involved in sex trafficking. Our team then joined one of their staffers on a prayer-walk through the red-light district - what a disturbing and frustrating experience.
By 4pm, we were back at the orphanage to de-lice the orphans hair (approximately 40 girls). Then off to eat supper @ Tutu's home before returning to the orphanage for the evening bible program. During the program, our team purchased Thai Bibles for 14 of the orphans who did not have old and new testament versions. Our team then passed out toothbrushes and toothpaste for every orphan and treated them to ice cream sandwiches afterward. After may hugs and goodbyes, the team loaded-up for the guesthouse to start packing.
Today we witnessed the stark reality of the fate that awaits most hill tribe children left to the devices of a lost society. In contrast, tonight we experienced the smiling faces and hugs of 200 orphans who are experiencing the love of Jesus Christ through individuals across the globe.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
hill tribe visit
Our team took a day trip to the Doi Saket mountain range to visit a hill tribe. On the way, the team stopped to see two of Thailand's famous tourist sites.The Maesa Elephant Camp is one of the few remaining working elephant camps. Over 70 elephants are active at this camp. Highlights include
getting up close and personal with the elephants and a performing show. A quick stop at the snake show before lunch made for some late morning comic relief. Between the emcee's monotone narration and the snake charmer's scare tactics, the team got some laughs at the expense of the gals on the team.
After lunch, the team continued the trip into the mountains to visit the Phang hill tribe. This tribe is spread throughout Bur
ma and Laos, with a small concentration in Northern Thailand. Although this tribe is not native to Thailand, it is one of the closer and more assessable hill tribe villages from Chiang Mai.It quickly becomes apparent why the hill tribes are the target group in Thailand for orphan support. Between poor living conditions and lack of medical treatment, many children fall victim to loosing one or both parents at an early age.
After talking with the tribe headman, we learned that this is the only Christian Phang tribe. He shared that he has been a pastor since 1980. Pictures of baptisms that he had conducted were displayed in his hut as a testimony of the work God has done through him. He also explained that he has an inoperable
heart condition and asked that our group pray for him.We then took a brief walk through the village. Living conditions were unbelievable - if it were not for their clothing, I would have thought we stepped back in time 200 years. We purchased some of their crafts and left a donation for medicine. I have never experience a people who have so little, but are so generous.
The team then departed for the 2.5 hour drive back to the main orphanage for the evening program. We were excited to learn that another baby (named Joshua) had been adopted by Asia's Hope and arrived tonight. His mother died as a result of post delivery complications, and the father already had 7 children. The team will give baby Joshua his first baby check-up tomorrow!
After a short video on the Old Testament, our team helped with the evening craft - decorating a plate with the "one thing" that you are thankful for. After many hugs, we headed back to the guest house for the first time since morning. Another long day - but a blessed one knowing that a home was provided for another orphan.
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