Humbling Experience

Monday Evening...6:00pm - Yesterday, we had a church service in the morning here at the orphanage - and believe it or not, Pastor Mike was speaking - that's Mike Flinchum, not Mike Smith from Vista. We wish you could have all been here to witness what we experienced. The service began with singing and an explanation of communion and its significance for those who believe in Jesus. After taking communion, Pastor Dave Atkins (ED of AH) taught from the Bible while Pastor Mike translated into Thai. His message was about asking God for wisdom.

Sunday the 17th was Father's Day, and Pastor Mike had explained the remembrance of fathers to the children. (Their Father's day is on the king's birthday.) The children wanted to do something special to honor the memory of their fathers by showing respect to the fathers on our team. Four of the fathers on our team were seated in chairs up front. First, two girls came forward and removed the socks of the men. Then another young lady poured oil on their feet. Like Mary with Jesus in the Bible, several of the older girls with longer hair knelt before each of the men and wiped the oil with their hair. The men expressed that it was one of the most humbling experiences for them, and it moved us all to tears.



The highest respect that can be paid is to kneel and bow before another person. All 71 children presented a rose to the four men seated up front. They crossed the floor on their knees to where one of the four was seated. Still on their knees, they bowed low to the floor, then handed a rose to the "father" and gave a hug.



Most of these children do not have an earthly father - many have been killed by others or have killed themselves for one reason or another. When that happens, the mother will often leave for the city to work and will not return to the child. Also, the mother may remarry, and the new father may not want the children from the previous marriage. These children have felt abandonment and loss in their short lives. Many were in tears throughout this ceremony as they experienced the grief for the loss of their fathers. We wanted them to know that we love them dearly and that they also have a heavenly Father who loves them even more and will never leave them.

We spent some time afterward consoling many of them in their grief. Dave Atkins has said before that these children have a "hug deficit." We want to be able to hug and hold and love them as much as we can while we are here.

In the afternoon, the children dressed in their authentic tribal outfits, and we took individual pictures of them. The staff wants them to remember their culture and language. Their clothing is bright and beautiful, and each tribe has different patterns and colors.

In the evening, we had a short time of singing and devotional for the older students and ones from the Asia's Hope university student center here. After that we had authentic Thai food at a restaurant along side the road that we knew was safe and boasted...





After dinner, we went to the night bazaar again and shopped. Chipper is becoming a master at bargaining for a deal (thanks to Susan's Thai tips). By the way, we did see some shirts that were Thai dyed. Ha-Ha.

Today is Monday. This morning, we went to a Christian elementary school where many of our younger children attend. We were broken into 4 groups to teach English. We had a group of about 20 kids who ranged in age from 7 to 14. There was no curriculum provided, so we had to wing it. Jen came up with several games, including Chipper says (Simon Says)...head, shoulders, knees, and toes...and everyone's favorite, The Hokey Pokey. All of these helped to reinforce their pronunciation of the body parts and directional phrases. We also tried some easy conversational phrases...What is your name? and How old are you? (By the way, to correctly pronounce Chipper, you need to emphasize the last syllable...chip-PER.)



This afternoon, we toured a silk factory. We got to see how real silk is made. The moths lay eggs, the eggs turn into worms which grow .into adults, and the adult worms form a cocoon. The cocoons from China are white, and the cocoons from Thailand are yellow. Asia's Hope is looking into starting a farm to raise silkworms and make silk. At the farm for which we need to raise $100,000, they will also raise pigs and chickens and fish, and will grow fruit. This will be to feed the children as well as to produce income for expenses.

We also went shopping at a store that sells items made by Hill Tribe people. The money goes to support the Hill tribes. They're very talented people.

Tonight, we are having a birthday party for all the orphans at the orphanage. A pig was slaughtered (Chipper says, yummy - but Jen doesn't eat pork)...pork is a favorite meal here. Cupcakes with purple icing and sprinkles were baked. We also have decorations and candles for the cupcakes. We want to celebrate and love these children.

Tomorrow we will be teaching at the school again, and we will start making preparations for the return to the US. Thanks for your continued prayers. God has been very gracious to us in so many ways.