The Journey Continues - Thailand

October 10, 2012

The Journey Continues . . . .Thailand

Yesterday we flew from Manila to Bangkok, saying goodbye to Ryan, Bob, Pete, Carla, and Tom in the Hong Kong airport.  We settled in to the guest house in Bangkok and explored the city a bit. 

Early this morning, Jan Kanjanamukda, director of COP in Thailand, met us with a van and driver for the 4-hour drive to Buriram, a central district in Thailand where we met the first group of children at the Nang Rong Church of God.  The drive was beautiful – Thailand is stunning.  Greens abound with colored flowers, variegated rice fields, hills, and beautiful people. 

 

Lunch was ready when we arrived – rice, vegetables, fresh fruit (especially pomelo – a sweet dryer version of grapefruit), and noodles. 

The first thing I noticed as the children gathered for our meeting was how much healthier they looked compared to my last visit.  As they sang and danced for us, their smiles and their enjoyment caught our attention. 

We interviewed each child individually after sharing the story of the salvation bracelets.  As we heard about their living situations and dreams, I realized again how important a helping hand is.  Some of these children could not attend school without their sponsors’ help.  Just think what a difference that will make in their lives – to have an education compared to being illiterate for life. 

After the interviews, we visited two homes of recently sponsored children.  One is a home where all the living takes place inside.  The other is more typical in which most of the living takes places outside, with an enclosed building for sleeping.  Speaking of sleeping, that takes place on a wooden floor, sometimes with a reed mat, sometimes not.  Cooking is usually done outside under a covered lean-to.  Wide platform benches provide a place to sit cross-legged or in a squat position when it is not possible to sit on the ground because of the rain.

The family was so pleased to have us visit.  They insisted on various combinations of photos.  I was cognizant of the large clay water receptacles in the background, fed by tin drains from the roof of the sleeping quarters.  A rudimentary water-catching system, but an effective one, provided a supply of water for washing, cooking, and bathing needs.

Sponsors were thanked and thanked and thanked.  And we promised to relay that message. 

So many thoughts and feelings crowded our minds as we made the trip back to Bangkok.  The most prevalent thing in my mind was a constant recognition of what an honor it is to be a part of these children’s lives.  To be allowed to know them and to lend that helping hand. . . what a pleasure and a privilege for all of us as sponsors.