October 14th-15th - Indochina

October 14 – 15, 2011

We arrived in the capital around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, flying from Chiang Mai through Bangkok.  Dorothy Colney and Shelly Win met us at the airport.   After dropping our things at Shelly’s place, we went immediately to the church for the 5:00 service. 

I always enjoy the singing at the central church.  It is lively, harmonious, and beautiful.  They have some excellent musicians.  It was a pleasure to worship with them.

Monday morning found us at the church meeting the children from MYS and MYH.  These two communities are outside of the capital proper, each about an hour away.  Conditions for the church and for individuals have improved greatly in the last months, as the government has begun to allow the country to open politically and culturally.  This has resulted in a lifting of the U. S. embargo.  But, there is still fear that a visit by our COP delegation to the outlying villages would cause too much attention and might result in ramifications for the children, their families, and/or the church.  So, the children were bused to the capital to meet with us.

They arrived in the typical bus in Indochina.  It is an old truck bed that has been converted to a bus by adding some slatted side walls, a roof, and some benches.  When the children arrived, some of them were carsick from the ride, a combination of driving conditions and their lack of experience riding in a vehicle.

We sang together as well as shared about Children of Promise.  We also shared the salvation bracelet message.  Afterward, we spent most of the rest of the day interviewing the children individually.  Eddye Davis interviewed, with translation by Shelly and Rosemary, one of the ministerial trainees.  There were a good number of children who have health issues; a few we sent to the doctor on the spot.  Dental treatment, worms/parasites, and fever were the most common ailments.  We kept a detailed record and the local COP committees will follow-up with doctor/dentist appointments, lab work, etc.  Many of these children are malnourished in the first five years before being sponsored, and the weakness and ill effects of the malnutrition continue to present problems even though they are eating more nutritious food now.

It was especially gratifying to meet the young blind man who is a gifted musician.  We have been helping him to take music training.  He sang in the evening service, and after talking with him during the interview, we were able to arrange for him to continue taking keyboard classes as well as vocal training. 

After the interviews, we traveled to the community of MYSP.  This is a fast-growing area of very poor families, many of whom have come in from outlying areas to the metro area, hoping for work.  Conditions are very crowded.  The church in this community recently dedicated a new building in memory of missionary Cheryl Barton, a great friend and supporter of the work of the church in this country.  It was a special moment to visit the building and hear of its dedication in her honor.  Cheryl was also a great friend and advocate for Children of Promise. 

Tomorrow, another two groups arrive for interviewing.