February 13:
This morning was focused on relaxing with the staff and getting to know them better while Mom and Steve shared some special locations around Fang. We enjoyed a hike around Fang's hot springs where Gan demonstrated that it was hot enough to boil eggs! The geyser was impressive to watch but I was most impressed by the kindness of the staff as they looked out for Mom on the uneven paths, helped her up steps and wanted to share the beauty of Creation with us. They are also really fun! They are quick to laugh and it is a joy to see the fondness and camaraderie that has developed between them. We are so blessed to have such a talented, pure-hearted group to mentor and lead the children and family ministry in Fang!
Steve and David went straight to the hot tubs for men. It is great to see how they care for each other and dream about the future of Mighty Oaks. I'm proud of Steve for his willingness to take on leadership as CEO of MOGI. He has transitioned the ministry into the digital age while still keeping Mom closely involved at the heart of every decision as he learns from her about the connections she and Dad built over the last twenty-two years.
Mom and I had a soak in the mineral hot spring tub for women. We were the only ones there and loved the feel of the water on our skin as the warmth soothed some sore muscles. It felt like an awesome Epsom Salt bath that never grows cold!
Mom wants to share with Sylvia and me all the places that she has enjoyed with Dad over the years. This bridge and waterfall are a perfect stop for a picnic and some photos. We also changed to meet one of the parents of a sponsored child working there on the grounds. Mom enjoyed talking with him through Gan's translation.
We drove through one of the first villages where education sponsorships began. As we were passing by the school, Gan tapped the side of the truck from the back where she sat with the rest of the staff to alert David to stop. A dear friend who teaches at that school was on her lunch break and Gan knew she would want to see Mom.
Pam was teaching at the school in 2004 and chose from the students those most in need of support. Fourteen children were selected and seated on the floor of the Principal's office as Mom and Dad met with the principal. All fourteen were sponsored within a very short time of that meeting by churches in Peterborough and Brantford. Pam and Mom displayed obvious affection for one another as Mom recounted how Pam and her husband had hosted my parents in their home during the early years of discerning how they could be a blessing to Thailand in their retirement years.
While Mom and Pam were talking, a group of girls started to call "hello" to us in English. We began to talk to them but my limited Thai and their limited English made for a short conversation. I asked if they wanted their picture taken. They got excited and posed for me and then I showed the picture to them. Uniforms are standard for teachers and students in Thailand. This is one of the fees that is important to be able to assist with to help children stay in school.
At the gate of the school, one of the trees had an orchid wired onto the side to allow it to grow. I had never seen this before coming to Thailand, but the orchids here are lush and have so many blooms on them!
Often during their trips to Thailand, Mom has assisted teams in creating English lessons to bring into the classroom to share some Canadian culture. This allowed the children to hear Canadian English pronunciation. Teams have been to this school where the sponsorships began many times.
After the school visit, we had lunch together with the staff before heading over to the Thai version of Costco to pick up supplies for food gift baskets for vulnerable seniors in the church and gift bags for the children's camp on Saturday. We filled four shopping carts with food, toothbrushes and pens to give. The staff still managed to fit in the back of the truck with the supplies!
We got right to work filling the bags for the children. What an efficient team! Gan also added Christian education materials to each bag before they were stapled and ready to give away! We made more than 180 bags!
Mom and Sylvia worked on the gift baskets for the seniors and then sorted the dolls, t-shirts and other items that had been donated in Brantford and brought to Thailand to bless the children here. We will go to one of the Hill tribe villages tomorrow where many of our sponsor children live.
This is for the seniors. There are about 20 that will be grateful for a care package!
Tonight we ordered pizza that tasted more like home! Fang has many more options than when my parents first began travelling here! We played a card game with David, Gan and Tum after dinner. It was fun to laugh and have fun together.
I'm heading to bed tired but so grateful!
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