February 15:
Wednesday morning we were scheduled to meet with the English department from Fang's State School where Mom has often been invited to teach before. Sylvia and Mom are retired teachers and I homeschooled for seventeen years, so teaching is a passion we share. Sylvia organized our materials for the day. We introduced Canadian seasons, geography and Random Acts of Kindness day to two groups of English students.
We were warmly greeted and ushered into a computer room where they had projection set up. Then Mom lit up as a long time friend ran to hug her. Pom has been teaching at this school for many years. A long time ago, she got to know Mom over some deep conversations outside of the classroom. Mom had the opportunity to lead her to know Jesus. Mom shared scripture with Pom around an issue they were discussing and then felt prompted to give her favourite study bible to Pom. She spent all night reading from it. She met Mom the next day with exuberance that the bible was riveting and she couldn't put it down. She and Mom have felt a deep connection ever since. And shortly after Mom returned from the mission trip, she was given a bible just like the one she gave away. God is cool that way.
In true teacher style, we had the students repeat phrases after us and insert their own information to teach us about Thailand. Mom is holding up a winter scene to see if they can identify the seasons after her lesson.
The second class posed with us and then we shared a lunch with the English staff. It was fun to sit around a table with people who spoke our language fairly well. Our conversations were able to flow easily with such interested and caring communicators. Their students did well with the language and it was a pleasure to spend time at this school where some of our sponsor children attend.
Wednesday afternoon was unstructured. I was ready for a Sabbath day and took the afternoon to rest before we shared a dinner with Gan, David, Beulah, and Tum. Gan was starting to feel a sore throat so they headed home for rest. They have so much translation and leadership, that we were glad to release them to some recovery time. We would really appreciate your prayers for health and strength.
After dinner, Sylvia wanted to see if the Agape girls were busy. Mom, Steve, Sylvia and I knocked on the door of our closest neighbours. We were invited in to find that we had interrupted dinner and the girls were heading to bible study soon. So we wished them a great evening and went out to enjoy the Mighty Oaks property!
There is a great campfire pit and volleyball court across from the Agape Home. You can see the ministry centre where we are staying in the background.
The staff and girls have done an amazing job of raised garden beds. They grow their own lettuce, cilantro, squash, ferns, pumpkins, peppers and a few other plants I couldn't identify.
This shelter on the property is a sturdy and welcome cover from the hot sun. You can see the haze in the background of the photo from nearby burning that leaves a campfire smell in the air. We are looking forward to rain in the forecast for Thursday to clear the air.
This is a view of the property from the road. The ministry centre is the first building you see with the Agape girls home safely tucked behind it at the back of the property.
February 16:
We had the opportunity to meet the different pastors and see the churches who partner with Mighty Oaks by identifying students among their congregations that are at risk. They encourage the families and keep in touch with the needs of their church community while Gan, David, Noy and Tum check in on our students regularly. We have over 160 students currently in our sponsorship program. Over the twenty years we have been in Fang, we have had over 370 students.
At our first stop, Mom was drawn to an elderly woman sitting on a blanket whose eyesight seemed poor. She spoke with her through Gan's amazing translation abilities. The woman was much younger than Mom but had less opportunities for medical care. God was tugging on Mom's heart to do more for seniors in our communities. We left our senior care package, some t-shirts and some dolls with this church family.
This church was built in the past three years and was simple and beautiful as a gathering place for the Lahu hilltribe people and other neighbours that surround it. The view of the mountains was stunning from the second floor balcony. They are raising corn, chickens and small garden produce on the property.
Our second stop was with another pastor and his wife whose congregation is largely Lahu and Chinese. They had tea and oranges on the table to welcome us. We had a great conversation with these church leaders that care for several of our sponsored children and families.
They smiled often and showed us the 'bell' they use to call their congregation in for worship. We had time to pray together. They asked for prayer for the older children and teens who begin to drift away from church.
The third church we visited had outgrown the original church building which was repurposed as a home for the pastor's family. The pastor's wife had a kidney stone that she asked prayer for. Her husband is scheduled to leave soon to go to Chiang Rai for a conference and she needs to be in good health to care for their children while he is away. An elder member of the church asked for prayer for her knees which are swollen and sore. I applied some essential oils as we prayed over our new friends. We left gifts of dolls, backpacks, shirts and an elder care package.
Below is the new building they are now gathering in.
We stopped at the home of relatives of one of our Agape girls and one who is joining the girls home soon. We missed the family but had other encounters that made this an interesting stop.
We met this mother of six who was wearing her sleeping two month old. She was adorable and looked well cared for! Her mother held an umbrella over both of them to shade them from the noon sun. We shared with her some beautifully dressed dolls donated for this trip.
At the first house on the laneway, Mom was drawn to another senior woman who could barely walk, yet her property looked well maintained and she had a variety of plants drying on mats around the yard. Mom was struck by the bamboo pole the woman used to hobble around. She wondered if it would be beneficial to provide a walker for her. We left her with a care package.
We got back to the ministry centre just as the rain began. We divided into groups to prepare for our busy camp weekend. I am speaking on Saturday evening to the children and youth at the camp so needed time to narrow my thoughts and pass them on to Gan so she knows what is coming up for translation. The rain was heavy mixed with some hail and the power went out. Thankfully, my battery on my laptop was fully charged and I was able to finish editing my talk. The rest of the team was helping prepare props and costumes for our Music and Drama Camp where we will be performing a version of the Lost Son story from Luke 15. Mom was polishing off her talk for Sunday morning worship.
After the rain, the mountains were more visible. The haze of smoke was gone and the air smelled sweet and fresh. The colours were more brilliant as if the earth was cleansed. Just one more prep day before our camp!
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