Despite coming to Thailand with no expectations, the absence
of expectations did not do away with the element of surprise. Perhaps because
even though I thought I had no expectations, I still felt very sure about
certain things—that I would learn about Thai culture, that I would sweat a lot,
and that God would provide some level of community for me, because he so very
well knows my heart. So okay, I had a few expectations. I just didn’t have any
plans as tends to be the case. But the way things unfolded makes me so happy I
failed to be myself in planning what was to come. So you may ask me if I’ve learned
something about Thai culture, if I constantly sweat a lot, and if I have found
some level of community. Questions to which I would answer with a yes, but… (and
here are the details).
When I arrived in Mae Rim, I had been looking for a church
to go to on Sundays. I thought I would have to take a 45 min. ride into the
city on a songthaew (Chiang Mai's form of taxi) for this, because as far as I knew Mae Rim did not
have a church.
This is a Songthaew
I was figuring all of this out when I ran into SE Asia Christian
Service—a mission to the Hmong (a link with information about the Hmong is provided at the bottom) in South East Asia. I walked through their door
and explained to the lady inside that I was a Christian and was looking for a
church in town. It turned out the office is a ministry that currently houses
around 44 Hmong children who range from 3 to 17 years old; a good number of
which are students at my school. They come from the hills of northern Thailand
where most of their parents have stayed behind--this hostel makes it possible
for the children to go to school, and receive an education otherwise not
possible under their circumstances.
The Lady, P’ Pla, said they had church for the children on
Sundays and they’d love to have me join. As I was invited to check out the
hostel I was filled with soooo much joy, it didn’t even bother me my schedule
had been changed for the evening. When we arrived, the children were gathered
around tables in an outside kitchen eating dinner. A sight that froze me and
brought goose bumps to my skin. I was so overwhelmed with love at seeing 44
children sharing a meal. A meal I had been invited to join. More honored I
could not have felt.
Kids Washing Dishes After Dinner
After dinner we gathered around inside a building they call
their chapel. We sat in a circle and I fought back the tears that choked me as
the kids began to sing to the strumming of a guitar. I didn’t understand
anything because it was in Thai, but that didn’t bother me because I couldn’t
believe I had stumbled upon this place. At the end of the night I almost didn’t
get home because P’ Pla’s car broke down. Which only gave me an excuse to
remain there longer.
Most Of Us the Following Sunday After Church
Since my arrival in Thailand, I have learned more than Thai
culture, I’ve learned soooo much about the Hmong. I’ve gained community in the
form of 44 children I communicate with through pictures, mimes, and some
English/Thai sprinkled in between. I feel so blessed to get to build community
with these beautiful children. God has been so good and marvelous though I’ve
complained and worried. Through this experience he has gently reminded me that
he IS in control and though I do not deserve a single thing, he gives
abundantly.
The Kids and I Making Key Chains
The Kids Unloading Grass For the Front of the Office
Not familiar with who the Hmong are? Read about them by
clicking on this link!
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