They came to Grace House bearing testimonies of escape from burnt villages, escape from rape, escape from starvation after having been found wandering through the jungle. Some were abandoned by their parents, their parents passed away or their parents were abusive and neglectful due to alcohol or drugs. For others they came because of their immigrant status, because they are not legally permitted to be anywhere else but back in a country perpetually in a state of civil war. Myanmar (Burma) became independent from British rule in 1948 and has been in a state of civil war ever since! One of the longest running civil wars of all the countries in the world. In 1987 Burma was admitted to Least Developed Country status by the United Nations due to war, poverty, poor health, natural disasters, and bankruptcy. Its been under military rule from 1962 until this year when finally a non military president was elected. Sadly, many Burmese tribes and people groups have been terrorized and flee to the safety of their neighbor, Thailand.
The children of Grace House intersected with His grace when they were lead to a safe place to not only be fed and sheltered but be fed the Bread of Life and sheltered under His wings. The Grace House orphanage is in a Long Neck Karen village, an hour outside the city of Mae Hong Son at the border of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). The children are Burmese refugees, not all of them are the Kayan people of the Karenni tribe that make up the identity of the village but they have been taken in as family by not only the villagers but the ministry over Grace House, Freedom Harvest Ministry. All within the village have fled the violence of Myanmar. The people live simply, bamboo huts skirt the edges of a dense jungle, electricity is available for three hours a day, and everyone wakes with the crowing of the rooster at 4:00 AM! When asked to share about the blessings in their lives, the children spoke out of a place of that sweet simplicity…”The love of God, His word, good health, air to breathe, food to eat, our teachers at school and the nearby waterfall.”
My tenth month on the field was one of the best! I loved teaching English, especially that the students came home with me. Bamboo walls aren’t thick and we were in a hut next to their home so I can still hear the chant of my students as they practiced vocabulary before bed “police officer, cook, nurse, taxi driver.” I laughed as they would name every object around me in English, we played uno at least fifteen times a day and as we did so they would practice learning the names of the numbers and colors. Frequently the colored pencils came out and a large circle of kiddos gathered around for some art making moments. Most of the girls stopped by the porch each day for a quick polish. Pretty nails were highly prioritized but I didn’t object for I was able to sneak in some encouragement and inspirational talks about dreams and goals. Every night at worship one little boy would curl up in my lap and beg to play rock, paper, scissors. He would hold my hand and tell me I love you, I love you, I love you. His hugs melted my heart. After worship was homework time, the Grace House kids would come around for some guided study time and practice quizzes. I really felt like a mom. I also really understood the devotion of all my teacher friends back home who take their work home with them, I was always preparing a test or grading papers!
The children filled my days with so much love that I knew the goodness of the Lord in my life. They embraced me during a time of loss, it was in this month that my grandmother became very sick and passed away before my last day of ministry. As I came back to the village broken hearted from the news I asked my little worship time snuggle buddy to give me a big hug. He tightly squeezed my neck and I felt the Lord in that moment. There was no better place to be but surrounded by all the children who I adored spending my days with.
Life is just that way, painful moments made beautiful by God’s grace. I am still not able to fully express my heart about the loss of my grandmother but I do have His peace. The Lord showed me that as precious souls leave this world there is His next generation to make it a most special place to be in. Jesus loves me so much that despite the sudden loss of my loved one He made my next to last ministry month one to celebrate!
I have never felt so lavishly loved as when the children sent us off. I not only was given their most valuable possessions, their stuffed animals and a beautiful ring but I received many bouquets made with flowers and plants from the jungle. I love flowers and on that day I was blessed so much that the tears overflowed. In such a short time God knit our hearts together. My month in Thailand was very beautiful. That beauty can be seen below, not only in each lovingly arranged flower bouquet but in each smile on their wonderful faces.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
