We have been visiting local ministries here in Chiang Mai for our Unsung Heroes month. Please read my previous blog to find out what that means. Click here: http://jenmchutchion.theworldrace.org/?filename=monday-x-seven
It can be quite challenging to do research and make contacts and then set up meeting times and directions with a language barrier. I have felt like it's mission's convention at church and I get to hear the stories of the missionaries, but it's not in my pew. I'm sitting right where God is doing the work.
Here are two of my experiences that I'd like to share with you. I would go back to work in either of these places in a heartbeat.
House of Blessing
"Katty, everything is so organized here," I told her.
"Thanks, God," is how she responded to any praise. Katty has helped to run House of Blessing with her parents for over 15 years.
"Katty, the children have so much joy here."
"Thanks, God."
"Katty, it's inspiring that at least one child every day chooses to fast and pray."
"Thanks, God."
"Katty, you have done such good work here."
"Thanks, God," was her recognition of God being the soul provider of all.
Then there were these children.
Each one greeted us with the wai, a slight bow to greet you with your palms pressed as if you were praying. They were joyful. They were helpful. They were self-controlled. The older helped the younger. They were responsible. They loved life.
There were no tears in my eyes when I walked away from this place. It is because House of Blessing is truly a home and a family. In fact, I describe this place as heaven on earth. And this is why:
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Gal 4:4-6
House of Blessing just didn't feel like what I expected of an orphanage. It was a new home where these children were celebrating life with their Abba, Father.
Please visit House of Blessing's website here: http://blessedhome.org/
Agape Home
I wrote earlier how my life here in Chiang Mai, Thailand feels lonely for various reasons. I'd like to describe to you a place in Chiang Mai where I didn't feel a hint of loneliness.
We visited Agape House. A home for children and adults with HIV or aids.
I would have thought that a 47 year old woman with aids who had been rescued out of a toilet room in a Thai hospital because she was Burmese and not Thai, would feel very lonely. She has no ability to speak, her body is frail and thin and she has very little time to live. But in her room, there is a feeling of peace and love because she has been rescued and loved.
I played with a blind girl who has HIV. I helped put an alphabet puzzle together with her. We spent time over each letter, touching the shapes, tracing them with her fingers and then comparing them to the board. She clapped and squealed over each one she got right followed by a high five for all 26. She was blind, but in no way was she lonely.
Loneliness was not present here. All of these women and children are daily being rescued by the hands of human trafficking because if they were not rescued here, they would find a life on the streets of Chiang Mai.
Thanks, God!
Please feel free to check out Agape home on their website:http://www.nikkisplace.org/
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. Psalm 27:10
