Happy Saturday!
Weekly, incorporated into our ministry schedule, is an Adventure day and a Sabbath day.
Adventure day is time for us to explore the country, participate in some form of adventure, travel to close countries or cities or have some free time outside of ministry to do whatever we like. Lately, I have been using this time to rest, do laundry, organize my things, the week prior I was sick (so I had to stay in) or I just chill with my squad or teammates.
Sabbath Day, a time dedicated to rest, recharge and getting and staying the presence of the Lord! MAN, I did not know how much I needed Sabbath until I got on the field. Life is exhausting, especially ministry! I finally understood WHY the Lord commanded us to have a day of rest! Even the LORD rested from His work! How does Sabbath look for you? (Gen 2:2)
This week, I decided to join in with some of my squad mates and travel to another province in Thailand, Chiang Mai! WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! If you guys read my previous post, we originally were supposed to stay in Chiang Mai and do ministry there, however, because of the high air pollution count, it was unsafe for us to stay for a long period of time. However; we were approved to visit for 2 days! So, 12 of us packed a bookbag, booked a night bus, and traveled to Chiang Mai.
I highly recommend visiting Chiang Mai.
Not as BIG as Bangkok, Traffic is still bad, but everything you can basically walk to and the food is sooo good!!! The Markets are incredible and the people are just as sweet!!
One thing we decided to do; something that you MUST do if you are ever in Asia or Africa, is to visit an ELEPHANT SANCTUARY!
SO MUCH FUN!!
Elephants are one of my favorite animals now! Not just because I am a DELTA, not only because I collect them, BUT because these creatures are absolutely EXTRAORDINARY! They display power, strength, gentleness and so much love!
*** SOME elephant sanctuaries are immoral and/or unethical!** Please make sure you do your research! Usually, if you are riding ON TOP of the elephant, it is unethical and they are not taking care of the elephants as they should. ***!! We as people are not supposed to ride on top of elephants!
Many elephants have been rescued from temples, zoos or circus-style attractions; they may have been orphaned or injured, and it is rarely safe or feasible for them to be returned to the wild. In this case, they may be cared for in elephant sanctuaries or rescue and rehabilitation centers, and these centers supplement their income (elephants are unsurprisingly costly to house, feed and care for) by opening their gates to tourists and volunteers. However it is difficult to know whether a place that brands itself as a sanctuary or rehabilitation centre really is as ethical as it claims to be.
So do your research and ask plenty of questions!!!!
We visited the KANTA ELEPHANT SANCTUARY in Chaing Mai, Thailand.
https://kantaelephantsanctuary.com
This is what I learned and some pictures from my time with the elephants!!!!! ENJOY!!!!
The elephants at the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary are Asian Elephants that are free and retired. They all come from being locked up at a zoo, jungle or circus. They were used for transportation, technology and working! They carried up to 600 pounds on their back, daily. Even though they can handle this weight, this also does long term damage.
Asian Elephants eat up to 250 kilos of food per day! They are usually black and brown in color. There are two different types of elephants, Asain elephants were used by the Kings in the battlefield and for farming ( Wai Elephants). They are controlled by the government. They weigh about 3000 lbs and can lift up to their body weight. Asian elephants have bigger heads and small ears compared to African elephants. They Drink up to 700 liters of water daily. Elephants have a 70-80 year life span and when it is time for them to die, they will walk away from their family and die alone. Elephants Eyes are very small, they do not good vision. They are color blind. They see only black and white and up to 30 meters. They have a strong sense of smell and will eat up to 18 hours. Every 4 months is mating season for elephants. Elephants stay pregnant for us to 23-24 months and it only takes about 5 minutes to deliver their baby. Male elephants have tusk, while female elephants have small or no tusk. They eat bananas, squash, sugar cane and a mixture of food that the Mahon’s make ( gives them all their nutrients). Baby elephants are more active and naughty.
When elephants are rescued they are taken care of by men called ‘mahout‘. Mahouts literally live with the elephants (all day). Here are some things to know about living with elephants:
- 15 elephants- 16 ppl who look after them.
- Elephants don’t like a dirty place. If it is dirty they will walk away
- Make a fire for them. (It Keep insects away)
- Every 2 hours elephants wake up. Their caregivers have to give them their food, check their fire, and make sure they are okay.
- If the elephant is comfortable they will lay down to sleep, if they are scared they will stand up.
- Elephants will scream if their food, fire or area isn’t right. They like cleanliness.
- The reason why visitors have to wear certain clothes is that it makes the elephants know that the visitors are there to take care of them, like their caregivers.
Love Yall,
Meyuna
