I wrote this a few days ago 🙂
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It’s October 28th-1:24 pm in Wiang Pa Pao, Thailand. We just said our last goodbyes to the kids and staff at sending hope (orphanage). Those people, that place- unforgettable. I think saying goodbyes like this granted me a need of gratitude. There’s only so many times you can do something for the first time. I am incredibly thankful for experiencing sending hope for the first time. The girls here are undeniably beautiful, inside and out. They see and praise the Lord with all of their soul, heart, and mind. Each of them carry this special beauty that reminds me of what it means to be loved by God. I feel as if I only caught a glimpse of them these past two weeks- but a glimpse ill treasure deep in my mind forever. Something I’ll never forget while being there was them wiping my tears and saying “don’t cry don’t be sad, it’s okay.” They say this while hugging you as tight as they can, looking up at you as if you’re the only person that’s ever mattered to them. Those eyes, their hands, the way they call you animal names (like elephant or hippo “po-tay-mus” instead of hippopotamus) – so so sweet.
At first I was haunted by the fact that most of them were abandoned-probably feeling unloved and lost. The girls at this orphanage come from a few different tribes that are placed in and around mountains in Thailand. The hill tribes they come from are Karen, Akha, Lisu, Hmong, or Lahu. These girls are also placed here as a way to prevent them from being s#x tr~ff!ck#d. This is something that’s very common in Thailand. With this comes a lot of darkness and brokenness, and it is spiritually heavy. My team and I had a rough time processing the sad truth of things like this-things that happen so often but somehow people still seem to be so oblivious to it.
But the Lord reminded me he’s got this place in the palm of his hands. His presence at sending hope will not go unnoticed-in fact it will be there until the end of time. Those goodbyes were painful but there’s beauty to be found in that. And they served us like no other. The very essence of these experiences and feelings has the ability to grant you to be thankful- if you let it. The Lord is well within that place so I will not dwell but I will be thankful and I will have peace as I prepare for the next journey. I know this post was pretty short but there’s a lot to be processed these next few days but if you’re reading this hank you so much for taking the time to! Besides the sad goodbyes and changes, I am thriving here. Now onto Malaysia!!! 🙂
