India
The Indian man in a southern village that steered our “rice boat ride” (a surprise gift set up by the family we lived with). Smiles mischievously the whole ride as he spins your rice boat in endless circles.
Nepal
The Nepali pastor of this small indigenous village church that translated my sermon to his congregation. Photo taken moments before he dedicated a newborn baby, served the whole church lunch, and invited us to visit and stay with him and his family any time.
Thailand
My dearest PoPo. A new arrival to the orphanage during our month there, who could ever forget the girl who mistakenly called you her mom and told you your heartbeat sounds like “took took?”
Cambodia
Our trusty, everyday tuk-tuk driver. Seen here showing us an old but favorite local snack: sweet rice cooked over a fire in bamboo leaves. Sam loves sharing his culture, practicing his English, and once he even let one of us take his tuk-tuk for a quick spin behind the wheel.
Vietnam
Bum Bum. You’ve already met this guy if you saw my video of his little miracle from back around Christmas. His 5-year-old hobbies include eating, watching YouTube, and climbing us like jungle gyms before giving hugs.
Ethiopia
This is Mengae, full-time director of HOPEthiopia, showing the camera where food is cooked for all the children the organization cares for. A man with big dreams for the future, he will soon be able to pursue a graduate degree now that his undergraduate education has finally been paid off (a blessing our squad was happy to help him with).
Rwanda
2 of the awesomest women that deeply modeled love and servanthood to the team that was there to serve them. Each day they woke up before 5am to cook our food on the hot coals in the kitchen, boil water for bucket showers, and even scrub the village mud off our shoes so that they would be neat and ready for us to start the day’s work on a good (and clean) foot.
Bolivia
Gabriela. About 4’6″ tall, can always be seen clapping joyfully offbeat and smiling ear-to-ear as she dances in the front row at church. Has no problem being the only attendant over 20 at youth events, and will dive for candy just like the teenager at heart she is.
Peru
Angelo (right). A teen who faithfully serves the community and church every week, helping the growing kids ministry, despite having a family in turmoil that doesn’t accept his beliefs. A future leader of Peru.
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy” -Psalm 47:1
