Right now, it is currently 8:33pm Saturday night here in Chiang Rai, Thailand with a temperature of 81degrees. I have just taken a cold shower, or at least, it's like a shower. Much different than the States, here on the compound of AOF, you have a hose attached to the wall next to the toilet with a big bucket you fill with cold water (no hot water) and pour on yourself with a cup. It is a great way to wake up feeling refreshed!
I arrived at AOF yesterday afternoon around 3pm to see the Bible students (the Akha people who come to learn the Bible and how to be a pastor) pouring cement into a sidewalk. On the compound, everything is done manually with no outside paid help. The Akha orphans have daily chores, school (with which they have a month left) and as of late they have been rehearsing a dance for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Organization. AOF has its own rice fields which is worked by the Bible students, orphans, and staff when they have the free time. The campus is located conveniantly within walking distance of the town, in fact, just today I walked down the street with a 40 year old Akha lady-her name is Achu, (she is a cook here for the kids) to buy some food she was going to prepare for her husband, son, and mother-in-law. It was an open market with fresh vegetables, fruit, poultry, pork, and fish. It was interesting to walk through, almost like a farmer's market but ten times better since it was in its traditional setting. Her english is very broken thus making communicating rather difficult but still possible. She has asked me to help her speak English and in the process, she is helping me speak Akha. The Akha are considered the lowest of the low in Thailand, like in India the 'untouchables' are at the bottom of the caste system. They are very poor and have very little personal items but a beautiful strength of theirs is hospitality. They would kill their last chicken for you to have something eat.
The first evening I was here, I got up in front of the Bible students and orphans (who are all Akha, the only white people are myself, Nancy, and Juliana-who is from Georga and has been at AOF for 3 years now) and introduced myself. Well, I found out that my name was too long for them to say and so they gave me a new Akha name- Aba (it sounds the same as if you are saying the Hebrew name for daddy, Abba) which means 'White Skin.' I then proceeded to explain how I too was an orphan and therefore could relate with them.
Previously this day, I ate dinner with Achu and a few other Akha. We sat on a tarp outside on the ground and laid on the tarp were dishes with Cabbage, cut pieces of lime, cut pork and hot dog bits, very spicy pepper sauce, white noodles, and fish (which still was in it's original form). I learned that you break off a peice of cabbage, and take a little peice of each item or whatever you want to eat, and you put that in the cabbage, roll it up and eat it. The variety of flavor was surprisingly tasty! I challenge all of you to try eating a meal like that!
Though my experience will be one of many different culture differences, it is also going to be one of many challenges set by the Lord to overcome along with falling more in love with Him and growing deeper in the walk of faith. I have seen these Akha kids worship and it is so moving and heart warming to see their joy! When they sing, you can hear it from a distance for it is so loud! When they pray, they all pray out loud and their prayers are earnest and sincere! When they do their daily chores, they do it with joy! They are such beautiful people and they have inspired me greatly and I have only been here 2 days!
I better go now and get some rest for a new day. May the Lord walk with you in your day and may you listen to His prodding:)
Until next time....
I arrived at AOF yesterday afternoon around 3pm to see the Bible students (the Akha people who come to learn the Bible and how to be a pastor) pouring cement into a sidewalk. On the compound, everything is done manually with no outside paid help. The Akha orphans have daily chores, school (with which they have a month left) and as of late they have been rehearsing a dance for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Organization. AOF has its own rice fields which is worked by the Bible students, orphans, and staff when they have the free time. The campus is located conveniantly within walking distance of the town, in fact, just today I walked down the street with a 40 year old Akha lady-her name is Achu, (she is a cook here for the kids) to buy some food she was going to prepare for her husband, son, and mother-in-law. It was an open market with fresh vegetables, fruit, poultry, pork, and fish. It was interesting to walk through, almost like a farmer's market but ten times better since it was in its traditional setting. Her english is very broken thus making communicating rather difficult but still possible. She has asked me to help her speak English and in the process, she is helping me speak Akha. The Akha are considered the lowest of the low in Thailand, like in India the 'untouchables' are at the bottom of the caste system. They are very poor and have very little personal items but a beautiful strength of theirs is hospitality. They would kill their last chicken for you to have something eat.
The first evening I was here, I got up in front of the Bible students and orphans (who are all Akha, the only white people are myself, Nancy, and Juliana-who is from Georga and has been at AOF for 3 years now) and introduced myself. Well, I found out that my name was too long for them to say and so they gave me a new Akha name- Aba (it sounds the same as if you are saying the Hebrew name for daddy, Abba) which means 'White Skin.' I then proceeded to explain how I too was an orphan and therefore could relate with them.
Previously this day, I ate dinner with Achu and a few other Akha. We sat on a tarp outside on the ground and laid on the tarp were dishes with Cabbage, cut pieces of lime, cut pork and hot dog bits, very spicy pepper sauce, white noodles, and fish (which still was in it's original form). I learned that you break off a peice of cabbage, and take a little peice of each item or whatever you want to eat, and you put that in the cabbage, roll it up and eat it. The variety of flavor was surprisingly tasty! I challenge all of you to try eating a meal like that!
Though my experience will be one of many different culture differences, it is also going to be one of many challenges set by the Lord to overcome along with falling more in love with Him and growing deeper in the walk of faith. I have seen these Akha kids worship and it is so moving and heart warming to see their joy! When they sing, you can hear it from a distance for it is so loud! When they pray, they all pray out loud and their prayers are earnest and sincere! When they do their daily chores, they do it with joy! They are such beautiful people and they have inspired me greatly and I have only been here 2 days!
I better go now and get some rest for a new day. May the Lord walk with you in your day and may you listen to His prodding:)
Until next time....
