I've arrived!

After a long 3 days journey, I've finally arrived! I boarded the plane that would bring me to my new home July 22nd, 2007 at 1:00 am. I was so blessed because I was able to sleep 10 of the 14 hours that I occupied the plane. Carl and Leslie did not enjoy the flight as much as me because they were not blessed with the ability to sleep anywhere. We stepped off the plane onto our overly swollen feet and began our 2 1/2 hour layover in Taipei, which found us roaming the airport, having photo shoots at the scenic areas that are supposed to make you feel like you had the opportunity to step outside the airport into the lovely country of Taiwan, and waiting at our gate anxiously checking our watches. We finally stepped aboard the plane and we were told to sit back and relax and enjoy the 3 hour plane ride. This ride was a peice of cake after we had already been on an airplane for 14 hours. Once we landed in Bangkok, Leslie looked over at me and said "Welcome home". I think it hit me then, that this is going to be my home for a year. We got our luggage, went through customs, and made our trek with their luggage and my years worth of luggage, to the Christian hostel. We left our bags here and toured Bangkok. It was noon and we had until 9:00 to tour. Right when we walked out to start touring, it started pouring. It rained really hard, but it felt wonderful! I loved not having to care about what I looked like and just being able to enjoy the rain, the wind, and even the humidity. We took the sky train around town and it brought back memories of when I was in Thailand in 2003. I was reminded how much I love this country! At 9:00 we boarded the bus that would take us to Mae Sot. Mae Sot is where the orphanage is at. I, once again, was able to sleep the whole bus ride, and Carl and Leslie were, once again, not able to. Pastor Winai was already at the bus stop waiting for us when we arrived. We arrived at 5 in the morning. Pastor Winai greeted us with a huge, genuine smile. He put all our luggage in the back of the truck and drove us to his village. As we drove up to the orphanage, the children were all in the worship area worshipping. We drove up to 130 voices shouting up to God. It was absolutely amazing! We unloaded our luggage and joined them in worship. It brought tears to my eyes, standing amidst all the children who were so passionately and beautifully singing to the Lord. After they sang, all the children prayed out loud. They love lifting up their voices to Him. Then Pastor Winai gave us the floor. They introduced me to the kids and Carl talked about Esther to the children. I told the children that I am so excited to be here to be teaching them English and that while I teach them English I want them to be teaching me Karen/Thai. After the worship service the children all got ready for school. They made 4 trips to get all the children to school. I met Mae and Noah, who are Pastor Winai's daughter and son-in-law. Mae is pregnant with her second child. Mae and Noah both speak English, it's broken but understandable. We ate breakfast with them and chatted with them. We have to be really careful with what food we do eat and don't eat. Carl got really sick the first time he came here and his digestive system hasn't been the same yet. Carl and Leslie went to take a nap and I unpacked and made my room my home. My room has a mattress on the floor with a bug net around it and a bathroom. It's very basic and simple. It's so awesome because I prayed that God would simplify my life, draw me so far out of my box, and show me how I can't do anything without Him. I know God is definitely going to teach me that this year. After I unpacked I went and helped the girls make lunch. Lunch was amazing!! I love the food!! The children love to serve us. They brought me to the table and it was already set for me, and then they took my plate away as soon as I finished. They are prime examples of what it means to serve. I had the opportunity to teach the girls some English while we made lunch. Today is just a day of settling in and getting used to the time change, which, I'm so happy to say, I'm already used to. It's been drizzling all day today, but the weather is beautiful! I have the best view ever from the orphanage. I can definitely sense God strongly here, and the nature surrounding me draws me so close to Him. The children are so happy and I'm so excited to teach them and grow with them. I found out from Mae today that I will be going into the school in the village about 3 days a week and teaching English to the children there. Be praying for that because it is not a Christian school and the children don't hear about God. I pray God will just use me in the school to reach the children there. God is doing a mighty work in the Karen people and I'm excited to be part of it and keep you updated on it! I'm so excited to walk through this journey day by day and experience by experience.


-Pictures will come soon (I can't seem to get them to upload, but once I figure it out I'll put them up :))