The Orange Grove Kids

Have you ever loved someone so much you would do anything to take their pain away?

I thought I could answer this answer, until I met the children in Northern Thailand.

The answer is yes.

I love them enough that every fiber in my body screams to take away their suffering.

These beautiful children were born in the most memorizing land I have ever seen. The land is cover with emerald and mountains that reach heaven.

But the land is deceiving. The land covered in a sea of orange groves, tea plantations, fruit orchards and hundreds of fields filled with rice.

Someone has to tend to these crops and who better than those who are desperate for any job they can possibly get. Those who are regarded as the lowest of the low. Those people are the hill tribe people and those who have come across the border from Burma.

Those in need of these jobs are willing to work for a minimal amount of pay. Meaning for one day's work (7am until 5 pm) they get paid less than $3.

$3 to feed their family.

$3 to clothe their children.

$3 to get medical help when needed.

$3 to live off of.

Due to the lack of income, families are forced to live in places that make shacks look like mansions. Whole families sleep on a mat on the floor with out much protection from wind and rain.

Chemicals used for the plants fill the air with an unhealthy pungency. Toxic chemicals lay around for curious hands to find.

The mere shock of this situation is enough to send someone running out without looking back.

The children of the orange grove workers are left to take care of themselves during working hours.

So from 7am to 5pm children from the ages of 1 to 10 are left to find food for themselves, to take care of the younger ones.

They are trying to survive.

The $3 that their parents make, is not enough to send them to school to get an education. School has fees, uniforms and shoes have to be bought and school supplies are a constant cost.

These children don't smile, they don't laugh. Their eyes scream hunger and their bodies tell of hardships no human should have to go through.

These children don't know what being a kid is because they have to be adults at a young age.

As we began to interact with these kids and show them how to be kids, their eyes began to light up. It was as if they began to understand that it is okay to be a kid. As we brought out colored pencils and paper their imagination was being stretched as they drew their families, the orange groves and what they imagined the rest of the world looked like.

My heart soared when I saw one child smile as he saw himself in the picture I had just taken of him. They began to squeal with joy as we played soccer with them and let them enjoy childhood even for a moment.

So the answer to my question is still yes.

I do love these children enough to hurt daily because of the pain and struggles they face.

I do love these children enough to want to help in anyway I can to take away their pain.

My question for you remains, who do you love enough that you would do anything to take their pain away?

There is something about a child's smile

There is something about the way a child smiles that illuminates the light within our souls. I have learned it is impossible not to smile back.

It is impossible not to smile back, because of the richest and pure smiles that they freely offer, even when they are standing in mud which they call their living room.

Tonight, I was overwhelmed with pain as I looked at the house that so many orphans, children at risk and abandoned children call home. Their home consists of three rooms that are no more than concrete, bamboo and a tin roof. I couldn't help but cry out to God. "Why God?" I live in a palace compared to the two rooms they have. 18 boys sleep in a room smaller than my dorm room.

In spite of my anger at God and in spite of the pain that was bleeding in my heart, I couldn't help but smile back.

As I sat stewing, an angel dressed in rags came up to me and smiled. Her eyes were as dark as the night and her smile seeming to never end. She giggled as she waited for me to pick her up and hold her.

As I sat with my angel in my arms, she wrapped my arms around her and made sure I didn't let go. Every time she turned and looked up at me, it was as if she knew that her presence was healing.

Her smile reached down into my soul and touched the place only her smile could.

Even though we stayed for what seemed like mere minutes, I fell in love with this beautiful child. I know God loves her beyond measure. He did not make a mistake when he created her or her incredible smiles.

There is something about a child's smile.

Something that can change the world.

It's the little things that mean the most!

This week God has been teaching me just how much the little things mean! This week so far has already been filled with so many of those little things!

Yesterday, I walked into Mata Coffee (the coffee shop on my language route) and the lady who works there ran up to me and gave me a big hug. I have yet to see Thai people hug anyone. Their culture is one of respect as they bow to one another and have other cultural signs of respect but they are not a huge physical touch culture. If you know me, I hug everyone... and then I hug everyone again. Hugs keep me going. In the two weeks I have been here, I haven't gotten hugs...until yesterday. It brought me to tears how that one simple act meant so much and how it solidified our friendship!

Another beautiful yet so simplistic gesture came from another Thai lady. We (Tosha and I) were walking to catch a songtao (public transportation) after class when we walked upon a old lady selling lottery tickets, on the side of the road,. We greeted her and asked her how she was when she pulled out a papaya. She started peeling it and offered Tosha and I half of it. This was her lunch and she was offering two strangers half of it. We graciously accepted her generous gift and talked with her a bit more. (As much as our limited Thai would let us!) The next day we walked to where she had been selling lottery tickets and she wasn't there. Her stand and everything was gone. She was like an angel that God sent to us when we needed to be loved on. I don't think I have ever tasted a papaya so sweet.

All my love,
Ang

Thailnd: The first week

It is truly incredible how fast a week can fly by. It seems almost impossible that we landed a week ago. It simply feels like yesterday that we arrived.

This week has been filled with many laughs and some beautiful start to friendships.
This week, we stayed with a Christian Thai couple who run the only Christian book store here in Chiang Mai. Ajaan Yongyut and P'Porn (pronounced P' Pawn) are an amazing couple! They know so many people and everywhere they go, they share the light of Christ with others. One of my favorite times that we spent together was in the afternoons at the bookstore. We would come back from our Thai lesson and sit with them and talk. We would share with them all we were learning in Thai class and we shared many laughs! We laughed mainly over how bad we pronounced something or if we didn't use the right tones and said something we didn't mean to say! They really loved on us and helped us out by teaching us some Thai and correcting us when we say something wrong. One of our last nights at the bookstore, P'Porn took us to the Night Bazaar which is a huge night market. (you can literally buy anything there!) She took us to see one of her friends who has a booth there and introduced us as her daughters. It almost brought me to tears at how much she really cares about us. She has become my Thai mother and I am so blessed to know her and to be continually blessed by her.

As I briefly mentioned before, we have been studying language this week. We study 5 days a week for 2 hours each day. Our Kru (or teacher) has been teaching Thai for 38 years! She really knows what she is doing and expects nothing but the best from her students. At first I was a little intimidated by her but after getting to know her better, she is such a sweet lady. I enjoy our talks during breaks about where we come from and past experiences we have had.  Although she has taught many missionaries including some of the ones on our team, she is not a Christian. Please pray for her that her heart will be opened and Christ will reign in her life. Please pray that the missionaries that she is teaching currently will be able to share with her and for the stronghold of Buddhism in her life to be broken.

After language, we usually go on a language route. A language route is several Thai people that we go practice our Thai with. They are people from all across the board from a lady who works at a coffee shop to business owners to market vendors. We have become friends with a lady who works at a coffee shop and after we finish language we usually head there to grab some coffee and begin our language route. P'A (the lady who works there) has really been a joy to talk with. She listens as we tell her the little bit of Thai that we can speak. Our Thai basically consists of telling her what color something is, how many their are, our names, and a few other very basic things. She asks us questions based on what we know or have said and usually we can answer. My first language mistake was I asked her how many boys she was! I totally meant to ask her how many siblings she has!!! We had a really good laugh about that!!!!


Anyway, I gotta go get ready for Church but I wanted to give you all an update of what is happening here!!! I will try to post some pictures soon!!!

All my love,
Ang

We Made It

Hey ya'll we made it!!!

We are both really tired and so . . . I just wanted to upload a video to say hey!

Check it out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0hIK8Yyn-4


All my love,
Angela

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!
We are flying out to Thailand in just a couple of hours!!!!
I just wanted to write a quick update to let you all know how much I have appreciated you all and all your encouragement this week!!!

I have also really been blessed by the Reach interns this week and it is hard to say goodbye to them as they fly away but God is already doing amazing things through them and will continue to do amazing things as they leave and once they arrive!

Man I love this group of people!!!!!

Tosha and I are also trying to do some Youtube videos this summer and if you want to check them out you can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_xxlyc2EYg

All my love,
Ang

PDO. . . take two

I am now in the middle of PDO and man oh man have I been learning so much. I think, I thought I was going to know so much because I am a missionary kid but let me tell you, the Lord sure humbled me quick! There are so many things I wouldn't have even thought might effect me. There are a couple of things I want to highlight from the past two days.

Yesterday, we spent the majority of our day at a ropes course team building. We were split up into three groups and were sent out with a guide to complete certain elements. We learned just how key communication is within a team and when communication breaks down, the team starts to crumble and can fail at a task that is trying to be completed. We were able to learn about each others weaknesses and strengths as well which was really helpful as we were able to encourage each other and help one another through whatever issue we were struggling with.

Today, we had evening prayers with the sisters here at the convent. It was amazing to see such devoted women truly pouring all they are and have into the service of God. The prioress prayed over us as interns and the people we will come into contact with. I was brought to tears by their love for us as fellow laborers for God. It is such a comfort and blessing to know that they will be fervently praying on our behalf while we are halfway across the world.

Two days until Tosha and I begin our journey to Thailand. I think we are both ready to be there and are struggling to find peace in being here a few days longer. Today, I have been really struggling to find inner peace and find my mind wandering into self doubts and situational doubts. The prayer of my heart today has been that I will find the peace I need and that I will not try to solve my own issues but that Christ will have full control over these situations.

Today I am asking for prayers for Tosha and I as we struggle with finding peace in being here and for me as I have been doubting myself.

Thank you all so much for your partnership with me on this journey through your love and prayers!

All my love,
Ang

PDO

PDO (Pre-Departure Orientation) is in full swing!!! I can't believe it is finally here!!!!

We began PDO last night at dinner served by the sisters. Yes, that is right, the sisters... as in nuns! We are staying at a Benedictine convent/monastery. Which is really actually an awesome thing because they have such beautiful hearts devoted only to the Lord. They have devoted themselves to praying for the 44 interns that are going with CMF this summer. How awesome!!! God is so good!!!

We have been learning a whole lot today both about our selves personally and as different teams. I have really be super encouraged through gaining so much knowledge about things I would have never thought to think about. We have also been able to share our testimonies throughout the day to the whole group of us. I have been crazy blessed to hear how Christ has worked through so many different backgrounds and through so many hard situations to bring glory to his name and to bring us all to this place.

I have been able to get to know my teammate Tosha really well!!! It is funny how God works, Tosha and I share much of the same personality but are different in just enough ways that I know we are going to get along great! You know you are going to be good friends with someone when you stay up late talking about your life and feeling safe in doing so. (Which is exactly what we did!) We get along great and already have been deemed "partners in crime" by the leaders here! It is going to be an amazing summer with her!!!!

I can't believe that we are only four days away from flying to Thailand but God has a lot more to teach us before we leave!!!

Please continue to pray for Tosha and I as we prepare to leave and that God will be opening hearts already even before we get there. Please also pray for the safety of the other 42 interns going across the globe to spread Christ's love and hope to the lost!!!

God is so good!!!

All my love,
Ang

And so the journey begins

The journey officially began today with a 8 hour car ride to Indianapolis!!! After listening to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis in the car, I felt quite sure my heart is ready for an amazing adventure. I however don't think my adventure will include other worlds found in wardrobes but I know it will include many amazing people as it already has!

Yesterday was my birthday and I was so truly blessed by so many facebook messages, phone calls, text messages, and even a few letters! The outpouring of love I felt and still feel is truly overwhelming. God has blessed me with some amazing people who keep me laughing and show me Christ's love in amazing ways. It was just the thing I needed to start me off on an amazing adventure!!!

I have made it to New Palestine, Indiana!!! God truly worked miracles and I am staying with the lovely McConnaughhay family. They took me in as a complete stranger to them just knowing I needed a place to stay for a few nights. It is incredible the connections we have through mutual friends!!! They have been encouraging me since the moment I stepped in their house! I am blessed to stay with such an amazing family and I can feel Christ's love here!

So far, the adventure is grand but, it is just starting...

Countdown To Thailand

The countdown to Thailand has begun!!!

3 days until I leave for Pre-departure orientation (PDO)|

5 days until PDO starts

10 days until I am on a plane to Thailand

13 days until my feet touch Thai soil!

God is so good and has really been blessing me while I have been home for a couple of weeks.
I have been able to see so many friends and family and have been so blessed by them. God has really been renewing my heart and soul during this time.

This week, God has really been showing me how much I need to purge out of my life. Having moved back from school with all my stuff for the first time since moving to school, I realized just how much stuff I have accumulated. Things that do not really matter but somehow I thought I needed to keep. After many trips to Goodwill to donate a lot of stuff, I feel so much better. It is as if I somehow feel lighter. I am glad I can give to someone else who can use it rather than keep it in a box somewhere.

This week, my prayer requests are:
1) My trip to Indianapolis- That I would be safe traveling.
2) PDO- That God would be working in the lives of all the interns who will be there
3) Flight to Thailand- It is a really long 3 day trip and pray that everything would go smooth

Thank you all so much and I will try to keep you updated as much as I can!!!

All my love,
Ang

The State of Union

Anguished

Darkness surrounds my soul.

Agonized

My soul clings to things you despise above all

Distressed

I play tug of war with lust as it tries to win my soul

Suffering

I dine with jealousy as a close friend.

Confused

Rid yourself of these things and come into union with me

Torn

I want to sing the song of power as its melodies surround me

Jumbled

What I crave is hindering me from what I desire

Tortured

My chest swells with pride as my faith diminishes

Crying

Rid yourself of these things and hide yourself in me

Distraught

I am stabbing myself with the knife of greed as envy is stopping my breathing

Dying

I crawl to you with my heart bleeding and my soul in pieces

Seeking

I no longer want the world; I crave the union with you that you begged me for.

Hoping

You surround my soul

Relieved

My soul can only cling to you

Calmed

You have won the war for my heart

Peaceful

My closest companion is you; my rock

Unclouded

I have come into union with you

Healed

You have patched my self-inflicted wounds; only a faint scar remains

Joyful

Wickedness no longer tempts me

Awake

You have put all desires to sleep and my soul is pure

Alive

This is divine union

The Music of Life

I sit slowly at the old piano of my childhood. The bench creaks and I blow dust off the keys. It is just how I remembered it, sheet music still sits where it did so many years ago. I gently place my fingers on the keys. The keys under my fingers feel safe, like I have found my refuge. The song starts and the song I know by heart comes flooding back to me after all this time. The intervals and melodies swirl around me and I feel goose bumps running down my arm in time to the music. The old piano still carries the sound that I know so well. The first ending is played and I feel tears dancing down my face. As the music becomes soft I see visions of my life play through my head and as it swells so does my heart. The song finishes with a beautiful octave and I sit staring at the ivory keys. I sit until the music has long faded into the air and is only just a memory. I suddenly hear a slow clapping from behind me. I turn around slowly, and there you are smiling with tears in your eyes. If only this moment could last forever.

The Blessings of 2012

This past year has been a true blessing and I have so many things to be thankful for. I would love to share a glimpse of that with you all!

2012 started off with an amazing experience as an intern at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD. God really blessed me as I joined 7 other interns to learn more about what God has in store for us! The semester was hard and God blessed me in so many ways through so many people!

During my semester in Maryland, we had the amazing opportunity to visit NYC and hear all about what God is doing through some amazing people!

Had the amazing opportunity to go to the Pentagon and tour Washington D.C.

This summer, God gave me the biggest blessing to tour Europe alongside some of my classmates. We visited seven countries: Ireland, Wales, England, France, Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. 

This fall, I started my Junior year at Milligan College. Even though it was a hard semester, God is good and I did well!

I hope you all have enjoyed a glimpse into my year! I pray that God blesses you in this new year!

All my love,

Ang