The Agape Home supports HIV children who live with their family. This Project Lek helps families stay together. Five years ago, Mae Robyn and myself visited several of these children in their very basic home, perhaps with an Aunt and Uncle or just Grandma. I remember one girl who was with her grandma, both seemed in poor health and living in poor conditions. Just last week, this girl has joined the Agape Home. It is a delight to see her taken under the ‘wings’ of several of the teenage girls who have helped her settle into her new Agape family. Grandma has died.
Imagine trying to cook toast for 100 children and staff in a four slot toaster! So a few years ago, we purchased a conveyer toaster for the home. This week, 10 loaves of thick bread, 4 tins of condensed milk, jam and chocolate sprinkles were bought. The children evenly spread their choice of spread and most came to ask “Can I have chocolate, please Mae Judith?” To see the toddlers, preschoolers, children, nannies and office staff enjoy eating toast is a delight.
Many of the children have enjoyed sewing and creating hand made felt puppets and bracelets. They were delighted with their own finished characters.
One boy needed new thongs. I had already bought some of his size. However, in typical teenager fashion (which is good to see a sense of normalcy, right?), he was specific on exactly what he wanted – in colour and style. So I went out and bought more thongs. When I called this boy over, the first pair that he tried on fitted him AND were the colour that he wanted – green! In his simple English, he said, “Thank you Mae Judith.”
A few side notes:
In Chiang Mai, especially at the markets and village centres, at 06.00 and 18.00, the Thai national anthem is played over loud speakers. It is impressive to see people in the markets and streets stop and stand to attention as soon as they hear the anthem music.
We have enjoyed eating tropical mangoes, juicy pineapples and various size bananas.
The temperature has varied from a hot 39C (102F) to a ‘cool’ 34C (92F)!
I keep hearing the verse ‘in everything give thanks.’
God is good ALL THE TIME. All the time, GOD IS GOOD.