What a fantastic, final, fun, five days volunteering at the Agape Home.
click to enlarge
On Friday, it was free time outside, with many wanting to play strategy games and building activities, the younger children playing with the farm animals or the train set.
On Monday and Tuesday, it was board games, Sudoku Family and Trouble, with Triminoes being a favourite with the older teenagers and Thai teachers.
The children sat on the floor in groups, enjoying these fun games.
I played the game Trouble for nearly two hours with various children who committed themselves to finish a game.
During Wednesday morning, while many were watching the Easter Story, the Passion Play, I was sitting on the floor. One girl wanted to play Sudoku Family with me, and she was determined to ‘win’ each game. A teenager wanted me to play a board game with double dices. He was so happy to beat me. A younger child joined the circle “Mae Judith, you, me play.”
Others were playing with puzzles. Oh to be ambidextrous!
Wednesday afternoon, was the farewell concert. Thanks to team member Mae Robyn, the children sang the song, ‘If I were a butterfly, I thank you Lord for giving us wings’. Mae Lurline led groups of recorder playing, with a selected group playing Amazing Grace. If only you could have heard it! It was delightful music to one’s ears.
With Mae Avis sitting in the rocking chair, the children sang the song ‘Who’s the King of the jungle? Who’s the King of the sea? Who’s the King of the universe? and Who’s the King of me? I tell you J E S U S, Yes! ……. A ‘crown’ was put on Mae Avis as she listened to the Aussie volunteer’s version, “Who’s the Queen of Agape? Who’s the Queen of the children? Who’s the Queen of this Christian home? And who the Queen of us? I tell you Mae A V I S, Yes… ” Yes, it was fun!
A fun skit was presented by the Aussie Volunteers and all the children participated in a few fun ‘dances’. And then……… the final climax!!
Every school age child is presented with their small photo album that has at least 4 or 5 new photos added. Pictures had been taken of each child participating in various activates.
For me, this is SO moving to watch each child find their new photos, they look at each age page, they look at each other’s book, they look back at their own photos, they swap books, and then they turn back in their own photo album to see how they have changed and grown over the years. Oh, the memories that each book holds! The girls love their group photos. The boys love the arm wrestle pictures!
Just before we left, one girl came to me and said, “don’t cry Mae Judith!” Another shared, “you have a more big heart.” Their smiles, their hugs, their love of Jesus make this home a place of Agape Love. God’s Unconditional Love.
It has been another happy, memorable seven weeks volunteer time. The children love to sing Jesus loves me rap. Oh, the joy of the Lord in this home!
Feel free to learn more about this Christian family home, donate or sponsor a child. Please spread the love.
