Give-n-Receive

Apr 18, 2015

by nikkisplace

Agape Home, Avis Rideout, Chiang Mai, Judith Bond, Thailand

Songkran

Songkran, the Water Festival, celebrates the Thai New Year. For three days here in Chiang Mai, water is thrown on people as they drive along roads and around the city moat. For 3 days, Mae Avis drove truckloads of Agape children around Chiang Mai. Most of the children were soaked before they left the Agape grounds.

Click to enlarge

Water Cannons – Always Fun!

I did not go out this year, preferring to stay with remaining groups and work on card-making. While decorating cards, children could be heard to sing “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?” Another younger child sings “Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children, God is love, God is love.” Oh that these words will stay with them all the days of their life.

Precious pre-schooler

Kids love pictures!

A God Story

One night, a thought came to me to give some Bible story activity books and colored pencils I had brought to a village Sunday School. When we went to deliver the items to the school, I was told that the previous night, the church had been talking about activities for the Sunday School. Oh the thrill of blessing and giving to others. I was happy to give some brand new cloth fitted nappies to a newborn baby in the area. Thank you to Australian companies for your generous giving.

Getting clothing ready

New Fitted Nappies

New Shoes

The Agape children have 3 pairs of shoes each. One pair for church, one pair for school and thongs for holidays. Again to my delight, I bought good quality thongs to leave in the ‘new shoe corner’. The children can only get new footwear when they show Mae Avis their old or broken thongs. It is a delight to see many children going about Agape with their new thongs. God provides!

The Circle of Agape Love

New shoes always bring smiles 🙂

Teaching English

I have taught the children the jingle “God is good” and they say “All the time.” Then I say “All the time”, and they say “God is good”. As I was saying to a child “Goodbye, God bless you”, they replied “all the time!” Another child said to me “Come on Mae Judith, its time to go.” English is sinking in!

Birthday Boy!

One boy celebrated his birthday. It is the only time that they receive new clothing. Notice the colorful new thongs. It’s the little things in life, isn’t it?

Birthdays are very special at Agape

Scoobies

Many of the children are working on French knitting or making leather scoobies. These are key rings made from kangaroo hide, very tough, like Cowboy boots in the old Wild West of America.

Making Scoobies is Fun!

Finished Scoobies. Don’t you want one?

Agape Love

One boy has been in hospital, very sick. After much prayer and good quality care, he has been released back into the Agape family. To have this child run and jump into my arms was a thrill. He had never met me before, but he was so happy to receive unconditional love. I felt blessed at his running down the stairs into my arms. Sometimes God shows himself in unmistakeable ways.

Oh, so much happens in an hour, in a day. I love it all. I love the family atmosphere and God’s unconditional love shown to one and all. Consider volunteering at Agape Home. Trust me: If you make yourself available, God will provide the travel funds. Or maybe you’re reading this and thinking, ‘I wish I could go, but I can’t.” Perhaps you can help fund someone else’s trip? Or perhaps share this post with someone and suggest they go? Either way, the children will be blessed – and so will you.

PS. It was an absolute joy to have an Australian volunteer, who has his own split shift of duties, come to me and say, “Can I help you?” Zac, thank you so much for your initiative to offer and to join the Fun English class. I value your help and support.