Volunteering at Agape Home

Hi, my name is Krissy Kime. Today, in 2014, I’m a student at the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. But I want to share with the world what happened to me in 2013. And I hope the story has more chapters in the future.

Volunteering at Agape Home during my gap year of 2013 was the most amazing experience of my life. I learned so much about life, love, God and myself. The word ‘agape’ means ‘unconditional love’ and there is no better word to describe Agape Home. Every day I found myself over-filled with joy to spend time with and be a part of the Agape children’s lives.

Babies & Toddlers, Motherhood & Love

With the children. JOY!
(Click for larger image)

During my time at Agape I worked mostly with the babies and toddlers, all of whom I fell head-over-heals in love with. Watching them grow and learn new skills everyday was the greatest joy and privilege for me. Before working at Agape I had never changed a diaper or been thrown up on, but these became daily experiences that strangely enough I came to love and enjoy. I knew that in this way I loved these kids unconditionally. Nothing else really mattered but bringing these babies love and joy and giving them a reason to laugh or smile every day. Those days taught me lessons about motherhood and love which I know will have an impact on my future family and me.

The Older Children

One of my favorite things about a regular day at Agape is when the older children come home from school. Every day I would wait by the gate of the babies’ room so I could give them a hug when they arrived home, just like any family would. Their smiles and eagerness to get out, run around and play a game at the end of the day made me abundantly happy just to be with them.

Morning Devotions

Having Fun!

But nothing made me happier than the morning devotions with Thai staff, babies, toddlers and my fellow volunteers. Watching the children fearlessly praising God with such a beautiful and trusting faith brought me to tears most mornings and even though I could barely understand 5 words of the Thai devotions, I had never felt God’s love more strongly than in that room every morning. It was something I can’t describe but something that was so incredibly unique and wonderful.

Challenges

Living in Thailand, a totally new and different country, certainly had its difficulties. I was challenged (and continue still to be challenged) by things I experienced during this time. But through these challenges, my time at Agape made an imprint on my heart forever and taught me more than I ever could have imagined.

The Imprint

Agape taught me how to love unconditionally, without asking questions, simply trusting fully. This was how the children accepted ME. They didn’t care about the language that I spoke or about the colour of my skin. All that mattered was that I was there to love them, to laugh, and to play a game of Uno or Connect Four (which I lost every time). All these small things became the greatest joys of my life.

Thank you Agape Home staff and children for being there and for teaching me SO much. I will never forget my time at Agape Home and the experiences I had with you. I’ll be back someday.

Goodbye. I will remember YOU!