This evening was a great night. One of my Thai staff brought a friend and they both lead activities for our children while two of my foreign staff helped when they were needed and played with some of our younger & newer children.
At the same time I with another Thai staff member was meeting with two families in the village at their homes. The 1st was us checking on how Mrs. Dii was doing now that it has been 1 month since the passing of her husband. She said she is doing well with a smile, even though she had a open heart surgery 2 years ago and is not able to work long hours any longer, has diabetes & currently has high blood pressure. For many when you are poor there is no insulin just doctors tell you to come in for a monthly blood sugar check up or come to the hospital if you are feeling dizzy. She asked us "to pray to God to heal her body" & that she would have more energy work again. She will need to start working soon now that she is a widow.
The 2nd family we visited is an older couple that are not Thai. They spent years living in the mountains picking tea and vegetables for very little money. Now bodies are weak & sore. The wife has chronic headaches & the husband tires quickly. They are Christians & shared how they were so thankful to God that they were able to borrow money to buy 20yr old 2nd hand red Songthew (truck taxi in Northern Thailand) because their old one was literally falling apart. But, were struggling a little bit because there are not many Chinese or Western tourists coming to Thailand. One reason is the strength of the Thai Baht. Thailand is not that super cheap place to vacation like years ago. They asked us to pray for their health & to have the energy to continue working. Only being in their late 50's they will still have to work for years to come.
With all my visits with people we talk & laugh. But most of the time I listen to whomever I am with to hear their story & then pray for them. The older I get the less I speak. The more I listen & when I am asked questions answer honestly, "I really don't know." But, ask "can I pray for you?" because I believe Jesus knows & in his time will answer our prayers.
