Abundant Life Orphanage - Mon., Feb.18, 2013 (by Yvonne)

Jonas on the way to the orphanage

Don't worry, Shane isn't worshiping; he's doing the "wai", which is the typical
Thai greeting. (However, his head IS bent lower, and his fingers ARE closer to
his nose - which shows respect.... hmm. :) )

A couple of the signs we were able
to read!

Only in Thailand!

Uh-oh! One of the vans blew a tire on the freeway on the way there.
It was the grace of God that no one was hurt.

After traveling from our Suntara Hotel, we arrived at the Abundant Life Orphanage Bang Saen about 3:30pm.

3 of the 4 Abundant Life homes 

Jonas

As the children arrived home form school, Brian, Jessie, and a few others chased a soccer ball around the grass with the kids while suitcases of clothing and goodies were unpacked.

an informal soccer game

Kevin makes friends

Carol and one of the twins

piles of the clothes we brought along for the kids

Delores sorts through the clothes

We set up the banner project outside and the children came in small groups to create their designs on the squares of fabric that were prepared for them.

Yvonne gets everyone organized for the quilting square project

The kids, ages 4-18, all seemed to enjoy the project.  Children everywhere always come up with fabulous artwork.  

Louise helping with handprints

Carol supervising 

Donna assisting

Jessica, Janelle, Emily & Carol helping out

Some of the finished squares: some of the kids just did their hand print and their name (in Thai & English), others embellished their print to make a picture or design.

One of the house moms will assemble the squares, after they dry, and make three hangings for the three houses where the children live.

Karen Sanchez

The (big) boys are just as keen - and creative!

the prints drying - which didn't take long in the heat

One of the sweet sundresses & t-shirt that Anne Wiens sent with us

Anne Wiens had made girls' sundresses and sent along 20 of them with little t-shirts.  We left some at Bethel, and brought most of them here.  The girls were delighted with them, showing them off.  They were all so cute that you wanted to bring them home.

Three of the girls proudly model their new outfits, provided by Anne Wiens.

The girls say thank you for their lovely dresses

Mon & Aum display their artwork

One of the clever designs

Janelle has 2 new friends

Careful - Carol might take one home!

Kathryn plays a game of slaps

We all joined the children inside where they sang songs and danced for us. 

2 of the girls dance while the group sings for us

Yvonne presents her beautiful banner, while Louise translates

The banner that was made for them was presented.  I told them that the banner was inspired by Luke 18:16.  They all opened their Bibles and read the passage together out loud: "Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'"  I told them that the children on the banner were my grandchildren, and their ages.  I told them that Jesus loves all children everywhere.  Louise, who was translating this to them, was very touched and emotional, along with a lot of us.

Karen, Yvonne, and Hans - presenting the twins, Non & Tan, with their personal quilts.

The newest girls receive their quilts too - this one for "Bang"

....and one for "Baow"

Quilts were given to the 4 newest children, twin boys, 4 years old, and two girls, 4 and 5 years old.  (The others received quilts from Cedar Park Church last year.)

We were treated to a demo of the boys' break dancing!

They actually entered the equivalent of "Thailand's Got Talent"...

... and won!

(Rumour has it that they tried to teach Janelle & Emily after the rest of us went outside, but we haven't seen a performance yet!)

All the children here are HIV positive.  All are receiving medication and hopefully will live long lives.
Our stay was short, but it was wonderful to see the homes created for the children.  Thanks to Karen & Ricky Sanchez (who are in charge of ALO), Dave & Louise, and all the supporters of MB Missions.