Tuesday morning we went to the prison which is a few minute walk from the church where we were staying. There are 47 women in the prison and 370 men.
There were about 30 women who were present when we came. They are allowed to sign up for English teaching. The church has just started this ministry and has only been there once before. We walked up to the prison doors, entered a secure hall, were locked in, then unlocked and moved into the prison, then through another locked area, into a small area with a concrete floor and overhead covering. The women were all dressed in light blue tops and long, dark blue skits. We have no pictures of going there, as it was not allowed.
Jamie lead the two hour program.
We did an ice breaker, sort of like, rock, paper, scissor, - but it was called lady, gorilla, hunter. You stand back to back, count to three, turn around, and act out your chosen person. The gorilla pounds on his chest and does the gorilla call, the lady holds her hands by her face and says, "ohhhh", and the hunter pulls out his gun and shoots it. I think we were all surprised in that we were playing guns in a prison! We played the game till we had a winner.
Then we did a skit for them. Jon N and Jas did their Prodigal Son skit, Sam shared her testimony, and then we talked about it with the women. We then did some English teaching about emotions, with pictures that we first acted out and then they acted out. "How are you?" - "I am tired - scared - happy- etc."
We sang a fun song - Singing in the Rain - with the actions - with the women, and they are so like the kids we teach, so happy and loving the fun.
We then did our "What is Love?" skit, talked about it.
Jason then shared his testimony and we talked about that.
We then did our "Jesus" skit, about Jesus taking about our sins and sorrows, dying, and rising again. Once again we shared with them.
We than sang "Light of the World" for them in English" and had a chance to get into small groups and pray for them. Most of them wanted prayer for their families and their children.
It was quite the experience and an amazing ministry - after all, they are a captive audience.
Yesterday some of the orphans came to the church in the morning, and we went on a boat ride in Phang Nga Bay, and had the chance to experience the wonders of God's creation in this part of the world. After sharing lunch, we headed for a Wat and walked around there. This Wat is know for all the monkeys that are running loose. It was "an experience" and I found out that I do not like monkeys, due to the surprise factor of them surrounding you, and as Karen found out - wanting to steal from you!
We then went with the orphans for an elephant ride and elephant show. Just to see the faces of the kids experiencing all these new and exciting things was amazing (yes - even our kids)
We then returned home in the pouring rain, but by the time we got home, all were dry. This is definitely the "drip - dry" country.
Today, we are doing physical work on the two properties. We are washing all the windows, in and out, cleaning the window sills, removing all the screens, washing them, and cleaning the orphans homes - so I guess we would call it "Spring Cleaning"
Also on the orphan site we are leveling an area of grass and moving the excess material into a low section next to one of the homes, so that when it rains - especially in the rainy season - they will not have pooling of water in that area.
On the church site, we cleaned up all the excess lumber, metal, and odds and ends, around the kitchen eating area. We moved a lot of lumber to a burning pile.
We also purchased two dump trucks of gravel to put around the lower area of the English Center, so Peter put on Killex, we bought rice bag material to lay down first, and then we will spread the gravel.
Lots of projects in incredible hot weather.
The students are great and we are working fantastic as a team.
Continue to pray for us on our last few days, and as we prepare to travel home, and then do travel home.
Thanks once again for the comments and emails you have been sending. It has been great to receive "Love" from home!
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3 comments:
Sounds like an amazing, life changing experience that you all had at the prison. Really neat to hear that all the women wanted prayer for their famlies and children- a powerful moment. Also really cool to hear about the experience with the elephant ride and the Phang-Nga Bay tour. Have a great last few days as you are involved in the various projects. Be safe and have fun!
God Bless
Well...You kids are definitely going to come back changed! Ministry that included relational and physical aspects will for sure leave a lasting impact on each one-yourselves and those whose lives you've touched. The teaching ministry has undoubtedly created relationships and effects that will not be forgotten. The experiences of working physically hard and sweating would have served to evoke in you the reality of the many young children who are abused in child labor! What a way to relate...hands on! I can only imagine the wide spectrum of emotions that must have overwhelmed you at first, and then the overcoming sense of victory in seeing what God can do through you...the insecurity of being in a foreign place without familiarity or other family members, and then the realization that He is always as close as a whisper...the fear when you or someone else got sick, and then Knowing that He constantly watches over you...the lack of daily necessities to those in so much need, but then the lack of want from the same... All that we so take for granted... and as Katelyn so nicely put it: they have so much to be "ungrateful" for, and yet they always have smiles! The simplicity of a smile and the impact that genuine love for a complete stranger can have is mind-boggling! Not giving a thought to soiling your clothes in an effort to scoop a little one into your arms. Throwing away inhibitions that so often prevent us from reaching out can only happen as we give way and allow God to work through us! The love all comes from Him! From the beauty of the scenery to the disbelief of the environments around you...You were privileged to see and experience the irony of the world you live in. Such a spectacular landscape and yet the poverty and depravation is in stark contrast to it! To have been a part of something greater than yourselves for a short while will broaden your global views and cause you to look outside the box and take a stand on issues that would have otherwise been insignificant to you! Who knows where these last few weeks will lead to? I would venture a guess that you're all feeling a liitle torn at the moment - with the prospect of returning home. I'm sure there's plenty of mixed emotions, but I want to remind you all that God always completes what He has begun (Phillipians 1:6). And He will... in their lives AND yours! I'm convinced that "His word never returns void" (Isaiah 55:11), and the work, the love, and the impact you had will be multiplied long after you've left! Thank-You Mr. and Mrs. Hettinga for looking after our kids. I was so blessed and relieved to see how quickly you responded to Jazz's situation and to hear that Hilary had stayed with him at the hospital for the whole duration! I'm sure it's been quite a challenge to be responsible for that many. (And by the way Antoinette, I don't find it selfish in any way that you were relieved to have Hilary back!!) Lots of Love and Prayers for a safe return, Joanne Simair
(We Love You Katie! Can't wait to see you!!! Love mom,dad,Ryan,Sophie xoxoxoxo)
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