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A few of us began our day playing with the kids for VBS. We started with some singing to the Lord, and the kids do not hold back. Their teachers make sure they are not shy about singing praises to our God. That has been such an encouraging, beautiful thing to participate in. Then we kept the VBS time going with a skit of Noah’s Ark and the Flood. The skit was so fun. It involved pouring some water on some of the actors (McKenna and Peyton), and the kids got a good laugh out of it.
Later, we played some games with them, and we just kept laughing and playing and laughing and playing. The other day, one of our team members, Peyton, reminded us how play and laughter are universal, and how they can always be shared. VBS with the kids reminded me of how true that is. Even with the language barrier, we got to all share laughter, play and the joy of the Lord together. - Emily B.
The clinic here in Ma Oh Jo is something else. I am amazed at how much good stuff happens here every day. Apichat (the village nurse) is well liked in his community, and he has so much knowledge in how to care for every person in the village. There are medications labeled like we would see them in a hospital setting, a bed with adequate supplies if anyone gets extremely sick and needs to stay overnight, and the sanitation is beyond what anyone would expect. I think everyone here is impressed with what God has done in this village.
Another wonderful thing happening here every day is having Doug present. He is an optician from Colorado who joined the team having never met any of us. He is such a delight to work with, and he is doing great work for the village, giving the people eye exams, making prescriptions and handing out the glasses they need so they can see again. Watching the kids and elderly smile from ear to ear when they put on glasses that work for them has truly been the highlight of my trip. The Lord is present here in Ma Oh Jo, and I am grateful to have a part in this. - Ashley P.