Old Favourites Revisited

Another day, another life touched. Be it mine or someone I have met on this journey.

On December 4th, we went to one of my favourite schools. Agape School and Orphanage. We arrived in time to hear the children sing their morning songs. There are more kids since last time I was here, and a lot of improvements have been made to the school grounds. More proof that we are affecting the lives of these migrants and refugees.

The headmaster of Agape, David, told us his storey while we were there, as well. And all I can say is WOW! This is the least selfish man I have ever met. He truely is an incredible person. Basically, in summary, David fled Burma and came to Thailand years ago. He ended up starting a school out of a house he rented. As the school grew he moved the children around to a space that fit there needs at the time. David had applied to immigrate to the U.S. and he was accepted. He then faced the biggest decision of his life; immigrate to the U.S. and better his life, as well as his families' life, but this meant abandoning his students. He obviously chose to give up a better life for himself to help his own people. What an amazing, selfless act. And hearing David talk put even more perspective on life. He didn't make his decision to be viewed as a good person, he did it purely out of love and hope. Hope for these kids' futures, and hope that he can make a difference. He is such a humble man. And I feel blessed to have met him. The world needs more David's.

The kids at Agape are so adorable. They love going to school, and you can see it on their faces. Majority of the kids at this school come from very broken homes. At night they are often sent into the sex and drug trade by their families because they have no other way to make money to put food on the table. It is so horrible, and unfair. But David makes sure to start every day with songs and positivity. He gives light into these kids' eyes. And that is so phenomenal.

Once we left Agape we went to the farm to start working. Some people helped with the safe house kitchen, and some worked on sanding and staining the gazebo. Later in the afternoon we did a distribution at Morning Glory School. We had the chance to hang out with some of the kids. One of the girls asked me to play badminton with her. It was so much fun interacting and having fun with them.

After supper that night we went to the TPC for a presentation. Some background on the TPC: young people from all over Burma come to this school to learn how to become teachers. They learn all of the tools they need to then go back home and teach their people. All ethnic backgrounds from Burma attend the TPC, which is a tool in itself. There is a lot of unnecessary fighting within Burma between the different ethnic cultures. The TPC offers a way for these different groups of people to get to know each other in hopes that they take their new knowledge of each other home. I really believe a massive step towards peace and equality in Burma is for all of the ethnicities to unite as one.