Thursday, March 5th

Don came and got us for breakfast and the 4 of us headed to breakfast at Dave's. Then Elaine and I met someone at 8am who took us to the refugee camp. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us into the main part of the camp. We were however allowed into the Bible school at the refugee camp (each of the 7 camps along the Myanmar/Thailand border have a Bible school!) When we arrived the students were assembled and we were escorted onto the stage where Dr. Simon was speaking and where other farong (foreigners) were seated. Dr. Simon, a teacher at the Bible college and fellow refugee, tells us about the Karen (Kah-wren) history (I will share more about this later). He also says something that makes my jaw drop. I was told about a resettlement program with 9 other countries (United States, England, Sweden...) that would allow some of these refugees start a life in another country other than Burma or Thailand. This really excited me to get involved because I wanted to see these people "without hope" get an opportunity to start a new life and have a future, but as Dr. Simon talked about this program his viewpoint was much different. He didn't talk about the possibilities of a new life, but instead the opportunity to finally be apart of the Great Commission and share the gospel around the world. I was instantly humbled. I had gotten it all wrong. These people, at least at the Bible school, had Jesus and that was all they needed. No amount of human rights could give them more. They just wanted God to allow them to share the gospel. How amazing! I can't wait to share more about the story of the Karen. They are a wonderful people. Before we got off the stage all the Bible students sang for us. They were amazing! The voices were beautiful.

We were able to tour the school. I met a man named Hello in the handicap living quarters. He is blind, but had a great spirit. We prayed for him and loved on him and even now as I think of him tears are in my eyes. We also got to go to the different classrooms and play with the children. We taught them songs and played Heads Up, 7Up with them and before I left and I taught them, "I love you" in sign language. My heart almost fell from my chest as they all raised their hands to say, "I love you" as we left. I told them I was taking them all home with me in my heart, andI know they are all nestled there right now. As we walked to the car one of the teachers, Gloria, followed us and we talked. She thanked us for coming and praying with the kids. She said, "I hope I see you again." I told her I didn't know when I could come back, but if not here, she was my sister in Christ and I would see her again. What hope that sentence held for me! They will be in heaven some day with some of the greatest rewards because they possess incredible faith.

The second have of our day was to see Pastor Winai and all he is doing near Mae Sot. We first went with him to a village to pray for a woman. She had fallen into a fire and no one could take her to the hospital, so she lay crippled in the floor of her small bamboo hut. We prayed with her, and again I was touched by her faith and beautiful smile. While we were there we saw one of the churches Pastor Winai planted and prayed with a guy who is helping out there.

Next we headed to the Agape Center, started by Pastor Winai. One one side of the road is the new home for the elderly he has started where he and his wife and small daughter live. On the other side of the road was the center for children. His oldest daughter and her husband, Briti, a Musekee graduate, live and work with the children, at least 30 (maybe 50). We sang songs with them in worship and as they headed to bed all of them gave us a hug and a "God bless you." Some practiced their English and even said, "I love you," or "I miss you." It was so sweet - totally melted my heart. I then played the guitar with Briti. I was really impressed with his English and he had great guitar skills. Pastor Winai then took us back to Dave's where we had dinner. Oh and while we were gone Don was able to get the truck because the protest had ended.