Week One: Already Broken

We arrived in Bangkok on January 1, 2013 so Happy New Year. Although for many of you it was still 2012, but we are all caught up now so it does not matter. Our first day in Bangkok was a relax and catch your breath kind of day. We went to the market for dinner and very awkwardly found food and something to drink as no one spoke English and we do not speak Thai. The next day we had orientation on the culture and went on a scavenger hunt for a couple of blocks around the YWAM Bangkok base. I am pleased to announce that my team was not the one that got lost. The following day we got on a bus to Mai Sai. How do I describe that bus ride but uneventful and long? After thirteen hours, we arrived and were quickly picked up by our contact, Brandon. He took us to this wonderful house on the outer part of town, yet within walking distance of everything.
There are many markets in Mai Sai. Many of the vendors are Burmese who walk across the bridge daily in hopes of something better in Thailand. They do not know that "that something better" is Jesus Christ.
One thing that I noticed about Mai Sai since the very beginning is the street kids. They are everywhere, but mainly by or on the bridge that connects Thailand and Myanmar. They are here because of the heavy foot traffick and many foreigners.
One the first day, the leaders gave us money for lunch and said explore. I was with Grace and Cierra, two amazing young woman of Go, we ate lunch by the river that separates the two countries. After lunch we walked the big market then we went in search of adventure. Little did we know of what awaited us. Memuyl, a nine year old street kid. He and his street "family" were out begging. Asking each person for just one baht (baht is Thai money. Thirty baht is one American dollar.) I was taken in by two girls, sisters I later found out. Why were they here? Did they have anyone? God, why these two little ones? Memuyl ended up getting a bag of chips of something and the three of them plus another boy sat together to eat. It took my heart. It was the middle of the day, tourist taking tons of pictures and I just stared at these kids. We stood right by an arch that read "Northern Most Part of Thailand" a huge tourist hot spot and my heart is breaking over Memuyl and his friends. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to do something. Memuyl eventually came over and asked for money.
"Are you hungry," I asked. All the while hoping he could understand. Turns out he spoke English. And have the sassiest "yes" you ever did hear.
"Come with us then," Cierra said.
Memuyl and another, Pitcha, began to climb the barbed wire fence. I feared for their safety, what if they for cut? Then we would have an even bigger problem. Neither girl could make it over, but another little girl did. Total we had three boys and one girl. They led the way to a restaurant and began to order food. Food came and as they are shoveling food into their mouths they begin to offer their food and ask questions. Do you have parents? What do they look like? Do you have siblings? Where are you from? Are you all from there?
Repeatedly they broke my heart. They told us all their names, but honestly I cannot tell you them. Like our names were hard for them to pronounce theirs are hard for us.
We went back later that night with two of the guys are our team, Brook and James. Memuyl remembered our names, but now a few days later, he only remembers mine as I see him daily along with the boys.
The three of us and Kendall make up the YWAM Not For Sale team. The team of Mai Sai only had room for four of us and we were it. We start our day with them around ten. We do work around their little house, helping them clean up and such. Yesterday we primed, today we painted and tomorrow we will finish painting hopefully. Then we go out to the market at three. With Oot and Dow, we give out vitamins and such for medical needs. Many of the people are Burmese.
Being in Maj Sai has opened my heart to the Thai and Burmese people both. There is a huge language barrier usually, but actions speak and I am determined that my actions with scream Jesus. Will point to the true living God.
There is still so much I want to say, but I need to sleep as the day starts early.
Please be praying for me and my team as there are many things going on. Pray we stay unified and we are humble with each other and before the Lord. Pray that when opportunities arise for us to share and show Christ, we will not be silent but speak with the truth and grace of God.