Celebration of Life

Madeline Anderson reported on today's team activities - thanks for her willingness to share!

Madeline writes - A special memorial service was held this morning with all the children and staff from Doi Saket 1-4. The children sang beautifully and I don't think there was a dry eye as this was the first opportunity to mourn the loss of Duang, who was recently killed in a traffic accident. Four of our team members knew him and his family from their previous visit - and for those of us who had never met him we quickly found how much he was loved and will be missed. Ron, Greg and Dave all had an opportunity to share with the group and everyone in attendance was comforted by their kind words and the obvious love they feel for Duang, the children and staff of Asia Hope.

After worship we went to the hospital to visit his wife and daughter who were also injured in the accident. They are not only suffering from their physical wounds, but struggling as they grieve the loss of Duang. Many family members and friends have been vigilant in supporting them and sharing in their grief. While we witnessed the sorfriends of loss, we also got to peak down the hall where our hosts, Ying and Zach, will be be delivering their first child within the next few days - a time that will be joyful and filled with hope. It has been fun at the house with the possibility of the birth occurring during our visit (we wonder if the guys will pace the floors in anticipation should that occur!).

During our visit, we found the hospital to be an interesting place - like literally stepping back in time. The rooms were all wards, mother and small daughter in beds side by side, the nurses dressed in white uniforms and nursing caps, and the technology very outdated. The ER and several other areas were open to the street with no windows and construction was in progress while patients arrived for treatment! It is a Christian hospital, one of the best in the area, but we all agreed it was not a place any of us would want to be treated.

We then attended an afternoon bible study for college girls. It was great to hear the various areas of studies they had chosen and to learn how they live and work together in a small house, living Godly lives as they work to advance themselves and the gospel. Darlene and I gave them a few words of encouragement and they all visibly appreciated Darlene's motherly advise and prayer for them.

We spent the remainder of the evening in Chiang Mai at the night market (an outdoor farmers type market). We ate dinner at McDonald's and I was able to coax Ron into ordering the "Double Big Mac" (yes, I did my part Wendell)! After shopping for a few last minute gift purchases, we ended the night at Starbucks as Darlene was going through Frappuccino withdrawal.


It was day of mixed feelings for all of us - sadness, tears, sorrow, joy, laughter, awe and happiness as we experienced so many different emotions throughout the day together. We all feel so blessed to witness and participate in being part of God's family, a family that the orphans of Asia's Hope are are growing and thriving in. Praise God!