Give Thanks (Part 3)

(And we left off on the final lesson of Day 4, things will - hopefully - start to speed up from here, lest my stamina fail me)

The Vips Arrive
And with them came a strange change in atmosphere. They went to the family center to witness the intense derusting and wall washing processes (yes, need I mention that morning was filled with equally intense scrubbing of moss off the walls - most fufilling. This was followed by a white wash and bright green pastel paints - yay), whilst we - at KKCS, remained there and never returned to the family center (I had really wanted to return to bid farewell to the lovely children, but the opportunity never came, but prayer can make up for all distances, fortunately).

And to accompany the change in atmosphere - a most fitting dinner at the 5 star Sofitel hotel, where we gorged ourselves silly with a grand buffet dinner - not short of oysters, caesar's salad, sushi and lots of other 'good stuff'. What a violent contrast to the poverty that the slum people lived in.

There was a certain sense of guilt - why should we be in comfort while others were suffering? Should we not share in their suffering. A moment of epiphany - was this mission trip turning into a mere Christian vacation...? It was a question I could never resolve - but even as I entertained the thoughts, more and more sumptious food slipped into my bottomless belly (a questionable comment - since many consider me anorexic)

And the night went by swiftly.

Oh. The Horrid Cap!
A comment most likely to be made by Wesley. Yes, the next day involved us getting decked into our spanking new Primer uniforms! With Tim Toh, Tim Liang, Russ and LeeYang drooling in envy, we put on our lighter, whiter and less complicated uniforms - with much glee. Upon being asked what we would like to be called (having put on our new uniforms), Wesley responded with a very strange 'Power Rangers'. And so we were rangers for a day!

I tried to avoid the cap, as a rule of thumb, all BB boys try to avoid putting the cap on. For one, it makes one look like a milkmaid, for another, it completely messes up the hairdo. Vanity aside, it is quite irritating :). Wesley couldn't agree more, and so he grimaced as we pushed him to put on the cap. But at the critical moment, I saved him (perhaps it was just pity...hehe). Lee Yang was without a cap, and I suggested that Wesley lend him his cap. As a very caring and self-sacrificial senior (no saracasm intended...), Wesley passed his cap over.

And so while Wes felt the wind through his hair, the rest of us entered the gates of KKCS with abnormal headgear.

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart
Having been given Christmas cards for each teacher, we proceeded spreading the christmas joy. I found my teacher in the Grade 1 classroom, and went forth with God's confidence and prayed for her, in front of the whole class - who were staring wide-eyed and amazed, probably thinking 'Who is this strange person - with the strange cap?' The rest also got off to their respective teachers.

The dedication ceremony went smoothly, Wes and I looked upon the exhibition boards with much pride - yes the nails were hammered in painstakingly by us (actually, thank God). Well, translation from Thai to English and back again extended the ceremony. And Dr Ong was a little too much - The translator (Ajarn Songsri) was visually having a hard time with those long and endless sentences, peppered with false stops and pauses.

It was a meaningful time. The choir sang beautifully, and the presence of God was truly ushered into the place. As the choir sang, the breeze grew in strength, and we were ministered to by the wind, through the gentle whispering wind. Beautiful. They sang 'Give thanks' in Thai, but language was again no barrier where there was God.

And the message was fitting - build buildings to build up people! Building up people is one of God's main purposes - to change people into Christ's likeness! If a building does not serve it's purpose, it will collapse when the time of judgement comes.

The service ended with a crazy photo taking session. Wesley, again, being the main target. Admittedly, I did look on with disappointment, and the devil discouraged me with such sadness. It was strange that I wanted the attention, that I wanted to be welcome, and couldn't find it. Yet God told me to 'Flee from the evil desires of youth'. I sought photos, found none, and found God's assurance. It was a low-point for me, but a high point following God's assurance. Thank God that He kept me from envy and jealously.

Thank God...Give thanks

(will be continued...note the word 'will')