A view through our eyes!: OUR JOURNEY BEGINS

June 4th Thursday early am...we leave for the airport. The long journey begins and we are an excited bunch. There are 7 members from westside family church and a tag along rounding us out with eight people. our flight to Tokyo was the longest averaging about 12.5 hours. Not a pretty site when nobody really sleeps well on a plane. With the time change and our next flight to Bangkok, Thailand averaging about 7 hours it is now friday June 5th at 11:30pm. Thailand is approximately 12 hours ahead of Kansas City.

After a quick 4 hour nap in a hotel near Bangkok airport we jump on our last flight... (finally) and make it to Chiang Mai at about 9:30 am on Saturday June 6th.

WE MADE IT!!

THAILAND June 6th, 2009

Where do I begin... Our first stop immediately following our arrival is quick stop to a Thai shopping market to shop for food for the week. Sort of like a walmart, but it is inside a large building with other shops that sell pretty much everything. We are just trying to soak everything in and try to experience the culture... while trying to adjust to the time change and lack of sleep!

Afterwards we head to Agape Home for babies and children with HIV/AIDS. We spent the afternoon with the kids with performances and skits by the Abba House/New Life Annex groups and then shared ice cream and play time. It was amazing. The kids immediately bonded and were jumping and playing with us. Beautiful children that because of this place have so much hope, we were sad when we had to leave. All of the children except one in this orphanage are positive for HIV, because of Agape home they are all on medication as needed. How awesome!!

This is M age 4. He was a monkey... literally (don't let that sweet face fool you.)When we arrived he attached to me (Kimberly) immediately and he sat on my lap and pulled me around all afternoon. The kids all had so much energy and love to share with us. We shared an ice cream treat with them and this was a big hit!!