Thailand Part II

After our whirlwind of a first day in Thailand, we were ready to begin our mission in earnest.  Our goal for this overseas trip was to visit three organizations - all of whom work closely with the situation that is going on in Burma/Myanmar in unique ways.  We were hoping to find where God might be leading us.  The first place we went to visit was The Charis Project in Mae Sot on the Thai/Burma border.

Using the tickets we had purchased the day before, we got on the Green Bus and proceeded on the 6 hour ride to the border from Chiang Mai.  The view from the road was gorgeous, and it was wonderful seeing this part of the country that we wouldn't have otherwise seen.

Thai Jungle

Shaky pictures from the bus really don't do it justice.

We were greeted at the bus station by Aaron, the founder of The Charis Project.  We were blessed to stay with him and his family for the next few days.  Aaron Blue and his wife, Carrien, are doing some amazing work in Mae Sot and the surrounding areas.  The focus on their website shows the incredible work they are doing with a children's home, but they also work to empower families through education, training, creating jobs and entrepreneurship.  You really should read the Charis Project's blog to gain a better understanding of the heart that is behind all that they do.

Aaron

The Blue family allowed us to get a peek into their lives, their city, and their ministry.  We had such a great visit spending time with their beautiful children, having lunch on the river that separates Thailand from Burma, and wandering around the Burmese marketplaces on one hand and Tesco (like a Walmart) on the other.

The Thai/Burmese border.
We ate lunch on the boardwalk while watching this boat make multiple unofficial border crossings.

Another view of the border.  You can see the official crossing (The Friendship Bridge) in the distance.

A typical street in Mae Sot

One of the more odd things we saw for sale by the street vendors - baby catfish and turtles.  Apparently, you buy them to release back into the wild for good karma.

We also got to visit the children's home that they facilitate that is a bit away from the border.  Phil just might have been obsessed with a kitty there, and I just might have been caught in a tropical rainstorm when we went to go pick up the kids from school.

The children's home

This farm on the property helps to pay the ongoing costs of the home.

Phil kept taking pictures of the kitty

View of the road and the "bus" we used to go pick up the kids from school

Before the rainstorm

Not too much later

Our days with them flew by quickly  We spent hours talking about the motivation behind their ministry and their faith.  It was inspiring to see this family "say Yes" to whatever opportunities that come before them.  They are the kind of people that I hope we can be - people who truly want to see Christ's Kingdom come and be His servants in that work.

Lunch stop on the way back to Chiang Mai

I have to say that I left a little bit of my heart in Mae Sot after this trip.  I hope that we will find ourselves there again.