A little bit of time to get settled in

Good Morning!
Well most of you are sleeping actually! Might I first begin by saying Praise the Lord I have internet! This is a new accommodation for the volunteers. I took my chances by lugging my laptop halfway across the world on a 20 hr plane ride and it was well worth it to have communication with my fellow friends and family. This is truly a blessing! Right now It is 10:30 Friday morning here. Just got done have breakfast with the other volunteers and now everyone is laying low inside due to the heavy rain storm outside. The thunder is roaring and ground is flooding and it's incredibly humid. There seems to be an animal outside making noise because of the rain but I haven't quite figured out what kind of animal this is yet! ha ha.
Yesterday I spent the day getting to know some of the other volunteers who have arrived. They are from all over the world. We are still expecting about 12 more people and classes have not begun yet so the compound is a little quiet until then. This allows for a lot of down time, which I am thankful for! I see this as an opportunity to get to know my area, the people, and the culture! Plus, more time to read and spend with the lord!!!!
Yesterday Morning, I visited the Day Care center and the children are incredibly loving! As I was walking toward the building and a little boy had seemed to escape and knew exactly what he was doing ;) I looked at him and said "Where are you going Mr"? This 2 year old boy just darted over to me and wrapped his arms around my legs. These kids have no idea what you are saying to them half the time but they are just so happy to be loved and want to love you back! Children are so innocent it brings a special place to my heart! This Day Care center is a program only for families of low income who work 6-7 days a week. We charge only 5 baht a day which is extremely cheap but this encourages the family to be productive and work, verses if we offered this program for free. every morning the children get dropped off by their parents on their mopeds (that is all people drive here) and we collect their 5 baht. only 2 of the baht goes towards them (i.e food, bathing, art supplies) We bath them everyday as many of them do not get the attention they need at home. The other 3 baht goes towards a "Child Trust Fund" which puts money aside for their education. Many children do not finish or end up going to school because the families cannot afford to do so or just do not want to pay. This is why my heart went for this foundation and all the different programs it offers. Instead of just giving handouts to people. We create a system to save them then get them back on their feet mostly using the power of education. Education is on my heart. I believe in educating and that is why I'm particularly with the Father Ray Foundation. They not only save, but they educate and build lives.
I then met another volunteer from Denmark and we went over to the elderly center. He had come with his girlfriend he met while backpacking through China, Chiow. Sweet girl. Their story was interesting as they lived away from each other for about 2 years only using skype and their love was genuine. Both with Thick accents they still understood one another, teaching each other. A beautiful sight. I met an elder who loved affection. When you would speak to him or touch him his face would just light up with joy. Complete Joy. He was from China and did not speak Thai or English so he was thankful for Chiow whom he could understand. He cries when she leaves. One of the other volunteers told me that he got kicked out of China, and misses his family very much. I have not heard the entire story yet as he gets very upset when he talks about it and weeps. But I heard it is a devastating one. But without the Father Ray Foundation, this man would have no place to live and be on the streets. He knows this and says he is grateful everyday! This, he can comprehend.
Later that evening, another volunteer Sandy and I went into town to pick up a few items for our stay. When you walk out of the compound it is already a completely different place. The streets are crowded, busy and dirty. There are no sidewalks and the cars and mopeds whip past you only inches away not even seeming to care if you are there or not or cautious. The walk to the market frightened me because of this. Every other minute, I felt like my life was spared! I came back to my room and crashed early, missing dinner and a tea party to catch up on my jet lag. I hadn't technically slept since Monday night, It was Thursday yesterday here so you can only imagine!
Woke up early this morning as my body's time is still off (14 hr difference) and missed my friends and family. Made a quick but pleasant call on skype to my mother and Mike then went out onto the balcony and read and spoke to God. Truly one of the most meditating times of the day! God always reminds me of how important this is when I spend time with him! Sometimes we get so caught up in the excitement and schedules of our lives that we forget how important it is to energize our spirits with the Lords word.
This morning at breakfast I had many interesting conversations with the volunteers. We compare cultures and systems in our country and debate different areas of life. My favorite part is stopping and listening to all the side conversations. People from all over the world; London, Whales, Ireland, France, Australia, Denmark, China, etc come and sit together and genuinely speak and care for one another in their thick accents. We can all communicate with each other. It is a beautiful sound.
I've written a lot but I have some time right now while I'm getting settled in so I feel as if I need to take advantage of my free time now as I will not have much of this soon and my communication will decrease. I thank you all for caring and loving! Do what the children at the Day Care center and most of Thailand do....love unconditionally and let yourself be loved back regardless of color or language. Because in the big picture. None of this matters. And one day, it wont matter at all ;)