Humble Living--Giving Hearts--Pure Joy!!!!

When we were at the Second youth conference our team along with the other 500 students were hosted in the homes of the people in the village. I was amazed at the simple living of the people combined with the pure happiness and joy they maintained. I was blessed to be able to experience this lifestyle for the time I was there...a lifestyle that I found complete enjoyment in. Chickens and cows walked around on their own. Hogs and pigs were tied to ropes. As shown in the picture above, the homes are simple where they my be a couple rooms, one for cooking and another where the entire family will sleep on the floor. The bathrooms contain a squaty toilet and a large water holder in the same square space. One can take a bucket and wash yourself with the water from the large water holder-for a shower (See pictures above). The people of this village have access to more water only at certain times throughout the day (the time of day depends on where they live). So they have to savor the water when bathing, cooking, and washing dishes. I realized that in the afternoon, after we had been playing Volleyball (the boys played soccer and Ta-crawl) in the hot sun...this was a perfect time take a shower as I drenched myself with a few buckets of water. IT was refreshing!!

Each day, both pastor's wives made us wonderful meals. I noticed that they took note of what we liked and tried to make the foods the way we liked it. It was so sweet. They were also creative, using the same foods and making them into different dishes at different mealtimes. I also was able to get up early and help make breakfast one day. It was an experience...Almost like cooking over a campfire on a backpacking trip, except the fire was inside four walls. =) I felt like "Mommy's little helper too". By the time I finished one thing the pastor's wife had finished four other things. I also was amazed how each of the adults were able to squat without any complaining for the entire time of cooking and washing dishes (they would pass Karate squat testing with flying colors).








One evening, we went to another village to go to the home of another pastor of that village and join them for evening service. I felt like I was in the Swiss Family Robinson Home where it was like an open deck that eat dinner on. They made a Special meal for us with a chicken soup, fried eggs, and eggplant in an oyster sauce (my favorite dish now-See picture!). In speaking with the pastor's wife she showed me her small business of weaving scarfs, shoulder covers, and Karen bags. They were beautiful.

As I mentioned before in an earlier post, Pastor Boonchu, his wife P'Oh, and their son Spy live out of their car. They stay in the homes of different people while they are staying in a village. (See Pics of family car below. Notice Pastor Luke and his wife Kris are also in the car).





These wonderful families that I have gotten to know have become dear to my heart. Their love for God is evident. Their giving hearts are so touching. Their pure joy in a simple life is admirable. And I feel blessed to know these wonderful families.