Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Let's Make Some Noise!

Colour on the Cajon and Anu on the Guitar


You turned my wailing into dancing;
You removed my mourning rags and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises
and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise you forever.  
Psalm 30:11-12



Children make noise.  Although, it could be argued that Thai children make considerably less noise than Western children, but I'll leave that to another discussion.  In general, the truth is, when kids are around you'll know it.

And while Hot Springs is unquestionably a peaceful place, out in the country as it is, a family that has gathered 25 children will have a certain decibel level to it.  And honestly?  We encourage every sound bite.

Sometimes I can forget that our kids have come from harsher realities that often make children grow silent.  Malnourishment has certainly been the experience of most of the children who come to us, and it's one of the first differences we see in their development after a few months of three solid meals.  And it's not just physically.  Emotionally and cognitively, there's more spark, more life, more noise.


Worship is enhanced when we all participate.

Certainly there's crying sometimes.  And, while rare, is a bawling snitch on a brother or sister from time to time.  Running too fast can result in a fall with appropriate expressions of injury to knees and pride.  But I'm pretty sure most everyone who's visited would say it's the singing that we hear the most.

The boys' turn.

Of course, there's lots of opportunity.  Morning and evening worship times begin with two to three songs, accompanied by the guitar and the cajon.  Sundays are full of music, and participation is highly valued, giving the children the chance to gain confidence and share their voices with their church community.

But it's the singing and laughing and happy sounds that happen in between, spontaneously, candidly that strike me the most.  This is when no one is looking, no one has a camera.  Just making a joyful noise just because.

Singing while doing some hand washing is common.

Dogs also bark.  Roosters also crow.  Wild parakeets and other bird calls I don't recognize punctuate the air.  Sometimes a very large truck rumbles down the road.  And sometimes there's karaoke happening from the resort next store.  

But mostly, always, someone somewhere is singing.   And sometimes I hear them repeating something we've learned together when I'm there.  Like Lukmee, intently colouring while clearly lilting, "The Lord has a will, and I have a need, to follow that will, to humbly be still.  To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it, following my Father's will."  (Amy Grant)

Lukmee



Sing it, girl.  Sing it.

This is the first summer in a long time I'm not heading to Thailand.
Missing me some certain children and their music-to-my-heart songs.





 

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