A Beautiful Wreckage of the Soul.

Heidi and I are now sitting at our gate in the Seoul, Korea airport.

This is after we had one of the most heart-wrenching goodbyes of all time. I don't think I've cried that much in a long time. I don't think our kids have cried that much in a long time either.

We had evening devotions, where Ruth Anne led a devotion from Acts that ripped our hearts out a little. But then they asked us to say something, and after that laid hands on us and prayed over us.

Then most of the kids brought us pictures they had drawn for us! I'm so excited to look through them all when I get home.

We headed off to the airport with all the older kids (the littles had to be in bed at that time), where we had more beautiful soul wreckage. They hugged and wouldn't let go, and we cried some more.

When we went through security, they were standing at the windows, and we waved until we couldn't see them anymore. Then we sat and cried because our hearts were wrecked in the most beautiful way possible.

The first flight was surprisingly easy, since we slept for all 5 hours! Praying the 13 hour flight will feel as fast!

Megan.

A "Chill Day".

Today has been nice and quiet, but fun. Devotions were going to start at 6am, but we realized that decision had been made when the kids were sleeping, so they wouldn't know about it. We ended up starting at a nice compromise of 5:45am.

The rest of the day has been a mix of just resting and playing with the kids. We watched Kung Fu Panda, then started Cats & Dogs, we've done Dominoes and bracelets and colouring, and we might even do some painting!

Trying to pack as many fun activities in with the kids as possible before Heidi and I catch our evening flight home.

Tonight we're hoping to squeeze in an evening devotion, play with some glowsticks, and eat some candy before we have to be at the airport for 9:30pm.

More to come!

Megan.

Wednesday Evening.

Well, tonight was filled with confusion, exhaustion, and rejuvenation.

We had been told we were heading off to a dinner cruise on the river, so we'd dressed a tad nicer than normal and set off.

However, when we pulled into Tesco-Lotus (a giant grocery store/mall), we knew something was up. We searched forever for a parking spot, then were led in a circle before ending up at The Pizza Company.

Turns out the cruise was all booked up for tonight, but Mike and Tutu had still wanted to take us out to celebrate Heidi's and my last night here.

After filling their stomachs with some good old pizza and pop (and after sitting in airconditioning), the team significantly perked up. As Ruth Anne said, I think it was the pick-me-up people were needing.

The drive home in the truck was filled with songs from Cinderella, Sound of Music, and other classics (as well as a lot of laughter).

Suradet was kind, and moved devotions to 6am tomorrow, so we get to sleep in! Woohoo!

Megan.

Nam Tok!

Today we went to a waterfall! The drive was longer than expected (about 2 hours, due to multiple pit stops), and felt even longer since we'd packed 34 people into two trucks. Ouch!

But once we got there all was forgotten as soon as the kids saw the waterfall. We threw our stuff down, and off they went climbing down the waterfall. The Highview team opted for the stairs instead.

The water was crystal clear and refreshingly cool. The kids (and a couple team members) climbed the falls like monkeys, while others sat and enjoyed the rushing water.

After an hour or two of that, we all headed up for lunch. There was a grand variety of things to eat, though the wasps were a bit of a nuisance.

We continued to play and laugh for a little while longer, before packing up and heading back. The ride home was no more comfortable, but it was fun!

Now we've got one hour to rest and get ready for a dinner river cruise. We just never stop going! :)

(That, and I think Suradet is trying to pack in a few things before Heidi and I leave tomorrow!)

Megan.

Short Evening Update.

Not much to report! We'd tuckered everyone out, so the rest of the afternoon consisted of sleeping or watching a bootleg (with thai subtitles) copy of The Incredibles.

We went out for dinner to Suradet's favourite restaurant where two kids who came to our camp work, to give Yupa a cooking break.

It was a bit of a later dinner, so we're all in bed now, gearing up for our trip to the waterfall tomorrow!

Megan.

(Ps. If you could please pray for George! He was washing a shirt in the sink at their guest house, pushed too hard, and broke the sink off the wall. It smashed, and cut one of his toes. The cut's not very big, but if it continues to bleed, he may have to get stitches tomorrow. Pray for healing so the stitches won't be needed! Thanks!)

Things don't always go as planned...

And such was the case today.

The morning started as planned; we left at 7:30am to head to the elephant park which was 1.5 hours away. (Unfortunately Saiy wasn't feeling well so she stayed home.)

We paid for our tickets, and went straight to get seats at the elephant show. The show itself started 20 minutes late, and the action once it did start was just alright. The kids seemed to enjoy it though, and that's what matters.

After the show was the fun part, because we got to meet the elephants! There was a lot of petting and posing for pictures, and most of the kids even fed a couple elephants. I even managed to coax girl Bee down, and the elephant placed its rider's hat on her head! It was great seeing them conquer their fears.

We were supposed to ride elephants, but the wait was 1.5 hours, so we opted out. Suradet took us to the "elephant nursery" instead, and we saw a 9-day-old elephant.

There was quite a bit of confusion surrounding lunch, which ended in a fair bit of waiting for the kids. So we headed for Tiger Kingdom instead of the snake show after, because we'd taken too much time.

For Tiger Kingdom, we found out, you pay a few to get inside, but once you're inside you have to pay another fee if you want to go anywhere near a tiger. Only Nick and Sam paid the second fee, so the rest of us watched the tigers from afar for a little while.

That ended in ice cream, and back to the orphanage for everyone to recuperate. I think we've tired them out again! Haha.

So, maybe not the plan, but as long as the kids had fun doing it, we're happy too. :)

Megan.

Caves, frogs, and wats - oh my!

After two late nights (11pm) in a row, and two early morning wake ups (5am), the team is starting to feel the tiredness. Which was evidenced when only 2/3 of the team showed up for morning devotions. However, it's a very happy tired!

This morning we went with most of the kids to a nearby Buddhist cave. We had been warned by Ruth Anne of the steep steps, but everyone who went got up just fine, with breath to spare. We paused at a lookout, then the group (excluding me who has mild vertigo and a claustrophobia in caves) went down into the cave.

Suradet being the kick-butt pastor he is got everyone to recite their favourite scriptures, then sing a worship song down there, in defiance of the Buddhist displays.

We dropped the kids back off at the orphanage, then continued on our way to Yupa's mother's house for lunch. When everyone had finished they brought out a spicy frog dish, complete with whole, small frogs. Linda and Ruth Anne managed to convince almost everyone (including myself) to try a frog with rice. Everyone managed to keep their's down!

Then Suradet drove us to two wats (Buddhist temples), the first of which we got to go inside. A kind elderly monk let us in. I'm always amazed at the architecture.

Now, as usual, the group is resting, gearing up for an hour or two of playing with the kids, then going out to dinner and our last market!

Megan.

(Ps. Turns out Emerson's mosquito attack is actually the chicken pox! Suradet and Yupa recognized it right away. Pray he doesn't scratch, and gets better before we have to leave!)