On our first Sunday in Thailand, we went to the church in Hua Hin. Janelle had gone to language school in the area and her language teacher is a pastor's wife and she and her husband run an orphanage called 'Mercy House.' She was so happy to see Janelle. She had never received Janelle's email that she was coming. What a blessing to be with other believer's and sing worship songs together in different languages. Janelle sat behind us and interpreted the pastor's sermon about the love of God. After the service we walked to a little restaurant and had rice and pork. Then the pastor's wife took us back to the orphanage and gave instructions to someone at church to tell our taxi driver where we were when he showed up.
At the orphanage we added our shoes to the scattering of pairs at the bottom of the stairs and went up to see the girl's bedroom. There were, I think, six bunk beds, neatly made with colorful pillows and comforters. We visited the craft room and the gift shop. We met the young man who is quite an artist and found that he makes his beautiful art work without the use of his hands. He presses his wrists together to hold his tool because he actually has no hands. When we wanted to buy a thing or two at the gift shop, they insisted we take it as a gift instead.
Our taxi driver drove up and as we got into the vehicle, the children gathered around the gate and cried, "Good-bye! Good-bye! Sahwatdikah! Sahwatdikah!" and waved, bowed with their hands together, and smiled. I wished we had more time with them.
The next day, the Lady Next Door to the guest house, who was an entrepreneur of many good trades to the local tourists, told Janelle, that her husband, who had been our taxi driver to church and back, had been deeply moved by the children at the children's home. He decided that on his birthday, he wanted to bring them a special meal. Janelle went on to explain that the Thai way is to do something special for other's on your birthday.
So, I want to learn from this. What can I give to someone else on my birthday? To whom will I give a special gift? If I truly am grateful for the gift of life, I will want to give something of my life to others, rather than expecting them to give something to me.
Maybe this is why we give gifts at Christmas.
Because Jesus was born.
And His birth was the greatest gift that could ever be given.
On His birthday, He gave.
I am not sure if our Thai taxi driver knows anything about Jesus.
But he acts very much like him.
And I have so much to learn from them both.
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