Hospital

Last night we had quite the adventure. OF COURSE! There was a market going on about 5 miles away from our house. We weren't sure if we should take a sungtao or ride our bikes. Laura gave us the go on riding our bikes. We had no idea what we were in for. The road that we took was about as busy as Buffalo Gap Rd in Abilene. BUT, the cars were going about 50 or 60 miles per hour! So there we were with me in the front, pedaling my little heart out. Every person that drove by was cracking up at us. Probably because we were sweating, laughing, and riding so fast. To get to the market we had to weave in and out of cars at an intersection. We bought HILARIOUS shirts that make no sense. They were 4 dollars, which was too much, but they were too good to pass up. One the way home, we had to ride in the car lane and try to ride as fast as cars. We were screaming and laughing so hard. We survived:) 

My shirt: "I don't like shirt but I like t shirt."

Taylor's: "Bon Joup"

The very best shirt, Kirstyn's: Tea, Orange Juice, Doughnut, Sometimes you hug me, sometimes you do not...sNDCM THE WO MNSBNE DONT DE JEN (upside down YAV)

Our first few days of work have been incredible! With the children being upstairs away from everyone else they were bored silly and the nanny was as well. We have a volunteer room full of crafty things and games (education major's dream), so we went in there and grabbed a bunch of little activities to do with the kids. While we are up there we are wearing masks and so are the children. We can always tell in their eyes if they are smiling behind that silly mask. It is kind of like their health! They are still children who LOVE to smile and laugh even when they aren't feeling good. 

Today we got to ride in a sungtao with 32 children. Now remember, this is the size of the back of a truck!!! We piled in, put kids in our laps, and bumped along to the hospital. They were going to go get tested for TB. This happens every once in a while when a child or nanny finds out they have TB. Everyone who was in contact with that person goes to get checked. The hospital was FULL!! We walked to the children's unit and everyone fit into a little play room until they got called in to get checked. It was just a tiny shot in their arm and they watch to see how the skin reacts. It was not a big deal to any of them, and we had a lot of fun playing with them! 

Riding to work! 

The Agape home

The family homes that some of the children at Agape live at. 

Our job can be best described as: rubbing backs, hugging, laughing, and touching the kids. We have been SO impressed with Agape. The Lord is so present in that home and everyone there does an incredible job loving those kids. In any orphanage, kids do not get as much physical touch as desired. So, our job is to be sat on and snot on. It is truly a blessing to everyone involved. We have been impressed by how mature and loving the children are with each other. They are always watching out for one another. In the sungtao, there is not a back on the truck. So in the back they all grabbed hands until we got to the hospital. We all three started crying, because it was so sweet. With that, there is the oposite too. There are some insults and occasional hitting, but what siblings don't do that? Agape has taught them so well how to have loving actions and words. They are a perfect example of brothers and sisters in Christ. We have been surprised at how the  boys love holding our hands and hugging us to. At the hospital a few of the boys sat around Taylor and just enjoyed sitting with her. Another little boy had a pretty bad fever and fell asleep on my purse that was in my lap. 

There is one little girl at Agape who is going blind. Since this is not something she has had forever, it is pretty hard. We have been trying really hard to give physical attention to her. Today I went and sat in front of her and we counted my fingers. I kept adding fingers and trying to trick her into thinking I had 11 fingers. She laughed so hard with me! When we scratch her back she closes her eyes. It is really sweet. 

One little girl thought it was hilarious to copy us when we speak to her in English. It was so cute and had us cracking up!!! 

Some of the older girls and the nannies speak a little bit of English. It is so exciting when we begin to talk to them in English and they understand!! They are hesitant, just as we are with Thai, but it is a fun project to work on with them. 

I feel like I should have an entire section called: TAYLOR'S LUCK. Last night as we came home, Taylor ran up the stairs and (once again) SCREEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAM. She stepped on a lizard. 

CREATURE UPDATE: Taylor (of course) walked into the kitchen to make coffee and SCREAAAAAAM. There was a big black blob on the floor that had antinis. It was completely stuck to the floor, so we put a bowl over it. Haha! After work we came back to look at the blob under the bowl and it was so stuck, so I pried it off the floor and took it outside. We are guessing it was a leech, but it might have been an alien. 

There were a few things in my past few blogs that were not the correct information. (Mostly because of our volunteer coordinators adorable australian accent!!) She said there were a few, but she only told me one. The children are on ARV drugs not AIV. Not that huge of a change, but I want the info to be correct for ya! Darn those accents...

Last night we went to an international grocery store to get some home cooking supplies. It has given us a boost! Here is Kirstyn's master piece from tonight. (Leisha, are you proud?)

With chop sticks of course! 

Love you all