I have been wanting to volunteer and give back to a country in need for sometime. It had always been on my mind and now the perfect opportunity has come about to go with an outstanding group to volunteer in Thailand through my church. I also get the privilege to do this journey with my cousin and long time best friend Leah. I can't tell you how EXCITED I am! I am really looking forward to give back and love on the girls at The Udon Thani Orphanage. I am so thankful I get to partake in what will be an unforgettable experience ahead.

All the best,

Kristin Rohwer

Well 2 days till we leave. I am so blessed that god made this possible for me to participate with such a great group of people to experience the wonderful gift of giving love and hope to others in need. I have found a great church that is open and understanding which is eastlake cc!! They make u feel like family... Last but not least I get to experience this all with my close friend....

We are all so blessed....

I don't even have words to describe how lucky I feel that I not only get to be a part of this wonderful team and that I am making new friends and family with Eastlake, but that I'm seriously going to Thailand to love on these kids!!! Thank you, Eastlake, for truly being a church for the rest of us. Loving us all with welcoming open arms. I have never felt love like that. THAI OR DIE BABY!!!!


XOXOXOXO
Bethany Fiala

5 More Days, Thailand Here We Come!!!

Last year I was blessed beyond belief with the opportunity to be a part of the 2009 Eastlake Thailand Mission Team. We spent a week serving, playing, laughing, loving, and crying with the amazing kids at the Udon Thani Orphanage for Girls. It is hard to describe the bond created after spending a week with someone that you can barely communicate with. We didn’t build the kids anything, and we didn’t cure any diseases; we just spent time with them. These girls have lived a life of abandonment; so our goal was to let them to know that we were there because WE wanted to be with THEM. We wanted them to know that THEY are important, that THEY have value, and that THEY are special. I truly feel that the bonds formed were just as real and just as lasting as if we had constructed a new building or playground. Every time I flip through some photos or watch a video from last years trip, all of the emotions come right back and I can’t wait to see the girls again.

This Sunday (March 28th), a team of 19 of us are heading back to build upon the relationships formed in the past. We’ll tack on a few side projects such as pouring concrete, planting a garden, and painting some playground equipment. But we are staying focused on our main goal which is connecting with the girls.

It is less than a week away and we sit ready to go. We feel well prepared thanks to the support of so many people; and of course all thanks to God for his hand in helping this trip come together so well. Please pray for safe travels for the team; and please, please, please, pray for the orphans! And even though the girls do not know and worship the same God that we do, pray that through our presence they might somehow come to fell and understand His never ending love for them.

Thanks for your interest and support in what we are doing. Check back over the next few weeks for trip updates. -neil everson

Udon Thani Orphanage -- March 29, 2009

Wow... It's hard to believe that a year has already gone by since I packed up my bags and headed to the Udon Thani Orphanage to love some awesome kids. Now as I sit in the warm weather of Thailand... I can't wait to greet the team and see the kids again.

Yep... we have a team of 30 people heading to the Udon Thani orphanage again this year. Five of us are going ahead for some prep work and the remaining team leaves Seattle on Sunday, March 29, 2009 for 18 hour plane ride to Bangkok and then flying another 1.5 hours to Udon Thani the following days.

If you are wondering how you can help... ..pray... .pray... .pray... but also follow this blog to see what is happening. Also, you can still donate some of the following items up to March 28, 2009 or just provide funds so the following items can be purchased for the orphanage while the team is in Udon Thani.

1. Toys.
2. Shoes.
3. Drawing books.
4. Color pens and pencils.
5. Plastic swim pools for the 2-5 year olds. (Chase is going to love this.) We can purchase while we are over there.
6. Clothes for kids newborn to 20 years old.

Whew who.... Cheers! Joy Allen

Video Slideshow of the Trip!

Love the Kids...

As I think through the now passed days at the Udon Thani Orphanage and my Dr Seuss routine of here, there and everywhere… I recall Mil and Naeda always greeting me with surprise hugs upon my return from errands, playing checkers and the explosion of construction paper confetti which born the squiggly cut out metallic gold heart on Fred’s chest.

I remember sitting in the library updating stuff and Heather coming in crying saying, “It isn’t fair… why… my girl, Bo, had three teeth pulled out this morning… she’s holding her mouth in pain… it isn’t fair… she hasn’t a mother to comfort… to hold her tight.. to say it is okay.. why her….” I responded only in speechless tears. As you read in Heather’s blog below and she told me later that day, she realized that she was sent to hold Bo tight that day.

I remember the last day, as a troupe of girls came out on stage to perform a Thai dance for us. Just prior to the music beginning, I notice one of the girl’s beaming with delight… and as a smile emerged on her face followed by a tentative raise of hand as to say “Hi Mom”… I followed the gaze of the girl to one of my teammates, Janelle, whose response was a proud smile, wave and the raising of her camera for a photo. As you read in Janelle’s blog below and as she too told me later, it was as if this was her girl’s first time to perform for someone and she was so proud of her girl.

I remember following the dance, a few of us talking with the director of the orphanage and the question being asked, “What nonfinancial item can we provide for the girls?” The director responded quickly, “Come frequently… play with the kids… love them.” As I heard her words, I recalled Fred’s story the night before of one of the older girls who has only one year left at the orphanage and who is still in school and working part time. Fred asked her, “How can we help you? What can we do for you?” Her response, “Love the kids.”

As I return to my Dr Seuss life in the States….here, there and everywhere… I continue to hear the chorus of the kids pure laughter… to feel the pressing of a small hand in mine… the surprise bear hug around the waist. These are not faint memories but very much alive and vibrant... and which only solidify what resounds in my mind and is etched in my heart… love the kids.

~ Joy Allen