Thailand Part III.

Find Part I, Part II and Part IV here.

I'm so scared that I'll just not continue posting about the trip if I let it off my mind for too long. So, before I actually go into that state of mind, I need to post all finish as soon as possible. This is difficult guys. Why so many photos! 

I should have just share the video link from youtube here. Settle. Hah.

Anyways, with the money that we collected, we gave the church RM1000 and immediately they were able to build a proper cement floor for the kids to play. 

Special thanks to the people who have sponsored us. Since my company, Holiday Tours & Travel Penang sponsored RM500, I shall do a mini shout out/ads for them. Hahaha. Not only that, my boss and colleagues collected cash and gave them to us for this ministry. :)

There are a few 'stations' going on to build this proper flooring. First, the big pile of sand, which women/kids/Van and me scooped them into a gunny bag and then the men/boys/kids will carry them down a slope.

Then, they will pour the sand out and make a big hole-kind-of-pile where they mix the cement and sand and stones, I think. All this under the hot sun. 

 Then, the ladies will line up in one line and they will pass a bucket of cement at a time to the starting point of the flooring process. Oh my, I don't know exactly know what I'm talking about. Anyways, this part I didn't participate because it was way too hot and I'm not as strong as these women are. Seriously, I don't know what they eat. They like never get tired. *salutes*

 At this point, the boys were still helping them out. Van and I decided to do some final touch up to the paint in front of the church. Then, we rested a while and Koay's best friend, Chard suggested to take us to his 'farm'. I think you can call it farm lah. 

I say Koay's best friend because everytime he sees Chard, he will for sure go to him and talk in his broken Mandarin. Chard is always laughing at him. So cute. What I think is Koay really has a heart for people. People like Chard. This is one of the things I admire about Koay. Despite the language barrier and difficulty in understanding each other, Koay always put in the effort to be with him, be it standing next to him, giving him food, playing basketball, speaking in one word by one word. 

Then, when Chard invited him to his farm, he immediately said yes. Yes, without thinking. I know, there's really nothing much to think about also since he invited but because it was evening and we had to prepare for some stuff. At the end, what matters most is not our resting time. It's not lying down for a good 15 minutes.

It's developing a friendship that has already been made. And that I really love about Koay. God shows me so much through you, it's crazy.

Anyways, we walked with Chard up the hills to his farm. His family's. Sort of. His biological family is not in Chiang Mai. This is like relative kind of family. 

 Photo credits to Vanessakym :)

The view was superb so it was worth the short  hike, which we didn't expect at all. Haha. Chard said very near only. He said it in Mandarin, so it was rather convincing. There were lychee trees, chickens and piglets. Oh goodness, they so cute okay! I don't think I've ever seen piglets in real life before. There were like 6-8 of them sucking milk from their mommy. Sooo cute. Tak boleh tahan ahhhh.

Nic trying to touch the tail of a very big wild boar. 

Koay and Chard.

We were kinda late for our dinner already so Chard decided to bring us through shortcut. This is real adventure because it's path that people have never traveled in before, and they look like homes to snakes and God knows what else. It's crazy but fun at the same time. All Chard did was laugh at all of us because we looked so terrified, especially Nic. Such good times though. 

The other night when Koay and Andrew promised to join Chard and his friends in a friendly basketball match nearby, only to find out that we had to go to a lil girl's birthday dinner with other local pastors. Chard looked so sad when we told him that we couldn't join him. 

While waiting for everyone else to change for the birthday party.

It's not just only a birthday party but also a mini cell-group kind. We sang a few songs and Pastor Cowan preached in Mandarin. Superb la his sermon in mandarin. Then, we ate. Then, when the sun is gone completely, we kept on eating because it was so yummy. Don't know what we put in our mouth also. Just chew and swallow.

One of the man that Koay remembered from last year. His life inspires Koay in so many aspects. He was a soldier who fought for his country and loses a leg in the battle. Yet, you will see him doing hard labor for the church anytime. There is no excuse from this man. If I'm not mistaken, he's also a pastor in this church.

Later the week only we started spending more time with the children. We made lanterns, coloring contest, hand print art and many other mini games. Oh and selfie! And some of the girls taught me how to write my name in Thai. Moments like these cannot be captured with my goldii. Only with there two eyes I have. It's beautiful. Jesus loves all the same. All.

 

This boy is Ronaldo. He speaks Thai and Mandarin, so all our conversation with him is in Mandarin.

Ronaldo: *points at me* She's your love? 

Koay: Yeah.. How you know?

Ronaldo: *shy* How old are you? And her?

Koay: *reveals our age*

Ronaldo: Married? How many children?

Koay: Mei yo!

Ronaldo: *looked super shocked* (the people gets married when they hit 20)

Koay: Why? You want to be our son?

Ronaldo: *smiles and nods*

And there you have it.

The only time I actually enjoyed sweeping the floor. KIDDING! Later you all think I'm so spoilt never do housework all. Hah.

Chef at work :)

 Part IV will be the last series of this trip. My plan is to update them all tomorrow. Let's hope I have some time to spare from work. 

Other news: Vanessa is improving so fast now it's crazy. Prayers move mountains. And all your prayers is moving our big mountain now. Thank you again! You guys rock :)

 Out for now.

Thailand Part II.

Find Part I, Part III and Part IV here.

It's about time that I continue on this mission trip that happened many many days ago.

Part I: Travelling is here, so do read that first. Actually if you don't also it's fine lah, but you won't know the full thing then. :)

We spent our first day in Thailand with the Vineyard Outreach kids. Basically, what they did is just grab either Nic, Koay and Andrew and climb on them till they lie flat on the floor and then sit/stand/lie on them. 

Thank God I'm a girl. So no grabbing or climbing for me and Van. I was feeling pretty worn out with all the travelling so I went upstairs and took a short sweet nap. It was a hot day and we only have one standing fan but it didn't matter. 

I managed to snap some shots before collapsing on the bed.

Al of us hiding in the boys room later in the evening because the kids wouldn't stop. They are like high on sugar all the time! Haha. Prolly cos they really missed us. 

Gotta love them. I don't really remember what we did that day. I think we went to Tesco that night after dinner and then snoozed away quite early. 

Our first stop in the morning! Great hot sandwiches and super cheap Latte/Mocha.. Best 7-11 everrrr.

As you can see, they really love climbing/pulling/grabbing you. They looked so small but oh so full with endless energy. Must be the type of rice they eat. Hmm.

Anyways, we said goodbye and off we went to Santisuk, where we spent the next 5 days there. Last year, we went to Santisuk for a full day. We didn't spend our night there but this time most of our ministry was going to be based there. 

We were told to get things that we need/want because up there no 7-11! Hahaha. So, when we found out that there were two small shops that sells drinks/chips/toiletries/TOILET ROLLS nearby, it was such huge relief! TOILET ROLLS ARE VERY IMPORTANT! 

Anyways, here comes a lot of photos. All not edited because I'm way too lazy and even if I edit, all I do is just click the 'Auto Adjust' button. Hah.

Our home for the next one week. Two rooms that has one row of beds like that. There were no fans in the rooms so we moved the mattresses out and slept in the common area, which is also where the children have their activities. Of course they didn't use it since we were staying there. 

The day we arrived was the day we started painting. No time to rest guys. They were quite scared that we were not able to finish by Friday. 

This is day one's work and we were already pretty much covered in brown. Needless to say, after 4 days of painting, we had to throw these shirts and shorts away. Mine not so bad because since I've gained weight, the shorts that I was wearing couldn't really fit me anymore. It was just in Thailand that it fits perfectly since I lost so much kgs lau sai all out.

The sad part is VANESSA KHOO DECIDED TO WEAR MY floorball t-shirt with my name printed on it and it can no longer be saved. That's the sad part! 

Preparing for his sharing that night. The villagers have daily cell groups in different homes every night. 

To go to cell group, Pastor Panupan usually rides his bike but since there were so many of us so we walked UP the hill. UP! In the dark. Dark as in realllly dark. Thank God for smartphones.

One of the leaders' home. The first group that we went were called 6, based on their location. 6 is the highest hill where homes are built or something like that. So, first night we went to 6 and other nights were a lot easier. 

One of the small shop within walking distance. Actually, everything also have to be walking distance since they walk everywhere. Not everyone can afford a bike. Most of them doesn't own any bike, or flashlight.

Our bedroom! I think Nic was already flat on his bed, next to Andrew.

 Okay, let's take a break! Advertisement time! 

I LOVE THESE UNIHOC tops! THANK YOU GARY! :)

Our farewell meal with all the leaders of the church. This is the Chairman of the Church praying before we start feasting! 

The meals that they prepared for the farewell is equivalent to what they will eat during wedding dinners. 

One of the nights we got back quite early so we lazed around, talked and watched The Voice. No, we didn't sleep all together. We separated our beds with the boys. Pastor Cowan slept in the room with his own personal fan because he snores too loud. HAHA.

Okay, we gonna have to continue Part III next time. My brain is tired already. 

Struggle.

Can't eat. Can't sleep. Can't watch TV. Can't do anything, but can blog. 

Blogging really relaxes me somehow. 

My parents are now on their way to GMC with Vanessa for second opinion. 

Thanks Abigail and your dad for the doctor's contact that links us to bringing her to GMC. 

The bacteria continues to thin her cornea. This is not good because she could lose her vision. She could be blind on the right eye. 

Wow. Typing the word blind pierced through my heart like what only. 

My hope is in the Lord and always will be. As heartbroken as we are, we continue praying for miracles and full recovery. 

Jesus, take over. 

A Night In The Hospital.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, you would already know that we (my eldest sister and I) spent a night with the lil sister in the hospital last night.

Rachel went in first at about 9pm and I was still at home. I reached the hospital at about 10pm and once I passed the security guard at ground floor, I thought it wasn't safe yet, since I still have to pass the nurse station. 

The whole 'eye ward' is pretty empty so the nurse knows who you are there for. I just walked normally, passed the station and said a very friendly hi. 

After spending some time in the room, we figured that the nurses knew there were 2 people in there but they were so kind to not say anything.

Kind but lazy! I'm sorry but according to the doctor, Vanessa's treatment was to go through INTENSIVE EYE DROPS HOURLY in order to 'kill' the bacteria that's attacking her cornea. When Rachel went out to ask if they coming in soon to put the eye drops, they simply answered, "Malam tak letak pun tak apa!"

SERIOUSLY!? I got angry upon hearing that but I couldn't do anything. If I confront them, they might be rough to her next time or they might just shoo me away and I've got no car to go home.

So, I woke up every 30 minutes (at first) to clean her right eye and put those eye drops. Then, every 1 hour because I was physically so tired. Then, every two hours. I'm not trained for this guys! Anyways, I tried my best in waking up as often as I can to clean her eyes and put those antibiotics. 

My dad came at 8am and I told him about it. What if Rachel was the only one that accompanied her? She didn't have the courage to do it then how? So, my dad informed the doctor in a nice way because this is an eye we're talking about. 

I like the nurses there. They are friendly and stuff, but it's just disappointing that they said that. Imagine for other patients, they could have recover faster but because the nurses feel that at night no need to do treatment also nevermind, then they just spend more days in hospital.

Of course it's not easy to be a nurse but it's really important that they do what the doctor say. Very important.

I'm sorry if this turns out to be an angry post but this is my sister's life we're talking about. Her vision. It's important.

Okaylah, not going to end it like that. More happy news now.

According to the doctor, her condition has improved quite a lot. The pus between her cornea has reduced. The bacteria has been identified. They are still working on the one spot that continues to thin her cornea. This is very dangerous because if her cornea is scarred, her vision is affected. 

Other than that, her emotions are getting better. Thank you guys for visiting her and making her laugh. Laughing definitely speeds up her recovery. 

Earlier, she didn't know about her condition. She asked my dad and he explained everything to her with my mom there. Both of them cried of course because it is a tough thing to absorb. We continue to pray as a family and believing for complete healing. 

There is no way we can thank you all enough for spending hours at the hospital just making her feel better. It meant so much to us. Also, to take turns taking care of her so that we could rest at home. 

THANK YOU, YOU GUYS ROCK! :)

Thankful.

It's amazing to see people offering to help us during this time.

Friends whom I haven't spoken to for years, some even more than a decade, texting me and wishing Vanessa of speedy recovery and for complete healing. 

Some even offered help in different ways. 

I am grateful. We are all very grateful. My family is blessed because of people like you guys.

We continue to pray and believe for a miraculous healing on her right eye's cornea. 

Nothing is too difficult for Jesus. 

He allows this to happen, for sure He is guiding and guarding us through it.

Thank You Jesus. 

Corneal Ulcer.

Friday night, she came home with a red eye and rested early. She woke up the next day to only have the condition of her eye worsen. So, she rested the whole day and on Sunday noon when we checked on her again, we noticed a white patch right in front of her eyeball and couldn't get it out. 

That was when we rushed her to Emergency at GH. 

Considering that there were quite many people at the Emergency Section, I would say we got to the doctor quite fast. 

After all the checking and taking samples from her eye WITH A NEEDLE, we finally were able to check in. 

Corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea. If not treated immediately, it could cause possible loss of eyesight.

It is a seriously very dangerous thing.

How she got it still remains unanswered.

Doctor/we suspected it could be partly from the contact lens. Apparently, people who have got this ulcer are all contact lens users. So yeah..

Do keep her in prayers.