steppin' ahead

By the end of our time in krabi and around, we were feeling ready to put our hands to something other than sunscreen and spring rolls, as good as all that is. we were fortunate to have the haydens, friends from VA, connect us with the quinleys. this couple, in conjunction w/ YWAM, started a program called "step ahead" in the wake of the tsunami. so, we headed that direction 4 hours north on 3 different buses and were dropped off at a random 7-11. We sweatily tromped around in our backpacks until we were offered directions from a motorbiking mama who stopped out of pity for us.

a little background: step ahead was created to help train locals english, computers, and general skills for the hospitality industry. the program also created 4 different preschools for displaced families in the area, providing them with an inexpensive opportunity so parents would be free to work. we were able to work and help with the preschool, the only hindrance being a screaming 2 year old on his first day there, deathly afraid of the "farang", adam. his goatee seems to either greatly interest or freak out the locals.

and, contrary to the belief that my in-home counselling days were left behind in hampton roads, i found myself (with colleague adam) doing just that. 2 different families w/ children in the preschool had just experienced traumatic deaths in the family (murder) and we presented, along with our proficient translator yee-wa, to provide brief support, grief counsel, and education. i spent some time with one of the most beautiful, vibrant 3-year-olds i've encountered (short hair, center in the above photo). after a bit of play therapy i couldn't know how how deeply she's been affected by the loss of her mother, but i sensed a strong resiliency in this brimming, singing, bright child of God. Lord, I do pray for her future!

Our last day there we were asked to talk with a woman employee who was in the midst of marital strife. we were so glad that we had an opportunity to use our "trade" to serve in this ministry!