Finding Refuge

Refugee: meaning a person who flees for refuge, or safety especially to a foreign country as in time of politcal upheaval or war. I had to look this word up in the dictionary to actually put together what these women were talking about. I know the word but you cannot understand it until you have actually been in the position of a refugee or talked to someone who is. And even after talking to someone you still cannot understand the compacity of it.

I was just recently given, once again, another class. I really wasn't looking forward to it becuase I already have alot of other classes that I am still trying to get used to and plan for. I didn't have the right attitude going into the classroom, but as soon as I came around the corner and looked into my glass windows and door I saw two beautiful women wrapped in black and brown beaded embroidered head dress. The smile on their faces greeted me and instantly my attitude became humble towards these two women. Being able to talk to these women made a huge turn around for me.

As I sat there listening to them talk I was just so curious about where they have been, what they have seen, and where they came from. I was told that they were Iraqi refugees and I was so curious to find out their story. We each introduced ourselves but I was the only stranger. Monera and Monel are sisters-in-law that had come over to Thailand about two years ago and are now living here until they can speak English well and then find another country to live. It was like 20 questions as I just kept wondering and curious about their background.

They both came with about 25 members of their family here to Thailand to find refuge from the harsh conditions in Iraq. There nationality is Palestinian but they have lived in Iraq their whole lives. Monera's parents had moved to Iraq in 1948. From there they had both grown up in Iraq and were right in the midst of the war. They said that it was unsafe everywhere they went. They feared for their husbands and children as they go off to school and work. Monera told me almost tearing up that often she would hear bombs going off everywhere and she would just worry all the time about her family members. It seemed as though they were even afraid to go outside for what might happen. They were right in the middle of this chaos and now living in Thailand they fear for the rest of their family back in Iraq.

Monera has an older son who attends a University in Iraq but unfortunately cannot come to Thailand because he will not be able to work. Monera and Monel both are afraid for their families back in Iraq but neither have plans to ever return, at least not for now. They are just looking for a place of peace and somewhere that they can learn English. Unfortunately both Monera and Monel and their husbands are not allowed to work here in Thailand becuase they don't have certificates to be able to work, and something about their immigration. It was all a little hard to understand through their intricate accent but I think that is what they were telling me. I asked them how they are able to support themselves? Basically they have saved up enough money to be able to last them for a while here and also they are given small allotments from the government to be able to survive.

I asked Monel if she would ever come and visit America? or if that was a country that they would eventually settle in? She just replied "I just want to learn English." I think that because of the war and all of the political riots and things they are both aprehensive of ever stepping foot into America.

I have never have had this experience of talking with a refugee. These women have been through alot and you could tell every time I asked a question about Iraq or about their families. Just the sadness and fear that comes to their eyes and expressions on their face. You just know that they have been through and seen alot of things I could not even imagine. I have only heard and seen pictures of the madness that has been going on in the Middle East but I had not idea that it was still going on. Hearing their story touched me and even as Monera was telling me about the bombs I began to tear up as I was just getting a glimpse of the reality.

After the class I felt honored to have met these women and to have them in my class. Hopefully more of their family members will be coming also. I don't know what God has in store for me to teach these women but I hope I will be able to show them compassion and the peace of knowing that they are safe.

Ignorance is Bliss?

Being a missionary has its definite perks. Besides the fact that you are typically surrounded by new atmospheres you will go through a journey like one you have never experienced before. At times, I will think of what I might be doing if I was back in the states and attending school. Then I think about everything that I would be missing if I had not come here to Thailand. All over the world people are moving and doing things that you would never have any clue about until you have finally gotten yourself out there and see it for yourself. So is my title statement correct? Is being one side minded and just staying in one spot because we are comfortable really bliss?

Today I was able to go with Teacher Cherry to a nearby kindergarden school. The children who attend there is so full of life and curious about the new "white" person that they have never seen before. They step all over themselves just trying to get closer to talk to you. Each one is desperately wanting to seek your approval. I read a story to the three classes that we taught for the morning. Having about 20 pairs of eyes watching your every move was a little nerve racking, but every little ear was listening intently as I read each word.

Singing songs with the children brought me back to the times when I worked at a summer camp. Children are so energetic! Its not like I needed to go half way across the world to figure that out, but they yell out the songs at the top of there lungs not having a care in the world of who is listening or even if they will be told to be quiet. These kids have joy whenever you looked into their faces.

We began to pass out pieces of homework paper and trying to help them I get bombarded with questions in Thai. I just kept smiling and nodding my head pretending I knew what they were trying to tell me. I understood most of what they said just by pointing and their body language. Each child was trying to show me if their work was good. They would sit and write the letter "V" and then instantly show me "Teacher teacher!" then I replied "Chai Chai" which is yes. There is a difference in the way children are taught here. I was always taught with encouragement and in my own time. Well not here in Thailand. One of the teachers went around and was erasing the kids work then forcefully taking their pencil with their hand in hers and making them write while throwing the pencil down when she was done. Their work has to be perfect in their eyes. I also saw another teacher "spank" more like a hit a child to get them to straighten up.

The saying "ignorance in bliss" can be a positive to one while having a negative effect on another. While children are ignorant is it bliss when they don't know what they are doing wrong but yet being hit and forced to complete something they are just learning? Is ignorance bliss when you have not been able to experience a different culture? Get out there! God has a meaning in your life and wants to show you the bliss! The blissful experience of seeing a child's face that will brighten your whole day and outlook on life. Today I experienced the bliss of being a child and going back to a time when nothing matters and everything is ok