{DAY 6} May 27th 2009 - WEDNESDAY

Today's agenda seemed like a relatively easy day when we set out. We gathered with several other groups/organizations within the city, all fighting for one common issue. This meeting was a prayer meeting for the city of Pattaya. There is something very calming, powerful and hopeful seeing and hearing so many, from all areas of the world - caring for, loving and praying over this city.

For the first time since being on the ground we were scheduled to have a bit of down time in between our morning meeting and doing some bar ministry that evening. We opted to see if we could visit a local orphanage during that time.

As orphanages goes it appeared clean, well organized and overall quite nice. Again, all relatively of course. Little did I know this unplanned visit would have such a grand effect on me...

We arrived during nap time, a sea of tiny beds holding sleeping toddlers in one area visible from the outside. After an overview of how the place was run, while talking with the directors, nap time was over!! Walking back into the room of fifty two year olds waking up was rather entertaining. Most were crawling out of bed and others were stirring awake. Those that weren't were being awoken by an aunry little tyke. She would jump on them and rip off their blanket. As I made my way through the room, I came to a sweet little girl still sleeping and next in line to be terrorized by the wild hair cutie pie. I tried to gently fend off the telling disruption this sleeping angel was in for. As she groggily looked up at me, she looked terrified of ME. Feeling awkward, knowing my own children are sheepish when they wake and definitely not looking to make friends with a stranger at that moment. I smiled, turned around a took a step away. She began to sob, as I turned back around, she jumped into my arms. Wrapping her arms and legs around me, she was not about to let go. Neither. Was. I.

After nap time the routine is potty, snack and PLAYTIME! The aids make their rounds taking each child to the bathroom and supplying a snack before playtime. 'My' little girl went bananas when the aid tried to take her from me to use the bathroom. SO, naturally I took her. We played a little with the kiddos during snack time, as best I could with a monkey attached to me. Our little maniac friend stole my headband and proudly paraded around with it on her head. She looked absolutely adorable with her crazy hair. We finished our visit outside, playing with the kids on the playground. The kids were crazy about the swings and once they realized all the camera action they were ALL. OVER. IT. Carlee and Amy were teaching a few how to 'shoot'. So precious. All the while I tried to crack a smile from 'my' monkey while swinging and playing with the others. At one point I asked a worker if she was okay or maybe just not feeling well and perhaps that was due in part to her clinging to me? Then came the blow, the worker said she had just arrived three days ago. THREE days ago this precious 2 year old girl had been brought to the orphanage with her 1 year old baby sister. I don't know the circumstances and I try to keep my mind focused on the positive for these two little girls. Rather than the constant image they may hold of their Mommy walking away. My heart is broken in two at this thought. I'd like to think that the Mother did the better option for her girls. It is not hard to notice the boy to girl ratio in the orphanage, which is no mystery. I've already seen all these 'little' girls ALL over the city. When the time came to say goodbye my heart sank. As you can imagine a worker had to peel her off of me as she cried hysterically. It took every fiber in my being to no react the same. I will never forget that moment. I pray she and her sister feel loved, secure, will come to know Him and may someday be my daughters.

Later that evening Phet lead us down Soi Six (Street Six) - claim to fame, 24 hour brothels. As if Walking Street wasn't enough, this street literally made your skin crawl and your insides churl. It was difficult to look most of these girls in the eye and unlike Walking Street we were NOT welcome and clearly did not belong. While walking the back alley of this seedy street on the way back, I was stopped dead in stride as we heard a young women screaming out in a 'room' above us. We learned that Soi Six not only plays host to brothels but the underground brothels that are home to innocent small children. I can't even explain the sensation in my body, knowing I was walking on the ground that separated us from these children.

From there Phet took us into one of the bars to talk with some of the girls. They all seemed so excited to see us and even chat, although considerable broken English. As a whole everyone seems to light up when they see foreigners. They all want to learn and know the language so much. Obviously the more fluent the better business opportunities for them. There were two girls in particular that seems quite shy and more reserved. It took a little more to get them to open up. While 'talking' with them, we learned through tears how long they have been in the "business" and the average men they service in a month. They were clearly broken about this, yet still holding onto whatever integrity they could. We decided to pay for these two girls bar stools, 300 baht each - less than $9.00 American. We invited them to join us for dinner. They were so sweet and cute, seemingly giddy at the opportunity to get out of the bars. As dinner came to an end, they completely broke down, sobbing into the arms of Patti & Kara. I imagine the thought of having to go back to that would be daunting. They have no idea how heartbreaking it was for us to have to drop them back off at the bar that evening.