Sixteen hours later, we arrived at Chaing Mia, Thailand. There I was on the other side of the world, just a few days before I would step foot for the first time in a refugee camp, not knowing exactly what was to come. I tried to imagine exactly what it was going to be like: the sight, the smell, the people, the culture, the houses, the food, the environment, everything. I tried to learn as much Thai and Koren language that I possible could and the culture so that I would not do anything that would offend the Thai and Koren people. I tried to prepare myself, but once I got there it was something that I had to experience before I was prepared.
        I stepped out of the van that had took us up the mountain to the refugee camp put my feet on the ground and all I could do was admire everything. It was the most beautiful place that I had ever been. Everything was so green, hand built, no pollution, clean air, smiling faces, and welcoming arms. I thought, "these people live in such confinement, but their smiles are so captivating. I want to see more, I want to learn more." This began the amazing adventure I took in a refugee camp.

        “Sawadee caup" a Koren man said to me putting his hands together and bowing his head towards me. "Sawaddee ca," I said back putting my hands together bowing my head back towards him. "My name is Pastor Edmound and your name," he said to me. "My name is Sarah, it is very nice to meet you," I said. I looked out into the unknown world to me and all I wanted to do was explore. Once I saw the people in this refugee camp that explore in me was changed and my focus was on helping them, especially the children.

      I want to somewhat paint a picture in your head…  Imagine yourself ten years old, walking through the jungle, dodging traps, landmines and all other things that might be found in the jungle, without your parents, maybe getting to see them once every year, if the Burmese army did not attack where they were. To go and live in a place that could be attacked at any time, yet you are so much safer here then where you were. Living in a bamboo hut with about thirty other people, with a five by six that you got to call your own, sleeping on a half inch thick mat, having two shelves above where you sleep holding everything that you owned and being the happiest ten year old in the world. I never would have believed this until I saw it for myself. 

     This is the life for the child in a refugee camp. These children have almost nothing but are so happy to be alive. Once I saw these children, all I could do was cry. Right before I left to Thailand, I griped and complained for a hundred dollar pair of Nike shoes that synced with my i-pod, which I got and these children have nothing. Most only have a pair of flip flops to last them for a couple of years, if they are lucky.  This was a turning point in my life to show me exactly how selfish I was. The no running water, food that I had no idea what it was, being that it was half way across the world, did not seem to matter anymore once I saw these beautiful children.

    Since I have been back, I have not stopped thinking about those children and the amazing smiles that they all had. It has definitely made me reexamine my life and the way that I am living. It has made me take my eyes off of the “stuff” that I thought I needed and fix my eyes on such greater things. I hope to go back someday soon and visit those children again and see their beautiful smiling faces.