By the time we got to the parking lot near the slum, a small group of young boys had already started accumulating, greeting us as we stepped off the truck. Wide-toothed grins were matched with aimless chatter in Thai as we smiled back with a simple "Sawa-dee-kah"!
As we walked toward the slum to gather the rest of the kids, I couldn't help noticing the little boy on his way-too-big-for-him pink bike. Something about the way he pushed that bike around reminded me of the little boys we had met not long ago doing street kids ministry in the Philippines who greeted us with one giant rollerblade on one of his feet. There was something endearing about the sight that brought smiles to our faces.
Calling out "Pah!" or, "let's GO!" to the kids, we found them at their homes. Some were eating breakfast, others were sprawled out on the floor with their eyes glued to the television, and even a few ran out to greet us. Young and old mingled together like family. We mentioned early on in the Philippines about the presences of community within the slums. It was apparent that this was no different in Thailand. Doors were wide open everywhere and as we walked past each home, we were greeted by a friendly "Sawadi" and a smile.
Each home was sparsely furnished with raw wooden floorboards. Living rooms also served as kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, and everything-else rooms. Filthy water filled trenches surrounded the homes serving as some sort of drainage system for the homes. These trenches would often flood into their homes during rainy season, exposing the children to sewage and waste. Rainy season also forced holes into the homes, room for wild pythons and cobras to enter - a potential hazard for the kids. We found out later on that Kings Kids staff along with the YWAM team from Kona, Hawaii and Battambang, Cambodia were able to help fill those holes in order to prevent such incidents.
As the kids followed us out into a nearby park, we saw that they had a strange fascination with the puddles left on the ground by the rain. Whether they were just looking at it, jumping in it, or full on wading in it, it was clear the rain had brought a new source of amusement to the kids. You just couldn't keep them away!
That day's activities involved more than a few laughs as we watched the kids dance to songs and joke around with each other.Although we were incredibly glad to be there, we found ourselves frustrated with the lack of ability to communicate. So much did we want to be able to understand the kids-- not just because we wanted to be able to laugh at the funny things kids tend to say, but we wanted a way in, a way to connect with them.
At first the kids were shy around us, eventually though, we found that if we did something slight like put our arm around them or gently nudge them with a knee, they would respond instantly by leaning against you or sitting in your lap. It was like that simple movement towards them broke down any barriers and allowed them to meet us halfway.
After spending time with these kids- its difficult to imagine them being anything other than, well, kids! Its easy to forget that they have stories to tell; that despite their youth, most have already had their fair share of hardship and pain. One particular story, however, is one of hope and a great testament to the work Kings Kids does. As we talked to one of the leaders of the ministry, he told us the story of Boy*. Boy* grew up in a home where his mom would beat him with a bicycle chain every time he did something wrong. One day, his mom found his dad in their home having sex with another woman. His mom, enraged by what she saw took her anger out on her son, blaming him for his father's infidelity. Her son as a consequence was severely beaten by the bicycle chain. That week, bruised and battered, he went to a Kings Kids ministry where the leader saw what his mom had done to him. He decided to do something about it. He went with Boy* to his house and told his mom that if she ever beat him again, he would report her. She never beat Boy* again.
Thailand is full of these stories. Stories of broken families, poverty, and pain. But with ministries like Kings Kids, it is evident that there is hope for a revival.
*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the child
For more information on Kings Kids Ministry and how to support them, visit http://www.ywamthai.org/bangkok/kingskids.htm
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