Thursday morning came early and with it came promise of another adventure; it was time to meet the Mercy 6 boys and girls on Koh Lan, the island off of Pattaya, for a few days in the surf and sun. The annual trip is sponsored by British Airways for the children living with HIV/AIDS at Mercy. The four day trip, in which I joined in for two, is a nice holiday for the kids - days are spent playing games, in bathing suits, by the beach. The week is filled with dancing, music and a love of life.
This one of the first times I had spent a significant amount of time with all of the Mercy 6 children together and it was fantastic. On my trip down to the island, I met a very special little boy who only joined the Mercy family 3 weeks ago. His eye sight is poor and staff wondered if the trip would be safe and fun for him. On the van ride to the port he was silent, occasionally looking over to flash a shy, modest grin. As we stepped off the ferry in Koh Lan, I felt a small hand grab mine. I looked down and with glassy, groggy eyes he peared up at me and guinely smiled. Within 12 hours, this same, shy little one would be up on "stage" breakdancing with the older boys.
While all the kids at Mercy mean so much to me, these kids are a very unique group. These are young, beautiful, sincere and loving children who's lifes were not only indirectly impacted by AIDS, but they've never known a life without it. Handfulls of pills at 6am and 6pm sharp daily. Bouts in the hospital due to their weak immune systems, which usually leads to interruptions in their studies, makes for a new "normal". Yet these are some of the happiest people at Mercy, always smiling and always ready for a hug, high five or a lift, these rockstars range in age from about 2 years old to around 16. In the 48 hours or less that I spent with them of the trip I felt my heart rapidly expanding. Little ones, like Big, would crawl into my lap at night, only to pass out in my arms and on our bus ride home I shared my seat with three other boys. One slept in my lap, head on my chest, the entire ride back to Bangkok.
Their last night on the island P'Moe and the staff put together a big celebration. The kids memorized skits and dances and the British Airlines crew, which was amazing, raised a toast to many years to come. Soon night fell and the older boys played DJ, blaring the latest dance music. The kids danced into the night and through the small patches of rain. The love, energy, happinest these children radiate continues to bring perspective. The children are under great care at Mercy 6 and the house moms prove that it's not just the pills that are working, it's laughter and smiling and hugs that are neccessary suplimental medicines. And these kids are unbelievably happy.
If there is one thing I took from this trip, besides a sun burn, it's that I need to spend more time with the Mercy 6 crews; what brilliant kids.
Home now, but not for long. In less than 5 hours I will be back up and getting on the bus to meditation camp. Equip with a journal, sleeping bag (we're in the mountains!) and all white cotton I am ready for this go. And I get to spend an entire week with my glam girls: Nancy, Ann and Kwan, who I love so dearly. No phones, no computers, no makeup. All white clothes, monks, nuns, prayer and silence.
More change.
I'm about to pass out from complete exhaustion, so I will close with this:
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become. ((Buddha))
Wish me happy thoughts! Until next week.
The kids at their cultural performace. So proud!!
P'Ben says "see you later" with a jam sesh.
Mercy 6 boys at the compound on Koh Lan.
The little Mercy 6 ladies line up for some seafood in between swims.
Love love love.
There's about 350 more pictures from the past few days - check facebook (in a week) for more!
ABA
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