Learning about love

Entering into a different culture or new environment can be an unnerving experience. As a western photographer (who doesn't yet speak Thai!) visiting HIV/Aids patients, orphans and other new situations, I'm constantly challenged by what I see, and how I react.

I recently called into an orphanage to take photographs of some the children there. I arrived feeling apprehensive, unsure, and maybe even a little bit scared of what these children might do to me! But as it turned out, I didn't need to worry.

As soon as I sat down, a little girl crawled over and climbed onto my knee to examine the camera. In fact, she stayed there most of the afternoon. She loved me and trusted me (a complete stranger) before I could even think about how I ought to act.

The same thing has happened consistently at many other places I have visited – children reaching out to hold my hand, old ladies hugging me – total strangers showing unconditional love, despite not knowing the first thing about me.

Here in Thailand we are called to be involved in a wealth of different ministries yet ultimately we are all called simply to love. Great and mighty acts are nothing if divine love does not rest as the motivating factor of each and every one. And when we love those whom we serve and work alongside, everything else will fall into place.

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things". (I Cor 13:7)