Thai ’08 Journal 4

Two important things happened today: We visited the Burmese Refugee Camp, and we painted. Vie and Lorraine weren’t with us in 2004 and had no idea of such a “city.” It was an experience that has been forever etched in their memories. There are literally 10s of thousands of refugees from Myanmar (Burma) in a fenced-in camp a few miles up the road from our orphanage. In 2004 we were not allowed in the Camp, but they allowed us today to tour part of the Camp; but we could not take pictures inside. It is like a regular city with all the stores and supplies, but in a primitive setting. Vie hated the walk through (though she appreciated the experience), because it reminded her too much like Mandeville market when it rains. Lorraine is still in shock! She has never seen anything like that. (I’m going to ask her permission to include her journal reflections in tomorrow’s blog.) We have about 4 SDA churches and schools in the camp. We were able to visit one, and Ruth took some photos for us with her camera.

More exciting was our day of painting. We completed almost the entire inside of the church. Tomorrow we do some touch-up in the inside and work on the outside. Ate my first mangoes tonight!