Thai ’08 Journal 16

Today we went back to picking sweet sop as more had ripened during the days that we were picking corn. We were in a different section of the farm and the orchard seemed endless. We went a little slower today as it’s Friday and the team seems to be wearing down a bit, but we still picked 20 bushels. The weather was extremely humid; at least it seemed so to the other team members, but we were all grateful for the cloud cover which kept the sun from beating down on us. Lorraine was grateful that she got in five days on the farm with zero snake sightings.

English camp has been going well this week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday they worked with grades 5 and 6. Thursday and Friday they worked with grades 9^th and 10^th. Next week they’ll spend time with grades 7 and 8. They play games and engage in English conversations. Today was a special day because new Chinese students were at the school and the school held a special ceremony to welcome them. The ceremony included both Thai and Chinese folk dancing. The team members also helped the students write about their feelings about the English camp.

This afternoon the guys on the farm team had a CRAVING for pizza so I took them to Tesco Lotus which houses an authentic pizza restaurant. Of course, you know that Lorraine put in her request for a pizza as well. The guys were very satisfied, but I dare say their reaction could not compare with the sheer joy in Lorraine’s eyes when I walked through the door with a large cheese pizza. I thought she might cry –but I know they would have been tears of joy. She’s struggled this past week and her stomach has been, shall we say, unsettled. Kim and Fred were also quite delighted and savored their pieces as well – they were a little surprised that Lorraine was willing to share without having to pry the pieces from her death grip on the pizza box. Vie and I are not huge pizza fans; so we are spectators at such events!

Some of the team members took on the responsibility of coordinating this evening’s vespers. They led out in a short song service. Scott gave his testimony and Aaron gave a short talk. The team did well.

Tonight Vie, Lorraine, and I will catch just a few winks of sleep then head for the airport to send Vie and Lorraine on their way. They seem to have enjoyed their time here and they’ve worked hard but they’re also anxious to return home. They will be missed.