Thai ’08 Journal 24

For church today, the singing group “Unceasing Cantica,” from Bangkok gave a program of classical music as part of their 6^th year anniversary tour. In the afternoon 18 of the team members went to the farm to have a final worship with Mr. Presat, the injured farmer. I got 12 in my 5-seater car. It reminded me of the time in Jamaica when I took 13 in my VW bug!

We had a blessed time at the farm. There was lots of singing by the almost 30 of us. The farmer loved it. He wrote us a letter, which I hope to get translated and possibly include in a later blog. They were so appreciative of what we did. They said that it would have been impossible to get so much done without our help. We were invited to return next year. They gave us sweet sop and we drank coconut water and the innards of the coconut. Vie will be happy to know that I did not cut my hand with the machete as I was “showing off” how we open the coconut in Jamaica.

For the worship devotional students spoke about their experiences. The nurses spoke about their initial disappointment of not being able to do more “nursing” stuff. But they realized that the relationships that they built were just as important at actual nursing activities. I think that this was highlighted especially on Thursday night at the send-off party. They became aware of the impact they made on the lives of the MC students and faculty, as well as in the community.

Most of the team went to their favorite pool by the spa near the College; and George, the VP for Student Administration took Kim, Fred, and I out to dinner at a lovely restaurant. I got my teeth cleaned on the dining room table when I returned home. Kim Johnson was a real “hit” on the team. She not only cleaned teeth in the community, but on camps as well. She could not keep up with the amount of faculty and staff who wanted to be cleaned. George mentioned to us tonight how much she was appreciated for what she did. Some mentioned that what she did and how she did it was so much superior to the local hygienist. She plans to come back again next year if all goes well for a repeat.