Thailand Journal 2010 #8

Yesterday the following was posted on Facebook by the PR folks at WWU: “Pedrito Maynard-Reid, a professor in WWU's School of Theology, is in Thailand (August-September 2010) with several WWU students. They are helping at the farm of a disabled gentleman, assisting at an English language school, and exploring the country familiarizing themselves with the culture, history and people.” I like it! I would encourage you to become friends of Walla Walla University on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/College-Place-WA/Walla-Walla-University/17584257754.

This evening the former President of Mission College, Dr. Siriporn, invited me to dinner. For the last 5 years or so she has taken me to a new wonderful restaurant each time. This year she invited the new President of the University to join us. He just began his new responsibilities. Prior to this he was VP for Academic Administration at Canadian University College. We had a lovely meal at a lovely restaurant with great conversation.

Part of the philosophy behind our Thailand Mission outreach is to having Walla Walla students working side by side with Asia Pacific International University students. But with the University now on the Asian system, school is in session while we are here. However, the English Professor has creatively gotten around the problem, by giving extra credit to the students in his Translation class if they help us at the English Camp. We had the first set of APIU students this morning; and the report was that it went well. We also made progress on the farm, and we have almost completed the weeding of the section of the corn. It was hard work today – even I sweated profusely. And the weeds/wild grass between the rows of corn is extra high. But it is a good feeling to see the great progress we have made.