Thailand Journal 2011 #13

We never know what to expect when we head to the farm. We went with the anticipation and hope of getting more gravel but knew with the ongoing rains that that was unlikely to happen. When we arrived the dump-truck driver was there (on his motorbike). He came out to survey the situation. He explained that we needed two consecutive days without rain. If it doesn’t rain today and tomorrow then he will round up a couple of his friends and then will make a massive push to deliver as much gravel as possible. In addition the gentleman with the tractor will be contacted so he can come help level. We had special prayer for two rainless days.

After working those arrangements out we got a new assignment – weeding the chili pepper plants. This new project seemed to re-energize the team and they took to it with gusto. The reeds of grass were five to six feet tall but the soil was soft making the weeding much easier than it would have been without all the rains (they do serve some good purposes). The team went through the field like a plague of locusts (the good kind) and finished in time to go to lunch. They were thrilled to tackle something that allowed them to see so much progress in such a short time. And it really didn’t rain today – there has been a steady drizzle all evening but not a torrential downpour so we count our blessings and pray for one more day of dry weather.

Meanwhile, back at the elementary school the team members just love working with their students. They had the challenging task of working with each grade for two-hour blocks of time but they worked it out. When we arrived they were having their noon recess and I found our team members out in the yard playing with the kids – both teachers and students laughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. After lunch at the school where the English Camp is conducted, we all went a few kilometers up the road to the Namtok Chet Sao Noi Water Falls. But with the ongoing heavy rains the water was all brown and muddy.

The team provided another productive evening at the English language center and then an early evening at home. Many of the team headed to watch the soccer game in progress here on campus. It’s drizzling outside but of course that doesn’t impede a good soccer game. Tomorrow we head back to the school and to the farm for another productive day of work.