Thailand Mission and Cultural Trip 2013 - Journal 18

Christmas in August!

No question about it, nothing today can compare to the smiles on the farmers’ faces as we celebrated Christmas in August! We brought over all the things mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Then the Plant Service technician came with the solar stuff. I helped dig a deep hole in the clay and rocks; then mixed the concrete. They had the stand and panels pre-prepared at the University; so the initial setting up was easy. There was sheer joy when the lights came on and the fan began to spin and the radio played. The next task was to mount the satellite dish on the roof and set up the TV. That was a more difficult task; and they will have to return tomorrow to complete the task. It was good to have Richard there to assist in the translation of instructions.

Coconut water drinking time!

There was no English camp today because of Sports Day. Everyone was on the farm. There is quite a difference between teaching and farming. But the teachers were up to the task. The fun time was

during the break when we cut and gulped down coconut water. The farmers had to cut down a coconut tree; so there was plenty coconuts to go around.

Massaged by the best!

What a massage I had today! Nothing compares in terms of strength and pain. The lady who worked on me is the strongest in the business. There were huge and painful knots from my

feet to my head. I grimaced and squealed in pain and “delight.” My upper back got worked like it was never worked before. She found knots deeply buried, which no one had found before! And the entire 1.5 hours of intense work was only approximately $10.00.

On my way to supper, I saw the Logan’s. They came in last night, and will be having discussions regarding having an Engineering relation between WWU and AIU and other institutions. From here they go on to India.

There seemed to be a misunderstanding, and most of the kids didn’t show up tonight for the final

Evening English camp. But we had an awesome time with those who came; and we gave the leaders t-shirts. I then took the team out to an ice-cream parlor where I had never been before.