Thailand Mission and Cultural Trip 2015 - Journal 2

The Duangtwan Hotel in Chiang Mai is the place to be if you have to stay at a hotel. It is right next to the Night Market. The room on the 17^th floor that I got had a great view. The breakfast buffet was out of this world – full spread of Thai, Indian, American, and British foods. I was stuffed.

My Rotary host, Past President of the Chiang Mai Central Rotary Club, Jarruwat Techawut drove me to Chiang Mai Adventist Academy, where we met with Nid and the new Administrator, Gary Wilson – a 1969 graduate of Walla Walla Walla University. Those of you who have not been at the school in recent years will be surprised at all the changes, and the great vision for its future.  The enrollment is almost 1000 students. Everything needs to be expanded! When we did our trip there in 2005 there were about 400 students. They have instituted an English track that will ultimately go from Kindergarten to 12^th grade! Jarruwat (who is Buddhist, but is acquainted with a few Christian schools) was so impressed with what he saw and heard. It was a first for him.

Next stop was lunch with Rotary officials (Jarruwat who is in charge of International Service; the Central Club president; and 2 past District Governors). They were amazed at the size of our 200-member club. There are 19 clubs in the Chiang Mai region. Many are small; and there is even a new e-club of about 10 members, who have their meetings via Facebook!

The lunch (including the iceberg ice cream, which we all shared together), and fellowship was good. And the discussion of the project, which I mentioned in yesterday’s journal, was very helpful. We are determined to get it done; and our clubs are committed to it. But there are some smaller projects with which we might get involved. I even broached the idea of the Columbia

Basin Multi-club (of which Walla Walla Noon Rotary recently became a part) taking on a $35,000.00 project in the next year or two. Our both clubs would be leaders in the endeavor.