Thailand Mission and Cultural Trip 2015 - Journal 13

We have had a few little illnesses among the group. Nothing major; mostly little flu symptoms, and slight stomach bugs. But we were able to get a bunch more of the peppers weeded; and the teachers did their thing at the Elementary school.

This afternoon we, along with a couple of the AIU Nursing Faculty

drove the 70 minutes to Lop Buri to the HIV-AIDS Hospice. I didn't get to go in 2008 when many from the team visited. Today we spent time visiting with patients and listening to their stories. Just a few years ago numerous persons came here to die. They were cremating 10 bodies weekly (or did they say daily?) a few years ago. Now it is an average of 3 per month! The

medical personnel took time to tell us about the newer medication that is being used, both for AIDS and TB. Many of the patients have that complication and combination.

Incidentally, I like the description of the restroom! I suppose relief does give physiological satisfaction. Just never thought of it in those terms before. On the grounds of the monastery were lots of dogs and lots of monkeys.

We toured the museum that had graphic mummified persons who died of the disease. In that photo with the Buddha, he is surrounded with bags of bones and numerous bags of ashes that were not collected by relatives or friends. If you are interested, go to my photo website to see the more graphic ones. There were also labeled boxes of different body parts.

We were very fortunate to have a private audience with the founder of the Hospice. He gave us a warm welcome, and I told him about our work here in Thailand. We donated 3000.00 Baht to the Hospice; and he gave us all little souvenirs. I noted to him that I recognize that Rotary has been involved with his Hospice; and I would like to think about involving our Walla Walla Club in some way in the future.