Thailand Journal 19 – Sept. 13, 2022

After dropping the team off at the airport, our driver took me the 10-minutes’ drive to hotel “Gate43” that Patty at AIU had arranged. Had 2 zoom meetings (PELC and WW Symphony search committee) before hitting the sack for another 4-hour night. Up to catch the Air Asia flight at the break of dawn. For an extra $10.00 I got a seat in Premium Class on Air Asia! Rotary Past President, Jarruwat Techawut, was at the airport to meet me and was my host all day. Got a quick breakfast at “Amazon Café” (which is trying to out-do Starbucks in Thailand) and then on to Chiang Mai Adventist Academy. And, wow! What big changes have taken place since we did our

Thailand Mission Trip there in 2005. There were about 300 students then; there are well over 1000 now – about half are from the surrounding communities. All the buildings have expanded, including the elementary dormitory that we helped to build. It was such a delight to see Nid, who as a student at AIU in 2008 was a guide and translator. This is a great place for our Student Missionaries to spend a year. From there we went to have lunch at Alan and Joan EuBank. They founded the LaWa Hostel. It has been a major project for Walla Walla Noon Rotary. Since I have been the chair of the International Service Committee for the last 20 years, we have provided, computers, drinking water system, toilets, and an annual $1000.00 college scholarship for young people from this marginalized tribe. Their new church is their newest building.

Allan Eubank is now 93 and has been in Thailand for 61 years. Twice a year I zoom him in to talk to my “Cross Cultural Perspective on Worship” class in Florida, whenever we talk about Asian worship. Finally crashed at the Duangtawan Hotel. Thanks, Jarruwat for making this arrangement! I’m on the 20^th floor overlooking the city. Ended the day at the famous Chiang Mai Bazaar (Night Market), which is a block away from the hotel.