Jeb Mak!!

Wow, I used to think Thai massages were the best but the one I had yesterday.....was not the relaxing feel good kind that I'm used to!! A bit sad really.....

I went to a new place in Nakhon Pathom (my old stomping grounds here in Thailand) where they have blind folks doing massages. Well, my friend told me this guy massages really hard and while he was massaging I was thinking to myself... i can deal with this, it's good for my body....no problem.

A few hours later....oh my gosh, the worst headache of my life! I've never had a migraine but if they are anything like that I feel a little more for those with migraines! I have also been getting a cold/cough so along with the headache came the fever, etc....I was a mess. Went straight to bed and prayed that it would go away with sleep and medicine. I slept off and on until 3:30 or so the fever broke and I slept really great until 6;30. I felt much better but now it is Sunday afternoon. I am in Chiang Mai and getting ready to take a nap. Still feeling better than last night but needing to take it easy.

So many posts to catch up on! I'll do more tonight or tomorrrow...I have computer access here so it's all good....more photos of my kids and the great reunion we had last night.....minus the headache plus some thoughts on my time in Cambodia.

Oh ya, "jeb mak" means it hurts ALOT! :)

Community

Christy and Janelle just outside the front door of her house.

The community in Vientienne, Laos is amazing! I spent this long weekend visiting my good friend Janelle. She has been living and working in Laos for about 5 years but has only been back in Vientienne for 1. I spent the long weekend just doing what she normally does, tagging along for the ride but loving it.

Teacher Janelle and her class...pretty small group of kids and quite well behaved I'd have to say!

I spent a day at school with her - she teaches Grade 6 at an International school but the majority of her students are Lao. It was fun to see her as "teacher" as I haven't seen this side of her much!

She spent time mentoring and teaching 2 young adult Lao girls - they were SO darling and had some really great questions for us. Have to do some research for them...and we gave them some homework too! Some of their ideas of what the Bible says were very interesting!! :)

Saturday was youth group...remembering back to the days of youth group when I lived in Thailand...one family opening their home and several different people helping to lead. This was much the same.....again what great community.

Then youth band practice - what a great band they are! Amazing lead vocalist, great sound....and all high schoolers! I loved it....i'm not one to offer much musical advice but i enjoyed listening and watching!

A few of those that make up Janelle's community... Sarah, RuthAnn, Jenny and Kelli. Fun girls!

And the best of all was just hanging out with friends! I've met a few of her friends there previously. There is something about being overseas that allows you to connect and form friendships so much quicker than at home. These girls are all working in Lao and it was a joy to spend time with them. So much fun and laughter!

And last but definitely not least is the amazing Angel God sent my way this weekend. Oui and I met on the bus from an airport on the Thai border of Laos to the border. She is Thai, spoke great English and was on her way to Vientienne too. Her friend picked us up on the other side of the border and drove us into town and then today....she took us back to the border. We then shared taxi's from the border to the airport in Udon Thani and from the airport in BKK, home. Her house was only about 5 minutes away from the Guesthouse I am staying! Jen has left but this weekend....I had an angel to help me make my way! Thanks God!

My angel - Oui

Photos to come soon, I hope! Finally they are here...

Kathmandu Highlights

I'm going back in time to our 5 days in Kathmandu....I wrote about my accident but didn't get time for all the wonderful experiences we had as well! Here are a few highlights: (I've also added some photos to the posts below.

- Visiting my friend Ram - seeing his office and hearing about all the work they are doing across Nepal. He works with 200 churches across the country and has 38 CHE projects started from those churches. His organization is also involved with HIV & Aids education, literacy education and disability work. We were on our way to visit 2 of the kid's clubs in the city where a CHE project is beginning when I had my accident so we didn't get to see much, sadly. Here is Ram in his office & the office building. The top is his organization Rescue Nepal and the lower levels are a Bible College. :)

- Dinner with Ram's family - It's always a priviledge to get to eat a home cooked meal with friends. This was even more special as it was my first chance to meet Ram's wife - Sanju and his two children. It was special for sure and I hope one day to have more time with them. Sanju's sister, brother and others were also around for the meal. They were all so sad that Jen and I were not going to be staying longer so they could take us to Pohkara to see the Himalayas. Here is a timer photo of us all before dinner.

Me, Sanju (Ram's wife), Nanu (Ram's daughter), Ram, Shashawat (Ram's son), brother-in law and soon to be brother in law. Back Row: Ram's niece and Sanju's sister - Manju.

- Touring around the Old city - It's always so different when you get out of America and really feel the history in new places. We toured through some of the old city and it was just so interesting to see people just hanging out on these super old buildings! And to see the contrast of the old builidings and history with motorcycles zooming on through. To see the many types of people living in Kathmandu.....such diversity! Nepal is 83% Hindu so much of what you see is taken from this religion. However, we also saw alot of influence from Tibetan Buddhism with flags around the city and near the temples. This type of Buddhism is quite different than what I have learned about here in Thailand. We were lucky as well to have a fabulous tour guide! Ram is an expert in his countries history and traditions so we learned much about all that we saw and experienced. Here are a few photos of the old city.

Well, it's time to go for today....hope this gives you a tiny taste of our time in Nepal! More to come....I'm off to Laos this evening to visit my friend Janelle for 3 days.

The people we've met.....

One of the best parts of this trip has been the fabulous people we've met.....

Nepal:

Milan - my motorcycle driver in Nepal (yes, the one when we got in an accident) is an amazing person. His job now is to use Media to share Jesus and hope with people in that country. He is currently working on 2 DVD's teaching about HIV and AIDS. He's realized to reach this next generation they've got to use technology and media. And since he became a Christian through watching a movie he's decided this is a good place for him to working! His testimony is also amazing as he comes from a Hindu family...in fact his dad was a Hindu witchdoctor. And now....they are all Christians and his father is now a pastor!

S. Thailand:

The O's- This family is with my organization and working with CHE (Community Health Education). However, God has also opened the door for another avenue of ministry as well.....street kids that come from Burma but live in their town. They do more than just work with them once or twice a week but have brought three of them to live with their family! Sam, age 13, came a year ago and is doing amazing! His English is quite strong and he is so fun...likes to tease and loves football (for us Americans this means soccer). Then there are 2 more they've taken in recently that are doing well and really already seem like family. The thing that is really cool is that is isn't just a project for the parents....but it's really something the whole family has embraced. The 3 kids they already have are just as involved with taking these kids in and treating them like family. It's a big task....in fact this is why they are moving to the new house we painted. They need more space....6 kids now and who knows when they'll get more. Probably not for awhile as these ones need to settle but.....only God knows the timing. Jen and I had a great time getting to know them and as always....would love to stay and be part of this!! :)



Ok, there are 2 quick stories....photos to come soon. I forgot my camera cord today.

A Little R & R

While many of you might think that all I've been doing is vacationing....really we've been "working" and spent almost all of our time these past 2 weeks with people. So now Jen and I are at the beach here enjoying almost 2 days of relaxing....one afternoon at the beach and some time to just rest.

I've not had nearly enough time for blogging....I'm so behind in my stories....but after we get back from the beach today I plan to spend some time writing.

But for now....I am feeling better. My back is still sore but I can tell it is healing. I am fighting a cold/cough or something too so this timing of some R & R is perfect!

We have met so many amazing people these past 2 weeks and heard so many wonderful things going on over here.... I'll post again this evening and tell some stories. Some highlights...

- Getting back on the motorcycle again! Even 3 to a bike one time....

Well, I don't have a photo of me on the bike again but here is Ling and Jen. Ling is a Thai friend of our hosts and wanted to practice her English so she spent the weekend with us! So sweet and so much fun! The funny story here is; the one time Ling wasn't with us and we had to fit 3 on a bike....Jen had a skirt on! Every other time she had been sure to wear her long pants but this trip was unexpected. A skirt isn't the end of the world - you just sit side saddle. But, this time we had to fit 3 on the bike. No room for side saddling. And since my back was still sore, I had to ride in the back. So poor Jen - in her skirt she had to sit in the middle...showing more leg than she would in the states never mind Thailand! Ha! It made for much laughter and it was all we could do to keep our giggles in...didn't want to distract our driver. Thankfully it was a short ride that evening.

- Painting our friends new home down here in S. Thailand

Here we are painting the O's new house. It has 10 rooms and 6 bathrooms! Wow...but for a family of 8 and still growing it's perfect! (Pearly, Jen, me and in front, Armen. )

- living Filipino style down here in the South

While in S. Thailand we stayed at my friend Pearly and Irvin's place. I met Pearly at the CHE internship I attended back in June 2006. It was so fun to meet her husband this time and fellow team mate, Armen. They are all working with the O's doing CHE. We stayed 3 nights with them living "Filipino style" as Pearly said....bucket bath's and fans. We had a wonderful time hearing stories of their work and touring around town. Armen's friend Ling also joined us so she could practice her English and so we could have 3 motorcycles for getting around. Thanks Ling! What precious friends.... (Armen, Ling, Irvin, Pearly and me)

- Meeting the street kids our friends are taking in down here in S. Thailand...so amazing!

ok, off to the beach I go. More later!!!

What NOT to do in Nepal!

These past 5 days in Nepal have been amazing! I was so sad to be leaving today....but I do have to say, my experiences have left me with some advice for others on what NOT to do in Nepal! :)

1) Don't get in a motorcycle accident!! - Yes, a little over 2 days ago the motorcycle I was riding on was hit from behind by another motorcycle. Thankfully....it wasn't as bad as it could have been. My driver walked write up and I mostly walked write away. I stepped over to the curb and after being inspected by several Nepali's to see there was no blood, I hopped back on the bike and we continued on to the church we were traveling too! After a little while I soon realized I was in ALOT of pain and should probably get my back checked at the hospital. So....off to the Nepali hospital I went. There is so much more to the story but.....read more on #2.

2) Don't get dehydrated! - After trying to get into the private clinic, I eventually ended up in the regular ER as there were no doctors at the private clinic at that time. This meant I was among all the Nepali's that were seriously ill....I looked ok but was really nervous something had been hurt inside me since it hurt so bad. The Dr. and the triage tech were sure I was ok after doing an exam but agreed I should have a urine test just to make sure my kidney's weren't hurt. The only problem is.....I hadn't had much to drink yet...and it's quite hot so I've been sweating alot. So, instead of this taking 45 minutes to get the results....it involved me drinking 3 bottles of water and then waiting, waiting, waiting...thankfully the medical tech saw i needed to be distracted and we chatted for a few hours. Finally after about 1 1/2 hours my systems began to work and my sample was collected! However, the cup they gave me was tiny, tiny so...Jen asked them for a bigger cup A few minutes later the tech came back with a HUGE water pitcher to use! Ha! No chance of missing in this. About 45 minutes later the results came back and all is well. I'm ok, just some soft tissue bruising. Thank you Jesus!!

3) Don't travel alone!! - Wow, I can't imagine if this had happened while I was alone. Jen has been right beside me in it all...carrying my bags, asking ?'s on my behalf, making sure I had what I needed, paying bills, filling out forms, praying, etc... When my mom met Jen just a few weeks ago she mentioned we'd be taking care of each other on this trip. Never did we imagine it would look like this.

And then there was Ram, my Nepali friend, who was with me the whole time too; translating, helping us get to the right place, asking ?'s I needed answers too, buying water, praying and waiting, waiting and waiting for everything to be cleared and for me to be discharged!

Anyways, thanks to all of you that have been praying and didn't even know what was going on...and to those that did. It's 2 + days later and I am doing pretty well. I have not gotten worse which is amazing....and with ibuprofen in my system and menthol rub on my back I'm pretty good to go. Walking a little slower and a bit uncomfortable at times but compared to what could have been.....I am blessed! :)

Ok, more about the rest of Nepal soon. We are back in Bangkok and on our way to S. Thailand in the morning. I loved Nepal and while this was scary, it could have been worse and I'm still so grateful for the time I had in this wonderful country.

Photos to come soon......

Time, time, time....

Wow, how I forgot how much time it takes to do things here! Today Jen and I went to one place across town and it took us 4 hrs...ok, 2 of those hours were spent in the salon getting a pedicure but still 2 hours in traveling, wow! But, we did experience almost all modes of transportation today...subway, skytrain, taxi, tuk-tuk, bus and motorcycle taxi. All in less than 8 hours.

Our flight and traveling was so very smooth! Unbelievable really. Our flights weren't too full so we had extra space on both legs...great for getting some much needed zzz's. And once we arrived, I've been amazed how quickly things have come back. Those phrases I used all the time, just come out at the right time....still only small phrases that I know but enough to get around and order food.

Speaking of food....oh my goodness!! Fresh pineapple, papaya, etc....then noodle soup for lunch. I can't even begin to relay how delicious it all is. A little bit of heaven!

Seeing my kids today has been so very special! I thought they might be a bit shy about seeing me again but oh no...almost all of them came running to give me a hug. It was precious...and so heart warming. All but one of my students in my originial class was able to come to dinner and spend time together this evening. Lots of laughter, silliness and catching up. A few of them were a bit shy of using their English but several of them were so confident it was amazing!! I was impressed. (For those of you that don't know..I taught these students for 1st and 2nd grade in an English Program here. Since then the program has closed and now they go to other schools...some EP and some regular Thai program.) And again I am just amazed at how generous these EP families are....taking care of me so well! I feel blessed to know them and all and pray I have many years ahead of spending time with them again.

I'm getting sleepy about now so I need to go for today. But first a photo or two of my student and I. Tomorrow we are off to Kathmandu.

Jen and I with (lt to rt) Ploy, Prael, Mint & Jun

After dinner with the kids and some of their families.

Don't you love how P'Meuy is on her cell! :) ha!