RICE PLANTING SEASON

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
Up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.
               --Joni Mitchell

LAO ENGLISH CLASSES

In the little red schoolhouse
With my books and slate.
In the little red schoolhouse
Where I was always late.

Glenn with his Module 3 class

Thanukhuan with his certificate

Lunch party after the certificate handover.

THE STORM CAME UP SO VERY QUICK

My hair is wet. My shoes are wet.

I couldn't be much wetter.

I fell into a river once

But, this is even better.

ByMarchette Chute 

Once there were two missionaries, who didn't take umbrellas with them to the mini-mart 3 blocks away.  On the way home there was a downpour. They quickly discovered that an umbrella wouldn't have helped because the wind that came with it was driving the rain sideways as well as downward. It was the best walk they'd had since they got to Laos.

The drops of rain were enormous.

On another day, after a good rain, they headed out to look at some schools that need wells and toilets....

....before another rainstorm came.

they went to a small village that was near the mountains and looked at two schools. The second one was a large school that had dormitories for students that live so far away that the students only go home on weekends.

The dormitories are in the distance. Classrooms are on the right. 

These classrooms were on the left. 

These are the dormitories.

This one has a kitchen. See the stove in the back near the middle.

They had a colorful and scenic ride home before the next rain came.

SCHOOL DAYS

School days. School days.
Dear old golden rule days.
Reading and writing and 'rithmetic
Taught to the tune of a bamboo stick....

This is the before and after of our project at Sythong Secondary School.

A nice well, water tower and tank to top it off so there's water to flush and wash hands.

They are preparing for final exams next week.

We had them singing Jingle Bells because Jason Murray's last name sounds like Merry as in Merry Christmas. 

We taught them a few English phrases, like: What's up?

Loved these kids. All boys huddled under this guard shack to stay out of the sun. 

The delicious fruit you see here are mangostein (purple ones), rambutan (hairy ones) and I can't remember what the other ones are. Mmmmmm. They are some of my favorite fruits.

Happy students, teachers, and administrators.

Tokens of their appreciation. Notice the sashes around our waists and the flowers around our necks.

CHILDREN'S GAMES

She jumped so high, high, high

She hit the sky, sky, sky

And she never came back, back, back

'Til the 4th of July-ly-ly.

SENIOR COUPLES MISSIONARY CONFERENCE

We met some new friends

Some good and true friends

That will be old friends

When time has passed.

This is Khao Yai, in Thailand.

 Couples serving in Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Thailand.

Our first stop was Haew Narok Waterfall, where we walked to the falls and then had a little lunch in the picnic area. 

After a steep descent, we got to see this beautiful waterfall

The sounds of the jungle as we walked down the path were very exotic and like something out of Avatar. Very exciting.

Then off to our mission training meetings with President and Sister Senior. President Senior always has his hands full and wears a smile while carrying the burdens of the mission. The training was helpful and inspiring.

We really did love hearing all the stories people shared about their work. It was so rejuvenating and uplifting to share experiences and testimonies. These are good people who love the Lord. 

See all those smiles. When we headed for home, we were ready to go back to the trenches. They say change is as good as a rest but a rest is just a little bit better, I think. We needed some fresh ideas.

Meanwhile, at the Thailand airport, someone was battling a sea monster. It's hard work but someone has to do it.

A little beauty in the middle of a busy terminal. Life's little parable.