Thai Dining

Greetings from Thailand! Or ... perhaps I should say, Eatings from Thailand. Tonight our hostess took us to a traditional Thai restaurant. It was a beautiful setting; and crowded! We were led to an area which looked like a shoe store; guests removed their shoes and set them on the racks before proceeding to the dining area. We then walked to a table setting -- except that there was no table! But, the setting was there right in front of us -- on the ground. Behind the place setting were cushions. I thought ... Oh nevermind what I thought .... "When in Rome ..."

The five of us sat down cross-legged, Indian-style on the ground while the attentive hosts and hostesses brought us drinks and dinner. The dinner was a base of what they called "stickey rice" -- a white rice, cooked, but stickey and not hot -- some eat it with their fingers. Then there was a tray with about six "additions" to mix with the rice. I tried about four of the six things, I left the pork rinds behind. Actually the combination was quite good.

As we were finishing dinner, the show started. There were several "vignettes" from Thai culture. Dance, music, singing; very colorful and intricate costumes worn by beautiful and handsome young women and men. It was very lovely evening.

Tomorrow morning we are going on about a four hour drive to the country of Myanmar (Burma for us old folks). It will be an overnight trip. One of our dinner companions is a pastor from Burma who also has a burden for the very poor orphans of the tribal nations of Burma. It is a (likely?) new partnership venture for Asia's Hope. We shall see ...

Oh, by the way ... I figured out how some natives, at least handle the "no TP in the WC" dilemma. There are no towels in the washroom, water and sink, but no towels. One air-dries ones hands; or wipes them on your trousers. Well, just outside the washroom is a dispenser on the wall ready to eat your change. I always figured it was a towel dispenser, and being Scotch,, figured I didn't need to pay for a towel when pants I had already paid for worked perfectly well.

Today I saw a man put some change into the dispenser and guess what came out? You guessed it ... TP! Now I know!

That is all the news that is fit to print. I'll tell you about Burma in a few days! Thanks.

The Land of Siam -- Thailand

Sorry this is late ....
I spent over an hour in the internet cafe updating family and creating this post. Just as I was wrapping up, the Iternet connection at the cafe went down. After a few moments of true frustration, I remembered that in my pack was a USB flash drive! Saved by technology. I was able to save the post and return at a later time to finish the posting! So ...


Greetings from Thailand!

A new country for me (spending two nights in the Bangkok airport previously doesn't count). Friday we flew to Bangkok then Chiang Mai, Thailand. At dusk we went to our new orphanage there to see the 62 kids! As is always the case, the language of love, care, security, laughter and smiles needs no translation! They are beautiful and full of energy.

The setting is a bit more rustic than our two Cambodian orphanages, but that will change. Yesterday we met with a contractor and reviewed plans for a dining hall/kitchen/multi-purpose building. He wants to start Monday! Go God. We will see the initial progress while we are yet in Thailand!

Thailand is a beautiful country -- all of what we have seen so far anyway. It is more modern than Cambodia. It has McDonalds and other franchises, more modoern dress (less modest), and more pavement and concrete; not altogether to be considered an advantage. I still like Cambodia, though the hamburger I had last night wasn't too bad!

This trip I have done more administrative/strategy work before the team arrrives on February the seventh. I must say that those meetings have been fun and productive. There is much work that can be done in both countries and God seems to have a part for Asia's Hope to play! This week, we are planning a trip to a village in Myanmar (Burma); another country!

One minor travail has been the mosquitos; this year their popultion seems to be greater. Some of them could carry the lighter among us off to parts unknown! It is a real experience to use a native "facility" -- W.C. as they are referred to here. These are sheds, not really "closets" in which is set on the ground a porcelain container for your use. No running water here; when done, you pan some water out of a resevoir to "flush". I got surprised the other day -- they also do not have TP in them. I still haven't figured out how the natives handle that one! Anyway, it is quite a skill to do what you need to do while shooing away enormous mosquitos all trying to attack you while you are vulnerable! I could say more, but ...

The remainder of the week in Thailand will be organizing the immunizations, meeting with potential partners, and setting up the schedule for the teams trip after their arrival.

I am glad you are along with me. Keep up the prayers and encouragements. I really need and appreciate them!

A Short Posting

Long day, short note. Wednesday, our immigrant friend took me on a day excursion to her home province; a 3 ½ hour ride by road. Actually, thinking back, some of it was on “roads” that we would barely call roads. I wonder who supplies shock absorbers to Cambodia? I should buy some stock!

I had a delightful time meeting friends and family; understood little to none of the communication (fortunately, I did take an interpreter), but it was evident that she is a happy and loved young woman. I took much video footage which will help us in the US to get to know her better and may provide her with valuable “touch-points” for her to review after her arrival.

The day reminded me that love and smiles are a universal language and not dependent upon our heritage or ethnicity.

Stay with me -- we have four more weeks!

More later ...

The Engagement Comes After The Wedding?

Frustration -- typing this in for the third time due to screwy keyboards and glitches. Forgive the typos and grammer, but really, enough is enough!


Boating on the Mekong River --- One of my Cambodian physician friends invited me to a cruise on the Mekong River to toast a fellow colleague and his fiancee -- both physicians -- to celebrate their upcoming marriage. I, too, knew this young man having worked with him at a mission clinic 3 years ago. About 25 people boarded a open boat and celebrated with fruit and soft drinks. It turned out that this was really put together by a visiting medical team, so aside from the groom, bride to be, and their parents, the "toasters" were all white people. I met a kidney doctor, a gi doc, an Army psychiatrist, a cardiologist, a CT surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and some nurses. The team that day had done an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair! They were from Seattle, Colorado, Ohio, Washington DC. It was fun to watch them and to realize that while cultural issues abound, love between a man and a woman, when God is involved, is truly wonderful. What a lovely evening!

(As I have experienced here before, I had a psychic time warp realizing I was on the "Mekong", for 30 years ago, during my "formative years", the word had such a different significance.)

Sunday afternoon, we met with a passionate young man who has a heart for street children; this he does on his time and his dime. We explored ways in which we may work together in the future.

Today, Monday, I met with Maly, a woman immigrating to the US (Wooster) -- we were able to share a little more of what she is looking forward to. She is a reserved woman, but does seem to be anticipating excitedly her journey. I asked two of the Khmer women a part of the discussion what their observations were, and they both agreed that she is excited to be coming.

Maly and her uncle said that they wished, on behalf of her parents, to invite me to go to her home to meet her parents. They will take me there (a three hour drive) on Wednesday. It will be good to get some pictures and video of her family and home to give us a glimpse of who she is and where she came from!

Tonight, Dave and I met with two Colorado docs to get an update on the progress of their vision to build a hospital in a province north of here. They have purchased land and are proceeding!

I thank you for joining me on this journey! We are being productive, are healthy and rested, and enjoying the work and fellowship.

The Wedding Crashers

It is Saturday evening in Phnom Penh. I am tired, but not exhausted, nor discouraged. We (Dave and I) have had a a great time. We are healthy, and so far productive. The weather is fine (sorry -- I just HAD to say that), the compay is good, and the food is fine. (What that they say about "suffering for Christ"? )

Today it was my turn to go to the church to pick up our truck for the days activities. I hired a moto -- a small motorcycle driven by a small, but fearless Cambodian; the taxi of Phnom Penh. Took it to the church (about 3 miles awaay) to drive the tru ck back.

A digression ... Cambodian weddings are kind of like a Block Party; they set up a tent across the street, completely blocking it for traffic. I'm sure it is a lot of fun for the guests, but plays havoc with traffic. No one seems to mind though. This will go on for about two days! Everyone adjusts.

On the way to the church, we turned up a street and saw the Wedding Tent. Vehicle traffic was backing out of the street back into heavy traffic; not too fun (to say nothing about safe) . The hardy moto driver, however, is not imtimidated by a mere tent across the street and on we go. (This, too, seems to be the norm.) Driving up to the tent at a pretty good clip we simply drive on through passing seated and eating guests; everyone smiling. We moto-d past the hor's d'oervres trays sooooo close. If they had not still been moving, or maybe I could identify what they were, I might simply have reached out and grabbed a bite! An amazing culture.

Tomorrow we will worship at a Korean mission church. I have scheduled a meeting with a doctor friend and a young man who runs a ministry to street children. Both should be terrific.

Thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement; they are helpful, appreciated, heard by God, and fun to read!

Ready to come with us next time?

Arrival #7 in Cambodia

Well ... the first entry in a new Cambodia blog. Hmmmmm. I arrived safely Friday the 20th in Phnom Penh. It has been great to see old friends again! What a lovely bunch of people. We arrived at 11 am slightly jet-lagged but excited! I will try to make some calls today.

For those on my email list, I will keep this blog, but cc: all entries directly to you; feel free to share this address with any interested friends!

Here's a story of the flight. We arrived in Los Angeles (LAX) in the evening for a 11:30 pm departure. I checked into the EVA Air desk as we are required to do. The clerk looked at my passport, then my ticket, back to the passport and back to the ticket. I was gettig a little worried here. I should say that my name is on the "watch list"and each time I fly, they have to take extra care that I am not whomever they are looking for.

THEN she picked up the phone and made a call; I was looking for the men in black to strart surrounding me! Getting off the phone she leaned forward and did that "come here" gesture with her index finger. I was cooked, what ever could be wrong? I leaned forward, heart pounding and she whispered, "do you mind if I upgrade you to business class, free"? I was speechless. Does anyone ever refuse that request; she actually said, yes!

So ... I flew Business Class for the 14 hour flight from LAX to Taipei! Awesome.

I'll try to get smaller more frequent offerings to all. Stay tuned, and stay praying! Thanks for all you do!