Souper Pasta Day!

It’s Sunday and Souper Pasta Day! Since today wasn’t a workday, we had an extra hour to sleep in, eat ramen noodles and rejuvenate from our hard (half) week of work. We started our day off with Sunday service, all looking our Sunday best. We were blessed to have Mariah and Michele share their testimonies with the students, as well as a great sermon from Pastor Dennis. Auntie Ghan and Uncle Luka helped to translate for the congregation. The students also shared songs with us during the service. We all really like the “alleluia” song and the motions that go with it. 

After service and a rice noodle soup lunch, some of us ate shaved ice (approved by Uncle Luka) that is made on the compound frequently. They were beyond refreshing on such a hot day. We are making shaved ice part of our daily meals from now on.

We also visited the Ahka tribe village, where Uncle Luka grew up and where the medical team serves, to deliver care packages. The care packages included ramen, sardines, toothpaste and soap for the families. The families were so grateful – some of the children started eating the ramen right away! At the village, we truly got to see and understand how the people of the Ahka tribe survive and live. We were privileged to understand the different structures of the traditional Ahka houses and the modern houses. The people began to discontinue building  their houses with grass because the government and military wanted to scare the Akha tribe from moving back to Burma. 

At one of the houses, we met a man who builds bird catchers. Some people wanted the toy - most of them were the chaperones. Although, Pastor Dennis continues to claim it is NOT a toy. At the end of our visit, Uncle Andy said he has not been able to experience this on a medical mission. I guess Uncle Luka likes us better - maybe next time, medical mission team. 

Today was also Wee’s, Uncle Luka and Auntie Ghan’s third youngest, 10^th birthday! We were all lucky enough to get invited to her birthday party. The meal of Wee’s choice was spaghetti, garlic bread, coconut ice cream and brownies. There was great entertainment by all of the four daughters – it was nice to see them all together, and we were happy to spend time with the whole family.

Well, we are all noodled out, so that is all for now (please don’t send noodles J ).

 Lindsey, Team Thailand