final health fair

The temperature hit 100 today.  But the health fair attendance didn’t.  

Once again, an unforeseen circumstance affected our attendance.  There was a funeral in the town so many of the families attended.  Instead of 100 or more, we had 50.  But they were a lively group.

I (Steve) have been wearing jeans all week.  Hans had an extra pair of scrubs that he lent me.  Much cooler!  I mean, they looked cool and they kept me cool, too.

We met in a school so the kids were in uniforms.  This meant that the school kitchen was used to prepare lunch.  After lunch, Becca helped with the dishes.  At the end of the day there was a big water fight.  Songkran is coming soon, so it seemed that they were practicing for the festivities.  Or they just wanted to cool down on a really hot day.

This was the final health fair, so afterward we met with the church leaders at a home where they meet for worship.   We learned that whenever they gather for worship there is always singing and dancing.  And it’s traditional Isaan music and dance.  Everyone is expected to join in!

Malvin and Steve received gifts from the church leaders.  We then got to bless them and then pray with them over a piece of land that they hope to purchase and use as both a community center and a place of worship.

We had dinner in an open air market and then finished the day with communion and a string tying ceremony.  As the group has spent this time working together, we’ve all grown closer to each other.  There were lots of tears and hugs, both within our team and with our interpreters. 

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for us.  We've still got lots to process so that we can cooperate with what God is doing in us.  There will be many insights and changes in us that we can't appreciate now but that will become clear to us later.

And please continue to pray for our health.  Becca got 4 big bug bites on her thigh today.  Several of us ate some berries that were offered to us at the church leader's home and then KK had an allergic reaction that made her lower lip swell.  Both Becca and KK have gone to sleep with Benedryl.  And Steve's back is still not healthy, but has thankfully not been affecting his movement very much.

Have a blessed Maundy Thursday!