Thailand 2009

Note:  The photo at the top of this blog is Naam Top Mork Fa — Mork Fa Waterfall.

We just returned from Mork Fa Waterfall.  We camped out together there last year, and we all wanted to return.  By “we,” I mean the Ban San Rak children’s home kids, house parents, social workers, and Church friends.  There were 30 of us in all.  We spent the weekend frolicking with each other and with God.

Naam Top Mork Fa is gorgeous.  Water cascades over 100 feet in three falls over a sheer cliff face that is composed of different colors of granite.  Continue Reading »

Our campout with the children delayed this promised article on … Potties!  Enjoy!

No matter what part of the world I travel, when I tell people about my experiences, they want to know three things:  Where did you sleep?  (In a bed in a house.)  What did you eat?  (Whatever I wanted or whatever was served to me.)  Where did you go to the bathroom? (Now, that’s a much more complicated question.)  Among adults, only my closest friends will actually ask the last question.  But let’s remember … I work with teenagers … and they will ask anything!  So, this one is for my students … and anyone else who just can’t bring themselves to ask! Continue Reading »

Being a farang in Thailand has many meanings. Farang means “foreignor.” It also means guava. There is some disagreement about where the word came from. The French were here — maybe it is an adaptation of a word for them or a French word. Much of Thai language migrated with settlers from China or the Middle East. Farang resembles words in several languages. Being called a farang isn’t a bad thing — it is simply a statement of fact. For some Thais, it could mean taking advantage of getting a good price for goods because farangs always seem to have money to spend. For others, it is a signal to be hospitable and helpful. Continue Reading »

For those of you who despise cats … read on.  You may gain a new outlook on cats.

The Dunham’s cat is here.  She is a lot like my cat, Prissy, except that Prissy has a long tail and this cat has a short, odd tail (many cats here have this sort of tail).  Every morning while I am doing Bible study, I hear “Miss Cat” (for lack of a better name) calling me.  I feed her.  When she has eaten, she returns to the door and calls me again.  She wants me to pet her for awhile, so I do. Continue Reading »

I’ve been a teacher for quite a few years now.  I’ve been in education in for more than 20 years, and I’ve worked with children for close to 30 years.  That being said, one fact never ceases to amaze me:  Good teachers teach!  They do it all the time.  They do it everywhere, in any circumstances, with any amount of equipment.  Continue Reading »

House of the women … that’s what we have here.  Six women and teens living in one house.  Yes, it is as crazy as it sounds. After the Dunhams left, the house was ours, and we took full advantage.  We cooked together the first night.  Everyone settled into their rooms, and it was relatively quiet.  It was only a matter of days before everyone went crazy.  I’m getting used to living with teenagers again, but I never had this many to begin with! Continue Reading »

I drove!  I actually drove!  And it wasn’t as harrowing as I had thought, especially with three teenagers yelling, “Stay Left!!!” or “Tham Dai (you can do it)!” or “You’re in Thailand!” the whole time.  Here are some quick observations about driving here: Continue Reading »

I have entered a magical land like none I have ever know.  This is a place where meals appear and laundry disappears.  Hot, fresh loaves of bread, packed with cinnamon and raisins, await the weary traveller.  Clean linens on every bed and ne’er a dust bunny in site.  This, my friends, is the Amazing  Land of Pim. Continue Reading »

We do a lot of walking around here.  I have gotten to know some of the streets pretty well.  I walk to school about every morning.  I take a soi (alleyway) to the “canal road,” where I wait precariously for a light in the right direction and lunge across the 6 lanes of traffic.  Then, I walk on the side of the road, sharing it with motorcycles and any vehicle that wants it.  I’ve had some close calls, but no tragedy yet. Continue Reading »

I’m not sure I can explain this to you, but I LOVE KIDS!  I always have — even when I was a kid myself.  It’s not something that everyone can claim.  Sometimes kids just drive you crazy, but I love them anyway.  I guess you could say that I’ve never met a kid I didn’t like.  Continue Reading »