Songkran

It's come to that time the year when Thailand celebrates Songkran. Before you guess what it is I'll just tell you it's not a song festival. As you may have understood from the pictures above, Songkran is a water festival. It also marks the beginning of a new year. It is also a time when the elders are honored. When I think of water and new I can't help but think of the cleasning and refreshing effect of water on creation. During the dry season everything looks dead; and in deed, many things die during that time. But when when the rains come, they bring the the power of recreation. As the country of Thailand faces political strife, I hope that the waters and celebrations of Songkran can refresh the hearts of the Thai people and give them a good and brand new beginning into the new year.

Espy

ADRA Vietnam Community Service Program

Packages ready for distribution

Thu (ADRA Staff) and I with a group of beneficiaries of the Tet Community Service Project

Thu handing out packages

Me at one of the homes that benefitted from the project

"love isn't love, 'till you give it away..." __ Micheal W. Smith

Vietnam

I went to Vietnam in December 2005 after spending 4 months in the Philippines and a week in Singapore. The four months in the Philippines were good and meaningful as they turned out to be a defining time in my life. After creating some good friendships and finding a community in which I fit in well, it was time to move again. This time with a slightly different purpose. I headed to Vietnam to work with ADRA Vietnam as their Public Relations/Programs Support person. Yeah, I know it's a big title, but basically what it meant was that I was in charge of designing and producing PR material, helping with the programs whenever I could, and doing anything that no one else in the office had time to do. My time there was meaningful and productive. I got to learn a lot about the Vietnamese culture and people. Coming in contact with the simple but hardworking people of Vietnam has taught me fight and work harder for myself and for others to have a better life. I especially admire the Vietnamese women who restlessly work in spite of their meager incomes to help and support their homes. My time in Vietnam has also taught me to appreciate and to be content with what I have been blessed with and to use my material possessions and relationships to help others have a better life.

Espy

The rose will bloom...and then will die...

Mi brothero and his special someone

Heal the world...

The three amigos

Welcome to amazing Thailand!

Velvet

Lunch break (Vicky and Myrna can finally smile)

Mi brothero

The "gang" at the vinyard

Myrna (my favorite lab teacher) in her "hungry mood"

Crissy and Myrna "thinking about lunch"

Vicky on her never-ending quest for raw mangoes

My buddy Sara and I in my "office"

Buddah smiling to his faithful subjects

The "gang" on the motorcycle trip

My friend Sendy and I tapping in to wireless. Getting online has been made "easy" now with ready wireless access on the "faculty lane" of MC. So I set up my little outdoor "office there"!

Playin' it by ear

Today was a really interesting day. It started out with a phone call. I called Myrna and asked what she was up to. Well, basically we decided to do something...not sure what. We jdecided to play it by ear. So Vicky, Myrna, Crissy, Tresor, and I went out on two motorcycles (more like scooters if you ask me). Anyway, we ended up driving up and down the winding roads of Muak Lek and the surrounding. We met all sorts of interesting people and saw beautiful scenery. All through the ride I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of God's work and the creative ability that he has endowed mankind with. Next time you take a ride through nature or see the creative works of others, think about the maker and remember that nothing happened by accident.

Welcome to my journal

Welcome to my blog!

Alright. Here I am again trying to setup a blog and this time I hope I can maintain it and not forget the password to it. Thank you Sendy for giving me the motivation to start a blog. As I think about what to include on this website, I've decided to just put everything about my life (well, maybe not every thing) but all the current events so that you can all keep up with the never-ending changes that have been going on this past year or so. You'll also get to see lots of pictures (as long as I can find a connection that allows me to upload them fast enough. I have an issue with patience). The pictures will be about my personal life and my work with ADRA. I hope that your visit here will be meaningful and that you will have a slightly better understanding of the different cultures I've lived in. I also hope that if you're not already adventurous, you will get motivated to get out of your comfort zone and do something unusual to make a difference in the lives of others and to simply grow as a person. Once again, welcome to my online journal - the adventures of my life.

Espy