Winning Story, Easter, Jo

The Winning Story is............ drum role........THE LONG NECKS!!!! And the crowd goes wild!!!

(Clears throat)

One of my first adventures in Thailand was a trip to the make shift village of five tribes. Here tourists may peak into the lives of the humble and content. The Karen Long Neck tribe was one of these tribes, clearly spotted by the brass rings about their necks. At the beginning of the trail, they allow you to hold an sample and feel the weight of these rings. I was amazed how heavy they were and impressed at the people's amazing posture! I now have no excuse. Anywho. The story goes that years ago, the people of the tribe wore these rings to protect their throats from the jaws of mountain predators. Although this is no longer a threat, the rings have been embedded within the culture, especially for the women. I saw the rings around their necks and below their knees. Under the rings for the necks is a cloth to help with how uncomfortable they can be against the skin. Here are some pictures of the other tribal types there. Their "job" is to live there and make tourist items. They send the money back home to their families in the mountains. I would think that to be a lonely life, but evidence of sacrificial love.

       

Bringing Easter to Thailand

As a Buddhist-majority nation, Easter (or properly "Resurrection Day" as my Mother has always taught me ;]) is not a celebrated holiday. Peeps are not peeping and plastic eggs are not losing their other halves here. Try as we might, there were no plastic eggs or perfectly packaged mini candies to place inside multi-colored eggs. So, Jo and I improvised. With the help of Pat and our 50 chickens, we made our own version of an egg hunt. After boiling 40 some-odd eggs, everyone painted two eggs and hid each others eggs. Object of the hunt: find YOUR eggs. I was the brilliant one who painted her eggs green. I had to ask for hints (maybe specific directions) for both of my eggs. I had no idea how crafty these kids were having never experienced an egg hunt before. Next time, I'm making more specific boundaries. Special prizes were given to the first four to find both of their eggs. And of course, for lost ones such as myself, general prizes were given as well :). After everyone found their eggs, as well as the specially hidden "demo" egg that I had painted, Jo and I washed the eggs and made deviled eggs (which translated as "Satan's eggs"... wonderful.) We all had a great time celebrating Jesus' Resurrection!

 

Prayer for Jo

Though she may not know it, she has brought joy and light into my dark days and reminded me why I should smile. Her heart is pure and seeks only to love others and serve others. Not only is she active at River of Life, but she volunteers at a local school called Media Light, which teaches young leaders to reach the lost through media. Along with her awesome volley ball skills, she has taught the kids how to better their skills in base, acoustic, and drums. I have only known her for a short while, and already I feel my heart knit to hers as Jonathan's to David's. It is because of this that I cry with her as well. Jo's mother has been ill for quite some time, having pain in her lower abdominal area to the point of being unable to walk. Last night, her mom was rushed to the hospital due to inability to breathe as well as an extremely high fever. While Jo was on her first available flight back to the Philippines, her mother passed away. Jo had shared with me one day the pain she went through losing her father over a decade ago, and I simply cannot imagine facing this world orphaned. Her father will not walk her down the aisle, and her mother will not be there to coo at her newborn grandchildren. Please pray for Jo. Pray for peace, but also comfort in being broken in God's hands. Pray for the family to grow closer together in the time of mourning. Pray that God will protect her heart from attacks against Satan while she is feeling weak. I love her, and I know that God loves her more. I do not understand His will, but I trust Him and remember His promise to work all things for our good. 

Thank you again for reading. I apologize for ending on a sad note, but joy comes with the morning. 

Until next time.