Two Hearts United

About this time last week, a few of my fellow teachers and I were hurrying around trying to finish up last minute details... You see, there was to be a wedding early the next morning. 

It was the wedding of two volunteer teachers here at the school. They decided to have their wedding here so the students would be able to attend and since they will continue their ministry here together. It was a first for this school to have a wedding here.

It was a busy time - decorating the archway and aisle with bamboo, ribbon, bows, palm branches & flowers, taping letters to the purple curtain, blowing up balloons, ironing tablecloths & dresses, practicing music, typing out the wedding program and other such wedding preparations. 

The wedding morning was brought in with Hannah Steck's (the wedding coordinator :-) cheery voice, "Ladies, we probably better get over to the wedding site to finish things up."

"Ok," Haley and I drowsily responded from underneath our mosquito net. It was 4:45 am. We had to start early because the wedding was to start at 8:00. (Karen weddings are usually in the morning.)

In the darkness we did the finishing touches to our work the evening before. We arranged the fresh flowers on the green arch & the swinging bench to add bursts of purple, pink & white. 

The time passed quickly and before we knew it--it was time for the wedding to begin. 

At the beginning of the ceremony, the student choir sang as they brought the wedding party across the open field to where the wedding ceremony would take place. The students crowded around taking as many pictures and videos as they could of this special event. 

The wedding was short and sweet. After the pronouncement of the new couple and the recessional, everyone was invited to enjoy the good food that was prepared. 

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy...

Jonalyn (a Filipino) & Erick (an American) 

The guestbook table

The front - Karen style

Decorated bamboo sections lining the aisle

The archway with palm branches & flowers

Pictures after the wedding

The wedding party 

 The couple with Erick's parents

 It's very interesting that the groomsman and bridesmaid wear 

exactly the same clothes that the bride & groom wear in Karen weddings. 

 The little people - they did a very good job. :)

 The four decorators with the new couple

We pray that the Lord will richly bless your new marriage & ministry, Erick & Jonalyn. 

My Mission Partner

I remember the first time Raquel and I showed up on campus. We were both newbies, just getting used to all the new and strange things. Now we feel much more at home here.

But today, this girl, my mission partner, is leaving to fly back across the ocean to our homeland. (I will be staying here for a few more months.) I think it's safe to say that she is not excited to leave this place - this special place where 300+ precious students come to learn.

I know we've both grown in many ways over the last few months. We've been through a lot together and I'm going to miss so much about her.

Here's just a few of the highlights:

• Deep conversations under our mosquito net at night - She really got me thinking sometimes.  
• Our plans for having short prayers in the evening didn't happen - I won't exactly term them short, sometimes they got pretty long... but that was ok. 
• Taking a cold bath together in our sarongs - If you were nearby, you'd probably hear a few shrieks and outbursts...
• Getting covered in sweat and dirt and then getting drenched with rain on our intense hike up the jungle mountain... and yet enjoying every minute of it. 
• Laughing at each other's jokes - sometimes actually rolling on the floor laughing (You know what I'm talking about, Raquel ;)
• Comparing teaching experiences and funny classroom moments with each other 
• Seeing her carefree curls bounce up and down as she hurries across campus to her next class
• Getting into funny, embarrassing situations together - like when we snuck up on a sleeping visitor with one of the girls and then ran away (very rapidly to say the least) when he started to stir. 
• Oh yeah, the amazing back massages she'd give me sometimes after a long day 
• And so much more...

I'm grateful that this girl was willing to come on this adventure with me - all the way across the ocean to be teachers together in this foreign land. We've made so many memories that have bonded us together. I look forward to making more fun memories with her in the future.

Thank you, Raquel, for being my mission partner and letting God use you to touch the young lives at Sunshine Orchards! I know the students will miss you too!

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26

Weekend Adventures

This last weekend the Steck family, Raquel, Hailey & I went on an adventure to see some new places in Thailand. I'll take you on a little photo journey through our weekend. 

 One of the many beautiful views during our car ride

 The old station wagon - almost ready to leave. 

We spent the night in a hotel in Mae Sariang (about 2.5 hrs from the school).  It was so nice to have warm showers and real beds to sleep on there. 

On Sabbath morning we enjoyed a special breakfast while we watched Ouachita Hills Friday night vespers live. Raquel's sister gave an encouraging message for her senior speech. It was so nice to see all of my family members come up on the screen during the program. We were so thankful to have a faster internet connection to be able to watch it.  

 Here's the five of us girls - Hannah, Sharon, Raquel, me, and Hailey - by a painting at the hotel. 

They're a fun bunch to hang out with. :)

After we packed up we headed up to the highest mountain in Thailand. The road was steep, curvy, and bumpy, but the views on the way up were beautiful. Once we arrived at the top, we weren't able to see very much because of the clouds, but we enjoyed our time nonetheless. 

Hannah Marie & Hannah Joy :)

We had to pull out our jackets because it was chilly due to the higher elevation. 

 We had many photographers on our trip. 

We ate our lunch at the top of the mountain. The school's cook had sent some special curries (fake meat curries with garlic, tomatoes and onions) along with us for our picnic.

Notice the sign (7 - Living Together). 

We thought it was an appropriate place to get our extended Steck family picture. 

We enjoyed a hike through the jungle after lunch. 

Here's another pic of our adopted family 

That was a big tree!

 Enjoying the view arm in arm

The front view - with a random Thai guy

A pagoda at the top of the mountain - made in honor of the King of Thailand. 

We enjoyed the view and tried to stay warm while Mr. Steck read to us from an inspiring book called "One Miracle After Another." We almost read the entire book during our weekend trip. I've read it before, but it's definitely worth re-reading. We serve a powerful God! 

(If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so.)

We then drove over an hour to a campsite near the gorge. 

Our little campsite the next morning - I enjoyed sleeping in my hammock. :) 

We had our breakfast by the rushing river. 

The Sunday morning breakfast that chef Hannah (Hannah Steck that is) had prepared -
Spaghetti, homemade spaghetti sauce, papaya, pineapple, bread & more. 

We then walked to the nearby gorge and hiked a trail that had another nice view at the top. 

Walking across that bridge at the top of the gorge was exciting. :)  

 Next we drove back to Mae Sariang and down a long, pot-holed, bumpy road to the Salawin River. 

We took a boat ride just before dusk - the temperature was perfect. 

I looked a little dusty from our drive out there. 

 The other passengers on our boat ride. 

We had a wonderful time. I will always treasure these memories with friends. 

We made it safely back to the school at a late hour on Sunday night and thankfully we were all in one piece. Praise the Lord for His protection over the many miles we traveled!

Our Recent Escapades

Here are a few random pictures from our recent escapades.

A few Sabbaths ago we enjoyed visiting some beautiful waterfalls near the school. 
The next day a group of us went on a strenuous 1-hour-long hike up to a pagoda at the top of a mountain. I think it was the steepest trail I've been on - the Karen boys we went with led us straight up the side of the mountain. It was very enjoyable even though we were covered in sweat, mud, and rain water by the end. Needless to say, we slept very well that night. (To read more about our adventures you can read Raquel's blog - raquelariel.blogspot.com)

The spectacular view after our very strenuous hike up to a pagoda. It was worth the effort.

Me watching the girls slide down the rushing water slide

The kids love to have their picture taken.

K' Nyaw Paw enjoyed splashing us in this picture.

More posing girls

 

Here's two of my sweet eighth grader girls

 

Some of the girls and I went right underneath the base of the second waterfall we went to. 

It was amazing to watch the water cascading over the edge from below. The water coming down on us felt almost like a powerful massage. 

My mission partner and I in the mist of the waterfall 

The four happy water fighters. 

 Teachers can have fun too! :)

 

This was very refreshing!

 

Priceless expression 

Wet & dry at the same time

Another view at the top of the mountain

I loved the many different shades of green. 

I'm thankful for these girls!