Today was a very eye opening day for Diane, Julia, and myself as we did HIV home visits with the hospital’s social worker. Before heading to the homes we stopped at the market to buy apples and sardines for the families to eat. I feel that out of the homes we visited the first was the most heart wrenching. I would not even consider the first home a home but a shack. It was a bamboo plank raised off the ground with different plastic pieces of trash connected as a roof. One family’s 6×6 area was connected to the next family’s area. We arrived to a mother who was 25 and has AID. At home with her was her 10 year old son who does not have HIV, her 17 month old daughter who has HIV, and her 7 month old daughter who has HIV. The father was at work making $2.50 per day. As I looked around at their “house” I was blown away. I just could not believe that a family of five could live in such a small rundown space. We have tool sheds in America that are more stable than their home. I was also astonished to learn that they pay $25 a month to rent it! Words and pictures do not even begin to describe how sad their situation is. The social worker began to explain to us that the mother also has TB. She is on the hospitals DOTS program which means she must come to the outpatient clinic everyday for someone to directly observe her take her TB medication. However, she does not regularly make it to the clinic so her children have now all acquired TB as well. Also, the 10 year old boy had to stop going to school because it cost $10 a month and they could not afford for him to continue to attend. This made all three of us very sad because we knew without and education he has barely any opportunity to better his future living conditions. Our other visits were much like the first and we left feeling emotionally drained and wishing we could do more than give apples and sardines.

On a different note I know that our trip to the village is coming close and we are all very excited. We know that God has something very special to show us because there have been so many doors opened for us. However, there are still a few things we are not sure about and I would like to ask everyone to please pray for everything to fall into place the way God has planned and help us to trust in him.

We miss everyone at home and want you to know that your comments brighten our days and greatly encourage us and your continual prayers are needed.
Matthew 17:20 “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”

Today our journey of Chaing Mai continued. We were off to and early start at 8:30 am with a full day ahead. Our first stop was at the orchid garden and butterfly farm, both of which were breathtaking.

(Click images to view larger size) We then moved on to the adventures with the elephants. This to say the least was amazing. We were all in awe of these incredible creatures that are not seen in Tennessee unless you visit the zoo. When we arrived the elephants were bathing and the river and began to playfully spray the crowd with water. We all received muddy elephant kisses and then watched the elephant show. The show consisted of elephants dancing, painting, and playing soccer. It was quite amazing and funny.

We then took an ox and wooden cart ride to a village were we then rode the elephants to our destination of lunch. We all loved riding on the elephants for we knew this is a once in a lifetime adventure. After enjoying another wonderful Thai meal we went on a thirty minute bamboo raft river ride. This was quite relaxing and a wonderful way to see the beauty of Chiang Mai. We each had a turn at steering the raft though I think Anson and Susan were by far the best. We left the river and headed to the Long Neck Village.
The Long Neck’s get their name from the women who wear medal rings around their necks, which lengthen their necks. They originally had theses ring put on because it was believed that the women were weaker than the men and would be unable to fend off a tiger attacking them. Therefore, the rings would protect their necks from tiger bites. However, they are worn today for decoration. Beginning at age five a ring or so is placed on the neck until age twenty. We learned about these people and and watched as they made beautiful and woven scarves.
Our time here in Chiang Mai hasflown by and we have enjoyed every moment of it. I sent in some pictures today so I hope they went thru okay and make it up. We are headed to Cambodia in the morning and we will keep everyone posted on the rest of our journey. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.