For the past week I have been staying in the jungle helping with an ethnic relief team training camp. I hope these pictures give even a small glimpse into this country I love and its amazing people.
(View from our camp: Photo by Riley Jensen)
(by Riley Jensen)
Simulating an attack on a village by the Burma Army. The Rangers in training will be tested in how they respond and help villagers get to safety. (The whole training is to teach ethnic volunteers skills to do relief missions in their own country)
Villagers helping with the simulation. (by Riley Jensen)
A Ranger at one of the stations during the final test. They have to use their GPS and land navigation skills to find all of the stations.
I stayed mainly at the GLC (Good Life Club) station during the final review. The Rangers took a written test, did a short health lesson for kids, sang songs, and made bracelets that explain the process of going from a life of sin to salvation through Jesus. Some teams took up to 48 hours to finish all of their tests. We were up in the mountains so it was cold, rainy, and the Rangers weren’t allowed to sleep or eat until they were done. Training for real life situations that happen out here!
Making harnessing out of rope for the rappelling test.
I might as well try it too…Me trying the “Australian Method” where you rappell facing forwards. The more horizontal you are, the better.
Me trying out the rope bridge test. There is also a swimming test.
Me and a few volunteers during what turned out to be a 6 hour hike.
Jungle! (by Riley Jensen)
Finally at the top 🙂 (by Riley Jensen)
My new favorite dog Rambo 🙂 I wish I could keep him. He made everyone feel like they were his favorite. That’s ok I know who his REAL favorite was 😉
My little casa I shared with 3 other girls.
2 wonderful volunteers (and completely hardcore , might I add)
GRADUATION!!! After a grueling final test, they did it 🙂
When I saw her in Chiang Mai I told her I would come to the training to see her…it almost didn’t work out, but I was determined to keep my promise and go see her!! I adore her.
Of course I found the baby 🙂 Such a little munchkin.
The neighbors have a pet bear. Now I can check off “hand feed a bear” frommy bucket list 😉 He was so funny! He looks a little crazy here…don’t worry…docile as ever.
When we said goodbye, a bunch of the new Rangers came to see us off. We all got down and did push-ups while singing a farewell song (in their ethnic language). Not surprisingly- they decided to sing the extended version 😉 More push ups all the way around!
Until the next time the jungle beckons..
