I filmed a lot of our time in Myanmar because I didn’t want to forget how sweet our time was and how fun our classes were. I’m not quite done with that video but I need to post a blog every week #covenant so I remembered I had a list of every weird thing that was said to us in Myanmar. The culture is very blunt and they say whatever is on their mind. The questions may seem offensive but the funniest part is they aren’t rhetorical, they genuinely want an answer. So here is a list of some of my favorites:
- where are you going? —This was said every time we left the hostel by the owner. At first we thought she had caught us and wanted to expose us for doing ministry on a tourist visa, but we soon learned she actually just wanted to know and even offered us rides.
- where did you go? — again upon entering the hostel we got asked this every day as if we hadn’t told her a couple hours earlier where we had gone.
- why are you so fat? — one of our personal favorites. If you aren’t 4’9” and 108 ibs. you will probably get asked this in Asain countries. Tylynn still holds my favorite response to this question: “because I love fried chicken!
- Where is your jacket? Aren’t you cold?—- I swear this was said to us in 80 degree weather and its even worse to admit that yeah sometimes I was a bit chilly
- would you like to weigh yourself?— weight was a common topic we learned quickly how to brush it off.
- Do you have to get completely naked when you pee? — Jumpers are a confusing article of clothing. A genuine question but maybe not appropriate to ask in front of the entire Sunday school.
- Why is your face so red? — this was in reference to pimples, but we just started telling them they were bug bites otherwise we would’ve received a lesson on how to wash our face.
- Is that a goldfish? — This was in reference to the bird tattoo I have and Im still taking it personally.
- Are you tired because weight loss?— we haven’t quite figured this one out yet but maybe just don’t yawn in class or it will get blamed on your weight
- You sleep so much so your body gets bigger and bigger — Or maybe you shouldn’t get too much sleep because this is a fear of theirs as well
- Do you know James bay? You look like him — I got compared to Kristen Stuart one day and James Bay the next. Myanmar truly knows how to humble you.
Life Update: This last week we entered back into Thailand. Another team and mine are staying right outside the city of Chiang Mai in our hosts’ guest home. This month we are partnering with Agape home/Nikkis Place. Our host, Avis started this orphanage around 20 years ago for kids with HIV. She now has a beautiful plot of land with 6 houses and other big community centers filled with nurseries, play areas, and classrooms. They fluctuate having around 100 kids at all times and have 1 nanny per 2 kids. The nannies also have HIV which helps the kids as they grow up and have questions about their illness and fitting in. From 9-3 everyday we actually make jump ropes which get sent to samaritans purse and the proceeds go to the kids and the orphanage. The kids usually help out making the jump ropes to earn some extra money but they are in school right now so we are stepping up. They have an order of 15,000 jump ropes that are made from scratch so we are very busy assembly line workers. After 3 we get to hangout with the kids. So far we have spent time with the toddlers and the infants. We get to run around with them during their free time and help out with feeding. On Monday we are going to start teaching the toddlers how to swim in the pool!
