Just so ya’ll know…
Day 56 – September 1, 2012:
First day of debrief. Phillip and I chilled out all day and had street food
all three meals. However the girls went to mall. We all came back together
as a squad for worship at 7:30. Then we had team time at the market while
we ate. Phillip and I had squid on a stick, octopus neck on a stick and
chicken intestines on a stick. It wasn’t as bad as it might sound, and that
is coming from a guy who doesn’t like eating seafood or organs.
Day 57 – September 2, 2012:
Day 2 of debrief. Free morning again, the girls went to mall. We were
scheduled to have our teams debrief at 2. Good stuff came out and good
conversations. Also, the team received good compliments from Chuck, Selina,
Melina and Joel (the AIM employees that are our coaches and leaders). Then
Phillip, Steph, Angelique, and I did yoga. After yoga we hung out until
worship at 6. The men had a man talk with Chuck after worship and the woman
had a talk with Selina. Then supper time in the market. Tyler and I split a
hot pot!! In this hot pot was chicken, pork, squid, octopus, shrimp, liver
and stomach lining. Also there was mint, ginger, rice noodles, cabbage,
chives, scallions and other greens. FANTASTIC! I finally had a beer abroad,
I had a Leo beer. Good pale ale but I’m allergic. Hung out with Tyler and
Angelique until 11:30 ish when we had to get back to the building for
curfew.
Day 58 – September 3, 2012:
Free day. I caved in and went to the mall with the ladies and bought a pair
of CAT sandles. Finally my life is complete. Also went to see Brave (the
new Disney/Pixar film) at the theatre, and was quite impressed. Also I had
steak and a pork chop. I was not looking forward to the mall, but it was
nicer than American malls and it satisfied so many of my materialistic
desires. I even had a beer while we watched the movie. It was a Singha
lager which was more bitter than I would have expected and not really too
good especially for a lager. We came home for worship at 6 then had supper
in the market.
Day 59 – September 4, 2012:
Free day. Had worship at 9 this morning. After worship angelique and I had
lunch. Then I went to the mall again with the ladies and Brody. We went so
Steph could experience IKEA. It was actually kind of fun to see a ladies
first reactions to IKEA. Steph loved it. Angelique and I each had a hot dog
afterwards since IKEA happens to have the same food court all over the
world apparently. It was a real hot dog too! Then Steph found all the
samples in the food section of IKEA and started hoarding them to the point
where we were being watched. We decided to leave before we were asked to
leave. Then we just farted around the mall until about 8 when we had to
head back. Steph and I bought salads and chocolate chips at the most random
store in the mall. The groceries we next to the lawn care items which was
next to the office supplies. But since we had salad and chocolate chips in
our bags, our supper was fantastic.
Day 60 – September 5, 2012:
Travel day. We had a cultural debrief in the morning at 10 with a member of
YWAM. Then lunch with the whole squad at a restaurant close by. Steph and I
went to get bubble tea which is always a good idea. We all started packing
shortly after since we had to leave for the bus station at 4:30. Went to
the bus station and had KFC popcorn chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy.
Pretty much made my day, only until I saw our double decker bus. Boarded
our bus about 6:15 and left the station about 6:45. 12 1/2 hours from then
we arrived in “Chaing Mai.”
Day 61 – September 6, 2012:
First day at orphanage. Arrived at the bus station about 7:15 in the
morning and our ride was waiting with the truck to take our packs to the
orphanage and a van was on its way to pick us up. We learned that we are
actually about 2 1/2 hours from the city of Chang Mai. So much for
expectations!
As He leads me,
Jason
