Full-on sprint in Thailand

I’ve been in Thailand for about five days, and this is my first opportunity to blog. All of my computer time has been split between messages with my co-workers and my family (in that order of frequency) , photo editing and updating various personal and work social media accounts.

I’ve been running full-tilt about 15 hours a day hosting a team from Chet’s Creek Church in Jacksonville,  Florida and the Perkins Family from Columbus. Today is going to be another busy one — water park with the kids, city tour and and night bazaar. It’s 7:30am, and I’m certain I’m not going to rest until my head hits the pillow after 10pm. This is not a sustainable pace, but next week offers a few opportunities to relax after both teams depart.

As much as I’d love to regale you with stories, I’m going to have to settle for posting a few photos. My bodyguard and tour photography (mostly joking about the former, not joking much at all about the latter) Dylan Menges has taken a ton of pics that I don’t yet have access to; we’re both behind on our edits.

Tea at the house of this dear brother in a Lahu tribal village. 

Daniel and Pream-Pream, son and grandson of Thailand director Tutu Abourmad. 

These ubiquitous condiments are essential to Thai food. 

Some of the sweetest boys in the world. The one on the left is especially fond of my wife Kori and was disappointed that she couldn’t join me this time around. 

Pelajoh grew up at Asia’s Hope. When he was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, his Asia’s Hope family committed to a lifetime of care. 

Stunned by a sledge to the noggin and finished off with a stab to the heart, this pig had a pretty good life until his final moments. I’m thankful for his delicious albeit unwilling sacrifice.  

Pig guts. This is a snout-to-spout kind of operation: nothing is wasted. 

Like I said, nothing is wasted.

The team from Chet’s Creek brought lots of fun things for the kids. 

This little guy knows what to do with these bamboo tea cups. 

Smart girls are best!

Delicious cold salad with pork so fresh it still had the oink in it. 

Marigold (foreground) and Jamie (background) Perkins. 

Ransom Perkins gets his first taste of Khao Soi. Mine = Blone. 

Geoff and Kay are enjoying their time in Thailand. 

The Chet’s Creek team encourages our returning university students. 

This week we celebrated high school and university graduations. 

For a man of his age, Dylan is remarkably well preserved. 

Khao Soi at Auntie Cat’s. Probably the best single dish on the planet. 

These guys broke down this pig from kill to cook in 45 minutes. 

Ham. And cheese. 

Sunburned white kids learn the healing power of real aloe. 

It’s really nice to watch the Asia’s Hope kids welcome new friends. No snark, no posturing, no exclusion. If we in America were this kind, our country would be in a much better place.