Day 10

I woke up to the rooster proclaiming the daybreak which was way too early for me! After a breakfast of my favorite meal, French toast, the group ventured to the school that the kids of our village go to. Some rode the van but I decided to see the scenery by walking. A so-called 10 minute walk to the school took us forty-five minutes. I am unsure if we were slow or what! The Friendship school is a Christian school for the community. Today was teacher appreciation day so the group sat in on their program for the teachers. All the kids were dressed nicely and had homemade bouquets for their teachers. It was amazing to see how well the children behaved during the program. They sat quietly with girls on one side of the room and boys on the other. Since the program was entirely in Karen, we decided to leave. The group walked or rode back to the village. The walk was so beautiful. It was hard for me to actually believe where I was. The rolling hills faded off in the distance and some of the tallest hills where topped with fog. It was a beautiful picture. Since it was a special day at school, the children of our village had the afternoon off so well all got to play with them. Andy displayed his hidden talent as a drummer to the awe of the kids. He taught one of the kids how to play. After lunch, some of the girls were making bracelets and I tried to join. I had a lot of problems since it is hard to give or get instructions in a different language! The girls were very patient with me and I did eventually master the art.

A messenger came back from a school a couple villages away and said that they would like us to come to do clinics for the kids. When we got to the school we found that it was a day that they were planting trees. We tried to help them but none of us knew what we were doing. It was a funny sight to see about thirty huge Americans trying to dig holes in the ground with a bunch of kids giggling on the side. The kids where so incredible shy. Bridget had some stickers to give the kids and some of us tried to give them away. The kids would just run away when we came close to them. Some finally understood that we were just trying to give them something. We had to explain what a sticker was to the children. I saw a cute little boy who did not look too happy so I thought that I would try to give him a sticker to cheer him up. I took two steps towards him and he started crying. Not softly mind you. The teachers and the monks of the school just laughed.

The clinics that we gave we not only tiring but a great experience. These were kids that are only a few years younger than all of us but the will never have the things that we have. Education is a privilege for them. Before I came here, I believed that I would be able to teach the children so much but now I believe that it is the opposite. They have taught me so much about the gifts that I have been given and in a way, the responsibility that I have because of my privileges. I also never understood barrier that language is, although it was overcome through smiles and laughter.

To add to this wonderful day was the swim in the lake. After swimming across the lake, I floated in the water and had to pinch myself to realize where I was. To make it even better we came back to a dinner of spaghetti and French fries. The cards came out after dinner to play a wild game of spoons. If anyone would like to know the ruthlessness of the game just ask Cara since she had numerous spoons ripped out of her hands. She can tell you the final outcome. It was a great way to end the day.

I want to say Hi to my family and friends. I love and miss you all. I am tired and it is time to sleep for I know that the rooster will wake me up too early!

God Bless,
Bethany Koehler ’02
Superior, Wisconsin