Who knows what you are actually reading - I get to the computer whenever I can wrestle a chair (tonight only took me 3 trips and 14 mosquito bites to get on line!) then the internet eats half of what I send!
Today was graduation - and oh the tears - yes the Americans are crying with joy at the end of camp food while the students have FINALLY decided to start speaking English and enjoying their classes - they are sobbing over leaving their teachers. We have been flooded with gifts- our suitcases might not hold them all. The poorest boy in Mary Elizabeth & Donnamarie's class offered them stack of money today - probably his ice cream money for all of camp. They had a knock-down drag-out battle with him but fianlly took half the money he offered as a gift. We have university students driving an hour one way over an impossible road to buy our nightly snacks - and they flooded us with gifts as well. There are no bigger hearts nor sweeter people in the world.
The big burly PE teacher knocked on my door today and gave me a necklace - and he doesn't speak one word of English. So sweet. The food is knocking us out one by one - Mike, Sally, John, and Steven are down today. it seems to last a day or so and then we are back on our feet. I think I have the equation... exhaustion + heat + peppers + 500 children a day + wind-y village roads + 2 weeks away from home + constant translating + little food = weird asian sickness. We are headed to the big city tomorrow so there is a great hospital there - as well as a McDonalds :-) Don't worry - everything is minor and we can call home soon. Continue to ask for safe travel - you would NOT believe some of the trips we have taken! All of the big-wigs came to graduation today and are THRILLED with our camp - they want us all to come back next year. I didn't mention that to those with their heads in the toilet...
We had a special time today looking out over the mountains and asking that the seeds left behind be watered and harvested and that the HS take up residence in this place. Several helpers had many questions and some great relationships were formed. We know we have made an impact and that is great. I think I need to hand over my computer now so I will write more tomorrow. Oh, one more thing. On the outskirts of our camp is a small village- I am talking "killing fields" rice paddy water buffalo village - there is a dump right outside our large hotel where the residents of the village forage for food. Talk about humbled - here we are complaining about the food and buying noodles at the store while this little granny and a small girl about 8 years old pick through the trash with the wild dogs looking for food. Wow. Hard to process all of these things but we are better people for seeing them. Paul & Gay & Kim & Rosalee head to another camp tomorrow- we can't imagine!! We have several days of R & R - though truly not much of either but a change anyway. We will be home soon - everyone is doing GREAT but ready to come home! We will see you shortly - don't forget us! Hugs, Cindy