Home

Well, I'm home. The flight was uneventful which is good. I acually managed to stay in my seat for the entire flight from Narita (Tokyo) to Vancouver. The last 2 hours were difficult but I thought "well I've been seated this long, I can last to the end". I don't think I will try that again.

It was neat to come home, but I think I'd rather be in Thailand. When I'm over there, I can lead a simple life. Over here, I've got so much stuff, and I use it when I'm here but when I'm away I find I don't really need it.

There are so many things I'm going to miss about Thailand. I think the biggest thing is the people. They are so friendly and gentle. If you try to speak Thai to them, they appreciate that you are trying. They are very polite and courtious and forgiving. They rarely get mad, and they don't leave me with the impression that they are just trying to suppress their rage. Nor do I get the impression that their courtesy is only because they have to (which is more than I can say for a lot of North American courtesy). And the girls are so sweet, and they're so cute when they say "kah" (those who have been to Thailand probably know what I'm talking about).

I use the example of the servers at the resort resaurant where we ate morning and evening. The servers were always there because even though we were the only people staying at the resort, and even though we only ate there twice a day, the restaurant was technically open all day. I talked to the servers there a couple of times. They were all in their early 20's. I would ask them how to say Thai words and then I would try to say it, and they would laugh and I would laugh (but they were very patient and actually taught me a number of words and phrases). I would also talk in English to them (for their benefit and mine) to find out more about them. It was just a lot of fun. They never ignored me or told me that they were too busy to talk or anything like that. When we left in the vans on the last day, we passed by the restaurant and they were waving goodbye. I know that is a small gesture, and maybe it was because we had been there for so long and we were helping the Thai people, but that really touched me. It was so cool that they're actions were sincere, not just a front because we were paying customers.

For those who have never been to Thailand or have only stayed in the tourist areas, I must say that the touristy areas contain a different breed of Thai people. They are very aggressive in getting you to buy their overpriced merchandise, or taking their taxi or their tuk tuk. They will call you "my friend" and tell you "for you, special deal". Thank goodness, that's not the kind of people we were surrounded by on a daily basis!!!

Enough rambling. The short of it is that my life has been changed. I want to do whatever God wants me to do. So what's next? My job is boring and work is slow. For the record, this was a God-given job, and I am very thankful for it. But I think I have worn it out and it is time to move on. Now I'm just trying to figure out what He wants me to do next. I've thought of going back to Thailand but I would want to make sure that's where God wants me. Whatever.

Jon

Almost Done

I've been trying to get computer time for the last 4 days but I've been so busy that I haven't been able to get to the computers before 9pm (which is when they close).

On Sunday we had a day off. Some people went snorkeling, I decided not to go (me and snorkel masks haven't gotten along in the past). So I'll tell you about my day. Those who didn't go snorkeling went to Phuket Island (which is pretty big!). We didn't go to Phuket town, but we went to one of about 20 beaches which has its own little tourist town (not sure of the name). It was also hit by the tsunami but they are rebuilding fast. They had a starbucks and a mcdonalds but the McDonalds was still being rebuilt (we were so dissappointed), so we ate at starbucks. Going in there was like walking into North America, it was exactly the same style and layout. And almost the same prices too! (Starbucks coffee is expensive no matter where you go). Anyway, we wandered around the town, picking up various souveniers which were really overpriced! Fortunatelly we knew how to work them down quite a bit.

Overall I really didn't like the town. It had a totally different feel than the rest of Thailand. It seemed very much like they were catering to the rich white males, of which there were many. Every other guy had a Thai "girlfriend". The streets had a lot of shops but also a lot of bars, with Thai girls that would take your arm and try to pull you into their bar. Obviously there is a lot of money in that kind of thing but I really think it gives white males a bad reputation if that's how they see us. The whole town had a sex feel to it, even pictures of topless women were around if you looked the wrong way or picked up the wrong postcard. It made me appreciate the fact that we weren't staying in that kind of place!

The rest of the week has been going well. No major injuries or sicknesses to speak of. Everyone is working hard. With a group this size, that's probably because of a lot of prayer. So thanks again for your prayers.

It was a chilly 22 degrees when I woke up this morning. Some people said it was finally "barable" but I actually didn't like it. But it warmed up pretty quick and it averages about 35 during the day (my thermometer gets up to 54 when I leave it in the sun). Tomorow is our last work day, then we are off to Bankok for a day or two. If anyone is wanting Thailand souveniers, I am taking orders now (apparently we will have shopping time but no guarantee that I will be able to check my email). Don't leave me a comment, rather, email me jonknoll@hotmail.com

Jon

Half way-ish

wow. We're already half way through the trip. It has gone by fast, but the houses are showing progress. Most of the houses have a lot of help from friends and family. I guess the coolest site for us is site 5 because it is just our team and the foreman (who is Thai). Site 5 is being built for a widow who married a local guy. But since she was not originally from the island, it seems that nobody on the island is willing to help her. So everyday it's just us doing all the work. And so we've made that site priority #1 because after we leave, it may take a long time for it to be finished (if we don't finish it).

I have not yet said anything about how we are doing spiritually. I must say this is a really cool team to work with. Everyone is humble. Nobody is bossy and trying to run the show. Everyone has a servant attitude and is willing to work wherever and doing whatever. We have team meetings every morning and evening where we pray and sing together. It is cool to be part of such a spiritually mature team. We really enjoy each other's company and even though our ages span some 40 years, we all get along just fine.

Typical day:

6:30am get up

7:00 breakfast

7:30 team time

8:00 get in vans and go to job sites

12:00 break for lunch

1:00ish back to work

3:30ish drive back to the resort, swim, relax

6:00pm dinner (awesome food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

7:00ish team time

8:15ish done for the day.

that's all i got time for today. People are waiting to use the computer! Thanks for praying. This is a very unified team and we are all healthy. Praise God.

Jon

Working Hard / Hardly Working

Wow does it ever get hot! I actually get exhausted just standing around in the sun, and working is even more taxing on the body. It's a real change from sitting at a computer, one that I'm not used to. Yesterday we were hauling sand from the sand pile at the front of the lot to the house in the back of the lot (about 100 feet). We used a cart/wheelbarrow and boy was the sun ever hot. I don't think I've ever drank that much water without having to go to the bathroom. Today was not so busy for me. I think I was a third wheel to what we were doing, but to be honest I was tired just from surviving the heat that I didn't mind not working hard. I just learned our resort has a website http://www.kohkhokhao-resort.com/index.html. I haven't had time to check it out yet, (internet is expensive and I only have 15 minutes till supper.

There is so much to mention and not a lot of time (on the internet anyway). I was wondering why the other teams only put in a 5-6 hour day including an hour lunch. Now I know. That's about all we can handle. Us farongs (foreigners) are not used to the heat. We are back to the resort by about 3:30 or 4:00 and then we can relax till 6:00 when we have dinner. I usually alternate between swimming in the ocean and swimming in the pool. I'm not sure which one is warmer, I think the ocean is. The sun sets at 6:30 sharp and it's dark by 7:00 and then the mosquitoes come out. I was concerned about Malaria before I came, but really there's no concern about malaria over here. And for what few mosquitoes there are, I would feel ripped off if I had to take pills for them. A couple of squirts of bug spray and I'm good to go. No daytime mosquitoes to speak of.

Ok, I gotta run, I still have email to check before I gotta get out of here. For those who have been in Thailand you know that the going rate for internet is 15baht/hr ($0.50 CDN). Over here it's 80baht/hr ($2.70 CDN). I'll try to keep you posted (I only found out where the internet stuff was this afternoon). Pictures might be a bit more difficult since they are very time consuming.

Jon