game night!

On Saturday night, Stephen and I took games over to play with the kids. Jenga was definitely the favorite, but we also tried Pictionary and Spoons.

Seven Star loved the popcorn.

i just can't get enough.

We took a group of kids to the local "splash pad"--a water playground that is free to the public. They had a lot of fun.

Elizabeth and Smart Paw having snacks after swimming.

Pok Wah and Jack Lia loving on Stephen.

prayer request.

I wanted to share some prayer requests with you that have been heavy on my heart recently. First, be praying for the spiritual needs in the community. Stephen and I have been leading a youth group on Thursdays and various worship nights. Be praying for these and other opportunities for spiritual conversation. On this note, we are need of Bibles. They have been asking for English bibles, and we are in search of the best deal. If you would like to be a part of this financially, let me know.
Second, we are looking into additional options for working. Most are working in a plant, chopping vegetables. The shifts are long and the conditions aren't great, but they are getting paid above minimum wage. We want to find some places to sell the goods they make--skirts, bags, baskets. They are also excellent farmers. We just need to find a way to use these gifts.
Lastly, pray for the finances of one of the elders, Steven Babin. I have mentioned him in the pictures below. He's an incredible man and has a wonderful wife and family of eight boys. Because of their large family, he had to incur a large portion of debt to come over from Burma; the government wouldn't pay for everyone to come. He made the hard decision to take on a large debt rather than leave some of his children behind--something we all would have done, but has left him in a hard position. He know has monthly payments he has to be making. Be praying for God to provide this money.
Thank you for your prayers--we have seem them answered before our eyes.

painting.

we spent one afternoon painting...they loved it!

...and a little bit of chicken while you paint?

beautiful people.

Ehkerler (one of my favorites) and I. He's awfully ornery, but I still can't get enough.

Stephen fixing the chain on a broken bike with many admirers of his work.

From left to right: Mu Poe, Day Dey, Sara Wah, me, Nay Ree A, and Taw Ner So. I teach English to Mu Poe, Day Dey, and Taw Ner So two days a week.

The adorable Nay Ree A. When I first came, he didn't speak English at all. He's picking up a few phrases now that he repeats all the time--"buh bye", "let me see", and "bubble". He loves to be held and just this week started giving me a kiss on the cheek before he leaves my side.

community picnic.

Last Friday a group of volunteers transported nearly the whole community (150+) to a nearby picnic area for an afternoon of swimming, fishing, volleyball, soccer, and baseball.

Stephen's entire carload of kids fell asleep on the 20 minute drive to even get there.

A group of women and children eating fruit. To the far left is Sherie Cartwright; she and her husband, Tom, are the key players in helping out the Karen (and absolutely amazing).

Aw Soe, the oldest man in the community, and Thomas; we're not sure why Thomas was wearing a ski mask...

Steven Babin is one of the elders in the community. He does have eight boys, but only three of these are his.

Please note the dishtowel around Ehkerler's waist after swimming...

My new friend, Nay Ree A. He didn't show much interest before, but suddenly grabbed my hand at the picnic and we became friends. He just started saying some English words this week, too.

more playing.

They are like monkeys; and they know it because they climb up high in the trees and vines and say, "Monkey! Monkey!" I've seen them get about ten feet off the ground.

Isn't this incredible team work? These are two brothers, Seven Star and Ehkerler.

They took me to another secret play spot: a construction spot through the trees.

Sometimes they're just troublemakers.

A truckload of furniture and gifts arrived and most of the community was out for the occasion. The kids loved to carry whatever they could.

Stephen is practicing guitar with Per Kaw Doh. We are starting a youth bible study on Thursday nights; they will be leading worship together, with some songs in Karen and some in English.

the inner circle.

I officially made it to the inner circle today! In addition to finally remembering my name, I was taken into a secret fort the little kids had made in the woods. It was incredible. They had taken a couple broken chairs, a car seat, and some wood pieces to make it, complete with carpet (cleaner carpet than I've seen in most Karen homes). True to their culture, I even had to take my shoes off before I could go in!

Kay Oo.

This week I started teaching basic English to a group of adults two days a week. The first day I had them write their names on a worksheet and turn it back in so I could see and try to remember their names. One man couldn't write his name because he didn't know what it was in the English language; he only knew how to say it or spell it in Karen. The entire group tried to help him, but they didn't know either. Finally, I had him go ahead and turn in his paper. I simply wrote his name phonetically at the top so I could remember. He saw what I had written and got so excited! He took the paper and wrote down his name on his hand; he kept pointing to it with a huge smile and then back at himself, saying, "Kayoo!" Shortly after that we talked about their name, address, and social security number. He proudly wrote on his worksheet, "first name: Kay; last name: Oo." I probably gave him the only English name he'll ever know!

what fun.

The past few weeks I have been sorting through a storage unit full of donations. I picked out the usable things and organized them, filling my car to the brim. After ESL yesterday, we let the community sort through everything and take whatever they needed or wanted. They have such a communal sense about them that they really only take what they can use and are more than willing to share when people are in need among them. It was really fun to see them so excited about the treasures, and then to see so many of them wearing the new clothes today!

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I go the community for a few hours in the afternoon to play with the kids, both to expose them to English and just have some fun. We blew bubbles today!

Notice the ingenuity: this pirate eye patch is made from a punched-out sunglass lens and a rubber band. Isn't that amazing?

To say the least, we're loving this.