"Saw X" is here!

It's Independence Day. Andrew and I drive across the plains of Iowa, watching the sun set behind endless fields of golden corn husks. We don't get a chance to see any fireworks tonight, something even more spectacular is happening.
Way Nay Lynn (also known as Saw-X) along with his family have resettled to the United States. It is quite a drive getting to Omaha, but standing with X by a lake and skipping stones for a time was worth more than any fireworks display. Our prayers and best wishes are with our friend as he and his family begin this new life in this strange New World...

ps:

Tomorrow, Caroline and I will return home.

Today, it rained. The first time in months. Very unusual, say the locals.

The end...

"Next time, in America!", Silver Paw yelled from the truck as it drove away. Wednesday we said goodbye to students from Mae La & Umpium refugee camps. There were no big dramatics, no cinematic farewells. You would have thought that everyone was going on a weekend holiday and would be back Monday morning.

"It's time to wake up now." Thursday morning, when it was still dark, students from Karenni camp prepared to journey. One student, Htoo Lar Paw (Mary), was still asleep on the balcony. Am I the grim reaper? Pulling her out of one world to send her to another? Had she been dreaming? No big speaches, no fond farewells. Dah Reh (Alden) just stood with his arms around me. Then they were gone.
That afternoon I went with Khu Wah Paw (Ruth) and a few teachers to the border where she was to meet her mom. Saying hello, buying a shirt at the market, and a few pictures later, I was helping to carry Wah Wah's book bag to the river where she and her mom would cross. There by the river we said our words.

The school is now empty. Beds are neatly stacked in the corners of bedrooms. All the class rooms are bare. I can leave now.

"I would have lost heart, unless I believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living."

The end...

Graduation

Tea Time!

To the delight of all the students (and staff), we received our long awaited relief package! Everyone enjoyed drinking the exotic beverage known as...sweet tea? :)
All the gifts and sweet treats were greatly appreciated and enjoyed!

THANK YOU!

Pictures

A Time for Everything

When I saw the fire burning the country side, I knew this trip would be different.
The dry season has choked the life out of the valley that is home to Freedom House. The once moist cool air has now turned hot and dry. Farmers burn their fields to prepare for the fall harvest creating an ever present haze that hides the majestic Thai mountain range. All of this stark imagery only adds to the feeling that the end of this journey has come for the remaining students left at CFI school. Pictured above, Saw X (Winner Lynn) dresses in his best traveling clothes as he and his friends pretend that they are heading off to America. For some, parting their separate ways. I am reminded of the scene from Fiddler on the Roof when Reptevia sits with his daughter waiting for the train to come. The stark landscape and lonesome wind only adding to the emptiness. Once these students leave here, the spirits that made the Freedom House experience will be gone. A new chapter will begin. I have been thinking about a verse from the bible, "A time for everything". This time will end in two weeks and a season will pass away.
One of the students (Brownika) said in a graduation interview that her life lesson is...patience. Be patient and wait. We are all waiting for the rain to come again.

Freedom House Trailer