Now in Taungoo. Travel to Yangon tomorrow. Still more entries and photos to come. Amazing is too mild a word to describe our time.


 Emily

This last week has been both confronting and comforting. The people in Thandaung Gyi have so little compared to us, yet they treasure everything they have. It's hard to describe. Their lives are so focused, centered and grounded on God and His word, that these materialistic things I see them lacking seem to mean so little to them. Many lack food, warmth, shelter, but they aren't asking or suggesting they need these things from us. It really gives this community the feeling of love, peace, sharing and hope. They have everything I want, everything I need. What could I give them? But over this week these people have been so happy to invite us into their home, share their food, family and community with us. When we are in their church, sharing their joy in marriage, or in their houses, in thanksgiving to God or mourning for a loved one. They don’t want us just in the good aspects of their lives, they want us sharing the bad, the sadness, the poor, their abundance. They’ve so readily adopted us into their community and that is the one thing I’ll miss and cherish above all. This is what they want from us- friendship, fellowship, connectivity, community. I have learnt so much more from them then I have given them. God is great, and seeing Him working within this community and within our group is a great blessing. I pray I am able to use this experience to change the way I live and what I’m focused on and dream for, and positively impact the people I shall meet and return to.

Jenny

Hi from Thandaung Gyi! (that doesn’t rhyme, btw). I’m typing this on our last night in the village, in the communal area watching Mrs Watts being beaten at Uno, Spencer’s chess face and a fast and furious card game. The sleep deprivation has passed, thanks to soft drink – after singing 500 miles and Waltzing Matilda at church until 12 last night (this morning?), we had three hours sleep before we were off to the Karen New Year Mountain for an early morning trek. During the darkness fireworks were set off – over here you can buy them, and a few girls light a firework each (despite being a budding pyromaniac, I was terrified). An amazing dawn was observed, complete with Karen traditions and the incredibly picturesque view of clouds in the valley. The value of resilience and maintaining a good face was proven when we were back to the church, entertaining 400 children for three hours. Our energy levels depleted, we were given the afternoon off – with only two house blessings and a house thanksgiving to attend. I feel as though we are literally a part of this community. Seven days and a whole lot of rice later, we’ve been invited to two weddings, a funeral, a one year old’s birthday party, Karen New Year celebrations, three house services, youth groups, three churches, three kindies, two schools - and we have been welcomed at every single one by every single person. The way that these people simply accept us into their lives and culture is just…wow. And when I say 'community’, I mean that in the 'olden day’ sense that everyone is family here; the strength of relationships between all the different ages and situations is mind blowing. I think I’ve finally realized the power of a smile in overcoming so many barriers (language, culture, background) – a sullen child on the side of the road, add eye contact and a smile and suddenly they give you the biggest, toothiest grin that warms your heart. I’ll miss the people, and the amazing scenery, and all the new different challenging exhausting inspiring events. I am however looking forward to toasted banana bread (or vegemite and avocado on toast, mmmm) and seeing everyone again.



(Aaron)

I’ve been enjoying my time here greatly but the days seem to go on forever, which must be from getting up too early, without morning showers I might add. The most fun I’ve had is definitely playing games with the youth here. Yesterday they came to where we were staying and we taught them a couple of card games like snap and go fish. Snap they seemed to like more. Also played a simple version of Pictionary and they are really good drawers. After that we played a game of soccer with them all which got really hectic and funny when it was a race to which local would jump down the mountain to fetch the ball. Today we were up at 7:10 which is pretty reasonable and were splitting up into 3 groups to go to a kindergarten to teach and play with the kids. I was the team captain for my group with Jenny, Hannah and Nicola and we had a fair understanding on what we were going to do because of the planning the night before. We got at the school which wasn’t really a school it was more like a small one room house. We were lucky and only had 18 kids in the class. They greeted us by saying good morning then singing a song in Burmese and English, after they did their songs we decided to teach them some songs. One of them being the chicken dance. They liked doing the actions for that one which was good. The other two we taught them were "Twinkle, twinkle little star" and “Who’s the king of the jungle?” They kind of sang to “Twinkle twinkle” but didn’t really understand “Who’s the king of the jungle?” So after the songs we split up and got about 4 kids each. All of the kids I had were boys. What I decided to do first was blow up a couple of balloons and play keep it up to try and get them comfortable with me. That was a great idea, they loved it, and it was so adorable listening to their little giggles and laughs. So we did that for a while and when I said to pass the balls in and to sit around. They understood and did it straight away. So when they were all sitting I got out a puzzle, that got them crowding around me and really interested. They didn’t really know where the pieces went so they would all pass me a piece and get me to show them where it went. They really liked it and I even had this one boy climbing over me which I found pretty funny. Teaching them was such fun and now I really agree when my parents say I’m good with kids. In the afternoon we went to Prayer Mountain it wasn’t as bad of a climb as I expected but at the top it was so peaceful. I went into this little chapel to be by myself and pray and just kind of take it all in which I kind of needed I guess. After I finished what I was writing I went out and sat out on a rock and just looked at the view. It was amazing and just something that you wouldn’t be able to describe with words. They were the biggest moments of my day and I’m sure there will be more highlights to come in the last week. It’ll be no time before I see you again but I hope it doesn’t go fast.




(Lowri)

I’ve just been so caught up in the experience that I have been just writing all my key feelings in my journal.

 Since we left Yangon my life has literally spun around on its head and around the bend. As ‘punny’ as it might sound, we have all been to two weddings and a funeral since we have arrived. This place is the definition of tranquility and I feel like I have already been here for so long! The people here are so kind and compassionate and I am blessed to be so welcomed into their community to share their life and learn from their culture. I feel like I am learning a load more from them than they are learning from me because they have taught me things that you can’t write down or get correct in a test. These people have taught me to step out of my comfort zone which I am so used to conforming to and to challenge myself in a way that I would never be able to do if I didn’t come on Walkabout. I have been here a week and I feel a different person. I feel as if I am someone that wouldn’t get along with my old self and wouldn’t care about half the things the old me did. I am truly happy, with the life I live, the people I surround myself with and the relationships I have made. I adore the children here and I’m not much of a kid person but now I want loads!! I have grown so attached to the people of the community and the children we have met at all of the primary schools and kindies.