Our first weekend

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

So there I was, (Nathan) half way up the hill, a stick in my hand as I tried to 'encourage' a 10 year old abused and mentally disabled boy to carry his third bucket of water from the well up to the health clinic. 20 metres to my left I had a growing crowd of local onlookers, appearing very disapproving. Young kids, old men, all stared and wondered who this white slave driver was and who gave him the right to beat this poor kid.

Backtrack...

This same poor kid came to the Bamboo school after spending time at a Budist temple and suspected of being forced to do things that young boys should never know about. However, this time changed him mentally as well as his actions. So, when he came to the Bamboo school a few months ago he has developed an addiction that need not be mentioned in this space. However, his punishment has been a beating and carrying 10 buckets of water from the well to the clinic.

On this particular day he was caught in the act and after I gave him a fair beating on the legs and hands with bamboo, (a new experience for me but it made me wonder why it's illegal in Australia now) we started carrying water together.

I kept the stick with me as we made our trips, always ready for a little more encourement. At first he was quick and made the trips up and down as quick as possible, not wanting any more lines on his little quads. However, by the third trip on this Friday afternoon, the onlookers had grown from a couple of local kids to approximately 30 villagers, helping him carry his water.

I didn't want to experience a stoning for be eaten for dinner so I decided three trips was enough for today...

We finally made it back to the clinic with the water but my fear was not relieved as some of the locals followed me in. I kept walking up the hill to my room, hoping to escape justice, as they headed to the clinic.

Fortunately, for me, they had only come to help a patient remove a piece of bamboo from his leg. I think both the boy and myself learnt a lesson that day.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Very brief - Rachael and I (Nathan again) rushed an 8 month pregnant woman to hospital, thinking she may give birth early. However, she did not give birth. She only had malaria and we took her home again a few days later. Maybe we'll see her in another month when the babies due.

MONDAY MORNING

 God-sent Diorrhea?

I (Nathan) awake at 5 am and hear lots of tummy rumbling and lots of fluid moving through my body. I need a toilet. But I decide I can't be bothered. I try to sleep it off. Bad mistake. I wake a few minutes later and know that I NEED a toilet. But with the time wasted I've missed my chance. I do manage to make it outside and create a little mess in the drain. I then make it to the toilet where I clean myself up for a minute. Because the power is off and the sun isn't up yet I am temporarily pantless. However, once I finally get everything cleaned and just as I put my pants back on, a patient walks up. Fortunately by now I was awake and functioning well for the coming events.

She tells our translator that a woman is going to have a baby in the nearby village. Our translator runs to get Rachael. I grab the emergency bag and tell another volunteer what is happening. Jump into the ambulance. I'm driver, Rachael is nurse and we have a translator with us as well.

We get to the hut and the woman jumps in the back of the ambulance. Lights on, siren blaring and we head off to Sai Yok hospital. Five minutes down the road Rachael taps on the glass. I pull over and head to the back. Rachael thinks we are going to deliver in the ute-converted-to-ambulance. Not today. We carry on and race to the hospital, overtaking trucks, dodging stray dogs etc... We make it in time and she goes straight to the delivery room.

Later in the day we found out that the woman gave birth to a baby girl 25 minutes after we dropped her off. Well done to Nathan and Rachael - Emergency response team!

P.S. Sorry about the lack of pictures, we didn't think we were getting on the internet today but we have lots we want to show you when we get the chance.

Early Starts

We have spent our first two days at the Bamboo School now.

First thoughts? The children are beautiful, the setting is peaceful and pleasant and we have long days starting at 4 for Rachael.

Nathan learnt a lesson from one of the young children, about 3 years old about watering plants while Rachael was surprised to see even the youngest girls scrubbing their own clothes to make them clean. Everyone supports each other. This is a community of love and support despite their backgrounds and challenges.

Rachael has taken a particular liking to some of the young girls to the effect that they now want to sleep in the same bed as her. Nathan feels especially sorry for John who is probably about 5 years old and was born blind, deaf and has cerabal palsy and has no form of communication.

Suprisingly the students are self sufficient; they buy their cooking needs, make their own food, do chores in the morning and evening and are very friendly and respectful.

We wash in the local creek although Nathan hasn't washed since Bangkok yet. The mornings are spent in a more relaxed mode, looking after the young children who don't go to school and doing different bits and pieces around the place. The older kids head off to school at a couple of large local high schools at about 7am and return about 4 pm. In the evening it is more busy as the children do their work, homework, evening workship and evening classes at the Bamboo School.

Today Rachael is being introduced to the staff at the hospital in Sai Yok and may end up spending some time there helping out.

Nathan last night went with a group of students and another staff, also called Nathan, to the Baptist community down the road and shared a Bible study.

It will be a challenge while being here but we are remembering that this time is not about us but about serving the less fortunate and sacrificing our own desires.

Thanks for your prayers and support thus far.

A Brand New Day

Well, we have both arrived here safely in Bangkok. Nathan arrived without luggage for the first day or so but managed to get a new shirt, underwear and socks for around $5. Rachael arrived a couple of days later (on Jan 1) after spending 17 hours in Kuala Lumpur.

We spent their first evening together taking a boat up the river, trying some local and very authentic Thai food and headed to the very touristy Khao Sang Road. (by the way, Rachael even quite enjoyed her meal)

Nathan also spent New Years Eve in Bangkok with Bec Tually and has been enjoying hearing her stories and experiences from her 6 months here.

Randomly Nathan ran into the Dye family, Mike, Jenny, Michelle, Josh and Jess while making his way home from the new year festivities.

We will be heading out to the Bamboo school in the next day most likely and am looking forward to meeting the kids.

So, so far so good. Hope all is going well back there and hope to keep you update again soon.

Also, we have new phone numbers:

Nathan +66 870 742 761

Rachael + 66 811 009 369