{DAY 5} May 26th 2009 - TUESDAY

Tuesday morning started off with a fun skype call to all our boys and one girl, Haley. :) It didn't take us long to figure out the Marriott's lobby across the street provided FREE WI-FI! Of course we were all over that. Everyone happened to be over at one house gathered for a BBQ and comparing 'war stories' AKA life as Mr. Mom. :) It was a blessing for all of us to see each other and our kids little faces. So far so good, everyone looked well fed and regular clothes - meaning not their pj's. :)

Off to meet up with Phet, the pastor of True Friend church - a church, OCC supports. Phet was a fantastic tour guide during our time in Pattaya. We met Phet at the church office and talked with her and several long term missionaries, Mark & Becky about the church, their outreach and progress.
After a quick lunch, Phet and Becky lead us out to the villages to take in the day in the life, hear personal stories and pray with those. On our way out it was crazy to see elephants in the fields on the side of the road. Much like we would see random cows or horses grazing in the US. As we arrive into the village the foreigners housing is quite evident. Huge, monstrous, beautiful homes. Adding too, or rather possibly beginning the false idealist hope that foreigners are their glamorous ticket out of there. Clearly not so.

We meet with a couple gals, one had gone into Pattaya for work and recently returned realizing it is not what she hoped. She has two teenage boys, the older is constantly angry with her. He is verbally and physically abusive to her, while the younger takes this all in. I imagine it's only a matter of time before he treats her the same. She struggles for work within the village doing "massage" as she says. She had a very soft and open heart, willing and waiting to be saved - by something...someone...

Another gal was much more reserved and unsure. She ran and outdoor bar of sorts for the village. She had several spirit houses set up. Spirit houses are everywhere in Thailand. They are little shrines set up with all things considered good to invite the good spirits. They usually consist of food, drinks, candles and photos of the King. Who is highly revered in the country. It is actually against the law to speak negatively of him. This women told us her daughter had just recently left to visit her father who lived in the states. Of course my mind wonders, I hope and pray he is a honest man and good father to her.

The third village we visited, was a working farm. Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mom & Aunt passing the afternoon playing cards on this platform.

We were pretty much toast by the end of this day, delirious and in need of a laugh. Marisa and I took it upon ourselves to hold a few yoga poses. Quite inappropriately I might add, just behind that "wall" were the sweet ladies playing cards. :)

On our way home Phet took us an alternate route, which led us through the countryside. She told me, "there is so much horrible in this city, I want you all to be able to see some of the beauty." It was indeed absolutely beautiful.

Buddha carved in gold into the mountain side.