April 27th

Sister Barlow just couldn't stay out of the rain.  It was a down pour, it was warm, and it was refreshing.  She was soaked to the skin.  Not sure what the neighbors were thinking but it didn't matter.

These were on the trees at the church.  Not quite sure if dogs can read here or not?

This is Elder Bunker and Elder Stone, the Zone leaders.  This is at the funeral that we went to.  Afterwards the monks agreed to have their picture with the Elders.  Future missionaries?

 

This is at Lake Phayao.  The lake is behind us.  Because of the drought it is down about 20 feet.  This is the member whose grandmother died.  He is the only Melchizedek priesthood holder in this town.  He is only one of 3 members here.  The church is not established in this town and the closest branch is Chiang Mai about 1 1/2 hour drive away.  They were baptized in Chiang Mai and then moved back home.

This is the opening of a mission call in the local branch.  The Mom is on the right, daughter Ping Ping, is in the middle.  She is receiving the call.  The brother is reading the call.  It was opened up after a baptism with about 30 members of the branch present.  When it was read that she was going to Thailand, a big cheer was was given by all there.  Pretty good stuff.  The ones who are receiving their calls are sometimes members that have only been members for one year!  What faith! 

Songkran Water Festival - 20 April 2016

The largest water fight in the world. Even though they are in the middle of the worst drought in 20 years, they still take the time to stop and play in the water for 3 days.

As you can see from the back end of the truck, people used whatever they could to protect themselves from getting soaked.

But then there are those that just don't give up and just took it to them in the truck.

Hoses, buckets,squirt guns and cannons were used to spray water every where.  To stay out of the sun, some used umbrellas in the back of the truck.  Anyone that has a truck,  put 1 or 2 barrels of water in the back and loaded it with people and then would drive around soaking and getting soaked.  As you can tell we are in the car with the windows rolled up and the doors locked.

There is a moat around old Chiang Mai city.  That is where most of the playing took place was around the city.  If you look close, you can see the moat that they are dipping their buckets in.  Yes it is really that color, greenish, brownish, yuk.  It is filthy.  Yet there were people that got in and swam in it too.  They were probably drunk.

Thai Life

I bet you didn't know that the hot pots in Yellowstone came all the way through to Thailand.

It even smells the same.

To market to market to buy a fat pig.  This is how they haul them around.  It doesn't look very comfy.

But who needs comfy when you are on the way to the slaughter house.

This is the sun coming up over Laos.  This is on mount Phu Chi Fa.  I am standing in Thailand.

When I stand on the other side of the monument I am in Laos.

Life In Thailand

This guys specialty is noodles.  The pictures of the dishes you can get are on the side.

This is the local Laundromat.  Just out on the sidewalk.  20 baht is about $.75

This is a power pole where everything comes together.  How would you like to keep track of your electricity?

This is at the tiger kingdom.  I think she is pretty brave.  She loved being with them and stroking their soft fur.  Good thing they were not hungry at the time.

 

This is called a red truck.  This is one way you can get around.  We loaded 8 Elders, 4 Sisters, the Mission President and his wife, and Elder and Sister Barlow all in one.  Three of the elders stood on the back.  We took it from the church to tiger kingdom and back and he waited for us while we were there for $47.

This is the Thailand Bangkok Mission Presidency.  This is a rare opportunity to be together because we are all in different places in the country.  From left: President Wongsagorn (lives in the Eastern part of Thailand), President Johnson (Mission President), and Elder Barlow.

The weather is really hot.  It is still really smoky from all of the fires that they have going to burn off the old crops.  We love the work and love the people.  The language is coming along fine.  Sometimes it is like the Holy Ghost just opens up your brain and pours some words in so you can understand what is going on.  It is fun going with the sisters and the elders to visit and teach.  Sister Barlow is such a trooper.  She will sit there and listen and watch and without being told what has been said, she knows what she needs to share.  The church is true and families can be forever!