Yesterday we were joined by the college team.  It was a welcome breath of fresh air.  We had lunch and brought them to our work site and utilized their "energy of youth".  They helped a lot.

Many of the men here are really into Thai boxing.  After a hard days work one of the college members had a chance to go three rounds with "Mr. Big Boss" (he the foreman of the crew here).  We were worried but no worries...no on got hurt.  Mr. Big Boss was winded after two and a half rounds.  I guess that's what happens when 32 year old who just worked a full day goes against a 20 year old college student.

After having dinner with the college group we were able to hang out and get to know one another.  They told us of their adventures...how the temperature went past a 120 degree (heat index), how most of the team got sick with one member actually having to go to the hospital, and all the bug bites.  The mosquito bites were so bad on one of the girls that they looked like huge bruises...and she had LOTS of them.

They've been here for two weeks so far mainly doing manual labor but they are getting ready to go to Hong Kong, Japan, and China for the next four weeks to teach English.  What a great experience it's going to be for them.

Today is our last day here on Koh Yao and things are going pretty well as far as the progress on the building.  But more so than the work we've been able to build closer bonds with the workers here.  Several of them came up to our "resort" and hung out after dinner.  The communication is still very hard because of the language barrier but it's amazing how much you can communicate with a few words and gestures.  Since it was late a lot of us took out our contact lenses and were wearing glasses. We traded them back and forth and let the workers try them on also so we could laugh at each other. It definitely helps to have a couple of translators and a couple of glow bracelets to break the ice.  Some of them shared with us how life has been since the tsunami. 

We all miss our families and friends and the basic comforts of home. Even though we've only been here a short time it's going to be hard to say goodbye and we're going to miss the people of Koh Yao.  The people here don't have nearly as much as we do but they are some of the most hospitable and genuine we have come across.

Everyday we see God working here and within our team.  We're sure that today will be no different.

2 more full working days in Koh Yao and what a blessing it's been to be here. it's wonderful how each of  us have made beautiful relationships with the thai workers. not even 2 full weeks and we've become quite attached - something we never really expected to happen so quickly.

One special evening, John took us to the pier and we all chilled and watched the beautiful sunset. it's amazing how many different colors set in the sky and ocean - pink, blue, green, orange. sooay! =D looking out into the many surrounding islands, and just seeing how beautiful everything is, makes us just appreciate all of God's creations.

Yesterday, we also watched some of the locals play soccer - skins vs. shirts. and my goodness, are they good! the goal is about the size of a hockey goal, the ball is as hard as a rock, and one guy was even playing bare foot! don't mess with these guys! =P

The school is looking more and more beautiful. The blue roof is in progress, the septic tanks are in, we're leveling out the ground, and smoothing out the cement walls. We're all sweating like crazy and acculumating bug bites, but it's all quite bearable. We've come to really appreciate each wind breeze, each cloud coverage, each rain shower - they're all blessings!

Last night, John came over to our "resort" and showed us a VCD of the tsunami. Although some of us have seen some clips before in the states, it's really something different to actually view it here, firsthand, where it happened. We all watched in silence, in tears and in amazement - just to see how powerful and enormous the tsunami hit, was shocking. People and kids just standing on the beach, not knowing what was to come, and then to actually view the waves hitting so fast and enormous was difficult.

After the video, some of us stayed and continued to talk with John, Mr. Musa and Mr. Bai. Much laughter, many jokes, smiles and charades. 2 more days and I think we're all going to miss everyone. Definitely these people have touched our lives in more ways than we could ever imagine.    

Hiya!

     Today started out with sunny and hot weather conditions, but has now cooled down with the rain clouds and cool breezes. There's a nice view from the bungalows to the ocean where we can monitor the movement of a storm from Phuket and other islands. When the wind kicks in, that's when you know a storm will be here any minute.

   The food here has been incredible. Like my mama's cookin'! The team has taken a great liking to a fruit called mangosteens (aka monkut). We also tried a fruit called jambada, similar to durian but not as potent. Personally, I wouldn't eat it, b/c I discovered I was allergic to it and it made my lips swell.

Yesterday we got the chance to stop by a kick boxing training place. We had the chance to try throwin' some kicks and punches. It was a great way to release stress. Boys of all ages were there training, some with their fathers. I was in awe watching them kick in repetition, non-stop. They also train by running around the island with weights around their ankles.

The construction of the school is progressing well. All the cement flooring is done. Now we are helping paint the beams and dig a deep 7 foot hole in the ground for what I believe is for the septic tank. All the teammates are getting a great workout from the construction work. It's amazing to see how the relationships have been growing between the thai people and the team, as well as within the team in such a short time. It's been such a blessing.

hola everyone,

I know you guys are sick of the thai greeting right....? jk...

anyways, today is Saturday and we are into our 2nd full day of work.  The work has been at times hard but we have evolved into a well run cement bucket passing brigade.  Pretty much we are gathering sand, mixing cement powder, more sand, rocks, then mixing it all together with water, then pouring it by buckets onto the ground and then smoothed out.

Overall life here on the island is great.  Having a cold shower is actually something we look foward to at the end of the day.  Tonight we might head over and watch (and maybe participate) in some Thai kickboxing!!

The group as a whole has been great with everyone pitching in to help one another.

Yesterday, since it was a holiday, we went to the other side of the island to swim and snorkel!  Our guides showed us just how high the waves washed in when the tsunami hit and it was so amazing because we thought we were well inland.

We also got to see some baboons that one of the workers, John, has trained to climb a coconut tree and pick them.

That's enough for now...time to get back to work!