Friday: four wheel drives, leeches, and a real difference.

DFriday: Four wheel drive, leeches, and a real difference
Driving today was a real experience. "Rugged" is defined by these areas. I tried sitting out in the back of the ute for an hour stint ( Murray, if you're reading this you can proud of me!!) but car sickness got the better of me and my gracious team mates gave me the front seat for the 10+ hours of driving and took turns out back. There were certainly times when we didn't want to look down!! I consoled myself that the apostle Paul survived floggings and sea- wrecks. Surely I can survive a bit of car- sickness and travel ing, not to mention the leeches that get burned off the skin ( as you do).

In what seems the most remote area with nothing happening ( just 30 km from myranmar border), we drove into villages that just 10 years ago had to real contact with anyone else. But 10 years ago ITHP stepped in and brought water to the village. They then began a school 5 years ago and a hydro electriity generator 2 years ago.

The transformation to this village is amazing. Looking around at the fun- filled children learning, singing, and interacting is an incredibly moving experiene. The Ma Oh Jo School has 123 students from 5 villages within 4 km. The furthest a child walks is a 45 minute walk.  None of these students had a school prior to this. It begins with a kindergarten and goes through to  year 5. They are hoping to build further grades. The teachers they have are amazing to see in action. 

The outcome of all this development is that a Church was planted that has around 30% of the village converting from animism to Christianity. 

There is something incredibly moving here. Words can't really describe the experience. It's simply special to see what is happening here.