Kevin and Helens Journal - The Giant and the Chinese Lady It’s about time to move on again. This time tomorrow we’ll be in Bangkok for one night and then it’s on to the Philippines. So we have to pack again and get organised. We’ll say goodbye to the Royal White Elephant and find ourselves in new digs. Last time we were planning to head off to Laputta out on the Irrawaddy Delta. This town was devastated by Hurricane Nargis in 2008 and about 70,000 people died in the region. It sits on the edge of one of the channels of the Irrawaddy River. Nargis is the reference point out there. But, I’ll let Helen fill you in on the trip there and back. We got a pleasant surprise early on Thursday morning to find our bus trip to Laputta was in a mini bus, nothing like our experience on African buses. Very modern and clean, it had a high roof and air con. There were only 6 passengers so we could spread out. We left the inner city at 7am - very interesting and challenging, busy, busy roads - two lanes become 4 lanes - hundreds of cyclists risking their lives weaving in and out of traffic, no helmets and most motor cyclists were the same. It was interesting to see the very poor and the developed city merge together. Heaps of bamboo shacks on stilts built on sides of rivers and drains. I imagine there would be heaps of mozzies and so hot and sticky. Most of the way it was like being on a mini roller coaster, we bounced around holding on, horns beeping all the time as often the road was just one and car width with buses and trucks racing by and along the usual pedestrians, cyclists, cattle drawn carts, tractor driven transport etc. The rivers here are huge. We went across the longest bridge we’ve ever crossed. Lots of rice growing and prawn ponds, life is very simple and basic as we sat and watched it all. Lots of temples with ugly idols. Road works for ages slowed it all down. It was very sad to see how hard locals work doing so much manual work on the roads using small hammers to break up huge rocks for road foundations. Also some kids were helping, no gloves, some bare feet and others jandals. Not hats, so hot. Pouring hot tar by hand in a container that looked like a watering can. No hot showers to go home to, no massages, hand lotion, cold drinks… The road foundations were not that level so more roller coaster roads being made. We finally reached our guest house at 4pm pleasantly surprised to find a comfortable room, running water and working loo. We had a wash and a 60 minute rest and then off to meet our friends out there. We travelled with a young man, Piang Paiang, 24 years old with good English. His family were lovely and have a home which has a church under it. We had a yummy meal and then met with the church. About 40 people came, we greeted and sang and then Kevin spoke to them. Neighbours throw stones on their roof and fence if they sing too late at night so we had to finish by 7:00 p.m.! Afterwards we did greetings and then it was back to the Best Guest House to collapse and sleep. We had air con, unfortunately it was set to 16 degrees C and pointed straight on our bed and we had no remote, so we had to turn it off. We had some funny times with transport. The first ride was arranged for Kevin and I to go on a bicycle rickshaw with two seats attached on the side. Of course it was impossible for Kevin to fit on the seat and I only just got on doing side-saddle. The poor wee driver only weighed about 55kgs! Kevin caught a motorbike. Friday morning we both had motor bike rides, everyone stared at us. Nice breakfast, rice and eggs then off to see boats at the wharf and walk around the huge market with fish, meat, chickens, chillies, water melons….. Then off to visit a family from church needing prayer. Kevin was asked to share encouraging Bible verses and then we prayed. After the obligatory green tea it was back to the family home. Mid morning about 10 of us jumped into a tractor motor driven vehicle with a canopy and two bench seats and off we went, rocking and rolling on a 30 minute ride. They took us to some land where they have started a little church in a very poor community caught up in demon possession and fear. The first convert was a man who used to be a monk and another was a fortune teller. Some of the stories were very impacting. So many are ruled by fear and that has all gone now. There’s a big tree near the little church which the community people said was infected with demons and people would die who go near it. Already they said 10 people had died there. The new Christians killed a big snake and a big black cat and ate them. The local people were convinced someone would die but they didnt. They shared about Jesus and now lots of people want to know about this Jesus. Kids get married young in these rural areas. Kids that are not in school get bored so one girl we met was 14 and married to a 16 year old! There was no transport to take us back and had to wait on side of road for a long time. Eventually a motorbike came along and Kevin sent me off so I could get back and wash and have a rest. I had a very sore back. So off I went, we ended up in the middle of town and our guest house was on outskirts of town and driver didnt speak English. YIKES, help Lord? I saw a policeman and I tried to talk about our Guest House and the driver went off to another hotel. So back to policeman and this time the right directions. Phew! A yummy lunch at our friends home, lots vegies, shrimps and chicken. In the afternoon we interviewed 5 kids who live with our friends. I then stayed back for a bed rest while Kev went off for two more visits to people’s homes. I sat outside and watched kids playing games and showed some of them family videos and photos from my phone. Then another delicious meal. After we arrived in Laputta we found out our return bus trip would be Friday night at 7pm not Saturday morning, it was going to be a big bus! We presumed the worst thinking it would be an old rattletrap. Another surprise, it was a new modern bus with aircon and seats like an aeroplane that tilt back, overhead lights and adjustable air. We both snoozed a bit on the trip. It rode comfortably over the bumpy roads and we finally got back to hotel in Yangon and settled into a room at 4.00 a.m. We loved our visit and appreciated what they are doing in the community. There is a deep work going on out there very impressive. People thought Kevin was a huge giant and I was Chinese!! Love Kevin and Helen
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:34:43 +0000
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