Judy West's trip to Thailand

Judy West

I have been in Thailand for over 2 weeks now and don't really know where to start tell you all about it. If this e-mail is a bit disjointed or doesn't make sense please forgive me, I shall bore you all to death with my adventures when I get home.

(These photos are from Jackie Wells)
Last Wed we travelled on treacherous roads up the mountains 8,000 ft to visit 3 remote villages. The Karen tribes live very primitively in small settlements nestled into the hillside. The scenery is breathtaking with endless waterfalls. I have taken lots of pictures. 2 of the villages were well run with a good head man and Pastor. The tribal people are hard working, growing crops (riceand veg wonderful exotic fruit) building new houses, they have to make everything themselves, bricks, etc.

The women all have looms and are busy weaving, working in the fields or at home with the children. You can't imagine how hard life is for them they have no electricity, they wash in the river, wash their clothes by banging them on rocks, cook on open fires.  They fish in the river and even eat large tadpoles. There are cats, dogs and chickens everywhere.  Most families have a large black pig (like Cilla Dad) in a tiny bamboo pen. They are being fattened up for the next family celebration.

I had to wash in the river without taking my clothes off. It was also made more difficult as I had to keep my eyes open for river snakes. The culture does not allow bodies to be shown. It was most uncomfortable and I didn't feel much cleaner when I got out, but as the sun was so hot it did cool me down. At night it was very cold and I slept with Graham's track suit on and a sleeping bag and duvet on.

One of the villages owns a bull elephant he works in the forest his owner took us for a ride on his back through the forest I had to hang on for dear life. I thought I would never see you again when he decided to pull up a papaya tree, I nearly shot over his head. Anyway I lived to tell the tale, very exciting.

During the day we visited the houses meeting the people and praying for any need they might have. One man was paralysed and J will get him a wheelchair. Another family had a new baby with a club foot J will make arrangements for him to go to hospital. All the people seemed to be Christians and every evening they have a service. The churches are packed, one service lasted 3 hours. The plank I was sitting on was so uncomfortable I thought it would never end and, of course, I couldn't understand a word. I shall never moan about our pews again(or Nick's long sermons!!!)

I am getting more used to the Asian loos here, but am longing for an ordinary one again and Oh! for a bath.

In the mountainside they eat rice for every meal. I started dreading the next meal. There are no tables or chairs either so it's very hard on my knees and hips. I was asked to take part in one of the services J translated. I was a bit nervous but they seemed to enjoy it and presented me with some traditional clothes. I was moved to tears as they have so little and I have so much.

The 3rd village was very poor and had no idea of basic hygiene. The animals were skin and bone. Gizmo (our cat in Earith) wouldn't last 2 mins. The children were filthy and there was no school. We take food and bedding with us so as not to be a burden. They are always thrilled to see us and so hospitable. One morning we had just finished breakfast when another family came to fetch us to have a meal with them two rice breakfasts in one day, yum yum !

In this particular village I had to share my bed with large cockroaches. I slept surprisingly well most nights considering the insects and the cockerels that all have a crowing competition at 3am. On Sat. afternoon we went to a village called Maesa and took 4 services in 24 hrs. Although I was longing to come back to base for a shower (my feet were black, as you do not wear shoes in the houses). I felt upset at leaving these people, their simple way of life there, love for God and each other could teach us so much.

We are home for 2 days then off to the Burmese border. I hope to meet people working in the refugee camps and perhaps even meet some of the refugees that have come from the caps. We will be visiting 2 more villages, but have to get government approval first.