Stop 52 - A Little Vilage in Thailand

Before blooming, a budded flowers beauty hides under a soft shell. In rural northern Thailand our volunteer team visited a speck of a village surrounded by walls of majestic mountains. Many families suffered from cyclical poverty, broken families and grieved hearts. Rather than accept the visible problems, our team searched for the hidden treasure buried inside. Using an international language called love our words consisted of clearing weeds from a playground, serving host families, teaching English, and harvesting garlic. A few drops of sweat (see picture) watered the flowers and locals began to bloom with hope and smiles. By the end of the trip, we were laughing over bowls of Thai soup (eaten in a common bowl using hands with balls of sticky rice as utensils) and enjoying life's simple masterpiece.

What beauty did the master gardener place deep inside of your garden?

Stop 51 - Chaing Mai, Thailand (land of Siam)

Coffee and spiceynoodle for all! Upon arriving in exotic Thailand, my team witnessed the grand opening of purpose driven coffee. Besides prices lower than modern stock valuations, the storefront resides directly across from the prestigious (and massive) Chaing Mai University. While untrained eyes behold steamy caffeine goodness, the shop's exterior encapsulates a a launching pad for charity to the community. While serving coffee in one hand and hope in another, locals receive a double shot of blessing.

In the above picture of the coffee shop's inaugural prayer meeting, can you find my stoic face?

Stop 50 - Lubock, Texas

Cowboys never fully hang up their spurs. While in the beautiful plains of Texas serving local churches and charities, two of us stayed with an older hatless cowboy. (and a canine ball of fire and fur named Jackson) Despite an age greater than many small childeren could count, he still cooks enough flapjacks for a small herd of hungy workers. Besides being quick on the utensil draw, our seasoned host filled our ears with amazing stories of life before the Great War. With food in our bellies and our ears full history lessons, I reflected how increased age does have to result in a decreased ability to change the world. (or bless hungry travelers)

Step 49 - Roadtrip

Alas, my time to embark draws near. Reminiscent of ancient nomadic tribes, my backpack will stow aboard a trusty steed (or van) for my upcoming charitable trip. With the procurement of granola bars, books and a chess set smaller than most purses, my pack is laden with roadside entertainment.

In the activity whirlwind's eye tranquility and rest can abound. Taking my eyes off the task list and day planner, my gaze to rises above business to life's truly important matters. Time spent in meditation and prayer reminding myself of a brief phrase describing life's pivotal truth, "something is more important than time, money, and comfort"

Stop 48 - Tyler, Texas (almost on the road again)

Preparing to take the show on the road. With pack on my back and hope in my heart, I am herding chaos (planning) for the upcoming adventures (Lubbock, Chicago, and Thailand). Since a video of my team's packing process may not be entertaining, below I placed a video link of our team's theatrical drama called The Clincher. Please refrain from leaping out of your chairs in shock, but I play the drama's dastardly villain (without a curly mustache)

With the small seeds of ragtag drama, we desire hope and freedom to be sprouted in the center of Thailand's Red Light District.

The Clincher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPzXBhe1j4

Stop 47 - Tyler, Texas Chronicles

Pulling apart a house in a charitable manner. A friend's trailer needed to be moved without the added room. In response, a team of destructors (students) from our school answered the battle cry. After demolishing walls with sledge hammers and opening the roof with a saw, we were left with a lonely looking floor. As an engineer who loves shortcuts, tearing out individual boards was not appelaing. With precision brutishness, a large red truck and a manly looking chain pulled the floor directly from the trailer. Truck borne stunts were not for an automotive commercial, but to serve a friend in need.

Stop 47 - Tyler Texas Continued

Training for culture spice! With an upcoming community service trip to Thailand, foreign culinary culture propels me to cuisine fitness. As part of the workout, turbo-charged meals include eating whole jalapeno peppers. (see picture) Food exertions assist fully adapting to and learning from thai culture and adding a layer of steal to my stomach.

What foreign cultures could you learn from?