So, our last few days of teaching are over.  Jason managed to get in a water fight with the boys in his class and much to their delight, Jason got soaked as well AND they weren`t expelled from school, as they would be in Canada.  Jason took his class out to get some DQ blizzards and donuts on their last day.  My class worked hard but I gave them all a pack of Hershey kisses with an attached poem called "Hugs" and a hand-written note of encouragement and thanks.  We will dearly miss this fine group of children who have taught us much, made us laugh and succeeded in so many areas.  It has been rewarding.

Riley and Krina were treated to a couple days with friends and sleepovers and had a grand time.  Jason and I headed to Phi Phi Island for a couple days and were overwhelmed with the treatment we received.  A friend of ours called her friend to help book a hotel for us and a snorkelling trip.  Our friend asked her friend, J, to take care of us.

Well, the red carpet was rolled out.  We stayed at Andaman Resort with a great buffet breakfast included.  The restaurant was right on the beach and apparently there are great views of the sunrise.  I, however, was not awake that early and took in the sunsets on the other side of the island from J`s shop balcony, sipping the tea she served us.  J and her friend are Christians and work in a massage shop.  They took us out for supper stopping at the locals only restaurant for a local Thai drink.  We had supper at a fine restaurant on the beach, sampling many Thai dishes from tom yum soup, penang, Thai omellette, rice and cashew nuts, pad thai, etc.  We had an amazing dinner with such fun conversation and lots of laughs, which reminded us of times with Tracy.  The Thai are usually a quiet bunch but what fun we had with these two ladies.  They shared of their faith, testimonies, life, chit chat, etc.

After that we went down to one of the fire shows.  What incredible talent the one girl had, who was a friend of J`s!  She could swing these balls of fire on the ends of two chains and dance with them like nobody else could.  She is always winning contests and I can see why.  Others performed with a baton with fire at either end.  Quite a show!

The next morning it looked like rain but by 9:00 it passed and the clouds were burned off.  J had arranged for a local fellow to drive us by our own private longtail boat to Phi Phi Ley for 3 stops of snorkelling.  What incredible beauty as we saw crystal clear water, so many varieties of fish and corral.  The driver was great and knew a little Thai.  We then asked if we could also go to Bamboo Island and he agreed.  That was a great spot and there weren`t nearly so many speed boats and other tours around.  We sure were spoiled to have our own boat and be able to spend as much time as we liked at each spot.  An incredible experience!

We spent a bit of time at our room and then went for supper before heading up to J`s shop.  She treated us to a massage and then went with us to the Italian ice cream shop.  That was delicious ice cream!  We took in a different fire show that evening but the first night was still my favorite.  It rained that night.

The next day dawned bright and hot as we headed to the pier for the ride back to Phuket.  J had to go to Phuket for shop supplies so we travelled together.  She was a great person.  She was a Thai Christian who spoke English fluently.  We so loved her and her friend.

Thurs. we had lunch with Rob and Judy for a bit of debriefing.  That evening was our last fellowship group and did we ever laugh!  Jason`s class put on a fine performance of several of their favorite memories with Jason.  Emma dressed up with a cowboy hat and continuously changed the t-shirt sign.  Oh, did we laugh.  The boys were quite the actors and just made us roar with laughter.  Sometimes Jason would have to tell a story or joke to the team in between acts as the stories/jokes were referred to in the play.

My class was so sweet.  Becky had helped them write and acrostic for my name, thanking me for teaching, remembering great snacks, being a great "auntie," being cheerful and inspiring.  They sang a song thanking me for teaching them and sang it to a Beach Boys tune.  They also performed a kids Christian song.  It was great.

Then the whole team took turns acting out a charade that Jason and I had to guess.  Again, we just laughed and laughed.  There is a lot of talent in our group with the antics they all performed.  Lots of memories of our time here.

After a great meal, we sang a few songs, a few team members shared words of encouragement and then they gathered around to pray for us as we head back to Canada and all that God has planned for us there.  We also received a scrapbook of all the team members, their memories with us and pictures of our time here.  A real keepsake!!

Today was the kids last day of classes in Thailand.  We gathered for lunch, trying rotdee for the first time.  It is like a crepe around a banana (or whatever filling you choose) with some sweetened condensed milk on top.  MMMMMMMM, delicious.

This evening we went out for supper with friends, saying more good-byes and thanking them for all they`ve done.

As for faith, one thing that has struck me this week is that we cannot move God.  Sometimes we sure try to move him and plead with him to do certain things.  However, it is better to wait and see God move and join him there.  So, I am praying to see God move in my life as he calls me to a new adventure and new chapter in my life.  I am excited to share what God has done in and through me and encourage the church back home.  I am looking forward to seeing what God has done in and through the church, friends and family back home.  We are all still asking questions and seeking God as we learn and grow in our faith more and more.  I think that while we are coming "back" home, we aren`t going "back" to the way we were.  Life will certainly be different for us because of our experience and the things we`ve learned.  How exactly will that look?  I`m not totally sure but we will see.  Please pray for us in the re-entry phase and reverse culture shock.

Thanks for all your support and prayers as we have journeyed together through our time in Thailand.  Sunday we leave Phuket, arriving in Vancouver on Sunday evening.  Then there is the drive ahead of us, time to see a couple friends and family on our way.

So, as this chapter in our life closes, another opens.  Please keep in touch as we all seek God, praising and trusting him as we take those risks/steps of faith.  God Bless You, one and all.