Pla gathering seeds.

Left: Chai and Nee trying to figure out what kind of tree

Right: Hone, Kua, Nee, Chai and Pla

Is this fun or what???

This past weekend we had a great time of exploring God's creation and teaching children.

Saturday we took the students, both boys and girls (14) to Phu Sang Waterfall, about an hour and a half from here. The water flows from a hot spring about a kilometer away from the waterfall. The warm water then falls into a pool of cool, clear water. It's absolutely gorgeous and the only natural place that I have ever been to where warm and cool water mix together. The greatest thing is to stand under the water and let the falling water massage tight back and neck muscles. Kia and I stood under the waterfall for long periods of time, and Mae, one of the girls said it looked like someone had made us go stand in a corner as punishment because we just stood there not doing or saying anything. We also walked a 2 kilometer nature walk around the waterfall examining different flora and fauna. With our great Hmong staff there is no need to read signs - they already know what plant is what and which plants are good headache and stomachache remedies. They were teaching the students as well as me. It was a HUGE blessing just to get away from the everyday grind of studying and teaching to get out and explore God's creation.

Sunday afternoon we went to Muankan Village, a Hmong village about 30 minutes from here. We go twice a month to do a Bible club with the children in the village. This time Nai (Bible student intern) taught and the girls helped lead games. Each of the girls will get a chance to teach, lead games, teach songs, etc. There is no church in this village, but there are about 4 or 5 believers. Please notice the string tied around the wrists and ankles of the children in the photos below. The strings are there to ward off evil spirits. They are worn day and night and never come off. Kia (staff member working with the girls) teaches the 4 or 5 adults who come, while Nai and the girls teach the children. Please pray for the believers in this village, that they would stand firm in their faith and grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Pray especially for Pawn, who is raising two small sons on her own. It was Pawn who had started the children's work last year and we come alongside to help.