CMDA and Safe Arrival in Phuket
Our services to the medical/dental workers at the CMDA conference in Chiang Mai were very appreciated. Among other things, we gave haircuts to 79 women in two days, many of them living in remote areas, some of whom haven't been able to get a professional haircut in years. It may seem like a small, superficial thing, but some of the women broke into tears because of how special it is to have their hair brushed, cut nicely and styled by other caring women. Almost all of them gave lots of hugs before they left. :) I was in the hair cutting room doing all kinds of odd-and-end chores including brushing hair, blow drying and... squatting repeatedly to sweep the cut hair into a dust pan. After 9 hours of haircuts two days in a row, my quads are burning... it feels great!
In addition to haircuts, the women were treated to pedicures (read "face-to-face conversation with another woman for a whole hour"). Mom was doing pedicures most of the two days and had some really meaningful conversations. Think about it... these women are doctors or wives of doctors in places like tribal Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, rural China, Muslim neighborhoods in India, etc. Fascinating stories abound!
We are now in Phuket on the gorgeous southwest Thai coast. (Think Asian Hawaii.) We arrived in the afternoon and spent several hours this evening preparing and wrapping gifts for the WOTH retreat attendees who arrive TOMORROW!
Photos coming soon! Please check back often... now that we're in Phuket, we have internet access in our hotel rooms and will be able to post regularly. Thank for your prayers. Know that they are accomplishing much!
In addition to haircuts, the women were treated to pedicures (read "face-to-face conversation with another woman for a whole hour"). Mom was doing pedicures most of the two days and had some really meaningful conversations. Think about it... these women are doctors or wives of doctors in places like tribal Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, rural China, Muslim neighborhoods in India, etc. Fascinating stories abound!
We are now in Phuket on the gorgeous southwest Thai coast. (Think Asian Hawaii.) We arrived in the afternoon and spent several hours this evening preparing and wrapping gifts for the WOTH retreat attendees who arrive TOMORROW!
Photos coming soon! Please check back often... now that we're in Phuket, we have internet access in our hotel rooms and will be able to post regularly. Thank for your prayers. Know that they are accomplishing much!