It is really exciting to finally be at Lay Klo Yaw. For several years now I have been hearing about it, and praying for it, and wanting to see it, and now we finally are here. The school is a lot different than what I expected. From the pictures you might think that it is rather barren, but that is anything but the case. It is in the jungle, in a little valley with steep mountains on either side of it. A medium sized creek sings it’s way down one side of the school property. The school buildings are very primitive at this point. They were built quickly, without a lot of thought as to how things are laid out. But, when you consider that they had to move really fast, and then they were out in the rain until they got something built, it is quite understandable.
The kids are really sweet. They are extremely shy and quiet, at least around the “gullawahs”. ( foreigners) The little ones are the only ones who are opening up so far. Each morning and evening there is a little parade of children from the school who come to us for their daily treatments. It doesn’t matter if it is a little insignificant scratch, it has to be treated, and for good reason! I have found already that little scratches can become huge infected sores overnight. They cannot speak English much, but they point to things, and I figure them out. During the “foot clinic”, which is what we refer to these time as, there may be three “nurses” sitting on the floor working on sores, while Roy plays with the kids in the living area, or Travis shows nature videos on his computer. After foot clinic in the evening, the kids usually stay for “gullawah” worship. We sing hymns for a long time, and then the kids sing a couple in Karen, Roy reads a story or devotional, and then we pray, either in Karen or English. It is so neat to see all those kids paying such careful attention even when they cannot understand a word of what we say.
In January, a Thai business man from Bangkok is supposed to come and finance building the school buildings that we need. We asked Paul and Lena what they would do if this does not work out, and they told us that they will build anyway…one building at a time as they can afford it.
Paul and Lena are busy every day meeting the needs of the school. Whether it be fixing the old missionary truck….again, or buying food for the kids, taking patients to the hospital, or buying medicine, there is never any shortage of anything to do. Going shopping, or fixing something is not easy like it is at home. It may take all day long just to get a few groceries. Everyone has a lot of responsibility with very few luxuries.
Gayle is our resident “doctor”, and Maria is her assistant. ( I help them also, since I am here) Maria came when her parents did, but went back to the states for more training. While there she got her EMT license, and then did more training in medical procedures that EMT’s don’t normally do. She treats the patients on the porch on the days when Gayle is gone, or when things are busy.
Lay Klo Yaw is still a work in progress, but from what I have seen good things are happening there. The school really needs our prayers, and so do the missionaries working there. They are taking people directly out of Satan’s hands, and he is not happy about it. It is easy to see the battle here, whereas at home it is sort of hidden. But more about that later….