So I have been here for 3 days now, and if the next 3 weeks go this fast I will be saying goodbye before I know it. For the most part I have been resting, napping, getting to know people, and napping. Oh, did I say napping? I am really tired but have not been plagued with the 3am wake up that often accompanies jetlag, so I am thankful for that. On Thursday I met with the JT (Juniper Tree) managers to discuss my assignments and learn more about their vision for JT and how i can help. Good stuff! Today I spent time talking to and observing the kitchen staff. One of my projects is to provide recommendations on how to make the kitchen work better for the staff and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The ladies in the kitchen have been so friendly and seem interested to hear my ideas (once I have some!) as well as willing to express their opinions. There will be some challenges, but I look forward to learning a lot and working with them. Of course, it hasn't been all work. I have enjoyed spending time in the pool in the morning. In the water I can walk without a limp for the first time in two months, and am hopeful that this therapy will lead to big improvements on land, too. But the beach is my real happy place, and I am truly thankful for such a beautiful office.
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It was definitely a long day(s) of travel, but I am happy to say all went well. I whisked through check in -- no line, how did that happen? -- and security thanks to pre-check and Ivy my wheelchair assistant. I know, I know, a wheelchair was really overkill, but not knowing how far I had to walk to the gate, it was nice to have. I was not a total slug because when my flight was delayed two and a half hours I made a trip to the restroom and to the food court for some dinner. Thankfully i had a five hour layover in Istanbul so was in no danger of missing my connection. In Istanbul i was again met by a wheel chair attendant...with a difference! These are electric and the attendant rides on the back. Carryon luggage can fit on the chair, and larger pieces are towed behind. Those were the coolest wheel chairs! Sadly my ride was just up the jet way. After that I was herded on to an electric cart (twice actually) for the very long trip through the Istanbul Airport to my connecting gate. That is one huge airport so I was very thankful for the assistance. This was not the kind of cart I used but thought it was cute. Just nine more hours of flying time to Bangkok! The flights were fine, legroom was tight, the food was meh, but I am a picky eater so ymmv. I slept an hour here and there and was happy when we arrived early. I did find the camera that showed the ground pretty interesting as well as the prayer timer for the Muslim passengers. My wheelchair assistant in Bangkok got me through immigration with no waiting, retrieved my luggage, took me to an ATM, found my driver, AND wheeled me through the parking garage to the car. Another very big airport so all that walking would have taken me forever. Very thankful for the help! Four hours later, including a potty and lunch stop at McDonalds, I arrived at Juniper Tree. Bad photos of some sights on the way from the airport.
In about 36 hours I will be arriving at The Juniper Tree Dolphin Bay. This is a place of rest and refreshment for Christian workers in Asia, and perhaps just a little glimpse of heaven. Kristen and I went to Dolphin Bay in 2017 (and its sister center in Chiang Mai in 2019 and 2020), and it has held a special place in our hearts ever since. It isn't fancy but it is clean, comfortable, and a place of incredible blessing for missionaries needing a brief time of respite. Having communal meals prepared three times a day definitely seemed like heaven to me! About six months ago I received a message from Juniper Tree indicating their need for several short-term volunteers to help them with their facility and program. See if you can figure out which opportunity I volunteered for. Okay, that probably didn't take long! I sent an email expressing my interest along with my resume and was invited to come to Dolphin Bay to serve for three weeks in March. My projects range from updating the guest book to organizing the laundry room and kitchen to creating job descriptions and making some process improvements. Sounds exciting, right? Well, it does to me! I couldn't be any more thrilled to use my natural abilities, skills, and experience to give back to a place that was a blessing to us as well as to make it an even better experience for the many wonderful people who come through there every year.
I should be able to access the internet while I am gone, so check back when you can, and I will try (TRY) to post photos and updates. In the meantime, please pray for safe and smooth travel, good health, and time management to complete as many tasks as possible in the short time I am there. Time to throw the last few things in the suitcase and get ready to go! Blessings, Donna PS - Some photos from our previous visit. |
About This BlogPart documentary, part family chronicle and part personal reflection as I try to sort through the ups and downs, the joys, heartaches and surprises of our life and work as we follow the path that God has set for us here in China! Prayer RequestsKristen to continue to adjust to college life and find good friends.
Donna for safety and provision while traveling and serving in Thailand. Archives
April 2024
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