After Randall, Kassie, Kenley and Ryah left, we had a couple weeks before we got to welcome our daughter, Rebekah, Evan, Jack, Caroline, and Graham.
Jack had been here before, but since he was only 1 year old, he doesn't remember it.
This is Rich, Caroline and Jack walking to chapel one morning.
After chapel, Jack, Graham and Caroline are looking out our gate. Graham loved watching all the motorcycles.
On the 4th of July, we had a party at the school. We played Bunco and ate pizza together. A fun evening.
Our students loved getting to interact with Evan, Rebekah and the kids.
This is a picture of Rebekah and Caroline with our girl students as well as Navy and her daughter, Nahkin.
Of course, we had to run across the street to have our hair washed.
I think the wash, head massage, and blow drying cost $2.50 each.
After being in Cambodia for about 10 days, we all went to Thailand. As some of you know, our kids' 16th birthday present was to spend the summer with my parents in Thailand.
Rebekah hadn't been back to Thailand in a long time, and Evan has been to Cambodia 4 or 5 times but never to Thailand. So, we decided to all go and visit. We left the school in Khemrin's capable hands, teaching a course on the New Testament Church.
Our first stop was Chiang Mai. This is Evan with Graham, Jack, Caroline and Rebekah at the Old City wall.
My friend from high school, David Eubanks, had a property northeast of Chiang Mai and had offered for us to come stay with him. David is the founder of Free Burma Rangers. He along with his family and workers cross the border into Burma and help with villagers who are getting bombed by the Burma Army. David is the one with the hat. His son, Peter, is on the right end. One of his workers is beside me. It was great to catch up with him and we enjoyed his generosity. Unfortunately, his wife, Karen, had to go back to the US as her father was in bad health and has since passed. Their 2 daughters were working on internships in Africa (she is in Texas Tech Vet school) and the US (she is a nurse getting some additional experience before returning to Thailand. (FYI, there is a documentary about David's work.)
We took a day to go to a Elephant Reserve. As you can see, it rained most of the time we were there, but it was still fun.
One evening, we were invited to have dinner with some of the Christians at Sensai, which is to the east of Chiang Mai. The 2 ladies on the left used to live in Phuket with my parents and made friends with Rebekah while she was there. Ueng, on the left, has just recently moved to Chiang Mai. I miss getting to see her when I am in Bangkok at Soi 4 Church of Christ.
I love this picture for many reasons, but one of them is that Rebekah, our short daughter at 5'2" is the tallest one!!!
This is the group of us. Most of these people are parts of one family. They are incredibly sweet and loving. I can't wait for all of you to meet them in heaven.
Our next stop was Koh Chang Island. This island is actually close to Cambodia.
We also managed to take a day out snorkeling. It was absolutely wonderful!
This was down the beach from our place.
This picture of Jack and Caroline was taken before a bigger wave came up and knocked them off the swing.
Nice!!! We had asked a friend of mine, who grew up in Thailand, for the best spots that had good beaches and good snorkeling but not tons of tourist. This was one of his suggestions.
It is the rainy season and we did get a lot of rain, but that didn't bother us at all!
One evening, Rich and I took the kids out for supper, so Evan and Rebekah could have a night to themselves. Caroline said "best night ever!"
Rich and I with the kids before we had to leave. (I'm sure this island needs evangelizing as well. Right?? Maybe we should stay!)
But, alas, time to leave. This is our ferry to go back to the mainland and head to the airport.
We had one afternoon in Bangkok to look around. I knew especially the kids would love the monitor lizards that are in Lumphini Park in the middle of Bangkok.
This is Jack and Graham in front of one of the lizards. We got to see several.
This is at the end of the park. It is a huge aerobics class.
Then we ate pizza and hopped the train back to the church building area.
The Maynard clan left in the morning and Rich flew out the same evening. I stayed a few extra days for doctors' appointments (that went well).
I was so excited that I was at the Soi Somprasong 4 congregation on Sunday when our friends' youngest son decided to be baptized. Praise God for Jonathan's decision and for his parents who have been an example and teaching him all his life.
Now we are back in Cambodia and back at work. Rich is teaching most of the students Old Testament History. Khemrin is teaching the older students the book of Revelation.
Rich is trying to let Khemrin teach some of the books that he (Rich) really enjoys teaching, like John, Ephesians and Revelation. He hates to give those up, but it is good for Khemrin to teach them as well.
Vichega, one of our students, finished his last class last Friday. As there are a couple other students who are close to finishing, we will have the graduation later.
Thank you again for your love, support, and prayers. We are truly blessed!
Much love,
Ronda Dolan
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