Crossing Borders

It amazes me how every minute of my life seems to be filled with some plan while I have been here, but I was "forced" to take a small break from Thailand in early September. Awww shucks, you mean I have to travel somewhere new?!?! You wont hear a complaint from me, that's for sure. It was my 3 month mark of being in Thailand, meaning I had to leave the country and come back to start my second visa.  Because Tyese had left to Nepal to gather our backpacks that we abruptly left at the airport when we were leaving to come here, I convinced Johno and Teneal to come to the border of Myanmar with me. 

A five hour bus ride took us to the Mae Sot boarder entrance. Passport in hand I walked up to the entrance of the bridge I would have to cross to get into Myanmar....there was about twenty people standing in line waiting to get their stamp proving they 'left' the country. Simply because our skin was white an officer led us all the way to the front, cutting the whole line of locals so we could be on our way within minutes, it was so embarrassing. We started our walk across the friendship bridge, the murky river below us portrayed hope for Burmese refugees that might someday cross it illegally to live in "better conditions" on the other side. Behind the entrance to Myanmar it was visibly a different world to me, people everywhere, dirty, poor, traditional clothing and face paint....reminded me of Nepal a little bit. I left Johno and Teneal behind and crossed into the country by myself.

Before I left I heard many horror storys of the terrible living conditions in Myanmar, and while I do believe that life is harder there, I have to say that I had a fabulous time. The locals had such a great sense of humor, I would venture to say some of the happiest people I have met traveling.  This man caught me with my camera out and couldn't resist posing for me....

I was thoroughly amused by this group of people...who says you have to speak the same language to joke around???

Chewing Betel nut seems to be the trend on the streets. I think I only saw three people the whole time that smiled and didn't have a mouth permanently stained with red.  The women below sold little packs of betel nut wrapped up ready to chew, she wanted me to try one so bad, even going to the extent of giving me just a sample saying "free! free!" I responded with a quick NO!!!!! and pointed to my teeth.  Everyone had a good laugh, the women shrugged her shoulders and popped it in her own mouth....as if it was unfortunate that I missed out on an opportunity for a mouth full of cancer. 

When I met back up with Johno and Teneal in Thailand we decided to rent scooters for the day and headed 60 kilometers out of town to see the Burmese refugee camp Mae La. These 4 Kilometers of land house almost 70,000 Burmese people that fled their own country because of mistreatment. The outer edge is lined with barbed wire and Thai security guards.  They are allowed to leave the camp to gather what they can find in the forest, but if they try to escape the camp and are caught, they will likely be fined, imprisoned, or sent back to Burma and enlisted in the Army there. 

The Guard was off his booth when we arrived, so we walked right in like we owned the place, eventually, they found us and kicked us out (apparently you have to have a permit to enter). We saw giant posters explaining what an airport looks like, how you would use a seat belt, what a bathroom looks like, a locked door, a taxi...things that they would never have any idea what it was.  I wondered why they needed to know such things, and then i found out it was because they are put on a list to be sent to different parts of the world like America or Australia to receive another change at a better life. 

Unfortunately its a lottery system, some people with get to leave in a few years of coming, while others are born and raised having a family of their own before they leave, and others die there. However while they are in the camp the Thai government gives them shelter, food, water, education and medical care.   A Kindgom Hall is in the camp, with publishers ranging from 30 to 60 people.  Because they cant have the privilege to travel to circuit assembles and district conventions baptisms are held during the circuit overseers visits.

Around the streets of Mae Sot...

I woke up to the early morning chants of Monks that walk the streets and only pray over those who give them food and kneel down to them....then at 2:00 every day others dressed in white as shown below come by and "bless" only those giving them a cupful of dry rice. They haven't heard of the principle receive free give free huh? 

We ran into this shop that makes tofu- they were happy to show us the whole process, how cool. 

When we first arrived in Mea Sot we were wondering the streets for hours trying to find a guest house...almost at the brink giving up we wondered down this crazy little road and I plopped myself on the steps for a few minutes. Teneal abruptly starts laughing and points above me, looking up I see the Sign for the Kindgom Hall, I suddenly felt right at home.

There is a Thai and Burmese congregation there. We attached ourselves with the Burmese brothers and sisters. Saturday we all ate dinner together before meeting, it was the sweetest, warmest group of brothers and sisters I think I have ever met, giving more than they had.  

This is Chloe (12 years old)  and Elizabeth (14 years old) 

Chloe with her mom Cassia and Father Nitune.  Before they had Chloe they were in the branch in Myanmar...after Nitune was appointed as a special pioneer and she as regular pioneer near the border in Myanmar as they raise their daughter. There is an isolated group made up of their family and one other pioneer couple in Myanmar near the boarder. But most of the brothers and sisters have to cross from Myanmar to Thailand by boat with a special permit so they can attent meetings. Because of the unstable government and difficulties in coming to meeting there is only meeting one once a week that includes the service meeting and the watchtower. They get a public talk once a month. Talking to those that have to cross the boarder for meeting say they leave around 3:00 in the afternoon and often dont get home until midnight. 

Picking up a sister on the way to meeting....

If you want a ride to the Hall just jump in the back!!

Meeting was so cute, a hall full of kids, and the microphone user only wearing socks...I was so amused.

Story time: I noticed their bible teach book translated in Burmese had the same picture as ours but instead of being gold it had a red cover.  I asked why, and this was the answer.... literature use to have to go through the government before witnesses were able to distribute it. They allowed the Watchtower and Awake, but when the bible teach came around they decline the use of it in the country. What a loss! 

So for Two years a section of the bible teach book was added to the back section of the Watchtower. Then when a District Convention was approaching the branch went to the government and said they would like to compile a book from some articles that they had been publishing in the Watchtowers over the years to celebrate. They then bound these "articles" into the Bible teach book, changed the cover color and the government officials didn't bat an eye at it. AMAZING! 

Oh and I got my Thai license!!!! After getting residency, receiving a "medical" insuring that im healthy enough to drive, sitting in a classroom for 4 hours being lectured in Thai, taking a written test, and then a driving test, I am officially legal on the roads!