TBM - Thailand's FIRST

Hey, all you campers! Okay, I think I feel recuperated enough to report on one of this week's activities…  Can you guess what it was?  Yes!  Girls Camp!  Whew! A few months ago, my name was discussed in High Council for a counselor in the District Young Women's Presidency.  Elder Lindorf was quick to reply, "She's spent most of her time in Relief Society and Primary.  About the only thing she's done in Young Women is Girls Camp."  "Perfect!" came their excited reply.  "That's just what we want her for!" So we've been planning Thailand's FIRST year of Girls Camp.  Can you imagine the fun?  What an amazing privilege!  When we had our planning meetings, with each activity we would discuss, they would turn to me and ask how we did it in America.  As I would begin to tell them a little bit of what we had done, their eyes would get so sad.  It was too overwhelming for them.  The "scale" was all wrong.  So, I would immediately suggest a compromise and then they would be all smiles again!  With each suggestion, the Spirit would sweetly testify to my heart, "This is good."   Of course, the best way to start Girls Camp is with a good breakfast.  Mmmmmm….!    The language barrier gave us lots of humorous situations to laugh about.  I was never quite sure what exactly would be next.  However, this game needed no translation!   For the cooking requirements, we divided the girls into 3 groups and gave each group identical pans of food.  Then we turned them loose to see what they could come up with.    First we prepare the food...     Next, we cook the food (Thai style, of course).   And look at what they made!  It was delicious! We also invited 2 Sister Missionaries to join us for a day, to help the girls ease into this and to translate for me.  They taught the girls how to make Banana Boats!     Here we are, demonstrating line dancing...  Yee-haw!!     We had fun singing camp songs, thanks to the Camp Manuel being translated into Thai.  You may notice my new innovation...  I'm playing the guitar like a base.  I have a shoulder problem that made it so I couldn't play the regular way.  Whatever works! And, what would Girls Camp be without skits???     The girls chose themes for their skits, such as "Sister missionaries out preaching the Gospel," and "Praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true."  It is easy to see their perspective on what is important in life! I feel so blessed to have had the privilege of working and playing with these Young Women!  As I took this picture, I couldn't help but reflect on the chosen, valiant sons and daughters God has reserved for these last days.  I pray that God will bless each of them to go forward in faith and help to strengthen the Kingdom of God in Thailand. Keep the home fires burning... Love, Sister Lindorf

TBM - Flooding in Ayutthya

If you've been following these updates very long you'll remember that our branch is in Ayutthaya about an hour North of Bangkok.  It's the ancient Thai capital city, burned out by the Burmese in the 1600s. It is currently the site of the worst flooding in the whole country of Thailand.  All the reservoirs up-river are full to capacity, so they are unable to stop the flooding.  In fact, they're going to have to release more water soon to keep the earthen dams from breaking.  Things could get worse very quickly.  We currently have about a dozen member families who's homes are under water. Here are a few shots taken this week so you can see the gravity of the situation. Some get around in boats now instead of cars and motorcycles. This was a two story house. This is one of the neighborhoods where some of our members live.  The two Thais (branch members) are showing the missionaries the damage. This is inside one of our member's kitchens. Does this remind you of the duck-walks we used to build to get over the mud? This is the missionaries house right on the river.  It is now about 10 feet above normal.  If it gets any higher, they'll have to move out. Members and  missionaries putting together hygiene kits. Street scene.  There have been 38 deaths so far from disease related to flood waters. This is our LDS Charities Country Director and the missionaries meeting with the Governor of the province and her assistant to see what the church can do to help meet the people's need for food, clothing, clean water, and shelter.  The Church won't duplicate government's efforts, but they pick up where the government leaves off to help provide basic human needs for all affected, regardless of what church they belong to. Backhoes have been busy building dikes in an attempt to contain the water. Rice farm Notice the center line on the road. When was the last time you saw a skidoo on the highway onramp? Buddhist temples are not immune. This used to be rice fields.  Now it's water as far as the eye can see.  COT members, can you spot Waldo in this picture? It is sobering to have this amount of damage affecting people you know and love.  We are currently looking for sites for alternate housing on higher ground (not much of that around here though).  This flooding could continue for several more months.  October is traditionally the month with the most rainfall, then we should get a breather. We held District Conference in Bangkok today and most of our members came - even the ones whose houses are underwater.  Our Temple trip is still on for next week.  These good people wouldn't miss that opportunity.  They are valiant souls. We are blessed to be associated with them.  Please keep them in your prayers. Elder & Sister Lindorf