The Wycliffe & SIL members gathered for a lunch. Jamie Farr, in his usual exurberance, has captured Holly Davis' attention. Does she look a bit amused?  

Jon followed his original composition with a lovely rendition of Amazing Grace. I wish this page could convey the beauty of this instrument.  

The young man in the center is Jon and he is about to play an original composition on a native Thai wind instrument. He is accompanied by Becky Johnson, Spanish teacher at Grace. 

Friday morning we were all proud to hear the clear and strong voices of the Grace International School Choir led by Connie Eckerle. I have the joy of working with Connie in the secondary school library.  

Leading worship this time for the conference is Linda Fisher, the secondary principal and one of our many talented youth - Becky.  

This picture shows the Grace International School Jazz band performing for the general session of the conference. Great music for worship! 

This is a view from the 11th floor of our hotel overlooking the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The mountain in the distance is Doi Suthep. We are attending the International Children's Educator's Conference.  

Sivy and Sopheak are newly adopted Cambodian children. A missionary felt compelled to find a home for them when he found Sivy in an orphanage. He convinced the Jarots (teachers at Grace) that they were the right couple for this new family. The children are with Mrs. Smalley, the 3rd grade teacher. Thanksgiving is a new experience for both of these girls!

Meet Sopheak with her Mom - Paula Jarot and two more teachers from Grace. This is Sopheak's first Thanksgiving.

This view is taken from the second level of the new elementary building at Grace International School. The field is one of three playgrounds surrounding the school. The homes in the distance are part of the World Club mubann (village) where many of the Grace teachers live. The look of the mountain range in the background changes each day depending on the weather. This particular mountain is called Doi Suthep. What a great way to wake up each morning!  

What a treat! Marion Wilke and her daughter Julia came to Thailand on a vacation. We met at their hotel and had dinner at a wonderful German restaurant in downtown Chiang Mai. Marion wrote for the Rockford Register Star for many years. Her daughter Julia is moving to El Paso, Texas to work for the Gannett newspaper chain. I got acquainted with Marion more personally through the Kiwanis Downtown Club where she has served as the newsletter editor. What a joy to have visitors from the states and to share the story of my journey to Grace International School.  

This picture was taken in the evening at the open house. As you can now see, this room is lovely and quickly has become the student's favorite place to come for study and conversation. Lunch time - this place is humming. Study hall passes are hard to come by... 

The exclusive feature of this library is its view. It looks over one of the largest swimming pools in the Chiang Mai community - about two Olympic size lengths. 

Now it is beginning to look like a library. The secondary library has about 5,000 books and 5 Internet computers. 

Shelves are up and ready to hold all of the books in those boxes. 

This shows the transition of the secondary library with boxes ready to be opened. 

This is a picture of the room that was to become the secondary school library. It had been the combined secondary and elementary library and before that was the restaurant for the World Club.  

This beautiful lady is from the Mien Yao tribe. She is 82 years old. She is wearing the traditional clothing of her tribe - the navy blue jacket, red collar and navy blue circular hat.  

My first day to take the cycle to school. Many Thais ride this version of the Honda motorcyle. It is called a Honda Dream Wave. There are three of us who ride to school. We plan to get t-shirts that say on the front - "The Dream Girls." On the back it will read - "We are on a mission!" 

My roommate has dubbed me the Darth Vader of Librarians. I argue that the helmet is white and does not have a breathing apparatus.  

What can I say? The elephants are everywhere and one simply has to join the crowd and participate in the way of the land. They really are quite friendly but obviously have their own way.  

This is one of several buildings on the grounds of the King & Queen's summer palace. 

This is one of many Buddhas found everywhere in Thailand. This one is aptly named the leaning Buddha and is located near the old capital of Ayuthaya. Buddhist monks wear orange robes and can be seen walking the streets of many cities in Thailand.  

Bangkok - the capital of Thailand. Population exceeds 14 million. It is an exceptionally crowded, noisy city. People are encouraged to ride the new Sky Train or the river taxis to reduce the road traffic. This picture is taken from a walk over and the traffic is very light!  

This is a shrine showing that the Thais value the elephant. We are at the Golden Triangle which is a place where one can stand and view all three countries of Thailand, Burma (Mynamar) and Laos. It is a popular tourist area for Thais and foreigners.