PREM International is a private school with a student population about the same as Grace. However, it caters to a much wealthier community of international business and embassy-related parents. This picture shows a dormitory. We walked almost a 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the gym. The campus looks very much like a small private college campus.  

JV girls watching the JV boys play PREM. Part of developing the concept of team is also showing support for the other teams from Grace. We learn together - and we are not just learning about basketball. :)  

Girls are warming up before the PREM game. PREM is about 30 minutes outside of Chiang Mai. We had to leave during the last period of the day in order to make game time.  

Junior Varsity girls team at PREM International. We are now 2-0 in league play. This has been quite a challenge for me - both in terms of learning how to coach and getting to know the girls. Each girl is unique and all are in that age group where they are trying to find themselves. I am proud how they have come together as a team and have worked hard to get into shape.  

Gabe, one of our younger missionaries, is about to release his top. The 'L' boys were eager to help him and all 3 had a good time playing together.

These boys are playing a game - spin the top. He just released his top using the rope in his hand. The wooden top is about five feet in front of his right foot. 

This man is a hunter for the 'L' people group. He is demonstrating how to use a bow and arrow. He cocked the arrow with his right foot. Though not tall, this man was very strong. He was quite willing to tell us how he and his fellow hunters hunt.

We were invited into the home of one of the larger Lahusi families. There actually were two rooms - the living room/dining room and the bedroom. The mother is very proud to show us her home. In the center of this room is a fire that is kept lit constantly. The home is made of thatched bamboo.  

Here she is watching the adults. She is not certain if she is ready to get into the circle.  

Isn't she beautiful! She is waiting for her chance to join the dance.  

As part of the New Year's festival the people gather around in a circle. The two men in the front are the leaders. Others in the circle watch the leaders and follow their foot and hand motions. The dances tell stories of the harvest.  

A young 'L' boy comes out of his home to show off his native costume.

Art and Pam Cooper have worked as translators for the past 13 years with the 'L' hill tribe. We visited the 'L' with the Coopers to witness their New Year's Day festival. Here, a 'L' member is showing us how a large bamboo tube is used to cook tea.

This is another holiday adventure - a trip to the elephant farm. Sarah is feeding a 6 month old elephant. He ate both bundles - bananas and sugar cane.

Meet Sarah and Lisa. Sarah is a kindergarten teacher in Bagabag in the Philippines. We were roommates in the Wycliffe training camp in Florida. Sarah lived in Baltimore before coming to Florida. Lisa is training to be a translator and currently is studying Thai. Lisa's home is Bermuda.  

On our way back down the mountain (Doi Inthanon) we stopped to see the waterfalls. You can see the walking path to the right of the rocks. It took us about 20 minutes to navigate our way down the side of the falls. Quite a beautiful site. 

During our Christmas holiday we traveled to the highest point in Thailand (8,530 ft) Doi Inthanon. The King and Queen each has a chedi built in their honor by the military. A chedi is a place that is used as a memorial or place where the family ashes could be housed. It is directly related to the beliefs of Buddhism. Chedis or stupas can be found everywhere in Thailand.