Missive 4 – 2012

What a week - and where to start! The highlight of last week was the pouring of the slab for the dining room/kitchen/laundry. It was a huge job with 28 truckloads of concrete and to get it done we had the first 4 trucks come through the gate at 6am. The whole pour was in jeopardy the night before because Malcolm had demanded chutes to get the concrete into the middle (the building is 16metres wide and 41 metres long), but they brought a tiny little one for inspection, and then a contraption made of cut down oil drums. Malcolm finally said “Find something or we cancel the order.” Then things really started to hum. They ordered a huge crane and a skip and that duly arrived at 6am. The pour went very well and everybody was suitably exhausted by the end of the day – so much so that the next day was almost a write-off!
The weekend was also a great highlight. The team decamped to Phetchabun in 2 buses for Pawinee’s birthday and housewarming. The buses we hire for these purposes are worthy of mention. They are a Toyota 12 seater and the drivers “pimp their ride” like you wouldn’t believe. They are pretty spectacular off the production line with intricately patterned upholstery on the roof, sometimes a TV, including one for the driver which pops out of the dashboard, lots of chrome outside and aggressive looking front-ends. Illegal in Australia, but popular in Thailand are lots of coloured LED lights in various places over the bodywork, including underneath and in the wheels. Most drivers have a multitude of stuff hanging from their rear-vision mirror, always including a garland of intricately woven white flower petals. These are sold, by vendors taking their life in their hands at many traffic light controlled intersections, for just 20 baht, and are a Buddhist tradition meant to add a blessing to the journey. The drivers also toot their horn as they pass the various temples to remind the spirits that they are passing by and to toss a blessing their way if they feel so inclined.
We received the usual warm welcome at Phetchabun and we dressed in our finery for the big party. Long trousers are expected for the men so a few of our blokes had to buy some especially. Some of our women also took the opportunity to go shopping with the good excuse of “not having a thing to wear”. Pawinee’s house was absolutely stunningly spectacular. The excruciatingly long time it has taken to get things right and to buy furnishings that suit has paid off. The end result is an elegance that befits a magazine showpiece. In fact, the Thai equivalent of “House and Garden” has asked to do a feature on it but I don’t think she’s happy with the garden bit yet so I’m not sure if that will happen soon.
The party had about 150 attending, including the big girls and big boys from Ban Meata. Our girls looked very beautiful all dressed up in their best and looked very much the young ladies they have become. We had some very professional Thai dancing by 5 girls from the school, one of whom was a Ban Meata girl, Brung, from the big girls’ house. Mum Whun was bursting with pride to see one her girls perform so well. Rob made a speech as did Thanakorn her brother. I wrote her a couple of songs and sang those and Malcolm followed up with a few words. Pawinee rounded out the speech making with testimony to how much God has blessed her and we all shared some of the huge cake. The food was typically Thai and just beautiful. We all sat outside at tables and the cooking team was stationed under the teak trees and presented the food, and the eating utensils, in cleverly patterned arrangements. For me it was quintessential Thailand and reminiscent of the hospitality we have enjoyed at weddings, funerals, parties and community events. Just wonderful – and by now I’m hoping you are all wishing you were here!
I should tell you about the wonderful group of women who are on the team here. Stephanie Wade (from Ireland), Jenni Hamilton (from the MI office in Queensland and now planning to stay long term), Katie Walacavage (a Queenslander known to the Hamiltons), Claire Ng (from Singapore) and Punee (from Ban Meata) have done a fantastic job preparing meals, doing our washing, mopping the floors and keeping the houses spic and span. Others like Jenny Joseph (Kiwi), Alex Fox (Aussie lady living permanently in Thailand), and often Jenni Hamilton and Katie Walacavage, spend their days on the building site pulling their weight marvelously.
This week has been significant for a couple of reasons. After being here 4 or 5 weeks we finally have something up out of the ground. In the last couple of days we have put up steel posts on the slab and now have 3 trusses up. Alex Fox and I have become bricklayers and Alex at least has become very proficient. We have started the walls on 3 sides of the first house and in between lifting up the trusses we are a couple of layers high and to the point of writing nothing has fallen over!
The other significant thing is the reduction in the size of the team. Katie Walacavage has gone, Graham Wray left on Sunday, Josh De Gee today, Dallas and Jenny tomorrow and our 2 Dutchmen the day after. And of course by the end of next week the last of the team will go home, although 3 or 4, including Chris Stolte will stay on and progress the work a bit more for a few months.
Despite all this there will be time for one more of these. Keep on keeping up with the news.
God bless
Ron



Dancing with my girl



Pawinee's house



My first block



Brung in Thai dancing costume