Back at the Border School

The High School students have finished the year and are very happy to be done with the exams.  There is an energy of relief in the air.  I am back teaching at Ban Hin Turn primary school with  students aged pre-school through 6th.  This last week we had fun singing songs and playing English vocabulary games.  The students are so adorable.  I have taught more days at this school than any other so I am becoming very close to many of the students.  

I have to share a story that may be off the "Awwwww..." scale.  You will see a picture here of one students holding a homemade guitar.  His name is "First" and he is about 7 or 8 years old and the smallest boy in his class.  First is totally enamoured with me and my guitar.  Every time I play and sing he is always there right by my side watching with absolute concentration.  One day, about 2 weeks ago, while I was teaching his class, he hastily constructed his own guitar from his notebook and a ruler and while I would play he would strum along in unison.  The next day he showed up to school with a guitar made from a cardboard cut out and it was decorated with flames and lots of color.  He carried this guitar with him to every class and I would see him sometimes walking between classes strumming it and singing "This little Light of Mine".  The guitar in the photo is version 2 of his guitars and he always has it with him.  Ok...  all together now....  "Awwww".

I taught again at the Temple on Saturday and will teach again at the border school this next week.   Then that's it.  School is closed for summer break and I will have about a week and a half to relax before I head back home on the 18th.

I am sitting at a coffee shop that is right on the beach in Ban Krud and it is a beautiful day.  Very hot, about 90-95 degrees but there is a slight breeze and the ocean in calm.  It is so beautiful here.

Peace and Blessings,

--Christian