Songkran--Happy New Year! (celebrated from April 13-16)

Songkran is Thai New Year. The custom used to be to gently pour water over the hands of people to give them a blessing for the coming year. Now it is a four day water fight. People stand on the side of the street with hoses and buckets of water and spray/splash water on anyone who goes by--walking, on bikes, on motorcycles, in cars, taxis, whatever. They also put 50-gallon barrels of water with blocks of ice in them in the back of pickup trucks and drive around throwing buckets of water on people. After they get you wet, they sometimes throw flour or baby powder on you for good measure. They don't care what you are wearing or what you are carrying, it is understood that you are in a "war" zone. If you go down the street, you are going to get wet! Happy New Year!

 This is an advertisement in a Tesco store (Thai version of WalMart) for supplies for Songkran! Everything from special shirts, to water guns, food, and more.

 

Here is our district all ready for fun and frolic with the members at the church. (back row) Elder Watts, Sister Downs, Sister Yim, Sister Slaugh, Elder Brown, Sister Brown, Sister Tilley, and Elder Burke. (front) Sister Phorn (relief society president Udorn Branch Two) Elder Cahoon, and Elder Terry.

Before the attack began, they gave us garlands of jasmine. This is Sister Kulaab (Rose), the oldest party goer and one of our new dear friends.

 

The little kids are especially treacherous--this little girl, Ice Cream (all Thai people have a nickname that they go by-we don't know most of their real names) stalked Ray. Surrender was futile.

Elder Watts gearing up and Sister Downs sneaking up from the rear!

 Sister Yim's little cup of water was no match for Ray's hose!

Sister Kulaab had partied all she could and was headed home!

 The attack squad lined up wreaking havoc in front of the church. They took no prisoners.

 Again, it's the little ones on the attack (with a little encouragement)!

 Elder Burke taking it like a man, flour in the face and all. Elder Proctor and Sister Tilley kept pouring it on.

 Refueling with som tam, fruit, corn on the cob, and treats. As always the members provide great food.

 Since it was impossible to do missionary work during Songkran, the elders and sisters had an early curfew--7:00pm. It gave us a chance to get everyone together for a taste of home--pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, with apple crisp for dessert.

Sister Yim, Sister Downs, Elder Terry, Elder Watts, Elder Proctor, Elder Cahoon, Elder Jensen, Elder Burke, Sister Slaugh, and Sister Tilley

Apology from Jeanene: Some things are published out of sequence. We have had changes in district assignments that gave us a new cast of characters. Some posts show the new district mixed in with the old district. I hope it's not confusing. We are having a great time with our new missionaries and miss our former ones.