April 12 - Elizabeth C

We returned to Yangon from Kalaw via the night bus and checked into our hotel around 8am. Rarely have showers and air conditioning been so appreciated.As this was our day to recover from one children’s program and prepare for the next, we operated at a slower pace, attending to sundry activities like reading emails and reorganizing luggage. We made one outing to visit the city market, tour the Sule Pagoda, and enjoy a classic Burmese lunch at a restaurant recommended to us by a local.Sunday through Thursday of this week is the Water Festival, a 5-day national celebration of the country’s new year. Though classic, it will never be an economic boom. Almost all businesses completely shut down for the duration of the festival. The main activity is splashing, spraying, or dumping water on anyone within range. Its origin is based on the connotation that being doused in water symbolizes cleansing from sin, though it is likewise just a reason for everyone to party. We were treated to a head start on the Water Festival by getting soaked at the market a day early. We then celebrated North American style by buying 31 gallons of water as our stockpile for the next few days while the grocery stores are closed. And believe me, a group of nine Westerners hauling around that much water does not go unnoticed.Seeing another pagoda today gave us fresh motivation for the coming week. In a land of inanimate, crumbling gods we are reminded of the power of the living God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Please pray that we can convey this in a concrete way to the kids this week. Please also pray that we would not grow lacksidaisical but depend on God to finish strong. Though we may never take for granted having North American passports, we count it a great privilege to watch God work here in Asia and we want to savor these final days.-Elizabeth C