ON THE ROAD AGAIN--PART 2

Notice all of the shoes that belong to the school children at this school in Lahad Datu

Some more of our trip to Lahad Datu and Kuching with the Frandsens, our fresh water specialists. This was taken when we were in Lahad Datu visiting the Humana Schools. The young man standing between Dad and I is Abraham, the school teacher. He was one of the most humble, polite, and engaging young men I've met here. He was so proud of his school and students. It was quite evident that he loves what he does. He took Sis. Frandsen and me to a world map and wanted us to show him where our homes were. He wanted to know all about where we live. Sis. Frandsen is from Sweden, but now lives in Utah. He was mesmerized by her blue eyes. Several people talked to her about her blue eyes on this trip!

This is Sis. Frandsen and I standing in front of the first Humana School that we visited on this trip. It was in such a poverty area. LDS Charities brought fresh water, toilets, sink, and a simple water filtration system to this school. Some of the schools we visited had not even set up their filtration systems in the year since they were given to them. Nestor scolded some of them for not using them.

This was the last school that we visited in Lahad Datu and we handed out to the students about 50 hygiene kits that their grandson back in Utah had done for an Eagle Scout Project. These kids put our hands to their heads in thanks as each one received their kits. They sang an English song for us before we left!! I forgot to show you a picture of the front of their school when we drove up. I'm going to enter it now!!

This picture was taken at a Iban village outside of Kuching. This lady is weaving a mat. Everyone usually has one. She was so very shy and wouldn't allow me to take a picture of her face. To the right of her was a very rudimentary kitchen with an open fire and a pot for cooking.

It was extremely hot the day that we visited this village to check on their fresh water needs. We had been told by the previous village that they are without water during certain months of the year. They said not. As we were leaving, one of the men asked another to climb up his coconut tree and get us something to drink. He threw down several coconuts and the man at the bottom started to chop away until he made a hole in the coconut for us to drink out of. Every man in every village carries a machete with him. The Malaysian word is padang. You never know when you might need one!! I want to get one for Dad--He needs one to go with the 6-foot blowgun he bought!!!

This was in front of a home of one of the poorest villages that we went to visit. This is where they cook their foods. This was probably the poorest village that we visited. Some of the older women walked around without top clothing--just skirts. The children were happy, playing and swimming in the river nearby!

This was our visit to an Iban tribe village, and one of my favorite. We went to the Asst. Chief's home to ask questions and inquire about their water. The district head told us that they were not scheduled for water for some years and that they had poor water pressure with what they had and were even dry certain months. We took a ferry over a large river and traveled a long time to get to this area. They have only had roads for 8 years in this district. They do have electricity. In fact in this particular village, there were some satellite dishes!! They offered us some of their delicious fried rice batter "thingies". Her Dad is enjoying his.

While Dad, the Frandsens, and some of the village men trekked up the mountain, Sue Walker, our Rotary friend, and I stayed in the village. We walked around the village, took pictures, and went into a longhouse. Remember, I told you about longhouses before. These are some of the people in the longhouse--so very nice!! They fed Sue and me some more rice "thingies" and drink. They were very interested in what we thought of them. I told them that they were "yummy". I rubbed my tummy and said "yummy" again. They thought that it was so funny!! They all started rubbing their tummies and saying "yummy"! It's just another new word for their Iban language. They do not speak Malay--only Iban. They are the largest indigenous tribe in Sarawak--the state we were in. One of the most famous headhunters from long ago was Iban. They didn't want us to leave. We laughed and laughed with them.

These are our 3 cutie guides from the district office who were part of the group that took us to this Iban village. They were so delightful. The young lady in the print dress is from this village. She lives with her grandparents in the longhouse. These girls have temporary jobs in the district office. I told them that they need to go back to the US with me. They said that they would love to but they have no money or hope of ever leaving. Their little town was small, quiet, and very beautiful. I told them that I knew a lot of people who would love to live where they do. I don't think they believed me!!

I'm glad that I have finally gotten some of our trip down . This was a busy weekend and week for us because we have been trying to take care of our sister missionaries. They have Typhoid!! Can you believe that!! They have been very sick young women. They feel better one day and think that they can jump back in the saddle. They came to church today, but went home after church and have felt so bad this afternoon. I hope that they start listening to me!!
They are on some really high powered medicine. Our church doctor in Hong Kong is monitoring them. Our little Chinese pharmacist here has helped Dad and I give them advice.

I think that they will be more careful about where they eat and drink from now on!!

We love you. Happy Birthday to Ginger, Izzy, and Jake this month!! You're wonderful!!

DAD & MOM