Another Roadtrip!

After serving and providing those with less with nice schoolrooms, clean water, and toilets, it is nice to have a little time for sightseeing. There is so much to see and do here. This time we saw a beautiful cave and people having fun in the water. 

I have nothing to add to the pictures Craig took of the schools we visited this time. He did a thorough job 😁

Craig got a late start climbing the stairs to the cave, so I was able to get a        picture of him. It is rare to catch him in photographs. He is pretty small here though 😄

The Bairds outside the Chang (Elephant) cave.

And here is the elephant!

This is a prayer hole. People throw money into it hoping their prayers will be answered. 

It is beautiful in there.

Young people having fun in the water.

This young man wanted me to take a video of him jumping into the water. He kept telling me to wait as he gathered courage. I had taken quite a few videos anticipating him jumping in before we had to leave. When we were walking away he finally jumped in, so this is right before he gained courage.

Craig's pictures and commentary:

We were on assignment upcountry for three days. Our team assessed five schools for future renovations, checked on current in-process renovations, and nearly twice as many ongoing and potential well and restroom projects. The people, parents, leaders, and children have been so welcoming and grateful. We enjoy working together with them strengthening families. 

We also had some leftover time to enjoy the local sites. Truly a beautiful place on earth.

Around Vang Vieng, Laos. Rivers, long tail boats, paramotoring (that is not a dirt spot in the picture), and amazing scenery!

A Kindergarten teacher's desk and classroom. They have very devoted teachers.

They were so proud of their students, they asked that we take pictures of them too. 💗Such beautiful little ones. They have requested their classrooms be renovated and fully enclosed. The church will take care of this and add better lighting and cooling.

These rooms are all used up. I love how the teachers decorated the ceiling with their art projects. It's wonderful to be here to help the generous members of the church provide support to the children and families in Laos.

Today's sweetheart shot 💗

The stairway to the cave 😰

Inside the mountain caves. They were beautiful ad the only "cool" place within many miles!

Vang Vieng village view from the. top.

Top of the stairs looking down.

The bridge over untroubled water.

Everywhere is bright and green; even the cliff walls are carpeted.

Nope - this cow was not having a hug today! First contact went well; then it wanted to lick Suzanne; she refused; so the cow went into head butt mode. Pretty fast dancing on Suzanne's part 😃

In her famous elephant throne.

Boule -- many of the schools have pits prepared for playing this French lawn game. A family favorite for Suzanne's aunt and uncle.

A close up of the vegetation covering a sheer limestone cliff.

Beautiful Lao agriculture.

A countryside home just across from the school.