Page 4
MAE RAH MOE CAMP
The following week, Rudy drove us to Mae Sariang, a little town at the base of the mountain where Mae Rah Moe is located. We spent the night there and our driver from KRC picked us up at 7 am. Before going up the mountain, we stopped at a large outdoor vegetable market and loaded the back of the truck with big bags of onions, garlic, cabbages, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, potatoes and various greens, bananas and other vegetables. We were also able to purchase big boxes of tangerines and cookies as well as 15 dozen eggs that were packaged for safe transport in the truck. It was really nice to be able to take them so much food, most of which they very seldom have in the camp.
The road up to the camp was in far worse shape than we have ever experienced, other than our last trip when we were coming back out of the camp and a rainstorm hit, which caused us to slide from one side of the road to the other. This time the road was deeply rutted and we were constantly bounced around hitting the doors, roof and windows of the truck, somewhat like riding a bucking horse I suspect. It took us the usual 2 1/2 hours to get up to the camp, going up, down and around with unbelievable hair pin curves!
When we arrived, we unloaded the truck. Pastor Thein Than Aye called the children and we started the registration, picture taking process.
Families line up with their children to have them regisered and photographed in hopes of finding a sponsor. 
A long time Karen friend, Kyi Aung, who used to be my body guard, came to meet us and hugged both of us exuberantly. He is a big help in keeping the children organized, especially in Section 7 A where he lives. The people in 7 A are much more exuberant and very vocal. Many of the children were still in school and we were not able to get all the sponsored children's pictures, however, we still took about 350 pictures.
The photo on the right is a photo we took of some of the students from the Karen Adventist Academy in Section 4 of Mae Rah Moe refugee camp.
After we completed Section 4, we piled into the truck and were driven to the suspension bridge that leads to Section 7 A where many of our children live. There was a large group of people waiting for us at the bridge and we had a fun time hiking to where we would set up our registration.
In the photo on the left I am standing with Pastor's wife, Mu Lar Sue, and their 3 children. Their sons are Jonathan and Joel. Their daughter, Baby Betty, is now 18 months old.
When we stopped for a brief rest, Kyi Aung brought out a traditional Karen man's shirt that was hand woven by one of the ladies for Rick. I have a great picture of him trying to get it on over his shirt, since it is a pullover!
When we got to the home where everyone was gathered outside, a couple of tables were brought out for us and we got started. I love interacting with the children and parents and the time flew by as people waited patiently for their turn. When it was time to register new children, I gave the blank cards to Kyi Aung and asked him to give them to the children who were from a family that really needed help. Chaos broke out when he started handing them out and he was mobbed by mothers trying to grab a card. I just sat and watched, knowing he could handle them. It is always sad that we can't take pictures of all those waiting, but we have over 400 children registered who have not yet been sponsored and it really does not make any sense to keep adding children until we have taken care of those we have. Some have been waiting for 5-6 years.
When it was time to leave everyone walked to the bridge with us and told us good bye. Some of the children and parents went over the bridge with us and said their goodbyes at the truck. It is always a sad time for us, when we don't really ever know exactly when we will return. Our hearts are with these people and I thank God that He has allowed them into my life for the past 21 years. Rick has also grown to love them In the 5 years he has been involved with them. He really enjoys interacting with them.
Here is a photo of Pastor Thein Than Aye with his family.