I was awakened by the camp roosters at 4 am but wasn't brave enough to crawl out of my warm nest until it was daylight. I finally got up and hurriedly dressed under my covers. Washing my face outside at the communal wash stand was a shocking wake up call. The water was really cold! Believe me, there was no 4-step facial performed on this trip!

Within 30 minutes, visitors started arriving. Among them was a young woman I had been corresponding with for 2 years and we would finally meet face to face. Mrs. Tamla teaches school on the other side of the camp and had started out before daylight to come see me. We had a great visit and she invited me to her home for a meal. I made tentative plans to come back to the camp after I had traveled up to Mae Rah Moo camp up North.

Soon some of the older boys I had befriended 2 years ago at the IDP hostel came to take me to see their hostel. IAG had paid to have a concrete floor cafeteria, library and bath houses built. Since there are no books at the hostel yet, some of the older students were living in the library. Most of them have left the IDP hostel and are living in the FSP hostel. 5 of the boys want to build their own little bamboo house and take 2 of the younger boys with them to look after them. They felt they didn't get enough to eat at the hostel and there was so much confusion it was hard to study for exams. I told them I would pray about possibly helping to buy the bamboo and leaves for them to build their house with.

When I arrived back at Naw Way's house a soldier was waiting for me. He had lost one leg in a land mine explosion several years ago and last year we had been able to get him a prosthesis. He was proud to introduce me to his wife and 5 hour old baby. They had walked over an hour to come visit! I am always amazed at the stamina of the Karen women. I had crocheted a baby blanket to give away to a special newborn and was happy to wrap the tiny new born in the warm blanket. The women were all enthralled with the pretty pastel yarn I had used. Such a small thing, that means so much! Po Jaw told me they were "very poor" and needed some money. (Don't they all?) I am always impressed that the refugees seldom ask for themselves, but for someone else.

Before I knew it, more children had arrived and it was getting pretty raucous in the little bamboo hut. Bin Sha came over and whispered in my ear, "My wife would like you to come to our house, it is quieter and you can rest."
I told Naw Way I was going next door and she smiled and nodded her understanding. We had just settled in for a nice visit when Bin Sha's wife insisted I have a cookie and some Karen tea. The tea is a green tea and kind of bitter, but I drink a lot of it when I am in Thailand. Within 15 minutes, men and women started drifting in and sitting on the floor to talk. One of the women, who spoke excellent English, told me she was the aunt of Mu Thu Za, a young Karen girl I had been trying to locate for over 10 years. Mu Thu Za had lived in the village of Htoo Wah Loo in the home of General Hla Htoo. I lived with them for 2 months in 1993 and got to know and love the pretty young girl. I lost contact with her when I left the village. The Burmese Army overran the village and everyone scattered. I heard that she had an aunt in Mae La camp so I sent a letter and it was given to her aunt. She was proficient in English and after getting my letter, wrote to me and sent me pictures of Mu Thu Za and her two young boys. She told me Mu Thu Za lived in a little village 5 hours away and word had been sent to her last night telling her I was in camp. I was thrilled and prayed she would make it to the camp before I had to leave. I had been told we had to leave that morning, but plans always change.

About an hour later Mu Thu Za arrived and she looked so much like she had 11 years ago that I knew her instantly. We hugged and cried as women often do. I think neither one of us thought we would ever see each other again. After she left, Naw Way insisted I lay down to rest. She calls me "Mother Betty" and told me, "When you are old, I will care for you in my home".
I was really touched. She has such a tough life with 3 children and a husband who has to lead the life of a soldier and is very seldom home. She told me I could spend another night if the Thai didn't find out I was there.

Later that night, some of the older students once again came over and we went outside to talk. I was enthralled with the full moon just beginning to peak over the distant mountains. The stars were so bright it was like I was back in Alaska again. The total absence of lights gave everything a wonderfully magical moon-kissed glow. The kids thought it was funny that I was so enthralled with the full moon and stars. I tried to explain to them how it is never really dark where I live with the street and house lights.

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