Well as many of you know I really wanted to get to Burma.  Or at least work with some people from Burma.  Well I got that chance and was able to spend two weeks with the Akah.  It was still in Thailand in the far North mountains and they were indeed from Burma.  I went up there and met a team from Colorado who were there building two churches for two different tribes.  Abolanai and Boloson.  Both Christian tribes who have come a long way out of their evil spirit worship called Animism.  The Thai government has really stepped in and started helping these villages.  This same team from Colorado was there three years ago installing their first water system.  Which isn't like anything you would get in the states.  The Thai government really liked seeing the Akah try and establish permanent residence instead of wondering.  They were really impressed with their water system and ended up installing solar panels for electricity.  So they are slowly becoming more civilized and more sanitized.  It was amazing to be there and be apart of it.  I stayed with this one family alone by myself, which to me was a blessing.  There were two little girls and a little boy.  Within two days they were running up to me hugging my legs as I came home from working on the sights.  I had such a great time with all the kids.  It was amazing to see the villagers warm up to me after watching me interact with the kids.  I even had the opportunities to speak at their church on Sunday; which was fun.  I saw how they killed and slaughtered their pigs.  Even watched them burn the hair off and gut it too.  I enjoyed running down a hill in the jungle holding a rope with a bull on the other end charging down the mountain as we dragged along.  That same cow became our dinner and even enjoyed eating it raw.  Which tasted like crap but it was cool to see the men take well to me eating it.  They really like their cow and whisky.  It's a big treat for them and all the men gather around and partake together.  I formed amazing relationships with many of the villagers and will hopefully be returning soon to continue in the relationships which I have invested in.  There are many local evangelist here who have been working with these tribes for a long time and said it would be nice for me to come back.  It was a great trip and I came back a different person.  If you haven’t yet checked out my photo gallery do so now.  I took lots of pictures while I was up in the villages building the churches.

I start language school on Tuesday and will be attending classes three hours a day five days a week.  Plus I start at the orphanage here in a few weeks as well.  There are so many opportunities here it's amazing.  I want to do so much but can't do it all.  I really feel things picking up here fast and I am trying not to burn myself out.  I miss everyone and can't wait to come home and share many great stories.

Hey Sean, sounds like you had a great time up there! My friend in Bangkok is currently working on creating a worship album in Akha language with the songs written specially, not translated. I've also got some friends up in Chiang Rai who work with Akha orphanage. I think that the Akha people are some of the most Christianized of all the minority people groups in Thailand.
I hope your loving your languge school man! Keep in touch, and drop me an email when you have time.
Nate

Hey Sean,

It's great to see how quickly you're settling in. I'm excited to see how you like language school - since being in Thailand, I've really developed an interest in learning Thai. We can't wait to see you next week!

Ray

That is so cool Sean. Keep posting. Later bro.

p

Hello there Sean,
It is awesome to see what you are doing brother, and to see how much the lord is blessing you for doing his work. It is also ecouraging for us students to hear about the crazy stuff that God has for us outside of our studies, and it is inspiring to think that someday we may be able to follow your adventures. Thank you for posting all of this stuff that is going on, and please continue to journal. God Bless you Brother and all that you do.
-Chase

Hey Sean, it is so exciting to hear how God has blessed you with opportunities to do things for Him that fit with the person He has created you to be. God is truly giving you the desires of your heart that He put there. I miss you tons and can't wait to see you (in less than two months!). I'm praying for you, Lisa

We really enjoyed the latest journal on the Burma tribes. What great experiences you are having. The pictures were amazing. Keep up the good work, but don't forget us all here praying for you. G-ma,G-pa and Grannie

Hey Sean! I just got to take a look at your website. Looks like you are having a great time down there. Take care of yourself. Did you bring your guitar with you? Have you been able to introduce the ways of Rock to the locals? Hahaha.
Love Beaux and Kazue :P

SB...It was good to read your journal. I've been checking in on the Itsara site but have been missing updates about you. Now I get to see for myself. So sorry you had to eat raw cow...gross! Good thing you are so flexible. I don't know if I could do it. Anyway, glad you are getting to experience so much. May Jesus continue to watch over you.
Lisa O

Sean it sounds so amazing over there. It is so amazing how differently people live all over the world. Sometimes it is so easy to become so narrow minded in thinking that everyone lives the same way that you do. So nuts I tell you. Russell from florida asked me to send your journal to hime when you write so he is really excited. Cindy and Adam called him the a few weeks ago and he was really pumped. Hey I know what you mean about wanting to do everything but seeing that you are unable to. SO I pray that the Lord will direct your path and show you exactly what He wants you to do. boy I am excited for you. Well talk to you soon Love Jenny

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Wednesday, June 8th 2005 @ 6:04 AM