Trip 2018

Trip 2018 – DAY 1

After farewelling family and friends at Melbourne airport I would have to say that our flight to Kuala Lumper was quite uneventful. Eight hours is a long time in the air and so some were able to doze or catch up a little sleep on the way. Arrival at KL involved collecting luggage and then racing back to collect items that were left on the plane. Three people left items on the plane (passport, computer and a bag) however all three were recovered and there were smiles all round. The walk to the Tunes Hotel was a little chaotic with various groups going around in circles and up and down in the lifts looking for the overhead walkway to the hotel. Now in the hotel a good night’s sleep is in order.

Trip 2018 – DAY 2

A good night’s sleep for most of us and it was a hotel breakfast that was one of the better ones we’ll probably get. The students have been told it all goes downhill from here! It was an early start to get 36 of us back to the airport, through two lots of security and on to the plane. This time with just a two-hour flight we were in Myanmar and the journey from Yangon to Myaungmya began. Although only 180 kilometres the journey takes well over 4 hours giving an indication of the type of roads we have encountered. This year the journey was lengthened by a bridge being out of action this earlier this year. Upon arriving at Myaungmya township we were required to get off the bus and walk to a ferry to cross the river. The previous bridge is no longer usable and the new replacement bridge is not due for completion until next year.

They were selling things at the dock and most students were in such a hurry to board the ferry they missed out on seeing the bargain – just 8000 kyat (~$8) for a bucket of live eels.

Trip 2018 – DAY 3

We have now arrived in Myaungmya and were given a lovely welcome by the students in national dress. Each of our students received a bouquet of flowers and soon after we had our students in the classrooms.

Trip 2018 – DAY 4

Well it’s the end of another day and everyone is exhausted. The heat is not too bad at the moment, mainly because the rain and its associated clouds are making a little barrier between us and the tropical sun. On the down side we’re experiencing typical monsoonal rains and this has meant a few extra trips back to the hotel to keep the students in dry clothes.

The day starts with a mini-truck ride to the school which everyone seems to enjoy – lots of singing seems to be the order of the day on both the boys and the girls trucks. Today we were back into the classrooms and when we find a challenging class that contains so many shy students who won’t talk it can be confronting for our students. So then we take the students to the chapel and we roster all our students on so that we let no one escape! In these smaller groups the local students have to talk and they find it somewhat easier to do this without the larger group.

In the afternoon classes were cancelled and the students enjoyed boys and girls volley ball matches, which were soon followed by a series of football (soccer) games. During the afternoon the heavens opened and down it poured. The intensity of the rain would have to have been been considered extreme. Time to sign off and tomorrow is another day.

Trip 2018 – DAY 5

Visits to Peace Orphanage and Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary (MUAS) were undertaken and various gifts and donations provided. Following this our troops got up and although a little weary and wounded (minor scrape or strain) from the soccer and volleyball, we met with the students from Ayerwaddy Adventist School. The school once again provided the students with a delicious breakfast hosted in the library building and then it was time to bid farewell to new friends and make our way into Yangon. First there was the boat ride to cross the river and then it was on the bus to Yangon. The trip was slow and uneventful and we then checked into our accommodation. A little rest time was provided before heading off to tea which involved a 15 minute walk through the streets of Yangon to 19th Street. The sounds, the sights, the smells are all quite intense as five million people jostle for space. Tomorrow is church and we’ll be presenting in the afternoon program.

Trip 2018 – DAY 6

Well the day began with the buses picking us up from the hotel and taking us to the Central Yangon Adventist Church. The program was a little different from the usual in that it was a praise and worship service and so we were treated to an array of singing. The local choir as well soloists and duets shared their talents to praise God. Following the program we were taken to the Yangon Adventist School where a beautiful lunch was provided in the new school cafeteria. Then it was up to the new chapel where our group spent some time practicing our own songs which we presented in the afternoon program. The program involved a panel of our students sharing with the locals about how and why they came to be on the mission trip and a little on their own faith journey. A readers theatre on the prodigal son was presented and then we presented a number of musical items to close out the program. Saturday night we went fancy with a dinner at a restaurant in a new shopping centre back in downtown Yangon before heading back to our hotel.

Trip 2018 – DAY 7

Today began with a run or walk for those who are able to get up at 6:00 am. Each day we have seen the number of people increase. The first day there was just the writer, on our second day we doubled our numbers and now we have five or six going for a morning run. Then it was off to National Christian Church – the Baptist church to which the folks from Hope Orphanage attend. Here the heat was quite energy sapping and while we have been diligent in keeping the water consumption up, there have still been a number of folk who have faded and so hydrolite drinks have been organised. The biggest challenge is when intense overnight rains are followed by a very hot sunny day – the humidity can be quite debilitating. However the enthusiasm in the singing by the young folks is quite extraordinary. The volume that some of the local young people are able to sustain is unforgettable. Following the service we were provided with lunch and then it was time for a visit to Hope Orphanage and after the presentation of funds we headed to the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery where a significant number of Australians are buried. Time for home and an earlier night.

Trip 2018 – DAY 8

Today we had 12 come for a run or a walk around Mahabandoola Park – one third of the group! While there are a lot of locals who exercise (Running / Walking, Tai Chi, Yoga, Aerobics, or on the exercise equipment that is found at one end of the park) our group still garners a good deal of attention. Anyway it was back for showers and getting ready for our visit to Yangon Adventist School. Some of the students we had already met as Sabbath lunch was hosted by YAS. Our students have found that the students in the city have a better grasp of English, however there are still many who struggle and the opportunity to practise is appreciated by many. (Incidentally the school has a new building as a result of a special offering collection from the global church.) Following the day in the classrooms, there was a soccer match between the students and suffice to say the home ground advantage proved impossible to overcome. The good news is that no serious loss of skin occurred for anyone despite playing on rough concrete. Then it was off to Shwedagon, a 99 metre high pagoda that can be seen from many parts of the city. Buddhism which follows many of the practices of Hindu astrology has resulted in many pagodas being constructed throughout the country. For us Christians it provides a stark contrast to the Biblical injunction not to worship things that we make with our hands (Exodus 20:4,5; Psalms 115:4-8 and many, many other references). However the architecture, history and politics of the place are quite significant to the Burmese people. Then it was the excitement of organising nine taxis to get us all back to the hotel. A walk to a modern food court for dinner and a brief devotional before a well-needed rest for the troops.

Trip 2018 – DAY 9

A record today! Thirteen of us were out early this morning walking or running around Mahabandoola Park. The day was spent with the students at YAS and as previously stated the English language capability of the city students is reasonable in some classes. The lunch for today consisted of: rice, toast, fruit salad, noodles, samosas, all of which was provided by the Year 12 students. Following the day’s activities it was off to Bojoke Aung San Markets (formerly Scott Markets) where the students were able to test their negotiating skills. All sorts of ‘bargains’ were reported by our students. After the shopping venture some of our group returned to the hotel while the other group went direct to a modern shopping centre to await for dinner later in the evening. Our evening meal was a little earlier than usual as an early night is planned. We have now returned to the hotel and after the daily debrief, devotional and outlining the schedule for tomorrow we all packed our bags for an early start in the morning.

Trip 2018 – DAY 10

Students were woken at 4:00am this morning, and then showers, final pack and onto the bus by 5:00am. The drive to the airport at this time of the day was relatively straight forward but we need to allow time for 36 pieces of luggage to be offloaded. Once again two lots of security, luggage drop and quick bite to eat before boarding the plane. Our flight to KL was straight forward and then it was a one hour bus ride into KL to our hotel. We just managed to get our luggage into the hotel before the rains came and all afternoon it drizzled, however the markets have a giant roof over them allowing people to purchase items in relative comfort. Our students are quickly learning the skill of bargaining and realising that the first price is definitely not the best price. Batu caves tomorrow – weather permitting.

Trip 2018 – DAY 11

Well this morning we were able to sleep in for just a little longer before making our way down to the Cafe where meals are served and we all enjoyed a substantial breakfast with a great deal of variety or choices for all. Concerns about flooding in KL did not affect us and so our planned activities for the day went ahead. Following breakfast we walked to the train station and because of track work we had a 45 minute wait for the train to Batu Caves. Finally it was all aboard for the caves and following the venture up and down a few hundred steps we all enjoyed an ice-cream and some drinks. Then it was back on the train and back to downtown KL. We called into the historic Central Markets and some folks took the opportunity to have the fish nibble away at their toes. By now the hunger pangs were really setting in and so with students provided with money it was off to the food court. Fortunately our hotel was not too far from Central Markets as a tropical downpour meant we made our way from one building cover to the next to be reunited with our luggage and then off to the airport via our coach. Tonight we fly home!!

Trip 2018 – DAY 12

Well we didn’t all fly home as a misplaced passport meant one of our students was not permitted to board. Obviously I make the commitment to bring all students home and leaving a student on their own in a foreign country is not an option. So I had my luggage offloaded as well and the student and I watched our plane taxi off down the runway. While this was a stressful time for the student (and the family who were contacted and kept up to date) nobody was in serious danger – just serious inconvenience. Fortunately the passport was found and while there was some dramas and delays this was eventually returned which permitted us to leave the airport and arrange a night’s accommodation. It was a long day and airfares had to be organised before we left the airport and got some decent rest. The flights back were uneventful and while I am sorry I was not able to catch up with all the families waiting to pick up their son or daughter I’m sure you can all understand and appreciate the situation.

Our students will be sharing with the rest of the College their experiences over the next few weeks and a link with access to photos will be sent to them all as soon as I can upload a significant number of files.

Last updated: October 9, 2018 at 14:40 pm