Thailand part a.

Thailand update:
Ko Samui: we were met at the pier by Juuso Tuomenin a special pioneer from Finland who is serving on this lovely island.
Turns out that since everybody only has mopeds he rented a larger van for the day to show us around. We picked up is wife Sari and two Japanese sisters and set off on an island tour. You know how happy Doris was to be with some her little Japanese people, lots of bowing and giggling ensued.
Cong has about 25 or so publishers, 2 elders and 1 Ms and 8 or so pioneers. Doris took notes so her numbers will we exact.
They cover this island and a number of surrounding islands. Ko is a big beach resort area. Lots of mid and upper grade hotels attracting German, Brits, Aussies, and Thaiganders from Bangkok.
Based on the SAI (Starbucks Availability Index) it is relatively prosperous. We passed three of the within a few miles in the tourist area.
They showed us their new KH, very nice and modern. This isn't the cinderblock, ceiling fan and recycled chairs model one tends to see in the Caribbean.

We had, you guessed it, Thai food for lunch. The menu was written in squiggly lines, which apparently is the local language, so it could be deemed local. Juuso ordered a bunch of dishes and we let ourselves surprised. Besides everything tasting good the real surprise it that it tasted pretty much like Thai food in Ann Arbor. The other good news was that they had napkins at the table.

Juuso and Sari, being the good special Pioneers that they are, placed literature at every stop. Juuso and i even made a return visit in town.
Then we stopped at a Thai massage store, there are 3,263 of them, where an former bible study of Sari's worked. She gave her the latest magazines and i agreed to a foot massage. The gal spoke no English but I smiled and nodded in a very christian manner for the better part of an hour while my feet and legs were being treated.
What i won't do to advance the kingdom preaching work. Then i massively over tipped her which will no doubt make her consider restarting her study. Total cost, including the big fat tip 300 Baht, about $ 10.

Considering the time some in the van made the first call until the last call on massage gal i figure a good 5 hours in service.

All in all a fine time was had by all.

Photos will come when we find some decent internet speed maybe hong knog