After over 32 hours, from a 4 a.m. flight out of Indianapolis to Atlanta to Incheon, Korea to Vientiane Laos, I am finally here!!

What a relief to have my luggage arrive (100 pounds full of gifts, clothes and personal items), whiz through the visa line, show my work visa document and be given the stamp of approval for entry.

Next, to be greeted at midnight by Angie Broncano (current coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, SVLC), Modester from the country Malawi(a Global Mission Fellow, teaching with the Center as a 2-year young volunteer) and Amos (Angie’s adult son, living with his mom and dad here while he takes online seminary classes.)

The three loaded me into a taxi and off we went for the 30-minute drive from the airport to my temporary apartment, where I’ll be staying for a month while settling in and considering if I want to remain here or rent somewhere else. 

Day 1 had me staying awake most of the rest of the night, not able to sleep. Modester, who lives in the apartment next to me, was my savior in taking me market shopping the next day on the Center’s motorcycle. Here I am, seated behind Modester as she speeds along a traffic-filled Main Street. Notice the shops are carrying Christmas clothing, of all things! Laos is 61 % Buddhist but Christmas commercialism has set in with a vengence.

We went to a supermarket and open air market for all my temporary needs: vegetables, meat, milk, shampoo, soap, hangers, house slippers . . . Everything one would ever need is here in the capital city. And so many clothes, which I already have. I was a bit astounded at the prices, however. It was not as cheap as I had imagined, including USA costs for some items. I went through my $50 dollars of Kip (local currency) in a hurry.

Settled into My Apartment

I have now unpacked, decorated for Christmas with what I brought with me and am trying to get over jet lag.

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Ready to Meet the Staff

I have not had time yet to venture too far out, although I walked the streets a bit with my absolutely zilch Laos language ability.  I can say “Hello” and “Thank you,” which seem to have endeared me to the street sellers.  Today, I will be meeting the staff  at 10 a.m. Angie has arranged a welcome party for me and we will go out to lunch afterwards.   Modester will be motorcycling me off about a 4-minute drive to where the Center is located. I will dress appropriately and bring the following items:  gift of chocolates for the 11 who will be in attendance (Angie told me to bring chocolate as it’s very expensive here),  vitamins for Angie and a MacBook Air connection cord for Afijul’s computer. (Afijul is another Global Mission Fellow who was in dire need of this item yet couldn’t find it in Vientiane, the capital city where we are staying.  I ordered on Amazon Prime, with a 2-day delivery, for a mere $15 and brought it with me.)

I will be sure to post more pictures of Vientiane and the outside world, the one I have not yet been able to fully appreciate. Stay tuned for more news and adventures from here! Know that I am overly happy to finally be in a place I feel called to be.

Peace, until later, from a very blessed and grateful Connie