The next day we were almost to Wollakwee camp, which is just inside Burma, when we were stopped by Thai soldiers at a road block. They told us no one was allowed to cross the border into Wollakwee. There were high level talks going on between the Thai and Burmese leaders and the order had come down from Bangkok to restrict access to the General's birthday celebration. There was a long line of trucks behind us full of Karen going to the celebration. After about a 30 minute wait we got word that the party had been moved to the General's home on the Thai side of the border, so we all turned around and caravanned back.

There were about 100 people waiting for the General's arrival, so his daughter-in-laws scurried around and sent a driver to town to buy curry rice and chicken. All the food for the party was still in Wollakwee camp and they couldn't get to it! When the General arrived, there was a worship service and we were all served cake. An American, Australian, and New Zealander were there with Dr. Po Tha Daw and they kept watching me interact with all my Karen friends. I was wearing my formal Karen wear; a beautiful long nee and fringed top made by Karen ladies for me. Old friends kept coming up to greet me and I saw many I hadn't seen since 1995 when we all had to be evacuated from the headquarters area of Mannerplaw. I finally had a free minute and went over to talk to the "foreigners" as the Karen referred to them. This was their first trip to "Karen Land" and they were full of questions.

After a bit, Naw Play came up and asked me if I could take picture of her 3 nieces and try to get sponsors for them. I had run out of blank sponsor cards, so asked them to make up some for me with construction paper we found there. I thought I was just taking the 3, but ended of taking 24 pictures! Every child there wanted to get a sponsor! When all the pictures were taken and cards collected I asked if we could all pray over the cards so each child might have a chance at sponsorship. It was a really neat time to meet and bond with all the Bo Mya children, grand children, nieces and nephews.

I was really was tired by day's end and was glad to get back to my hotel. We were heading North to Mae Sariang the next day and I had to pack up to check out. All my extra bags would be stored at Nay Kaw's house. Po Jaw got all his bags packed and helped me separate things to leave behind. I kept giving him things to take back to his camp. Finally I just insisted on buying him a new pair of pants and a shirt. He only had one set with him and they were pretty ragged. He said it would be cold again at Mae Rah Moo camp so I had bought him a jacket to take with us even though he protested. They are so cheap there – only about 6 dollars. I had filled 2 bags with school supplies to take to the IDP school at Noe Poe refugee camp, but since the Thai were closing the roads and really restricting access, I may not get to go there. We called Ya Nai and he came over to get the supplies and he assured us that he would take them in. I gave him a list of the children of the children we were sponsoring there along with the money to deliver for my orphans that we are supporting in Noe Poe Camp. I told him that I wasn't giving up on going there yet, but I just wanted to make sure that the money and supplies got there in case the Thai turned me back.

We finally got to bed at 11:00 pm. Po Jaw spent the night with Ya Nai so I was alone in my room. I really did sleep well.

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