OUR SURPRISE BLESSING CEREMONY, FAREWELL PARTY AND TALENT SHOWCASE!
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What an amazing evening!
What we thought would be merely another night sharing our curriculum with our students at the Hmong Lao English Center (HLEC) turned out to be a surprise blessing & farewell ceremony along with a fantastic talent showcase!
We thought it was a bit odd that we weren't meeting with our HLEC students at our typical Friday spot (Mount Phou Si), as detailed in this previous BLOG. We didn't think much of it since we LOVE LOVE LOVE being in the classroom with our students so we figured if we’re not at Mount Phou Si and the students aren’t busy with the foreigners/tourists - that means we have them all to ourselves!
As we waited at Big Tree Cafe working on the curriculum for the evening, and catching up on online work - we were baffled that our friends were taking longer than usual to pick us up.
Note: Because the village is about 45 minutes outside of the city, students pick us up and drop us off via motorbike.
We didn’t think anything of our friends being late since we understand that in Asia (per experience and testimonies by locals in all the Asian countries we’ve visited so far) everyone runs on Asian time - which means if you’re scheduled to meet at 6PM, that could mean the actual meet time is 7PM. Let’s just say it’s a pretty relaxed culture.
Once picked up, on our way - and nearing the school I noticed the front door was closed but didn’t think much of it since I figured they wanted to keep bugs out or something of that nature.
BUT as we neared the door - it suddenly flew open, and we were greeted with a blaring “SURPRISE!” --- and a room full of lovely souls with cheek to cheek smiles.
The wonderful staff along with over 60 of the amazing students, their family members, neighbors, and a local shaman were all in the small classroom waiting for us to arrive.
We were eyes wide open, jaws on the floor - genuinely surprised and blown away.
After hugs, handshakes and us returning back from a state of pure surprise, we were invited to sit on small stools in front of a small table with a circular tray containing two boiled chicken and two eggs in a bowl - everyone huddled around us.
The local shaman, the sweet mother of Liaj (co founder of the school) performed a blessing ceremony, and Liaj spoke a few words of love and gratitude. Going as far as to say we were a blessing for the school as they hadn’t received this type of support and guidance from anyone - for the school or in general.
At this point I was wondering if someone was cutting onions because my eyes were nearly hydrating themselves.
After the verbal blessings - strands of white yarn strings were blessed and distributed. The entire place became active and lively with everyone saying a blessing and a prayer for us as they tied a white string on our wrists.
We were in utter bliss, and emotional from all the loving words the youth were sharing with us.
It was unbelievable. I'm still high from the feeling as I write this at 1AM in the morning.
Once the string tying ceremony came to completion, everyone was invited to help lift the tray with us - this signaled the school and village helping lift us up and preparing us for our journey ahead.
In my head I thought of how I wish we didn't have to leave so soon.
The chicken feet were then torn off and interpreted to the room to show that Elisabeth and I "are truly caring and loving of the village and the children who were students of the school."
Our Hmong people sure know how to pull at our heartstrings, don't they?
We were each given a chicken thigh and a boiled egg to kick off dinner while tables and chairs were set out in the grounds of the schoolyard.
The schoolyard also happens to be Liaj’s front yard - a dusty, grassless area often used to park the students’ motorbikes. (By the way, Liaj is the smiling gentlemen in the red shirt above.)
We all shared in a delicious healthy meal of organic free range chicken, boiled pork with greens and papaya salad. Per Elisabeth's health sessions, they even made sure to note that they didn't use MSG!
To top it off - once dinner was done and the tables and chairs were removed, a huge mat was brought out to cover the grounds and we were served a treat of a talent showcase with youth performing traditional and contemporary Hmong dances and songs!
It's no surprise that our Hmong Lao youth love the song "Hmong Yuav Tsum Hlub Hmong", songs by Maa Vue, dancing to Kpop and breakdancing! It really goes to show just how similar our Hmong youth are no matter where we are in the world - and just how amazingly connected we are as a Hmong community.
As the night neared its end, Jer requested that I share a piece or song to bring the evening to a close.
I was honored so I shared my piece called Home, which can be heard HERE.
Tomorrow (or actually - this morning) we trek into the mountain villages (Toj Siab) with our students to visit their families and friends who still live life in the way our Hmong people lived prior to the war, 40 years ago. I look forward to meeting our students' families and friends, learning from our Hmong brothers and sisters, and sharing the experience with you.
I know I speak for both Elisabeth and myself when I say we feel so BLESSED and LOVED.
Life is absolutely GRAND. :)
Fly High.
- Fres
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