Letters from China

The following are the most recent letters from Doug Culver. He, his wife, Elaine, and their children, Clara and Colman Culver, are a family from our Diocese living in China. Their home parish is St. John's, Northampton.

Kunming Clarion - April 21, 2008

Greetings:
 
An old friend of mine sent the hard copy of this article. It is dated March 31 and I received it yesterday April 21. Then again, I do not check the mailbox everyday.
 
Anyway, this road is the one we were on exactly the same time this was published in the NY Times. As I wrote back to my friend, I have traveled all along this road or near it through all the countries mentioned. I wrote this to him yesterday:
 
"Just checked the mail and got your envelope. Very interesting. I have literally travelled from Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), through Laos all the way along the Mekong into Yunnan, China. Actually, I have done this a couple of times in the past year and may do it another couple of times next year! In November, I even got the opportunity to drive on the Laos Mountain roads. In April 2007, I was in the Laos Jungle and put out a forest fire, saw wild elephants and other elephants logging! Just a couple of weeks ago I took the family and photographer friend of mine from Kunming to the Laos border in the Southwest of Yunnan. We saw a Golden Pheasant, about 8 wild elephants and some gibbons.  My son was high as a kite!
 
There has been a plan to build a highway from Kunming to Bangkok for sometime. Some of the stretches are already done. Other areas need some finishing. We just went on some of the this highway. It definitely cuts the time! For instance, the current road takes 5 hours and it will only take 2 or so when it is complete. 20 years ago it would take 12 hours! Elaine and I did an old one in 1998. We went 500 miles in 40 hours! Great Mountain Views! You should have been on the old Chinese bus to fully appreciate the experience!"
 
Please click on for more of it!
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/world/asia/31laos.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=In+Isolated+Hills+of+Asia%2C+New+Roads+to+Speed+the+Trade+of+an+Empire&st=nyt&oref=slogin
 
Regards,
 
Doug Culver

Kunming Clarion - April 2008
Happy Belated Easter Greetings!:

We have been extremely busy around here. There may be some breathing room once we return to the USA. As usual the renewal process was stressful, but after several visits to the 14th floor of the Public Security and some negotiation along with simply paying all was done successfully!

The following is from our recent foray into the Dai-Jingpo Dehong Prefecture and the Dai Prefecture here in Yunnan. I was able to travel with a friend and fellow traveler whose work is to take photos and film and make film so others can view for themselves. I hope you will eagerly ask him for more details. The name is Don Engstrom or his spouse Jane for more details. It may take a couple of months, but you can still contact them at Don & Jane frontierproductions@charter.net .

Here is a general overview of our time in the Dai-Jingpo Dehong and the Dai Prefecture 's from March 28~April 6:

These D areas are along the Burma Border and to the Laos Borders. There were many meetings with the leaders. We also had a good meeting a C friend from Singapore who is working with non-aligned folks in the same areas. So, we can provide a very good broad picture of what is happening. There is also a general plan starting to form on best to continue working in these ares. In a nutshell:

A. General Growth in these areas has increased numerically 200~400% over the past 10 years. They all expect another 200% increase in the next 5 years.

B. D growth is increasing faster in some areas but not in others. There are certain historical cultural and current power issues related to this. Where the historical ties and local power concerns are not as strong the growth is faster.

All that to say, there are certain areas where there are about 300,000~500,000 D's and only a handful of C's. Other areas may have a 100 or so for the 500,000. The highest area is 1300 for the 500,000.

C. There is a strategy forming to reach these various areas. I hope to encourage this process along.

D. Other Ethnic Groups are also experiencing high growth. They are also very poor. Some P's only make about $40/month.

These areas we traveled in cover many ethnic groups. A'chang, Bulong, Han, Jinou, D'ang, Dai, Lisu, Hani, Jingpo, Kemu and several others.

E. A Don Engstrom took plenty of film for promotional DVD. So in the future, contact him. We will be putting together details on how others, like you, can participate.

3. For us the key is to find groups, like yourselves, who are willing to visit or to support the various opportunities that are available. Meaning, there are plenty of opportunities where folks can help support the work in these areas. The time is NOW to facilitate the continue growth and development. The following are the general areas:

A. Helping to build training Centers, CH buildings. Money needed. Several levels of construction are available.
B. Motorcycle or Jeep for workers who often venture into the mountains. Local Chinese Brands are sufficient. They are cheaper and the maintainence cost less.
C. Scholarships for Education. $50~200/person. Depending on the type and duration of school.
D. Money for General Upkeep of facilities: Desks, Clothes, Bathroom that flushes. A nicer place for the workers at the Ch to live in. Some want to put in Basketball Court. Which is essentially a slab of cement.
E. Personal Visit to see and engage in the work firsthand. Also, to see where the money goes!

Regards,

Doug Culver

P.S. We even saw some wild Elephants and Gibbons!