Central Laos

A woman spins cotton fibers into thread by hand, the action as familiar to her as breathing. All the while, there is a Creator who made her with as much care, skill, and love. Has she met him?

Legend says Buddha once stopped to rest in Luang Prabang, Laos. Impressed by the town’s beauty, he smiled and said it would one day become a prosperous capital. That prediction came true until the capital moved to Vientiane in 1975 – long enough for most of the town’s Buddha’s to be etched with a smile.

The architecture of Laos is a unique blend of French colonial influence and the individual ethnic groups that make up the country, making it possible to spot several cultures within this one wat, or temple.

Fuel efficiency, a cheaper price tag, and the ability to weave in and out of traffic: it’s difficult to find a reason why Laotian drivers wouldn’t choose a motorbike – until rainy season, that is.

The cataracts in his eyes may prevent him from seeing clearly, but he's seen so much in his many years - a story is never far from his lips.

Encouraged by the government and local NGOs, Laotian farmers have started replacing their opium crops with coffee trees. Growing coffee in this region of the world is still a relatively new enterprise – which means holding this seedling is an act of trust.

A father and son walk towards the rice paddies: a common scene in rural Laos. Today they might pull weeds, adjust water levels, or transplant seedlings. Growing rice isn’t easy, but with generations of knowledge behind them, they know exactly what to do.

She holds the umbrella while her friend navigates the flooded road: teamwork at its finest.

Sitting on your porch, watching life unfold in front of you. In some parts of the world, this is called a waste of time; in Laos, it’s time well spent.

Mischief looks the same in nearly every culture.

No one should carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, least of all a child. What has she already seen in her short life?

When a motorbike is your only form of transportation – as is the case in much of Southeast Asia – you put on a poncho and go with it.

In ethnic Lao societies, it is often the youngest daughter, not the oldest son, who inherits her parent’s property after they die. While this tradition gives Laotian women a unique status, they are unfortunately still overlooked in education, politics, and religion.

The meeting of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers: where travelers, water taxis, and fisherman cross paths daily. May it carry the Gospel to those who have not heard.

A woman holds her handbag while driving past a line of Buddhist monks. Like the rest of Southeast Asia, Laos is an odd clash of old and new, of sacred and secular, of thousand-year-old traditions and ephemeral trends.

Saffron flowers line the street in front of a temple, giving worshippers a last-minute chance to purchase an offering. By laying flowers such as these at the feet of idols, Laotians hope to earn merit for their next life.

In Laos, flip-flops are more than a fashion statement; they can mean the difference between good health and constant sickness.

The woman who owns this basket grew the cotton, processed it into fibers, and then spun those fibers into thread.

Rainy season in Laos lasts from June to September and sometimes extends to November. It’s a season of humidity, fog, and umbrellas – but also one of refreshment, cooler temperatures, and a renewal of the colors that make Southeast Asia so stunning.

The gold-painted coating on this idol of Buddha peels away - the effect of time, weather, and age. It is an idol that cannot hear and cannot speak.

The Vinaya, or the 227 rules that make up the monastic code of conduct, dictate how Buddhist monks are supposed to eat, sleep, work, and interact with other people. By following the vinaya, this young novice hopes to gain more merit for his next life – as well as escape the suffering of this one.