Mekong Paddle Adventure

Four intrepid paddlers launched their kayaks in March for a month long adventure down the Mekong River through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam to the South China Sea. Led by author/adventurer Dave Ellingson, known as the Paddle Pilgrim; Pastor Tom Glasoe, Dr. Deby Cassill, and David Gehrke encountered diverse cultures, spectacular scenery, witnessed environmental issues, and experience physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.

The complete story is told in Ellingson's new book, Paddle Pilgrim: A Mekong River Adventure Through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The expedition benefited the Dith Pran Foundation which raises money to support the educational dreams of Cambodian young people, the Center of Rehabilitation and Support for Handicapped Children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies.

The Mekong River Paddle Adventure was sponsored by Advanced Elements Kayaks and Werner Paddles.

In The news

Lingering with the Lotus in Living Lutheran

Herald.net: From Edmonds to the Mekong: ‘Paddle Pilgrim’ chases trip of a lifetime
Former pastor Dave Ellingson sets off for Southeast Asia by plane this month. A 600-mile kayak journey benefits local charities.

THE TEAM

David Ellingson

Dave is a pastor/professor, paddler, poet, is married and the father of 5.
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Tom Glasoe

Tom is a Lutheran pastor, married and the father of two young boys, and was born in Vietnam.
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David Gehrke

David Gehrke is a lawyer, father of two sons, world traveler and has recently lived in Vietnam.
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Dr. Deby Cassill

Dr. Deby Cassill has studied the invasive fire ant for 20 years.
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A bigger why

The expedition will benefited the Dith Pran Foundation, Cambodia, the Center of Rehabilitation and Support for Handicapped Children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the Dave Ellingson Scholarship for students pursuing studies in environmental stewardship.

Dith Pran Foundation

The Dith Pran Foundation raises money to support the educational dreams of Cambodian young people.

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The Center for Rehabilitation and Support for Handicapped Children

The Center of Rehabilitation and Support for Handicapped Children provides care for orphaned and abandoned children with disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

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The Dave Ellingson Scholarship for Environmental Studies

The Dave Ellingson Scholarship supports students pursuing studies environmental stewardship.

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