Time of change and transition
by Kim Brown
May is a time of change and transition, as the Thai school year restarts. However, Daw Song, one of our girls from the House of Love, has become too frail and ill to return to school. Despite many health problems, Daw reflects joy and thankfulness each day. “I have so many blessings since I have come to live at the House of Love! For a long time, I have been able to have good health, and have taken the medicines that I need. I have had lots of life experiences, and have gone lots of places. I have made lots of friends, and I have learned to care for and think of others, and share encouragement and love. I have learned about forgiveness, and I have become a child of God.” We praise God for how He has transformed lives in spite of circumstances, and that Daw sees God touching her day with joy.
Prayer requests:
• We are praising God for a safe and enjoyable school holiday for all of our HOL children. As mentioned last month, the highlight was a trip to the beach, but these past weeks have also been fun-filled with day trips to waterfalls and swimming pools. And many of the children have really enjoyed studying the keyboard or violin during the break. School restarts for them May 16 -- coming soon! Please be praying for the house parents as they have 29 kids to outfit for school.
• The House of Blessing Daycare will start their new school year May 6, and the teachers have been busy with interviews with new and returning children. Please pray for Khruu Kanchana and Khruu Rae during this key time of preparation.
• The Health Project Lisu staff is preparing and producing their AIDS video (mother-child transmission) in May. Please join us in praying for all of the staff that they would communicate well in the different media they work in. The Health Project staff are also continuing their monthly visits in the juvenile detention center -- please be praying for those contacts as the staff work with jailed youth from different ethnic minorities.
• The Community-based Rehab Program (CBRP) in Mae Sariang has hired their first ever full-time physiotherapist—a praise! And they are also gearing up for their school preparation program to reopen this month too. Please pray especially for Joe, who has finished his education at the deaf school in Chiang Mai, and now is looking at vocational opportunities.
• One thing we are learning with the building project -- everything seems to take more time than we plan. The contract is signed, and crews are now set to come May 5 -- please pray for safety and efficiency in the building process. Please also pray for the funds still needed. Some of the building materials have increased in cost by 40% since we started planning.
Learning the violin has brought smiles!
Keyboard happiness!