Great News

I (Ruth) have just returned this evening from the weekend down at Baan Puk Dek Nakrean. Jordan and I took the train to Hua Hin and from there hired a motorbike and rode the hour and a bit trip up the mountain. I prayed hard as we went through the stretch of road where the wild elephants cross regularly! Out at Baan Puk Dek Nakrean things are progressing really well. Samson, with the support of Ponpun and Namchai (leaders from the local church), have done got (and continue to work at getting) routine in place. The last couple of weeks have been spent getting 25 students and 4 University students off to their respective schools. Alongside this, Samson, Namchai and Ponpun (also students and volunteers) have have continued to work on the grounds and buildings.

This week ... the builders will return to complete the kitchen/multipurpose area! We will also be able to start shortly on Samson's room, along with completing paving around the grounds. Thank you so much for your generous hearts and for your continued support - both of which make this work here possible. There is so much to do here so please continue to remember Baan Puk Dek Nakrean. When we can, we would like to purchase a tank to collect rain water and save on having to purchase drinking water each day. We would like to begin building a couple of rooms for volunteers also. We will be patient...but continue to dream...at the same time!

Another great step this week was asking a Karen lady (who lives next door to the school) to come on staff as a cook. Samson, obviously, has alot on his plate and so this lady will take some of the burden of caring for 25 students from him. We have the funds to pay the first couple of months for this lady and from there we are hoping to have three people sponsor this lady (she has a name and I knew it this morning - but now I have forgotten~) - if you are interested please let me know via email. We have also taken 2 extra students from the village whose parents are both alcoholics. These little boys are now eating three meals a day, sleeping in a bed at night (rather than somewhere in the village - on a slab of cement) going to school and being taught how to care for their new clothes. Oh...it is so so exciting to see this....and it is happening because of your partnership.

We are also starting a general sponsorship for Baan Puk Dek Nakrean at $20 each month. If you are interested in this (it will help cover extra expenses such as medical costs, books, clothes, electricity and so on)let me know. We still need some sponsors for students (as our 4 university students all needed 2 sponsors each to cover fees) Again, if you are interested in sponsorship, email me. We still have many opportunities available!

David and Lexi Edwards (volunteers from Australia) leave this week after a full three months of service. We are so thankful for their hard work and loving hearts. The students have enjoyed working alongside them, learning English from them and will be richer for having both Lexi and David in their lives.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are indeed impacting lives here in Thailand. Let's stay the course together.