Finding David : Chapter 8 : Is The Offer Valid ?

The 2 weeks wait was a mix of disappointment, anxiety, stresses and of course fear – considering the numerous permutations of things that can happen to a village boy living in the streets of Bangkok.

That very phone call from David was muffled by a barrage of cars horns screaming in the background but hearing the boy's voice and knowing he was safe, lifted all our anxieties.

But one thing still remains. Why did David not call back earlier ? And why did he have to use a new number to contact us ? We had to pry it out before he hung up ! (after all the anxiety we've been through !)

According to David, he attempted to call in earlier last week to let us know of his decision. However his phone had no more credit left and the line was prompt terminated by the phone company.  Since then he has been saving little by little just to get a new phone line to reach us.

I believe that there is a little more to what David says. It still does not add up.

You see, the boy could have packed up after we left Bangkok and returned back to the village to wait for us. He could have called from a payphone. But he didn’t.

My conclusion is this, I reckon the boy was more than just a little apprehensive, I believe he was insecure considering the disappointments and let downs he experienced. I believe he got the number just so he could call to make sure that our offer to him was still valid and secondly, he could be contacted, if we changed our minds and pulled the plug on him while he was journeying up !

I spared no effort to make it crystal clear to the boy that the offer is valid. In fact, it has been valid for the last 3 years and I’m defiantly not pulling out now. My work with street children and hurting kids have taught me the importance of giving these kids a sense of assurance; they need to know that they are still wanted by somebody.

David is scheduled to turn up at the field office tomorrow noon. Let's see if he holds up to the end of his bargain! Tomorrow's a big day !