Our boys return for a visit

Tommy and James came back to visit us today. Their weathered faces tell of the hardships they have gone through, but they tried to cover it with a punk like hairstyle and reclining on their old rusted bikes.

Mustering all the courage they had, they asked "Do you know where is Tim
(another streetkid). For those who are not familiar with tribal street children, this is not really a question, but a way to initiate a conversation. Both knew that Tim is in Chiang mai but that was the best way they knew how to "justify" their visit while masking their shyness.

It was amusing. Seeing that the boys are still the same. But it was really great seeing them again.

Both James and tommy were amongst the first batch of streetkids ever to walk into the programme. Both street children from broken familes and got really messed up in glue sniffing.

 A picture taken many years ago. With James in kaki & Tommy in black.

We took both these boys in when they were around 12 and gave them a home and the encouragement necessary to get them back into school. They stayed on the programme for 2 years and successfully got cleaned from drugs. But later they felt that they wanted to experience the world firsthand and thus left the programme prematurely, much to the heartbreak of the staff and care givers.

Since then they have never returned. Until today!

It has been 2 years since they left, but their names and faces are still etched deeply in our hearts. Seeing them today was very heartwarming, knowing they have taken on decent jobs and left the streets.

In the course of our conversation, James looked down and whispered, "I'm just a petrol pump attendant"

I smiled, looked him in the eye and told him I was proud of him, that he chose to make a honest living. Though it is not a high paying job, but that was the best he could do with a primary 6 certificate.

His next lines warmed my heart. James silently said "I wish I hadn't left the programme". In his eyes the look of regret. Knowing James, that was his way of saying "Sorry, I've let you down"

I smiled as I told him that there is nothing to regret, but rather how we choose to lead our lives from here on. His eyes beamed and there it was again, the sheepish grin from the boys.

Just seeing the boys coming back was really encouraging, knowing that our hardwork, prayers and tears haven't been wasted after all!

Successful Collaboration. Now time to catch some rest !

We have just successfully completed another collaboration with NUS Medical Society to bring medical care to the poorest hill tribe people in Thailand.

The next few months is going to be packed with activities and I'm taking a couple of days retreat and keep my walk with the Lord.

See you guys shortly !

p/s : for those who do not know, its official ! We've got the land to build the integrated centre !

Not an easy month!

Apologies for the long lapse in writing.

The last few weeks has been really hectic rushing from province to province.

4-8 may, radion had our first staff retreat after 5 years. All we wanted to do was to give the staff a break from ministry and reward them for their service. It was beautiful to see the team bond closer together.

The relaxing holiday was short lived for our humanitarian team as we had to immediately rush food supplies to refugees in hiding and assisting with their appeals to unhcr.

That left us with less than 1 week to prepare for the medical ocip team from nus.

Now I'm writing from my mobile phone while leading the team. Here are some photos of what we have been doing between the home visitations, education work and all!