“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. (John 10:10 New International Version). The good news is we are victorious in Christ Jesus and although I had a large amount of cash stolen from me the Lord has repaid me above and beyond that which I could ever imagine! “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (NKJ Eph 3:20)
Thank you all for your prayers in this matter and also for your prayers regarding the Lord’s direction for me during me last days in Chiang Mai. After returning to CM I was wondering was there somewhere I could help out, was there something the Lord wanted me to do in particular before I left Chiang Mai. Then out of the blue I was asked if I would like to go to the Mercy International in Phrae to help at the children’s home. It didn’t take much thinking to know this was a great opportunity for 
me.
I packed on Sat and immediately after church on Sunday I cleared out my room once again. Taking a small bag with me I climbed into Rob’s vehicle with two others for our trip to Phrae. Rob is an Australian married to Daeng who works with the River Team with him was Darren, from Canada, and a southern Thai from the River in Sungai Kolok. It took us just under 3 hours with Rob chatting most of the way, entertaining us with stories of his nine years in Thailand.
Phrae is a beautiful, progressive city in a very fertile area, producing two crops of rice per year. However, this province also has a considerable HIV/AIDS problem, and many children have been orphaned by this hideous epidemic. The children’s village opened mid-2008 for HIV/AIDS orphans and babies who 
cannot be cared for by AIDS suffering mothers and young single mums with unwanted babies.
Mercy International is a high quality children’s village built by John and his workers on 15 acres of land 17 kms from the city centre. It contains four children’s homes, a large dining/kitchen area, laundry facilities, swimming pool, first aid centre, volunteer accommodation, and four units for teams and visitors. A new primary school complex is just being built which will also be open to children from Phrae. John is doing most of the building with the help of those who come to volunteer, like Rob and his team, who have come up especially to assist with getting th
e tin sheets on the roof. I was amazed how quickly it went up!
On arrival we were shown our accommodation by Sharon Dunk and husband John Scholten. Sharon is the daughter of the founders Rob & Jean Dunk who established the foundation in Bangkok in 1985 to help disadvantaged children reach their highest potential.
Most nights we ate with the family learning more about their time here and the 3 children they have adopted along the way. Overnight Sharon also takes care of the babies under 6 months, this night she was looking after a two month old.
On Monday I was shown around the complex including the Pre-School/Kindergarten program, which has been established for the children with, help from overseas volunteers and paid Thai teachers. Most of the children are bi-lingual and have progressed beyond the usual level of children of a similar age in Thailand.
I have been kept busy most days. Not only with th
e children, but on one occasion I when with Tik, their Thai manager and social worker back into Phrae where we visited a woman in her 50’s who was unwell with diabetes and had been admitted into hospital to be monitored. We bought her some fresh fruit, ministered to her and prayed for her healing and salvation. We then visited the home where an elderly great grandmother who was being cared for by her family. She was 83 yrs old and just skin and bone. We brought her items to help with her care and prayed before leaving.
We then visited and counseled a young 16yr old whose mother had encouraged her to go out with a married man. The man later took off when she became pregnant. She lives with her mother and grandparents who are very poor and although she is still going to school she is being ridiculed because of her condition. Unfortunately she doesn’t want to keep the baby and has 
asked Mercy International to care for it once it is born.
Back at the home I interacted with staff and children getting to know the cook and praying for her knees and asking the Lord to open her heart to Him. I have been smothered with hugs from the children who ranged from the two month old baby to toddlers and primary school children.
Tik also organizes some of the children’s activities. Twice while I was here she organized hand puppets, which sent the children wild, as well as stories, dancing and games. On Friday she asked if I would like to help out. While Tik translated I told the story of Noah and the animals and why God sent the flood. We followed up with and action the song ‘The animals when in two by two’. It was a lot of fun. On occasions I had children all over me. It was lovely to see them enjoying themselves especially the day when Tik brought out the balloons.
On Saturday we took a team into the Phrae slums. Christiana, an Art Major from Italy had arrived and was staying a month with the Mercy team. She helped out with face paints while I taught ho
w to make pancakes and then helped Tik with another bible story with actions and lots of questions to keep the children interested. We finished off with banana pancakes topped with sprinkles, honey, chocolate and strawberry topping. Everyone had fun from the baby to the grandmother who joined us.
Sunday I took a four hour journey back to Chiang Mai, during which time I finished the latest book I was reading ‘There is Always Enough’ the amazing story of Rolland and Heidi Baker’s miraculous ministry amongst the poor in Mozambique. What an incredible ministry they had and so inspiring.
Back in Chiang Mai I went shopping to stock up my fridge for t
he next three days before I fly out this Thursday 16 July.
On Monday morning I was up early and out the door before 7am to take the yellow song tao into Chiang Mai and out to the Chang Phuak Hospital where Marilyn picked me up on route to the Agape Home. An amazing woman, Avis Riderout, set up the Agape Home, after seeing children dying with AIDS in a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. The first home for babies with HIV/AIDS opened in May 1996 in Chiang Mai as a response to the plight of children impacted by the spread of HIV/AIDS across Thailand. Many of the children who come to the Agape Home to live are, or are at risk of being, HIV positive. Many of them have already lost their parents to AIDS, and there are no other options for their care. Agape Home pr
ovides a loving family for 100+ children aged 0-21yrs.
I had a lovely morning being shown around and spending time with the babies. Avis and her husband are an amazing couple with such compassion and love for all the children under their care. They also have visiting volunteers and a large number of dedicated Thai workers.
A quick update on my mother – She has been back to hospital, home and back in and at this present time she is home again. Please continue to pray for her health. Winter is really knock her about. My sister is trying to organize a community nurse with the Baptist Home Care to keep an eye on her progress. Please pray she will be successful in her quest.
Pictures: 1. Mercy International residence 2. MI children’s homes 3. Roofing 4. Dancing with the children 5. Balloons 6. Kids having fun 7. Story time 8. Babies in the paddling pool 9. Slum Ministry – pancake making 10. Mum home again
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for an opportunity to visit Mercy International and the Agape Home. This was truly an answer to your prayers for the free time I had before leaving northern Thailand.
Praise the Lord for the recent rain which is so needed for the crops here. It has also been a great relief to the hot weather.
Praise the Lord for an opportunity next week to visit an old friend from Seri Church who is now a pastor in Phang Nga just north of Phuket.
Praise the Lord for His amazing grace and provision.
Praise Him for His divine health and safety keeping during my time in Thailand.
Praise Him for all my friends and their generosity and love during my travels.
Praise the Lord those in Perth who have visited my mum in hospital. Praise Him for those who have continued to pray and visit her in her time of need.
Praise the Lord my mother is now home. Please continue to pray for her on going health challenges. I’m praying she will remain well now.
Thank you to everyone who has stood with me in prayer during this time and continue to support me in prayer as I continue my adventure here in Asia.