13.10.2011
Hello Friends,
The rains continue to fall with force in Thailand. We are safe in an area that is on higher ground, but that is not true for many other people. The rivers have spilled their banks, sewers backed up, and the dams are at full capacity. Those that sit lowest – both geographically and socially are experiencing an added hardship to their tough lives.
5.10.2011
Hello friends.
Baseball spring training continues. I now have 2 jammed fingers and for some reason each day I take a line drive hit to the same spot on my right thigh. Otherwise the kids have taken to understanding fielding and keeping their eye on the ball ..or as is said in Thai: ‘ Hen bon’. Some of the kids have emerged having some good talent for the sport. It is unfortunate that the only place it’s being played in Thailand is in our motley village. Our two baseballs are shredded so the other day I bought some pink duct tape and I will try to repair as best as I can.
28.05.2011
It’s been a full week. We received the warmest greeting ever from the kids and staff. It looked something like this: hugs, kisses, smiles, and tears.
15.05.2011
Pam and Ashley are back in Thailand! While I continue to recover from some health issues, I remain back here in as Mission Control-Ohio for their adventures. The dining sala is done and Pam and Ashley are really looking forward to getting there to see it now in use as a daily temple of nourishment and fellowship. As I began finalizing this entry, Ashley texted me that she and Pam made it safely to Thailand and they are pretty exhausted, yet enthusiastic to wake up after a refreshing night’s sleep to head to Pattaya and visit the kids.
6.04.2011
It has take us a little bit to get this together, but we are delighted to finally be sharing the memories our first meal taken together with the children in our NEW BEAUTIFUL DINING SALA!! As most of you already know, getting things finished up and the sala ready for use, was not the “quickest” of processes, (to say the very least). Let’s just say we have a whole new appreciation for mastering the art of patience!
6.02.2011
As I continue to edit photographs and video of my time in Thailand, I continue to get inspiring stories from Pam and Ashley from Thailand on their continued experiences with the kids of the CPDC village. Pam has spearheaded a new effort to bring to the children something she does well and enjoys, bringing nourishment to people. This time, it includes the daily needs of food as well as an investment in the nourishment of the mind and the future of some lucky kids. Here is Pam’s initiative in her own words…
21.01.2011
The dining sala has been blessed by all who it has been charged with serving. On January 18th, Pam, Ashley and I along with the kids, staff and friends of the CDPC village assembled to cut the ribbon to the building’s front door and welcome all who enter. Pam, Ashley and I have worked in our own ways over the last year to build something that is a mission of not only 3L Foundation, but an extension of ourselves. When we can not be there, the dining sala will be guarding over each and ever soul, nourished in body and soul by the love, grace and peace we wish upon all who enter this wonderful space.
Saw Wa De Kop, to all our friends and family back home. My time here is growing to a close and it has been a mad scramble to photograph and document everything that has been going on. So much to tell you all about, but while I am here, my time to provide play-by-play blog entries has been limited. I will get one more up after this and before I get home to tell you about the dining sala dedication by the three of us and the kids of the CDPC village. But first, a few highlights of the last few days.
11.01.2011
We are here! It is hard to explain the feeling you get when you come back to somewhere you leave with such good memories. As John O’Donohue says in his blessing for a traveler, “New places that have never seen you will startle a little at your entry. Old places that know you well will pretend nothing changed since your last visit.” Indeed this is true. The smiles, the hugs, the laughter have picked up where it left off without any distance of time. And the new skyline with the Dining Sala is the crown jewel of a sanctuary for these great kids.
