|
|
 | |
(28.1.2009)
This month (like every month in my waning years) scooted by so
fast I didn't realize we are looking at Valentine's Day right around the
corner. This celebration is a big day for the runts. But, I digress!
I took the Great Unwashed camping in the mountains over New
Year. The boys were excited about camping out in the cold, and the older
girls were whining piteously, demanding to be left alone and left home! They
all had unbelievable excuses not to go! But they enjoyed themselves, despite
the fact that some older boys bought 5 bottles of White Lightning (rice
whiskey) and a couple of the boys and girls got really hammered. The
Righteous Wrath of the Lord in the guise of his servant the Rev descended
heavily on their aching heads the next morning.
Last week, a truckload of family brought a 15 year old girl to
me. "Joom" was unable to walk, eat, or sleep, and had skin problems and was
crying bitterly that she wanted to die. She did not want to go to a doctor,
so I got up in the back of the pick up, chased the relatives and listened to
her story. Her parents had died of AIDS, a few years back, and she was
barely acknowledged at school, and shunned in the village. This alone is bad
enough for a 15 year old girl. Then, she wound up with AIDS herself, and
just wanted to die (This part will be pursued later on). It was a good week
of work, love, encouragement and understanding. The other day, she told me
she wants to stay and live here at Nazareth House. Her grandma is with her
temporarily and loves her. Grandma is amazed at the progress she made.
One of my girls is a lovely young 18 year old lady who, months
ago, fed her Our Lady of Refuge friends a bottle of booze. (I found out when
they were lined up on the pavilion, blowing their cookies after sucking down
a bottle of Old Outhouse). She fled before I could kill her, and arrived on
my porch on New Year's night, all tears, thin, and begging forgiveness and a
new start. She was working as a waitress for 110 baht a day, and studying
until midnight for school. So, she is back in the fold, forgiven, but in a
boarding house in town. I have two more like her, but they are not as
audacious. This girl comes from the slums of Bangkok. Three more months, and
she graduates from high school. She wants to go to beautician school, if she
doesn't wind up in jail first.
On December 27, we also had a Christmas party for our 55
OUTREACH kids, but over 100 tykes showed up, hopeful of gifts and a good
meal. We were prepared for an overflow, and Santa gave them all heavy
jackets and other gifts, plus a big bag of candy each. About a dozen of these children are infected, and the rest are orphaned but living with relatives. On January 2, we had a New Year
party with heavy quilts, bags of food, etc., and a good meal for our AIDS infected adults. Abut 80
showed up. It is a big event for them, since no one invites them to their houses for parties or any
socializing.
It is really cold here. Friday I went to Na Muang Thai in the
Nam Som mountains. It was so cold that night that my ancient joints ached
all night, despite a quilt. Saturday morning, I took 3 adults and 12 kids to the church
celebration in a town called Thabom, which has a big Catholic population.
The 12 girls were made up of 9 Buddhists and 3 Catholics, and were ages
12-15. We had to continue up in the cold and fog over the spine of the
mountains and down into Thabom, one and one half hours. I really felt sorry
for the kids sitting in the back of the truck. We had given them blankets,
but they were frozen by the end of the trip. We attended the Mass with the
bishop, and they had a big noon meal. On the way back, I gave them three
plastic bags, just in case anyone got carsick. Well, they began throwing up
at about the third switchback, and one girl said just watching 11 girls
whooping up their curds and whey in three bags made her sick. Just before we
got home, the girls jettisoned the three bags, and a black truck coming in
the other direction ( loaded with mean looking people) caught the third
blivot of vomit right on the windshield. The driver turned on the windshield
wiper after he turned the truck to chase us, and thank God the wiper really
smeared the windshield. I don't think he could see well. I was able to whip
off the road and into the village through the Buddhist temple. I am getting
too old for car chases!
Sunday morning, I gave the kids money to buy heavy coats, and
Monday, I made a bank transfer for 24 heavy quilts for families around our
church. Generous people who give me money to do this stuff unfortunately
never see the results of their kindness and concern.
Again, we continue to pray for you and yours every evening at
Holy Innocents chapel.
God bless!
|
|
 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
