Charities Within Reach Visit

Four members of the Charities Within Reach group arrived in Chiang Rai mid-morning on January 17th. We were greeted by our friends Jermsak and his family, the family and children at Promise Home and our friend Ann. What a wonderful and exciting sight it was to have them all waiting for us to get there. There were squeals of delight, flowers and hugs all around. I received so many hugs and lots and lots of love from everyone. I am sure all members of the traveling group got the same warm and wonderful welcome.

After we arrived we went to our hotel and got settled. We stayed there just long enough to briefly rest and then we were off for a terrific evening of fun, friendship and food with all of the children from Promise, Bethany and Faith Homes. We had a Korean bar-b-que with tons of fun. It was a wonderful evening.

Judy with Promise Home- 

Tin, Palita and Nittaya 

Tim, Fon, Yim and Nom

Ahmorntep

Pastro Prathuan of Bethany, Ann, Joan and Kenyt

Supannee of Bethany, Judy and Jermsak

Mom and her boys

Mom and Palita 

We joined all of them once again for church followed by lunch on Sunday. The kids from Promise Home had a dance prepared for us. We sat there transfixed on the children and their dance. Was very touching to see them all up there in front of many people doing the dance. Also a very proud moment for us all.

After lunch we headed off to Mae Salong and the Lisu Hill Tribe Kindergarten that we support as well. We were greeted by huge smiles, waves and the sound of joyous voices of the children we have seen for many years now. They all did several dances for us and then invited us to join them in a dance. What fun. After the dances we went inside and spent some time coloring and just being with the children. It was during this time that the moms finishing setting up all their crafts for us to buy and once we were done coloring, we went out to buy things from the ladies outside. We enjoy being part of this small economic project where we can help the families by providing income for them and then help support the kids so they can go to school.

Lisu girls dancing 

Doing a traditional Lisu dance 

Kent, Judy and Joan dancing

Traditional Lisu dress

The kindergarten kids and their teacher.

The teacher and other ladies made dinner for us and it was wonderful. We sat and enjoyed the food while learning that there are now 35 children from the village who go to elementary school in town. This is amazing!!! The teacher listed the names and pictures of all the children who are in the elementary school and showed it to us with great pride. The village is lucky to have someone who cares for their children as much as the teacher does and who works so hard to see them succeed.

It was a wonderful first day of being back in Chiang Rai with the kids. I had seen them on Skype but I didn't really get a good sense of just how well they were doing until I arrived once again. They all look so wonderful and are happy. The older girls are excelling in school, while Tin and Ahmorntep are boys in elementary school and want to play more than pay attention at the moment. Big and Fon are patiently working through that issue. When we get back to Chiang Rai tomorrow, we will meet with Big and Fon and get more in depth details of life since I have been gone. It is heartwarming to see that they are all doing so well and have the others in the group comment on just how wonderful the children look and are doing. We are all overjoyed.

Till next time.....

God Bless,
heather