Dear Friends of Sarnelli House,
No April Fools in this letter, although the April Fools jokes are alive and living in Thailand, at least among our kids, who picked it up from volunteers, I will have runts come to tell me their house burned down, or my truck has a flat tire, or some insidious story to get my attention. One little 6-year-old girl, a few years ago, came in to tell me she was pregnant. After my initial shock, I found out older girls put her up to it.
Thailand is in the hot season. In this area, we have gone over 5 months without rain. When rain comes, everyone expects bad storms and damage. Since we have been hit hard twice during the years, we can only pray the Lord to spare us.
March. April and early May are the months the kids are out of school. We are lucky to have volunteer youth from Germany, two cousins of mine, and some Dutch volunteers here to help our local staff keep the kids busy and entertained. Our pool is the favorite, with strict swimming times for each house. Also, we take the kids to a big lake west of here for a day of swimming, paddle boats that look like giant swans, with a cookout and general fun. A donor who was going to come at this time couldn’t make it, so sent his travel fare to us to make all this possible.
Also, about 5 kilometers from here, people started an amusement park. With animals like camels, etc., kids have never seen before. Entrance was free up to New Year. They have bumper cars, a huge swimming pool and food stands. They are still developing it.
The children are all well, save for some who have cerebral palsy but they have their own little home, and an alert staff who monitor them closely. Ben and Angelique take them for a trip to the swimming pool, which they love.
Extensive repairs and additions made being done at Sarnelli House, and the area looks like a bomb site. It will be really nice when the dust clears, though.
We hope and pray all of you are well, and Happy Easter!
Fr. Mike, the children and staff of Sarnelli House
