Happy New Year! Thank you all so much for your support during the past year! We ended the past year in the black, which was a pleasant surprise for a change. We thank the Good Lord for finding kind and generous donors through the years.
The excitement of the Christmas season has ebbed, as the children returned to their respective schools. The older students in college and those studying in vocational schools came home for the holidays and it was good for the younger kids to see how mature and self-confident they are. The younger kids were camping out in tents until January 2, while the older kids wisely stayed home.
Many of our children joined parish children to act, sing and dance in the Nativity show that is acted out before Mass on Christmas Eve, at the parish church. Fr. Joe Ole had the Mass, and has been coming to Sarnelli House to hand out ukuleles and teaching kids how to play the instrument, so his students played during the show. At about 11:00 Christmas morning, all the children gathered in the hall to get their Christmas gifts. Each kid got gifts people brought in for them, plus 1,000 baht ($30), candy, a heavy jacket and a heavy blanket because of the cold season, After that a meal of grilled chicken, sticky rice, fiery papaya salad, coke, cake and ice cream. Two hours later, they were out playing soccer!
2025 was quite a year. March, we opened the Sharon Houminor House for six physically and mentally disabled babies and curtain crawlers. About a month later, during a bad storm a tree came crashing down through the roof and ceiling, just missing little Lisa but burying her in the debris. Two housemothers pulled her out unharmed, but very frightened. A tree blew down and through the roof and ceiling of the library at Sarnelli House too. My nephew and niece, Mike and Amy Shea, rescued us and donated funds to repair all houses and repaint them.
Finally, we are praying that you and all the folks who help with the children’s needs receive all God’s good blessings in the new year, especially good health and happiness!
Gratefully,
Fr. Mike, children and staff of Sarnelli House
