School break in America often means beach trips for students—and I would like to report that our Christian Center for the Development of People with Disabilities (CDPD) students from Mae Sariang enjoyed a beach trip, thanks to funding from the local government.  I was able to accompany 87 children and family members from our community project here in Thailand down to Pattaya for a special camp for the disabled.  Imagine all of us packed into 7 vans for 16 ½ hours (our day started at 2:45am).  Was it worth it?  The 32 people with disabilities would give a resounding yes!  Everyone enjoyed the beach and special outings.  The parents who came had special teaching sessions, and one of the lasting benefits is the sense of cohesiveness that resulted from being together.  They have set up a committee to continue to work on issues of advocacy for the needs and protection of their children, as well as promoting income generation projects.  Please pray for this committee that they can move forward with determination!

Praise and Prayer Points:

·         May means a return to school for the House of Love kids (HOL)—so do be praying for our house parents as they work to outfit all 28 children!  A praise—one of the children, Daw Song, is planning to return to classes after a year’s absence due to health issues.  She has been busy this school break studying to be ready for this happy time.  Another praise--Many of the HOL children were able to visit with relatives over the break, and all of them so enjoyed the connectedness to village life they were able to experience.

·         The daycare teachers for the House of Blessing have been doing special studies with the 10 graduates to ensure that they will be ready to enter first grade.  They also must be ready in their new classrooms for their school year which will start May 11.

·         The Health Project staff has been busy finishing moving the office to the new property (please keep praying for the administrative staff as they work to find a good place for everything.)  As well, they have been doing youth seminars during the Thai school break, and report good attendance, and good attention from participants.  Please pray that as students learn about making good choices, it will become a part of how they live.

·         Landscaping!  We are excited that the basketball/volleyball/takraw/badminton court will soon be poured.  Baptist missionary Rick Burnett is also coming to help the HOL family learn about plants, and start working on the landscaping for our home!