1-The highlight in Mukdahan this month was the official ceremony starting the construction work on our new Multifunctional center; The Solomon Hall. Named after King Solomon who was wise, just, wealthy (it is our prayer that those coming to SC will receive knowledge and wisdom, justice and will have enough to have good lives; able to go to school, food, housing and clothes and jobs) but also to learn for the mistake in his life; the many women he had and how he left the ways of the Lord which brought disaster.
Around 30 people joined for the happy occasion from the local churches, the team, and family members in the project.
The building will hopefully be finished around September 2010.
2-An especially lovely wedding took place this month between Sing and Som. Siam-Care has known Sing for many years, he's a dad in our project caring for his son. Sing was very sick some years ago but after starting on ARV medication he made a great health come back. He totally changed his life style when he started attending the local church and his elderly father still sometimes can't believe the change in his life; from hanging and playing around to being a hard working responsible father and son. It was at the church that Sing met Som, also a Siam-Care mother and last month they got married.
Their children, were the brides made and best man (best boy?); Suah standing next to his dad and Keaw walking in the rings in front of her mother. A lovely and happy occasion for all of the team who helped make it a special and unforgettable day.
3- Phang Nga welcomed a new worker 'Aom' which brings the team up to 4 members again. Aom is originally from the south and her family's house is near our office, for the past 10 years she has lived and worked in the north of Thailand; it was time to come home again, and Siam-Care is happy to welcome her into the team.
4- In Bangkok the team started work in one more female prison/rehabilitation center just outside of Bangkok. Monthly visits will be done there; the morning activity on health issues with some 50 women, while the afternoon will give time for individual counseling. The team now visits, apart from the 3 times a month visits in the MCI (Medical Correction Institute which is the main prison hospital) two other prisons nearby Bangkok. The team also follows up with the families who are outside; many family relationships have been restored through this and some of the prisoners children are receiving sponsorships to continue their education from Siam-Care.
Prison is a place where much loneliness and hopelessness is found and for many the visits from Siam-Care staff are their only contact with the outside world. Onec they leave the MCI, and are returned to the general prison, some never receive a letter or a visit or support for daily necessities like toothpaste, some extra nutritious foods etc. Siam-Care staff now visit over 50 people inside the main prisons providing these necessities, being a pen pal, a friend and an encourager in times when most needed.
5- The Warren family from the UK, visited their previous sponsor son 'Sun' who now works and is the father of his own son 'San'. Together with Siam-Care staff they went out for an afternoon and little San enjoyed his British grandparents. It is lovely to see how the relationship between Sun and the Warren family continued over the years even into the next generation.
