A Tempered Jubilation

A collision of realities in joy and in sorrow.

As I write, we find ourselves in an odd sort of space at New Family Foundation.

We mourn the loss of "Father" Pat, father to Yupa and honorary grandfather to all our kids at Hot Springs.  He suffered ill health and increasing discomfort for several months, and in this regard, we are glad for his release from pain, and the end to an anguished time for those providing love and care during his last days.  

Grieving is given good measure in Thailand.  The more honoured and loved the departed, the longer it is expected that life just does not go back to 'normal' (whatever that is these days).  We acknowledge and respect this longer space for Yupa and Suradet, Pat's wife Sangwan, Bell and other immediate family members.  As such, we will be holding off for several weeks in active planning, work and reporting on the property development project that so many have been partnering with us toward.

I can let you know that we are very grateful to have reached a total of $16,018.85 in our Dollar for Dollar Campaign.  This is matched to a grand total of $32,037.70, which is....astonishing!!!!  We will be happy to let you know exactly how things are progressing as soon as we can regroup and regain our momentum.                                                                                                                                                                                                            There is some sad irony to this timing.  The property belonged to Yupa's father in the first place, who put it aside for us to continue to develop the mission to provide a loving family for at-risk and orphaned children.  He was fully aware of the government requirements to be on deeded land, and worked hard with us to acquire the deed and make the property ready for next steps.   We are sad that he will not be with us to celebrate the progress of this project each step of the way.                                                                                                                                                                                                 As we move forward and heal, not just from this loss, but from the many complicating factors of a global pandemic's impact on under-resourced places of the world, we are so comforted by the prayers and love and support of so many to keep us held together.

Thank you, thank you everyone.

The view our kids could be waking up to one day.