Half a World Away Kids are Still the Same

This is Tutu, a woman with a vision. She spent many years with her family evangelizing among the different hill tribes living in the mountains of northern Thailand. During those years she saw the plight of the children who had lost parents, whose extended families were too poor to keep them, who had no opportunity for school.

Her vision led to the establishment of the first Asia's Hope orphanage in Thailand, called Doi Saket 1. Tutu's heart is as wide as her smile. She is especially pleased that the children are no longer living in fear of the "evil spirit" regulary evoked by the tribal witch doctor.

When you come to an Asia Hope orphan home, there is always a "Meet and Greet" team, usually the first one or two kids who spot your arrival.

We arrived at the Doi Saket 4 home just as the children were finishing their evening meal at the outdoor kitchen, and, of course, beginning the clean up chores.

The kids are loved by their dorm parents. Here is the Dorm Dad at DS 4. Would you have a grin on your face after parenting 13 kids and supervising evening chores?

At the Doi Saket 2 home, we found the kids enjoying the jungle gym provided by their sponsoring church. Laughter is the same in any language.

Today we arrived at Doi Saket 1 orphanage during their Saturday afternoon "off". At the nursery building, this young fellow was getting his teeth brushed and his bath before his afternoon nap.

Across the compound, kids were buying "treats" from their earned money. Today's treat were bowls of homemade soup. The kids grinned and talked.

On the other side of the front porch, the "knitters" were choosing their skein of yarn for their next project- a hat or a bag depending on their choice. Debbie Flinchum has taught the girls to knit and sew, and supervised their weaving efforts.

The young girls then have opportunity to sell their bags and items to visitors. Debbie also taught them how to sew new sheets for their beds.

The Hot Springs Orphan Home is an Asia Hope project supporting a Pastor and his wife who have taken in 13 orphans. On one side of their building is a large vegetable garden, complete with requisite goats nibbling. On the other side beauty surrounds their church home. This orchid garden next to the outdoor kitchen.

Tutu's heart and rest of the staff is big enough to give love every day, all day to these children who have been placed under their care.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers for these children and the staff that takes care of them and for Asia's Hopes needs an guidance to be making wise decisions for their care.