Dear everyone. Blessings for Chinese New Year and the whole year of the Rooster.

It is a New Year and Mercy Centre is thriving as always with children’s play and laughter at every corner. The weather this time of year is pleasant, not hot not cold, no flood and no harsh sun. However, in the South of Thailand it has not been like this. Over Christmas the Southern provinces have experienced an unusual bad monsoon and almost half of the country has been flooded resulting in over 30 deaths, broken train tracks, collapsed bridges and closed airports. People have lost their homes and farmers have lost their crops.

We are somber but joyful today. Somber because of the Passing of His Royal Highness, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Yet joyful because of his 70 years as Father of our Beloved Land. We miss him, and as one hears on the streets, the Thai expression goes:

Thank you for your condolences and prayers. Condolences + to share sorrow = compassion. A beloved friend sent us this Greek word: Silipitria. I am told it means ‘to mourn with’ those who are experiencing a great loss, to feel it deeply, personally. Like compassion, to walk through someone's suffering with them. It's very Christ-like.

Dear everyone,

Sorry : (L to R) Liw, Bai Por, Chompoo and Bai Mon