February 27, 2012 - Wind and Rain Storm in Nong Bua Lamphu

After days of extreme heat for this time of the year in late afternoon on the 27th of February a strong wind with normal rains graced our dry land after months of very dry weather. Then in the early night all of a sudden a strong wind with torrential rains started and lasted less than an hour, but soon we were to see the results of this un-expected storm. The ceiling and renovation work to the Sala which is used for parish functions, activities for large groups of Mother of Perpetual Help Center and for play by the children at Mother Teresa's home was brought craching down to the floor.

We have had storms in the past, but I don't remember having such a strong wind with such heavy rain. There had to be some kind of twister which caused such damage to the Sala. Normally this type of heat is felt in the months of April and May - this year it came early. We would have been delighted to have the rain without the wind; however, it was fortunate that no one was in the Sala at the time of the storm.

Silk Worms

On a recent visit to a village near Sibunruang, one of the 6 Districts of Nong Bua Lamphu Province, we came across a grandmother of one of the children receiving help from Mother of Perpetual Help Center - it was interesting to find out what was taking place! After questioning the grandmother we discovered that she was raising silk worms and during this exercise she was processing the worms through boiling water which extracts the silk to be used to weave cloth.

I knew there was such a process, but had never come across such an exercise to see how it is actually done - most interesting. In the photo you can see a very thin streak of yellow - this is the silk in the right lower basket, in the basket on the lower right hand of the photo is the remnants of the silk worms. Many women in surrounding villages have their own little way of earning a simple means of livelihood.

Christmas Activities Mother of Perpetual Help Center and St. Michael's Church Nong Bua Lamphu Thailand

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Staff from Mother of Perpetual Help Center prepared small gifts as a token of thanks for help received during the year from various departments in the city. Here Santa Claus (Mr. Boonklang) and other staff members head out just a day before Christmas to deliver these gifts to nurses and doctors at the local government hospital, the Tesaban and Social Welfare departments.
Here at the Social Welfare Department we greet the new Director and other staff members.

The Social Welfare Department is responsible for signing documents for us foreign volunteers before sending the documents to the Immigration Department.

Here at the Tesaban which is the City Municipal Offices responsible for City management of roads and also responsible for distribution of monthly monies to the elderly in villages as well as handicapped persons and aids infected persons. They can receive a monthly stipend of 500 Baht (approximately $15), a small amount but helpful to the poor.
Our youth at Ban Mae Marie can also receive this stipend - each have set up accounts and these funds are set aside for the future once they leave to set out on their own.

Nest and final stop to the Nong Bua Lamphu General Hospital to deliver our small gifts in appreciation for the work of the doctors and nurses in caring for patients from our hospice when hospitalization is required.

Christmas Crib in St. Michael the Archangel Church.

Christmas festivities began at our Sala which is used for parish activities, larger activities of the Center and used for play by the children of Mother Teresa's children home. A Christmas pagent was produced by youth from the parish along with youth from Ban Mae Marie and children from Mother Teresa's children's home.

Friday evening before Christmas staff from Mother of Perpetual Help Center enjoyed their annual Christmas party along with family members and teenagers from Ban Mae Marie.

All had a good time with music, singing and dancing. Patients from our hospice joined in as well in the karaoke singing and even some with dancing.

Gifts were distributed to everyone as well as the annual Christmas bonus to staff members.

During the year a new Foundation had been formed - members from the parish and government persons who had helped in getting the approval of the Foundation also attended our Christmas party.

Teenagers from Ban Mae Marie joining in the Karaoke singing.

Hospice patients enjoyed the evenings festivities and joined in well.

Evening festivities began in the early evening. This time of the year gets dark very early - usually by 6:30 in the evening it is already very dark.

Mr. Yo from Ban Mae Marie prepares a roasted pig for the ocassion.

Fr. Anthony along with youth from the parish and youth from Ban Mae Marie took a visit to Bp. George (retired) and Bishop Joseph in Udon Thani to give their Christmas greetings.

This year again they visited the Capuching Cloistered Sisters in Udon Thani. At each place they sang Christmas carols.