Greetings from Sarnelli House!

Last week, we took in a 4-year-old little girl named "Wow", who has AIDS. Her mother is still alive, but in bad shape. Last Monday, Wow went to the University Hospital in Khon Kaen for a TB test. Three other children, Soi, Jo and Sawn, are again critically ill in the Nongkhai hospital. We also took in two sisters (7 & 4) and their 2-year-old little brother. Their parents are ill with AIDS, and can barely cope with helping each other. The two girls are OK, but the boy needs an AIDS test.

Right now, we are saving up for the kids' annual pilgrimage to the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya, the last week of April. I told the nursery kids that anyone who was still whizzing in their beds would have to stay home. I was just kidding, but a really cute little runt (Don Rak) threw a tantrum and wouldn't eat the M&Ms I gave her. There is some unlucky boy out there whom destiny will tie up with this willful little rodent! Our 3 Mama pigs all have had big liters, and one mother will be off to the sausage factory, since she killed all her piglets. Boys are walking around with their favorite piglets, and Phi Wan has barred them from the kitchen, after finding pig poop under the table. Our 10 tots at the House of Hope also have learned to demand trips to "BIG Star Mart". Housemoms took them to the Lotus mall, and now they sweetly coax me for a trip for pizza, ice cream or just "chop-ping" (shopping).

We have over 100 kids, half of whom have AIDS, and the rest are orphaned or abandoned by AIDS infected parents. We care for 16 other AIDS children at home with their parents. I also have an OUTREACH program that seeks out abandoned AID mothers to help them get medicine, health and jobs. Thank God that my helpers are young, enthused and healthy!

A Catholic lady who was about 10 years old when I was in Huei Suem (30 years ago!) came in to say she was pregnant with twins, and already had 6 kids and her husband had left her. If I didn't agree to take the twins when they were born, she'd get an abortion. So, we will help her likewise, and in a few months, we will have three new babies. The kids pray every night in their little chapel for those who take the place of their parents, and show them interest and compassion, and help us with the work. Rest assured you are on that list. They are great little pray-ers, despite the fact that about ten of them are tiny and babble in their own unfathomable language. But I think God understands.

Gratefully,

Fr. Mike Shea, C.Ss.R.

back to top