April is a busy month!

Ronald and Gigi are in the U.S. traveling and giving presentations to congregations about their orphanage work in the Philippines.   

They spent some days clearing out their house in Woodstock, GA to put it on the market.  They had the first and best offer in one day so their closing will be early in May.   Their travels this trip will take them from Georgia to Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida.   We will see them here May 19 and then they return to Atlanta, turn in the rental car and leave on the 21st for the long trip home.  It is a hard trip covering two months.    They will return within 190 days to look for a smaller home where they can invest the money from the sale of their home in Woodstock, GA to keep from paying capital gain on the sale.   They must have a U.S. home for Gigi's green card status to be valid.

We have good news to report because starting this month, Ronald is also working with SAS as our main fundraiser.   Both of our mission works are under the Red Boiling Springs church of Christ.  Most of the churches he reports to also support our SAS work so he will combine the report to update both mission works with each presentation.   Ronald is learning everything about our work under Ron's guidance so he can take over the work Ron does whenever the time comes that it is needed.   He and Jackie Feng will be able to do all of it in the future.  In the meantime, Ron will continue to work as long as he able.  With Ronald joining our work, there will be no concern about our work continuing whenever Ron and I go home.   We are not retiring, but we will be forced to scale back as health conditions press on us.  We feel very blessed that we have been able to do this work until now.  Ron will be 87 in June.  I will be 86 in May.

When we moved to Florence, AL in 1966, we established some friendships that remain to this day.  One friend just spent a week with us at our condo in Florida.   Her husband and Ron worked together on a couple of occasions.   He went home to be with the Lord a few months ago.   It was a good week spent with her but reminiscing about our times together and now the loss of her husband made it bitter sweet at times.  

A dear male friend (and supporter of our work) in Aransas Pass, TX is at the point of death as I write this.  His 97 year old mother died a few weeks ago and he will join her in Paradise soon.    His sweet wife has become a very close friend over the past few years and the days ahead will be hard for her.   

Just a few hours ago I also got word that a dear lady in AR who has supported both of our mission works is not doing well after going to a facility and is now in the hospital.   

A dear Christian man who provided funds for one of our orphanages in  China many years ago in his own son's memory, passed away recently.  

It is our generation that is reaching the end so we know it is time to lose all these wonderful people. While we are happy for those who have left the troubles of this world for a better home, it is still very hard for loved ones left behind to cope with the day-to-day trials without them.    

Our work continues to go well in Nepal, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines.   Jackie Feng, our co-worker has just returned to his home in Memphis as he and his wife have visited most of the SAS safe houses the past few weeks.  

It will be very helpful to him in the future to know the workers in the field personally and have a full knowledge of how the safe houses operate to care for the girls.   Some girls graduate and move on so our number is flexible but remains close to 300.

This is one of the safe houses in Nepal.  The man on the left in the back is Sagar, the director of the preaching school and worker with SAS.  

  

Four of these girls were baptized this week. 

Please pray for Ronald and Gigi in their travels and for us as we deal with aging problems and continue to do our work with SAS.   Thanks to everyone!   May God bless you with good health and peace.

April Fools' Day

 I never liked pranks pulled on me so I'm happy when April 1 arrives and the day goes smoothly without a hitch.   Today has been a warm and beautiful day in Florida.   We opened windows in each room and the air flow was really nice.   I got some extra energy and began deep cleaning.   I took my one large artificial plant outside and sprayed it with a water hose to make sure the dust is off of it.   I waxed most of the wood furniture today.

Today is a new day for Save Asian Souls.   Our son Ronald, who runs the orphanage in the Philippines with his wife, Gigi, starts to take over some of the work from Ron.    Since Ronald's supporters are basically the same as ours and both missions are under the Red Boiling Spring church of Christ in TN, Ron convinced Ronald to report for both mission works together on his trips to the U.S.   

Ron will be 87 in June.   I will be 86 in May.   We just cannot make the trips to give reports any more.  Ron cannot drive the RV for us to do the extensive travel full time.   We cannot drive the car these long distances.   Our RV is up for sale but it is getting old and difficult to sell.    Our car is also pretty old and has over 100,000 miles but we hope we will not have to purchase another car during our lifetime.   

Ron and I will continue doing our computer work from home as long as we can but Ronald will learn more and more about our work so he can eventually take over the rest of Ron's job whenever that becomes necessary.   Ronald knew Jackie Feng, SAS's other worker, as Ronald worked with him in China.    Ronald was the overseer of the six orphanages we had in China for many years before he and Gigi married and they began the Casa Esperanza of Angels' orphanage in Tanjay, Negros Oriental, Philippines.    

Jackie has been working with SAS in the U.S. since his graduation from the Memphis School of Preaching about 6 or more years ago.    He and his wife are presenting in Asia to visit our safe houses in Nepal, Laos and Thailand to meet the workers and get more familiar with the work.   While in the U.S, Jackie has taken over the banking, transfer of funds to workers, approval of the workers' petty cash reports and budget requirements as well as reviewing and approving the girls that come under our care.  In addition, he visits churches within about a 100 mile radius of Memphis, TN, where he and Jenny live.  I will find a picture of Jackie and Jenny to post on my next post.   

Ron has searched for leadership for this mission work for many years but no one has wanted the challenge.   As Ron does not want to quit, it has been a future plan for many years to have someone trained and ready to step in to take it over.    As we are really reaching the critical stage now, we are both very excited to have Ronald come aboard as he needs very little training and he will do an excellent job.    He and Gigi have proven their ability to lead a successful mission work with their orphanage.  We are very proud of the work he and Gigi do in the Philippines because we know what a beautiful campus they have built and the loving concern they have for all of the 25 children in their care.   

If anyone wants to reach out to him, he is in the U.S. now giving reports to churches in TN, AL and KY until the last of May.   He is getting his house in Woodstock, GA (where Ron and I lived before moving to FL) ready to put on the market to sell.    They will return in the fall for another fundraising trip to visit other supporting congregations.    He can be reached at rbrown406@hotmail.com.    I know he would appreciate anyone writing and giving him encouragement.   

A friend from the 1960's is planning to visit us for a week (April 9-16) so I plan to take those days off work to spent time with her.   She lost her husband in November and has been very lonely.   I know we will have a very good time exploring shops and restaurants and seeing sunsets from the Dunedin wharf.

Wishing everyone a happy April .... springtime and summer.

Prayers for everyone to have good health and faithful service to HIM.

March 15, 1958

Tomorrow will be our 66th wedding anniversary.   We have traveled through these years with many changes in our lives.    We were 19 and 20 years old on this date in 1958 without a concern for our future.  I guess technology has changed the most as we had no knowledge of internet, computers or cell phones.  Every 50 years brings many changes and no doubt the next 50 will be just as astonishing.    

Today, we went to vote.   It was only the Republican ballot for the Presidency.   Our country hangs in the balance with politics so crooked.   When we were young, we paid no attention to who was running for office.   We had unbiased media coverage even though it was minimum.   I remember my mother being concerned about Presidents Truman and Kennedy, but I was happy with anyone in the white house.   Oh, the joys of being young and carefree and unconcerned about everything!

Ron and I are blessed to have shared these years together and stuck with it through happy and difficult times.   We look in the mirror and see how the years have changed our looks but we are the same people inside.   

God has blessed us with two faithful and wonderful children.  Our precious granddaughter, Tatum, has also been a great blessing to us.   We could not have a more wonderful daughter-in-law than Gigi.  Our family is small but loving and blessed.

We are getting close to summer in Florida as many of our days are up to 80 degrees now.    We had some chilly winter nights but none below the 40's.   The azaleas in front of our condo building are beautiful.   We do not see buttercups and other spring flowers and flowering trees, but the palm trees and hanging moss bring a unique beauty to our surroundings year-round. 

Ron searched for someone to be prepared to take the oversight of SAS for some years.  Several volunteered but at the last minute, we did not get anyone to assume the leadership.   Our son, Ronald, who runs the Casa Esperanza of Angels' orphanage in the Philippines will begin working April 1st to do fundraising for SAS along with his own mission work.    He will begin to learn every aspect of our work and oversee it along with Jackie Feng, who has worked with SAS for the past 6 or more years.    Together, they can do the work in the future.   

Meanwhile, Ron will continue to assist Ronald with appointments to give presentations about the work.  He will train, advise and assist Ronald as he takes on this work.  Ron will continue as long as he is able as his life has been wrapped totally around this work.   He feels very blessed for having lived 87 years to devote time to mission work.    My job will continue as long as I am able also.   

We both feel blessed that Ronald will take this work on and perhaps our daughter can assist with my work in the future in some capacity.

We could not do mission work without our supporters.   Everyone is a valuable asset to the success of the work.  We could not do it without giving God the praise and thanks for His protection and guidance.  Every time we made a flight to Asia or traveled along the roadways to report on the work, we know we had God beside us, never forsaking his servants as we strived to do our very best to help others and serve Him.   We thank God for whatever success we have been in life,

Thanks to each of you for being part of our journey.   Marriage is the beginning of a journey unknown.  We must have faith to even begin with a partner we know so little about.   God must be the pilot to make it last and be productive.    I see us as only the co-pilots in-training.  We had no manual to follow other than the Bible and our trust and faith in God was the glue that held us together.  

May God bless each of you in the days ahead.   With much love....Ron and Pat 

Tragedy turns into Hope

 

A New Dawn for Lalita:

From Hardship to Hope with Save Asian Souls

In the bustling confines of a hotel, Lalita Maya Chepang, a mere twelve years old, finds herself toiling relentlessly in a job, under the weight of burdens no child should bear. She looks much younger than twelve.

With the loss of her mother at a tender age and her father lost in a distant land, Lalita was left adrift in a sea of uncertainty, devoid of guardianship and bereft of hope.

Left with no recourse, Lalita was left to labor in the hotel, where some safety there was actually a luxury but the specter of human trafficking loomed ominously. In the absence of proper guardianship, she navigates a perilous path fraught with dangers, her innocence overshadowed by the harsh realities of exploitation and abuse.

However, amidst the shadows, a glimmer of hope emerges. The compassionate gaze of a minister falls upon Lalita, recognizing the injustice of her plight and extending a hand of compassion and support. Moved by her resilience and determination, the minister reached out to Save Asian Souls, asking for us to intervene and offer Lalita a chance at a better life.

Soon, Lalita's journey will take a new turn as the SAS team prepares to rescue her from the perilous confines of the hotel. In the sanctuary of a mini safe house, she will find refuge and care, shielded from the dangers that once threatened to engulf her. Here, amidst the warmth of compassionate souls, Lalita will be nurtured and supported, her dreams rekindled and her spirit restored.

As Lalita embarks on this journey of transformation, let us stand in solidarity with her, offering our support, prayers and commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every child. Together, let us ensure that no child suffers the indignities of exploitation and abuse, and that every young life, like Lalita's, is given the opportunity to flourish and thrive in a world filled with hope and possibility because of Christians who are willing to sacrifice to help children like her.

Lalita has not yet settled into a safe house but she will be under our care shortly. I know you will be touched to read this story of a little girl, abandoned and alone in the world without parents or loved ones to care for her. Remember her in your prayers as she embarks on a new life very soon with our help. More will be reported about her soon. Love, Pat

The Busy New Year

For several weeks, I have wanted to post to this blog but there's been too much to do!  The holidays were quiet for us.   Leigh Ann got a stomach bug and did not come over until a week after Christmas.    We enjoyed some unique gifts from her and Tatum.   Tatum sent us a wooden puzzle with small pieces that looked simple but was SO HARD.   Many of the pieces were in the shape of an animal or bird and they fit together in very strange ways.   Once I got a little of the edge done across the top, Ron began to help me.   

It was a wonderful treat for us during the holiday.  Tatum sent glue to coat it and now it is standing on top of my china cabinet next to my tall white candles.

For the past three weeks, I have been preparing tax letters for our donors.   It is a very time-consuming job each January.  We are very thankful for our supporters and the task is important to each of them.  As a result, I've left other work that has come in and now I am busy sending reports on the children in the Philippines and about our girls in all of our many safe houses.   

We have had good news from the Philippines.    One of the young men was baptized a few weeks ago and yesterday two of the girls in the SAS safe house were baptized.   

The minister has been spending a lot of time teaching the children and they are coming to know God and believe in our Savior.   

On Facebook, Casa Esperanza of Angels' video of their worship service featured their singing.   The children and staff raise their voices to God in praise with enthusiasm and it must be a joyful noise to Him.  It sounded beautiful.

They also had wonderful holidays with groups coming to treat them with good food and gifts.   While out of school for the holidays, the children did crafts, had a scavenger hunt, a Bible quiz and many other activities.  

We have had some changes in our Save Asian Souls' work.   Phet, our translator and housemother in Vientiane, Laos got married in November.   

Her husband is from the U.S. and they had difficulty finding a country where they could both get VISA's and marry without a lot of complications.   They married in Paris, France.   How great that must have been for them!  

When they returned to Laos, a reception was held for them on the lawn of her parents' house.   She was a beautiful bride.  We wish them much happiness.

Phet resigned as they plan to live in another location in Laos but eventually, she will get things worked out to come to the U.S.   Her sister and her family were living in the same 3-story house where our girls live so she has become their housemother.    She was doing the shopping, cooking and some of the teaching when we visited there last January so we know she will do a good job.   She doesn't speak English so Hong (another Laos worker) is doing the reports now for all of the Laos safe houses.   We really miss Phet working with us.

Our weather has been cold with most of our nation is a deep freeze.    It was 36 Sunday morning for our lowest temperature this winter.    We have some nights in the 40's and our highs in the 50's or 60's, but today it is over 70 degrees and it feels wonderful even though it is cloudy. We hope spring is coming soon for everyone.  In Florida, we will soon face a lot of extreme heat, humidity and the threat of hurricanes. 

Ron does an hour's exercises every morning, but I prefer walking.   He's ordered me a pedometer and I plan to start a walking routine tomorrow, come rain or shine.   We have sidewalks so it will be safe and easy to walk.    I joined a neighborhood social network in hopes of finding a walking buddy.   I posted and mentioned it and I got a reply "Get a rescue dog as they make the best walking companion."    I am sure that is right but taking care of a dog and the expense of vets and food deters me from choose that companion.  I will walk alone until I can find someone to go with me.

I post beautiful photos of Dunedin on my Facebook page in hopes I can entice some of my "friends" to come visit us this year.    

We hope 2024 will become a better year for everyone.  Our world has many problems and we all have concerns about the economy, the open border and risk of terrorists but we must remember that God is with us no matter what perils we face in life.    We must continue to trust in Him and be faithful whether we live or die.   

Thanks to all for your loving friendship, encouragement and support.    Wishing my readers good health and much happiness in the new year!