It is New Year's Eve so we may make it to 2025 but it was not an easy trip. Thanks to so many who kept in touch, helped in so many ways and made this year memorable. We surely are thankful for many things and look forward to the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
We enjoyed having Leigh Ann and Tatum for meals during the holidays. Tatum took a short cruise with friends to the Bahamas. Leigh Ann and Tatum are spending New Year's together.
Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about six months ago but his symptoms have been coming on for a few years. He has gone to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL for years, but it is a 5 hour drive from Dunedin. A few months ago, he saw a Parkinson's specialist in St. Pete and in February, he has an appointment in the same clinic with a motion specialist. Hopefully, we will learn more about practical things we can do to make life easier with this disease. With medical advice, medication and exercise, we are taking one day at a time. We are blessed to live in Florida where the weather is nice most of the time. We have a comfortable place to live and everything we need nearby. Our pool is heated and on days when the temperature is warm enough, we take an hour and go swim. Usually, we have the pool to ourselves. It is busier on weekends but not very much during the week.
Our clubhouse has a good supply of books and puzzles and I'm taking advantage of borrowing from these things to enjoy when I have a little free time. Ron and I are both working on a very hard puzzle now. We graduated up to 500 pieces but this one was not a good choice as there are too many pieces the same shape and color. It is still challenging for the brain to try to connect the pieces and then see a beautiful picture we created. My friend in New Albany, MS received a 2,000 piece puzzle as a gift. It is beyond my imagination as to how I would tackle that many pieces.
We continue to enjoy our worship at River Road church of Christ in New Port Richey, a 35 minute drive north of Dunedin. There is little traffic on Sunday morning. Since neither of us see well at night, we connect with some church service on-line for Sunday night and Wednesday night lessons. This past Sunday, we stayed for a very good potluck lunch and got to know a few more members.
Mark Zhu, a Chinese man who used to work with us in China, came to visit us a week ago. We had not seen him in about 15 years. It was nice to see him again and meet the family from Tampa that came with him.
We hope to see Ronald and Gigi on one of their next trips to the U.S. They have been very busy with the children during the holidays, making memories for these 30 children that would not have a Christmas at all if they did not live there. Gigi works very hard making the holidays special with little help from the staff as they want the holidays off work. Save Asian Souls supports 14 of the girls there at Casa Esperanza of Angels' in Tanjay, Negros Oriental, Philippines.
This past year, Ronald took the challenge to report to churches about our progress in the same presentation he gives about his work in the Philippines. It is a combined 40-minute mission report on power point about both of our mission works. I've heard many comments on what a great job he does with the presentation. Ron and I are no longer able to travel to give reports.
Our work continues about the same in all Asian countries with the girls doing well. New clothing was distributed to all of our 200+ girls in safe houses in various villages throughout certain areas of Nepal. A congregation in Houston, TX provides the funds for this special gift each year and the girls are thrilled to receive their new items of clothing.
We are continually adding more girls in all countries but we have about the same number leaving the safe houses for various reasons. Some are getting married, others graduating and starting jobs and a few just do not adjust to life in a group home and will not follow the rules and return home. They return to poverty and forfeit their chances for a good education, but it is their choice. We cannot force anyone to stay. Most of the girls appreciate the opportunity and adjust quickly to the new environment. Reports indicate that girls in Thailand and Laos are doing well with the exception of two girls at the safe house in Chiang Mai who recently left to live with relatives.
I will be busy for the next two or more weeks preparing tax letters for our donors. It is important to provide a letter confirming their donations since we are a 501C3 foundation and donations to SAS are tax deductible with proper back up.
We want to again thank all of our donors and friends for encouraging and supporting us as we continue our mission work. We hope the New Year is one of peace in the world and our economy will improve to make life easier for most Americans. We pray for our girls as they are learning the Bible and being converted to Christ.
Wishing all of you good health and happiness in the New Year. Our prayers are with everyone of you also.
