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!

A very busy November!

The time is rushing by with holidays fast approaching.    Since our move to FL, instead of having a quieter lifestyle, it seems that everything moved into high gear.    Just settling in and taking care of the many things that have to be done, takes time. 

My computer work got behind due to the packing and moving.  Getting new driver's licenses, registering the car, seeing new doctors (eye and ear) and finding stores for things we need, has also kept us busy.  

We've had guests and, unfortunately, I didn't get pictures to post.   I think Leigh Ann posted some on Facebook when Ronald and Gigi visited us for a couple of days.   After they left, Ellen Mao, our Chinese friend from San Jose, California came for a few days.   Leigh Ann was sick with Covid so Ellen got a room in Dunedin and came to our condo for breakfast each morning.    We did some things with her and ate several meals out and enjoyed our time with her.    

Carolyn Chance and Linda Franklin, friends from Greenville, TX drove all the way here (two-day drive) and stayed on Clearwater Beach for three days and nights.   We got to do some things with them and had some good meals at different restaurants.    We toured shops and a craft fair in Dunedin and went to the botanical gardens one day.   We had planned to take them to Tarpon Springs, where they harvest sponges from the ocean and have many unique shops and Greek restaurants.   We didn't go because they were hosting a seafood festival and expecting 30,000 visitors to attend their activities that weekend.    

Our friends from TX took this photo of us at the restaurant on Sunday before they left to return to Texas.    

Our weather has turned cooler, but it is still very nice.   As a cold front arrives, we will have about two days and nights rather chilly before the warmup comes.    It is too cool for swimming in a heated pool or going to the beach (at least for Floridians).    I feel sure tourists from North Dakota and New York are in shorts and enjoying the warm climate.   It is time for most snowbirds to return to Florida.    

Our work with SAS continues on in the same manner.  Since our work is done from computers, we just have a steady flow of things to do every day.  When I take a few days off for guests or holidays, the amount of work builds up.  I have to work a bit harder and put in some extra hours to get caught up again.  I will make an effort to have it all caught up by the end of December.   

We have had several baptisms and one of our girls got married to one of the preaching students from the Himalayan school of preaching, a school directed by one of our workers in Nepal.    

Save Asian Souls has about 300 girls in 23 different locations (safe houses) in Nepal, Laos, 
Thailand and the Philippines.    

We frequently have girls accepting Christ as their savior and being baptized.   This is the reason our motto is "saving lives and souls" as these are our goals for the poor girls who need our support.    

A church in Florence, AL gave money to buy Bibles and now every girl has been given her own personal Bible.    

A church in Houston, TX gave money to buy some winter clothing and underclothes for each girl in Nepal (about 220 girls).   The girls were very happy to receive gifts.   There are no practices to give Christmas or birthday gifts as we want to treat all girls equally.  The girls are very happy to get unexpected gifts.      

The girls in the Philippines enjoy a birthday party with all others at the CEA orphanage who have a birthday that month.   They will also enjoy a Christmas party with gifts and fun activities.   Here are our girls at CEA with their new bookbags as they started a new year at school.

These girls in their long skirts and white blouses (school uniform) are the residents of our safe house in Chiang Mai, Thailand.     

My first two weeks of January are consumed with getting tax letters to donors so they will have the information about their taxable donations to file their income tax reports.    When I finish that yearly task, many reports about the girls have accumulated again for their sponsors.    

Ron had another appointment at the Mayo Clinic the first week of November.   We met with two of their neurologists in regard to his tests in October.   They assured us that he is doing well for 86 and they are pleased with our busy work and lifestyle to try to remain active as senior citizens.  Next week, we are both supposed to watch a Mayo Clinic zoom teaching session in regard to aging well and taking care of ourselves for good brain health.    We are eating healthy foods and trying to get enough rest and reduce stress.  I think we are already doing what the online session will recommend.  

We are very thankful for our many blessings, and especially our ability to continue the work.   We are learning our way around to do things and take care of ourselves, so we are not yet a burden to Leigh Ann.   

We want to again thank our family, friends and supporters for your concern for us and the girls.  We appreciate your prayers and financial support.  

We wish everyone a safe and very happy holiday season during the Christmas holidays and a very Happy New Year.   

Life in Florida

We continue to settle into our new lifestyle in Dunedin, Florida.    We have been to a new eye doctor. With new glasses, I can see much better than before.   Ron has a new doctor to check his hearing aids and adjust them.   We have been attending the Central Church of Christ but may visit another congregation on Sunday.    We now know the back way to drive to Sam's Club where we have our prescriptions and where we can purchase the most reasonably priced gas.   Walmart has neighborhood markets in two directions very close to the condo.   Save-A-Lot is right across the street, within walking distance.   We have Publix and Winn-Dixie nearby.  We opened an account at the bank about a mile from us for our local banking needs.   I have to get rolls of quarters for the laundry since we don't have connections for washer and dryer in the condo.   The laundry room is four doors down so it's not a big problem.

As we work from home, locating to Florida has not been a problem except I have gotten behind in my work.  So many things have required my time away from the computer.   Although we don't really have enough working space, we are managing to get our work done in our little niches of office areas.   The sunroom, which I have turned into an office, is small and Ron found it more convenient to work in the master bedroom.  

Ron's office chair is at the end of my mother's 100-year-old cedar chest so it serves as a place for working papers.  

There is a 2nd closet in the room, and he has his office things right behind his chair.  

 

I weeded the bed at the back of the condo and added some succulent plants so it looks much better.  Leigh Ann gave me a few more aloe plants and a dear friend in TX sent me some money to buy some succulent plants.  It really touched my heart.   

We are allowed to add a 10' patio at our back door using some type of tile blocks but it is not a priority as we have little time to sit outside.    You can see part of the next-door neighbor's patio in the picture below.  

Leigh Ann has been coming over on Sunday nights to go to church with us and have a light dinner afterwards.   She is so good to help with whatever we need done and provide us with information about places to go around here.

Ronald and Gigi have arrived in Woodstock to begin getting their house (where we lived for three years) ready to sell.   We have not kept up with the repairs that need to be done.   They have some appointments to give reports to congregations about their work in the Philippines.   Next week, they will make a quick 3-day trip down to Florida so we can all have some family time together.   Leigh Ann is encouraging them to buy a condo down here after their house sells, but I don't know what plans they have for a future residence in the U.S.

Ellen Mao, our co-owner in this condo will visit from San Jose, CA for a few days the first week of November (4-8).  She will stay with Leigh Ann but she will visit us and see the condo for the first time.  Only Leigh Ann saw it before we purchased it.   We only saw a video before the closing.

Ron has appointments at the Mayo Clinic on Nov. 8th so we will travel back to Jacksonville on the 7th.  He has a consultation visit with the doctor in regard to his previous testing and will see an ENT about his continual allergy problems.

Two very close women friends from Greenville, TX will arrive on November 16th.   We have reserved a hotel for them on Clearwater Beach.   They will stay through worship services on Sunday (11/19) and then drive back home.   A group from the Creekside Church of Christ in Greenville, TX support 24 of our girls.  They are an important part of our work but, more importantly, they are wonderful friends who we have known for many years.    We are so excited that they are coming, and we can show them around our unique cities of Dunedin and Clearwater and spend some quality time with them.  

We have cooler weather this week.   Night lows have been from 58-64 degrees but the day warms up to the 70's or low 80's.   The condo has no direct sunlight since we face North and with a condo on each side of us, the inside temperature does not change drastically.    It has been a very pleasant weather change from the 90's a month ago.   We have not had a chance to go out to walk around but the weather is perfect.  I need to find a "walking buddy" and go walking every morning.    

Our next door neighbors are moving next week and returning to New York to be near their children and grandchildren.   A lady, they estimate to be in her 70's, from Venice, FL has bought their condo.   I hope I can make friends with her and if she is able, we can get out and walk each morning.   Maybe if I reach out to her, we can be friends.

This week, we had a couple from church over for dinner. 

 

They seemed to enjoy my cooking and after dinner, we played three games of dominoes.    It was a delightful evening with Mark and Irene. 

Wishing all of our sponsors, supporters, friends and family a happy fall season.   The time will soon change, and holidays are quickly approaching.    We are thankful for everything and everyone!   

My friend from Greenville, Texas wrote this morning asking if we need anything.   We are blessed, indeed, when we can't think of anything we need.  

My heart goes out to people in the middle East who are suffering with the lack of necessities because of the senseless wars going on.  I cannot complain when I have everything, and they lack the simple things of life and face fear every day.   

God bless you all.  

Settled in new home in Florida

The movers arrived about 9:30 a.m. on Monday, September 11th.   They loaded the truck in about 3 hours.   As they finished loading furniture and boxes from each room, I swept and mopped the floors.  I left it as clean as possible in the time I had, but we were rushing to drive through Atlanta before the afternoon traffic piled up.   We drove the entire 9 hours to Clearwater and arrived at Leigh Ann's condo at 10:30 p.m.  We were truly tired from a long day's work and drive.   We slept well and arrived at the condo the next morning after breakfast at Leigh Ann's.     

The movers did not get here until late afternoon to begin unloading.  

They were moving too fast for me to keep boxes together for each room but it was getting late and getting it all unloaded and inside was the main thing.   They were very cooperative to set up beds and put furniture where I suggested.  We went to bed and started unpacking the next morning.  I gave Ron the task of unpacking all of his things and I started on the kitchen first. Slowly, box after box was unpacked and things put away and in three days, it was done!

Leigh Ann and I have rearranged things in the living room and dining room but with the small rooms, there is limited space to change things.   We had only seen a video of this condo and the previous owner had lighter furniture which fit in better and gave more floor space to get around things.    We are pleased that I found a place for everything, and we can surely use all of it.   

 

We are about 10-20 minutes' from Leigh Ann but further from Tatum who lives in Tampa.    Stores are within 4 or 5 miles and two congregations are that close also.   It will be a convenient place for us old folks to live out our last years.        

We are tired from the packing, moving and unpacking but slowly feeling normal again.   Our computer work got behind and we are busy catching up again.    The quarterly reports about the girls are pouring in and I will get them to their sponsors next week.

Moving is never easy but this one was especially hard.    There seemed to be a lot more to move, get rid of and yet I left many things in the house for Ronald and Gigi to dispose of someday when they sell the house in Woodstock.   Leaving good neighbors was really hard.   One has texted me that she's still pretending that we are just on a trip to Asia and will be back.    I am thankful for the strength and ability to make this move as I am not sure it would have been possible in another year.   We almost waited too long to make our final move.    I am thankful for the blessings of a nice place to live and our health to get through the move.

The condo is easy to clean and keep straight.   It will be a simpler lifestyle, but I miss having a yard and a place to go outside and walk around.    I took my first walk this morning to a shopping center within a half mile.   There are sidewalks the entire way and a crosswalk for pedestrians.    I walked through the Bealls' outlet store, Dollar Tree and Save-A-Lot grocery store.   They are well-stocked and good stores.  There is a pharmacy, a hair salon and three restaurants in this strip center.   It is very convenient to have these stores so near to us.

We went to church with Leigh Ann on Sunday.   She goes to Pinellas Park church of Christ in Clearwater.    She came and picked us up and it took about l/2 hour to drive there.   There are two closer churches to us and we will visit them in the next few weeks.   

Sunday was Leigh Ann's birthday. 

We treated her to Asian food at P. F. Chang's Restaurant and really had a wonderful meal.   She got a birthday dessert, large enough for all three of us to have a chocolate overdose.  

Leigh Ann had the condo clean and stocked with supplies and food.   It was a wonderful help to us but we know she worked very hard to have it so perfect.   We are so grateful for her love and willingness to help us in every way.

Our trip to the Mayo Clinic for the remainder of the health tests for Ron will be October 5-6.    We will have to go to Jacksonville on the 4th as he has an early appointment on the 5th.   

The Mayo Clinic is a four-hour drive from here.   

I will post again when we have more news to report.   Thanks to everyone for the well wishes for our new home in Florida.   If any of you are ever in this area, please come by or call.    God bless you all. 

    

What doesn't kill you just makes you stronger!

Have you heard that expression?    I am NOT sure it is true.   I have been packing for about 3 weeks and it has about killed me.   I don't feel stronger, either.    We have 99% of the packing done and expect to wind it up in a couple more days.    It has been the hardest move we have made, perhaps because we've accumulated more "things" to go through and we are much older.    There are things in the house that belongs to Ronald and Gigi so I had to be sure those items are secure so movers will not load their things.  I have gone through things Leigh Ann and Tatum left and decided what I need to take for them to keep. 

The Woodstock church of Christ will have a coat giveaway in the fall so they took my coats, sweaters, winter vests, scarfs and gloves.   They also took boxes of religious books that Ron can no longer keep and use.

Good Will got several loads of clothing and household items we cannot use.   I shared kitchen stuff with Ronald and Gigi and will leave some furniture and other items for them to use or throw away.   They will come back the middle of October for about 5 weeks to report to churches near here (North Alabama, Southern Tennessee).  On this trip back to the U.S., they will live in this house (which belongs to them).   They will have to rake leaves and get the yard is better shape for the winter months.   Ronald will determine what work needs to be done on the house before they put it on the market next year.   

This has been a family house for all of us at one time or another.   

Leigh Ann and Tatum lived here for several years.  We came to live here in June, 2020 due to Covid-19.    We could no longer visit churches to give reports and we gave up living in the RV.  

We have recently made two weekend trips (North Alabama and Tennessee) to see supporters and friends.   Our long-distance travels will be much harder as we will be living 9 hours south of Atlanta.

Jackie Feng, our Chinese SAS worker, has his green card now and he can travel internationally to visit our safe houses in the future.   The timing has been perfect as we spent 6 months in Thailand last winter getting the last safe house ready for girls.

Ron continues to turn more of the work over to Jackie and he is doing a great job.   We have two other men interested in working part-time (at this time) to assist with the fundraising and management aspects of the work.   Ron is not retiring by any means, but he is reducing the SAS load he has shouldered since 2015.  My work with SAS will also continue.   

The lifestyle of a condo will be simpler for us than living in a house.   We will not have any outside work or maintenance that we are responsible for.    The condo has new equipment/appliances and we do not anticipate having any additional expenses or work.  We are simply reducing the amount of work and stress for our last productive years.    We are getting to be old guys now and are feeling the "senior citizen" status.    

In January, 2023, we were in a train station in Vientiane, Laos in this picture, leaving to go to Luang Prabang, Loas (our safe house has 13 girls there.   

Our condo it about a 10-minute drive from Leigh Ann.   She lives in Clearwater.  Tatum, our granddaughter, lives in Tampa.  She is probably 30-40 minutes from us.    

We will enjoy getting to see them more after many years apart.   We do regret that we won't see Ronald and Gigi as they will be coming here to get the house ready for sale and to report to their sponsors for at least the next year.

We have not celebrated Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays in years.    We lived in St. Croix and St. Barts in the Caribbean for 7 years at the beginning of our mission work (1984-1991) and the winter holidays are not the same festive occasions from a warm climate.    We will enjoy some good meals and family times during these holidays this year.    Last year, Ron and I went to Central Plaza (mall) in Udon Thani, Thailand and had holiday meals at a restaurant by ourselves.   

A dear friend, Ellen Mao, is l/2 owner of the condo we purchased.   She helped us out financially by being a co-owner of the condo.   

Ellen hopes to relocate herself to FL in a few years.

If all goes well, the movers will be here in North GA on September 11th and unload in Dunedin, FL on September 13th.   It will take a few weeks to put everything away and get organized.

Ron has some additional tests at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL on October 5-6.    The trip will be a four-hour drive from Dunedin.

We continue to thank our family, friends, sponsors and supporters for keeping in touch and helping us with the work in Asia.   We ask for your prayers to continue for our workers, the girls, Ronald and Gigi's work in the Philippines and for us in our new home environment.

If any of you want to be our guests in Dunedin, FL, just let us know when you are coming.   We will leave the porch light on for you and welcome you with open arms.  

Remember you can contact us by email at ronbrown20@gmail.com and me at patbrown10@gmail.com.

God bless you!