Bilay and Damrong Zach

The Bamboo School exists to fulfill God's direction given in Isaiah 58.

We're located in the mountains up against the Burmese border in the small village of Bongti, home to 541 families with an annual average income of just US$180/year.
There are currently 63 residents (many of them orphaned, abused, medically challenged, retarded, or refugees of economic poverty) that God has molded into a family.

Established in 2001, we are staffed by Christian volunteers.

The value of life

MomoCat July 8th, 2008

20080625_031.JPG Life of a sweet baby girl Dokmai, (Fleur aged 4 months)

My heart breaks for God….. A father rushed his small one year old to my door. “Momo, help us,” he cried. Already the child was not functioning well. Her limbs were white, and motionless. This was the sixth time the same family had walked/run in from the Burma side, carrying a dying child. Each time the child with malaria, in the advanced stage. Each time to end in death. So quickly Somsee and I set them in the car, and drove down the mountain. It seems such a long 25 kms. in these situations. We got to the bridge in Sai Yok, when I heard the change in breathing rate, so I asked Somsee to check the small one in the back seat. It was too late. Her heart stopped as we arrived at the hospital, and she couldn’t be revived. The father didn’t even cry. When we got back to Bong Ti, the mother had arrived carrying the newest baby of 5 weeks….. She just nodded her head, no emotion. I guess the tears had dried up long ago. So the kids turned out the little coffin, made the flower arrangements for the funeral. Lewahtoo prepared the preaching service, while the girls prepared the food for the visitors. On Monday the little girl was buried, and the parents turned toward Burma. I hold onto my little girl and love the life of her. She is active and sweet in her responses to Moremorechore and Zac’s hugs. How much do we value life while we have it? It cost our God many tears as He gave up the companionship of His son, to save us. “Let the little ones come unto Me”

Bamboo School is home

MomoCat June 26th, 2008

After a very difficult, different week without much sleep, we are home to sleep.  The dengue fever camp is over at last!!  The kids and I moved out last Friday, some to their homes in the surrounding area, some to friends houses at Sai Yok and the remaining 37 to our half finished house at the lake!  It was tough, sleeping without walls, with a rapist causing fear to our girls.  We can do everything through His power!!   The boys slept in tents surrounding the girls in the open house.  We used rocks to hold the mosquito nets down during the wind and rain storms.  Every night was a drama!!!  Babies in the village still needed to be delivered, people still needed to transported to the hospital, and we prayed our way through.

My main stay, Somsee, went down with dengue fever, worse than everyone before her.  She bled from the mouth, from the nose and she thought she had menstration…  so she was admitted to the local hospital.  Her platelet count continued to go down.  So the devil had a ball!!

The kids were great.  They rounded each other up, singing, caring and praying.  We had a list of 16 things to do before we were to go back to the home.  We donned on protective gear and bug spray each day and worked at the list.  While I was out on Wednesday, the medical doctors from Sai Yok came to check our progress and status.  They agreed with me that the issue was not amongst my school, but in the wider community.  They were also pleased with our changes to our buildings.  We had cut huge windows in the dorms and the made woven bamboo bars for security.  At the time the medical team arrived, apparently the kids were bathing the little ones, working hard at the nailing at the same time as they were singing loudly.  The doctors were not heard to arrive, so action impressed them.  The kids showed off their deet covered arms, laughing about the plastic melt down from carrying plastic bags against their arms. (The color had come out of the bags, making stripes on them).  When I met Dr. Supat later that afternoon, he commented he had never seen such a happy bunch of healthy kids working together without me there.  He said, “Bring them home, I give you the clearance”  So we sang even louder as we packed up the camp site and shifted home.  What luxury to have walls, shelter and firm ground under foot.  You can imagine having 37 kids under canvas, during tropical rain, trying keep hygiene and sanitation levels to acceptable standards!!!!

Many ways we look back and see the power of God in these trying times… We had a man bring his sick daughter to the lake.  I thought appendicitis, so quickly transported them to Sai Yok.  The doctor agreed and admitted her.  The father asked to take his motorbike back to his home.  When we got back, Lewahtoo drove the bike back.  Two hours later he had not got home, it was reported that the police had taken the bike, suspecting him to be the rapist!!  Na had to take my apologies to the Police friend, Dang, and say that I did not wish them to have a problem, but I could vouch for him… he had been heard snoring loudly all night in the tent city!!  They laughed, and immediately released the boy and the bike!!

The kids are bonded together like a seamless group.  Everyone else will come back at the weekend.  We are exhausted, yet alive like never before.  Only through His power.

DF Camp

MomoCat June 19th, 2008

Just what are you doing God!! This is my question today….. About one hour ago we were notified that the Bamboo School is to be closed down for the next two weeks, as a preliminary measure against dengue fever.  Our problems started a couple of weeks ago…

We had cases coming in to transport to the hospital.  Without proper housing, people cannot have permenant addresses, so most put our address as their contact residence.  This has now back-fired, in that it looks like we have a major problem with dengue fever.  I know the reality is that we have 10 kids attending Bong Ti Bonn school, 9 of whom have dengue.  We have 2 teachers and one bus driver (me) who attend that school each day, who live at Bamboo School by night, who have dengue fever.  Our other kids do not have dengue!!  But the medical officer for our area says, move out by tomorrow night!  Seventy-seven kids to move is a task and a half.

Valerie is going to care for my High School kids, so there are 4 cared for!  The ones from villages near by, if they are safe places, can go home.  However most have no where to go, so we look at a canvas city at the lake…. Hey, God that is why we had the ADRA simulation program….. a training exercise for Momo, not for the ADRA team!!!

What a week!

MomoCat June 2nd, 2008

What a week

 

Last week we started with our first victims of the

Burma cyclone.  A young man made his way across the border, bedraggled and foot sore.  He had a bad case of diarrhea and vomiting.  With him was a child, a girl about 2 years old.  Both were admitted to the local hospital and then transferred onward. to Kanchanaburi hospital.  Neeti is in there taking care of the little girl.

 

By Saturday, we had twelve kids sick, three in hospital with known diseases, eg PF Malaria, Dengue fever, etc and the rest at home.  Our little girl, who already had been to the local hospital, seemed worse.  I was told to not panic, but give plenty of Oral rehydration fluids and observe.  I did not do as I was told.  We had church service at the lake, a farewell lunch for Steve and we were on our way to

Bangkok by 2pm.  I took Dokmai straight to my pediatrian friend, Dr Sujane at

Mission Hospital. After admission and tests it was confirmed she has rota viral infection in her stomach.  This is an infant disease known in

Asia for death resulting from dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. Zac was with me, running fevers for the past three days.  Today tests indicate he has dengue fever.  So have I!!  I knew I felt sick last Thursday, as I missed the wedding of Tuletoo and Dong.  I just couldn’t stand up.  My body felt like I had been run over by a truck.  When Dr Nick came in, he took one look at the rash on my feet and sent for the vampire lab technician.  Blood tests showed a very low platelet result. So Zac takes care of me, I take care of the baby girl and him… most of the time he makes his own arrangements, playing with the nurses, other patients or their toys. Happy families! here we stay in

Mission!

 

In the meantime I did manage to get Steve off to the airport, visit with Lukai and Malee; and greet our incoming volunteer, Phillip from

New Zealand.  He has now moved into

Bamboo School, traveling with a friend of mine.  Today I rang back to the school to find out how everyone else is… Somsee reported that they are still having fevers but spirits are high.  Last night they killed a very large banded Kwiot snake, and set it up on the front deck of the visitors house.  When Prawan came out he was very frightened!!  The kids ran away laughing, Somsee was the one who collected the man’s anger!  So I guess that means all is well at

Bamboo School.  While the Cat’s away, the mice and snakes do play, eh!

 

God is good all the time

MomoCat May 14th, 2008

Yes we were not affected in a real way by the hurricane in Burma.  However we were involved in a simulation exercise with ADRA international.  But it was true!!!  The simulation was intended to be refugees crossing the border, with ADRA to register them and set up a temporary camp for them.  Some injections of excitement were introduced each day…. my kids had a great time, especially with the excitement at 3.30am of a “bomb” and mortar fire from the Burmese army… the fire crackers were too mild, so the kids created their own bangers!   Police and army security were warned in advance, so they joined in too!

On Sunday I travelled to Muak Lek Mission College to see Wittya, Junsri and Garn graduate.  Their degrees were awarded by the Princess of Thailand.   Our Malee presented the bouquet of flowers to the Princess.

Today I went to the King’s project where our Chai has been attending for the past year.  He was the winner of a special award for diligence and number one in his class.  He will continue there this year.  The project placement was also awarded to our Dek, so he started today.  Praise God for His loving kindness continuing to these kids, via the King of Thailand.  It costs me 70 baht per year for each of them, including food, housing and education.

The price of rice has doubled this year, now cost more than 3000 baht ($100) per week for our total rice consumption.  God has provided us double sponsors to cover this.  One local Thai man and his friends brought us 3 bags of rice, plus gave funds for the rest of the month. also through others we have enough to eat

All is well within my soul

MomoCat April 27th, 2008

Bilay’s long trip to Burma, on his knees, is over.  He arrived back last week, with extra kids!  As a result we are working through health issues with them  One girl, LerLer has a spongy growth protruding from both sides of her neck.  We have taken her to Bangkok, for biopsy.

Another small baby girl is on her way here also, aged 3 months.  Her parents where abouts is unknown.  Our littlest one, Fleur (Dokmai), is growing quickly.  She is much loved by everyone in school.

The concrete surround at the toilet/bathroom block is almost finished, so everything will be ready for the influx of ADRA and the returning children… next week.

I have missed the numbers of kids, especially the singing and chatter.  The new kids are too timid to sing, and cannot chatter to me yet.  Smiles are rare also, as they have been tramatized as the find their way here.  Pray for us all.

Adjustment, all things are possible for God

MomoCat April 13th, 2008

dockmai_02.JPGA time for adjustment

 

Just when we thought we were in control, God sends us a new challenge.  I am finally learning to walk, sloooowwllyy, oh so slowly.  The visitors who built our new toilet block have gone.  Our sponsor friends, Laurie and Brent, have returned to the

USA (alas all too soon).  So we took a couple of patients into the big hospital in Kanchanaburi, and planned to go shopping… As I left the hospital, I met Dr. Trid.  He escorted me to the new born nursery… there she was.  A tiny Karen baby girl who had been abandoned by her 17 year old mother.  Trid knows the way into our hearts… “Zac, here’s your baby!” Thus started an afternoon of paperwork and discharge procedures.

 

By 4pm we were on the way home, just stopping long enough to get some baby supplies.  Somsri thinks she is too fragile, Zac thinks it is “My baby”; the boys are impressed to have a little sister, and I remember now the 4 hourly feeding routine.  The nurses at hospital had called her “Bpet” which is the name for a toilet cleaning agent, meaning duck in

Thai.  Zac calls her Mai, so we have named her Dockmai meaning flower in

Thai.

 

In the meantime, we have the good news that Kum and Janee both have their full Thai ID card now.  Kum will depart for College next week.  Lukai is preparing for entrance examinations the first week of May.  We have already 4 little ones arrived.  Their father was killed in

Burma, and mum cannot cope.

 

Kay and Steve are on duty here, while Katie is away with her brother for this week.  It is Thai New Year, so the holidays progress.  I am missing the kids away, but visitors a plenty keep us from getting bored.  We are experiencing difficulties in sending out emails, so please know you are not forgotten!

 

Almost walking on water

MomoCat March 18th, 2008

The doctor at Kanchanaburi has given me walking orders… try to walk in warm water.  No solid cast, but a walking frame (on bamboo!!) so I walk.  He lso said I can drive the car, using a support cast… (I had been doing this for a month already). 

This week we rushed Tuletoo and Biblarwah’s mother to hospital, but she died 6 hours later from a brain hemorrhage. So we spent the week helping the girls rebuild their lives. Yesterday Suwit went for surgery on his hernia, and is coming home today.  Gloie and MeePwa have each produced babies.  Tinakorn has just announced  his wife is pregnant (In Canberra, Australia).  Thus we grow up.  Na has a passport, Wittya, Lukai and Kum are graduating.   

A hilarious finish to Ashley’s time with us.  She went for a midnight swim with Katie.  Since they were alone, they went in for a real bath, without covering.  Unknown to them, Lukai and Muwai went up the opposite side of the lake, pretending to be policemen, using my spotlight to lightup the swimming hole!!  The girls fled, sure that there were many police chasing.  What a hoot!!  They arrived back at the house, panting and telling stories about huge cars of police chasing them down the road, answered prayers when the car turned off their tail… and more laughter when they realized they had been had!!  A powder fight greeted the returning “policemen”.  Ashley returns to USA to complete her college education.

God Continues to Supply

MomoCat February 29th, 2008

 

 

If we look at the moment, we can see Momo still on the bed, between hospital visits…. Ashley trying to be Momo….. driving and being the nurse….. Katie injured and requiring physiotherapy each day at Kanchanaburi (78 kms away from here)… Steve, Kay and our new visitor, Grayson trying to fill our teaching obligations at the local schools.  It is end of year for the Thai school year, so kids are taking exams and a little on end.  Where is God in all this?  As was with old Israel, we need to be reminded of His constant loving kindness so we know He is right here at present.

 

    Thelapaw, (in the white shirt) was reunited with her parents after a year with us.  Baby Johann will miss her.  Last Sabbath she sang a special song with her friends as a way of saying goodbye.  Her uncle arrived at the conclusion of worship to walk her back to Burma.

 

 

 

 

Lukai made a remarkable recovery from his injured thumb, enough to playing the guitar for worship last Sabbath.                                               He has some movement in each knuckle, and has feeling                                                almost everywhere in the thumb. It is a blessing from God that we                                             count on as His mercy to cover our foolishness.

 

 

 

 

We bought the new car, and have                                 fitted it out as our ambulance.  God sent us Mike and Colleen long enough to help fund the fitting, and to help select the car well within the budget.  Already it has carried more than 80 patients to the hospital this year, some in life saving situations… every patient arriving there alive, (but one baby died an hour later in transit by ambulance from Sai Yok to Kanchanaburi.)

 

My foot is recovering slooowly!!  Everyone is working hard as the team. God sent extra workers to cover the gaps.

Ashley’s Update Blog

MomoCat February 29th, 2008

February 21, 2008

 

Well, once again, it has been quite the interesting week. Last Friday afternoon we received word that Chargehgeh’s father had died. Chargehgeh is the boy in the photo that I had sent with a bouquet in my hair. His father had been working in Burma with a tree cutting business, about 6-7 hours walk from Thailand. Apparently his friend had been up in a tree cutting branches while he had been down below when a branch fell from above and crushed his skull. They had to carry the body all the way back into Thailand for the family. So sad…Chargehgeh is crushed. His mother is left alone, poverty stricken, and 7 children to care for. Momo said it is rather likely that we’ll end up taking a few of the smaller ones to lighten her load. That meant that Friday night and Saturday were the funeral services and we will go back again tomorrow for the week later “celebration of life” service. His, by far, was the most attended of all the funerals I have been to thus far. About 5 truck loads of people. At the burial on Saturday I could hear Chargehgeh’s mother’s sobs from where I was standing and the distant realization of what she must have been going through broke my heart. They are so young, probably mid-30s, with an entire life ahead of them. I always feel so much better, however, when I know the family is Christian, at least they have hope. Wednesday, at school, Chargehgeh managed to give me a smile. He is such a sweet, hard working kid, it kills me to see him so depressed. Sunday morning Catie was walking on the veranda in front of our room, when a green pit viper dropped from the ceiling onto the floor about 5 feet from where she was. She screamed out “SNAAAAAKE!!!” and Lewahtoo, one of our older boys, leaped up the stairs to her rescue, slicing the snake in two with one whack of bamboo. When I went to observe the perpetrator later, the two individual pieces were still wiggling around aimlessly…kinda crazy to see. Today is a Buddhist holiday so the kids don’t have school. After morning work was finished Catie and I took the girls up to the lake for an hour or so to do washing and just relax for a wee bit. The rain has made the trees green and the soil black again so it was a refreshing sight. Yesterday I gave Catie a manual driving lesson. Back and forth between the Burmese and Thai border we went, about 5 times. I think she has the hang of things now, so in case of an emergency she could get the patient to the hospital. She will take my place as driver when I go, so a few more practices wouldn’t hurt. She’s a quick learner though, so I doubt that will be a problem. Dad arrives in less than 3 weeks…tears of excitement and sadness loom.

 

This week was the fourth week Momo has laid about.  But not a progressive one for her.  A dropped crutch landed on her foot, and the new x-ray found another fracture in her ankle. Hence she is stuck on the bed for a further month, with little Zac as her nightly care giver. God must think that she really has a need for patience development!!

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