Christmas plus Bye Bye Thailand!

It is with both sadness and joy we write this final blog. We are sad at the many friends and “family” we have had to say goodbye too but we are also grateful for the amazing year we have been able to have and the friends and fam we will see again soon. Thank you again for all your love, support and prayers this year…it has gone so fast!

The last 2 weeks of December were full of Christmas celebrations and farewells. We had such a fun time celebrating Christmas with everyone, particularly the school staff party where we had to guess the gift and giver. The food at our “farang” christmas was awesome, just a shame Jan got bitten by a massive centipede (can be worse than snake and scorpion bites) in the middle of dessert. With some ice massage from Michael and Olivia’s magic plant, she didn’t need a trip to the hospital. We left on Monday morning, with all of year 5 and 6 students coming to say goodbye. So sweet but also so tough with many tears. After many hugs and prayers, we left in the school mini bus.

We are now in Bangkok doing final shopping and debrief, plus trying to rest after being physically and emotionally exhausted from the last few weeks. So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!!

Farang (Western) Christmas at Jan and Jit's on Boxing Day

School/Candlelight Staff vs Hospital Staff Christmas Soccer Match

Brawin with his new Sydney towel at the Candlelight Christmas/Farewell

"Bot" thanking us in front of the new computer and desk we could bless the hostel with

Receiving a gift from Chatchawan at our farewell arvo tea for the village where Katy baked mountains of cookies and cakes

School Staff Christmas Party

Church Christmas Celebration, posing with hostel kids

Fun Christmas games at the Safehouse

Karen lunch with Joar's family after Christmas Church service

Michael sharing the Christmas message at Molekar church

Michael playing "Dad", buying balloons and snacks for hostel kids at the Christmas Night concert

Mumu's new pigs, "Ben" and "Nikki", which she bought with money donated from the St Paul's team - she will raise them for Christmas next year