Still here

It's been almost a year since the last post. Not cool. Anyway here are some pics from our summer activities. I've been updating our Xanga post more frequently.

Checking out the ants in the flowerbed

Nicky likes to put poppa's shoes away in the evening.

Oops!

Chillin' with poppa

I'll try not to let it go so long in between posts next time.

Summer

Greetings!

Here's a brief update on what's been happening that past couple of months. We've had a few of our foster babies leave us to be with their 'forever families'. They are missed as well as a couple of nannies who also returned back to N. America. Here are a few random pics.

Nanny Diana with her little foster girl.

Hannah doing 'Sawadii', the Thai greeting.

Fun in the sun.

Party at the Hochstetler residence.

Learning to walk.

I had to post this pic to give you an idea of the necessity of another vehicle for our ministry.
This is not in any way exaggerated. On top of the safety issue, the vehicles are beaters, which means at least one of the 2 station wagons is in the shop at any given time.

Thanks for your prayers for our ministry!

'til next time, Branden
Director of Chara Ministries

Pool Party!

One of Chara's foster guys just had his 1st birthday!
His nanny threw him a pool party! Here's the proof.

YUMMY!

Fun in the sun.
Water feels wonderful this time of the year!
This week it's been in the 100's. With humidity.
Riding the moped feels like you're standing in front of a Salamander heater.
Fingers and toes actually hurt when riding any distance.

Here are some random Chara kids pics...

Greetings

Greetings from cozy Southeast Asia! As I sip my coffee from a red and black hand made mug, I realize it has been months since I've updated this site. Back then, I had the time and energy to keep 2 blogs updated simultaneously; however responsibilities and other interests have prioritized my time.
I am debating whether to keep this one up and running. Both blogger and xanga have their pros and cons. I may keep this one for Chara updates only and have our xanga for family updates.

If that is the case, then I have some Chara news to post! Chara has just acquired 2 new babies, a boy and a girl. They arrived from Bangkok just 2 weeks ago. They come from the Emergency Home, which is where mothers go before the birth of their baby and also to recover from the birth. While they are at the home, they make their decision whether or not to keep their child. These were the 2 who were brought here to Chara. There are still many who are awaiting adoption that need foster care.

I hope you all had a blessed Easter! I'll try to be more faithful in keeping you informed of happenings here at Chara.

Sad news

A couple of weeks ago, dear little Isaiah passed away. They said it was from respiratory failure. Poor guy's lungs just gave out from all his bouts with pneumonia.
Praise God he's in a better place now with no health issues!
Here's an exerpt from the Horning6 blog...

The voice on the other end of the phone said "Isaiah passed away this morning" He had just celebrated his 1st birthday on Monday. He was doing so well. They say he died from respitory failure. Our human minds can not understand but we are comforted with the knowledge that he has a brand new body and is walking and playing on streets of gold. Isaiah, we only got to love you for a short while but we miss you for a long time!

...we attended Isaiah's funeral, said one final goodbye. His final resting place is in the jungle of Thailand beside the banana and bamboo trees. It seemed fitting for this little boy, who lived in a body that could not respond to his will, to rest on the side of the mountain which he would have never been able to run and play on. It was hard to see that little casket being lowered into the ground and then watch as they shoveled the dirt on top.

Swimming vid

Isaiah Update

Isaiah is improving! Check it out! PTL for visible growth!