"Compassion" for the poor

Nernkebak Project staff


Sompit's home



They eat on the floor here


The kitchen


Thai toilet


Sompit sleeps on a thin floor mat under this mosquito net


We finally meet after 9 years of sponsoring her


Hotel room in Phitsanulok...450 baht
Lunch for 9 people at local streetside restaurant...500 baht
White guy wearing a pink scarf in the middle of a small Thai village...Priceless!


Wow, where do I begin. Jason and I are back in Bangkok after an overwhelming and exhausting trip to the Nankerbak Compassion Project, a 5 hour train ride from Bangkok to Phitsanulok and an hour car ride from Phitsanulok. We were met by our interpreter, Tong, and the project's director who drove us to the project. Everyone was extremely nice and were more than willing to answer all our questions. After touring the project(we'll post those pics later) we went to Sompit's home. This was the highlight of our visit. Sompit was so excited to meet us. Her mom said she couldn't sleep the night before. We were able to meet Sompit, her mom, a niece, grandmother and about 5 other friends. We were quite the entertainment I think. Sompit was extremely shy but I could tell she, like we were, was just soaking it all in. They were very appreciative of all the gifts we brought them and in return Sompit gave us two crocheted scarves she had made over the past month. She said she found out we were coming to visit 1 month ago and that day bought the yarn to make our gifts. Very thoughtful and meaningful gifts for us. She presented them to us and wrapped them around our necks with such pride. Jason and I couldn't bear to take them off the rest of the day. So sweet.
Sompit and her mom showed us around their home. It was so difficult to not gasp and show our sadness for their living conditions. My heart was breaking. And they had such pride for all they had. This family has had a bigger impact on us then I think we ever will on them.
We saw pictures of Sompit's father, who was out working, and found out Sompit has a 27 year old brother, who happens to be a monk. Very interesting. I wonder how that plays out at home with all of the Christain influence and teachings Sompit is getting from Compassion? We thought that was interesting.

After visiting their home, we went to lunch with Sompit, her mom and 5 Compassion staff members. We went to a local joint and experienced authentic Thai food for the first time while we've been in Thailand. (Everyone remember Jason's allergies) We knew before we came here that this was not going to be a cultural culinary experience for us. Okay, I digress. No trips to the hospital were needed. We ate a very delicious meal of fried egg, rice(of course), waterweed soup, beef spicy! soup, and a vegetable combination for the rice. So no epi pens needed and we enjoyed the company of all our new friends tremendously. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone after such a meaningful day. Jason and I were ready to stay on staff there and be a part of this amazing ministry that these people run. We will most definitely continue supporting Compassion and will passionately encourage others to join in their mission.