Dear friends and partners,

This month we have had a number of firsts – unusual events that have touched my heart.

Bruce Ford, an Australian friend, ran the first ever super-marathon for Tabitha. Bruce entered an event called Racing the Planet - a 7 day marathon in the heart of Namibia. The race was very tough and Bruce struggled – but he never quit. At the end of the week he ended up in the hospital with a severe infection in his leg. Bruce raised over $50,000.00 Australian dollars for Tabitha. His race so reflected the people he raced for – people who struggle constantly and never quit – thank you Bruce!

Another partner of Tabitha – Dan Hammond participated in a Triathlon in support of Tabitha. The final figures are not yet in – but he has raised several thousand dollars. Dan’s participation involved determination, pain and struggle – but like Bruce he never quit. Dan reflects on the people he supported – people who are often in pain. They struggle but they don’t quit - thank you Dan.

This week I visited a family of 6 – desperately poor. They have 2 hectares of land – but the land is of very poor quality and cannot grow rice as the water just seeps through the pebbly soil. The family got a field well a month ago – the father cried – not because he was tired or felt defeated, he cried because he had hope. He cried because he could work. I saw their fields yesterday, it was amazing. Every inch of his fields was sprouting with new life. His wife Sokha carried her youngest in her arms. Her face was shining. Her eyes spoke volumes of the joy she felt. The parents and their four young children tilled and planted every inch of their fields. Their house is nothing but a simple shade from the sun, and all their hard labor is bearing fruit. Harvest will begin in June and they expect to make several hundred dollars from each field. That sounds so little to most of us, but, for this family, it represents riches beyond their imagination.

In another act of kindness and support, a youngster, Danielle, had her birthday last week. She didn’t want presents; she asked instead for money to be able to help a family in Cambodia. Danielle went housebuilding two months ago and, like so many of our young Tabitha supporters, gave of herself through a birthday present for others. I know of so many young people who have done this and because of each of these young people, many young people here like Vutha’s three older children can now to go school.

Miriam and I are leaving for Canada this weekend – we are looking forward to seeing family and friends – first time for a whole month off in 16 years for me. I am excited – it’s been a long struggle – it can be painful – but none of us at Tabitha have ever quit.

Thank you my friends, you are an amazing group of people. Talk with you again in August.

Janne

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