Dear Everyone,

Here are just a few quick notes about Mercy that we want very much to share with our friends.

The first time, 12 years ago, it was an easy rescue. Her dad, a European man, kicked down the door, barged in and beat up the two bad guys with his fists, cracked their skulls with a beer bottle, and picked up his three-year-old daughter, Miss Jew Waew. He waved down a taxi and brought her to us at Mercy. He had heard that we took care of abandoned kids.

They’ve never been outside of Thailand. Never held a passport. Never flown on a plane. And most certainly never eaten latkes or pierogies. But today ten Mercy boys are flying to Poland to compete in a three-day international soccer tournament to be held in Warsaw – with transport and housing expenses paid by tournament organizers. All teams, including, of course, our Mercy team, will be represented by children who live in group shelters. What a fantastic experience! Our children never thought they would ever see or do anything much beyond their neighborhood slum. Today they’re in Poland! We feel their excitement, and will be sharing their experience with you in the coming days. Photos above and below - our boys at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, ready to take off!

This month and next, we are sponsoring either our 14th or 15th (depending on who’s counting) Klong Toey Slaughterhouse Youth Soccer Tournament. Over 650 poor kids from all over Klong Toey are competing on the cement pitch beside the Klong Toey Slaughterhouse. Some teams have been practicing for months while others have never competed before. Every kid gets a chance to play. And every kid comes out a winner! (More details in Fr. Joe’s newsletter below.) The photos above and below were taken during the third week of competition. All photos by Diane Durongpisitkul.

Dear Everyone,

Bursts of joy fill our days at Mercy, and we wish we could share each of these moments with our friends.

The 4th "Music 4 Kids" Bangkok blues festival is happening this coming weekend, May 31-June 1. This year the festival will be hosted by Apoteke Bar and Restaurant on Sukhumvit Soi 11. Organized by Jeff Thomsen of the Soi Dog Blues Band, he is bringing together ten bands over two nights. Proceeds and t-shirt sales go to help our Mercy kids. It's fantastic music! Please join us!