Dear Everyone,

This past Saturday a fire broke out in Pai Sing To, a small slum community located across the street from the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre. Thankfully, nobody was injured, but in its wake, 22 houses were destroyed, leaving 31 families, including 71 individuals, without a place to live. Most adult victims work as day laborers, food vendors, maids, and security guards, earning close to the legal minimum daily wage.

Dear Family and Friends,

Please join us this September 21, 3:30pm, at Trinity Hall, St. Joseph Convent School, where world-acclaimed pianist Marina Baranova will perform music to move, soothe, and uplift the spirit, all in the name of Mercy.

Being homeless and watching over her three younger siblings whenever mum went off on a meth binge was a way of life for young Tangmo, and she accepted her fate without question. Now the children are in school and they've got a roof over their heads instead of a road.

Dear Everyone,

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

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.