Siami has many areas of responsibilities in Thailand. Here is an Update for June. (Siami's words in "quotes")

This Center has been established by Hope Chapel, San Pedro. Handclasp Director, Bob Carpenter,& Hope Chapel team has worked there this year & enthusiasm has grown.

"Now the school start and the children start coming. They have already finish building their new Hostel, I will send you picture when I go down to Chiangmai. We will have more plans for the Hwuihnamsong Center. We have already planted Banana in the garden. We are hoping to plan more building for the children in the school and in the new land. Please pray that God will give us best idea to set the land, we are not in hurry but praying to God and listen Him."

Education above grade 6 is not offered in many schools. Students move to Museekee Center for grades 7 - 12. Museekee Center is busy with many visitors. This becomes a good training ground for those wishing to live in Chiangmai later. Some cannot adjust to Western influence.

"This year we have children from Hwuihnamsong coming to stay with us at Musekee Center. They are doing good and enjoy the Center. Huayhpha children are doing good too. WE give them special tuition every day and weekend. Please pray hard for them that they will adjust themselves quickly."

Don & Kay have introduced Siami & staff to the owner of Mayworld, a large tour company in Chiangmai, Pai & Laos. Tours have begun to enter Museekee area & Karen vendors are not being used. A Chamber of Commerce is being formed & they request help from trusted Westerners. Don & Siami have been included in these meetings. Mayworld plans to establish tours using Karen vendors. Kiaupong Cultural Center is a museum being built. It will house artifacts & offer classes in Cooking, Basket Weaving, Cloth Weaving & use of tools.

"Now we in Banmai start talking again. Home Stay- Tour - I think myself - and I encaurage them to go forward not waiting any more. I don't understand why Mr.Panado not encaurage the villgers to start. So now we, Koviepa, Sepipa, Asst.Headman and Lilypa. We will meet soon. Things go slow with the villgers because the village people are busy with planting their rice field. But we will move forward. Many people are interested but we need to take action. Vision without action is in vain, Action without vision is waste of time, So Vision and action will put together."

A Church in Robina, Australia has established a Mission Outreach Project in Maedet Village. Former Director of Museekee Center, Sawatri,& her family are the new staff.

"Praise God, they have already transfered money for Sawatri- salary, for equipment kitchen and for Bible School Sanae and student can visit her at least once in a month, so that they can help teaching the Maedaet people to come and learn the word of God along with the Bible student. Thanks for every thing,"

Bless you always. Siami

Before we left Thailand in April, Siami & her office staff spent 2 days with me comparing our records. Here are some statistics:

STUDENTS SPONSORED BY HANDCLASP 377

STUDENTS IN PRIMARY (grades K - 8) 265
CHAEMLAUNG (Kiaupong Kindy) 89
HUAYHPA (& Manimkiau Kindy) 76
HUAYNAMSOMG 37
HWUIHYA 54
SAHAMIT 9

HIGH SCHOOL 76
CHIANGMAI 6
SAHAMIT (including some undecided) 53
MAECHEM 5
PAI 4
MAEHAE 4
SAMOENG 4

COLLEGE 28
CHIANGMAI 20
CHIANGRAI & OTHER 8
STAFF 8

These figures may change when we return as some may have elected to change schools.

Don