Many of you have already been alerted that Chiang Mai is experiencing the worst flooding in 40 years. Thanks for your outpouring of love, prayers and offers of assistance. The responses we have received truly show the hand of God at work in our lives and the lives of those around us. Here is a brief description of the extent of the damages from a few news services as well as some pictures and an update of our situation.

The flooding displaced or adversely affected 140,914 people in 35,862 households from 1,151 villages in the eight provinces. Those villages spanned 52 districts and 4 sub-districts. Flooding has also damaged 46 bridges, 68 roads, and 17,295 rai (6918 acres) of farmland. Education officials said the inundation damaged more than 60 schools in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son.

CHIANG MAI, Aug 18 (TNA) -- Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut revealed today that damages from the recent floods in this northern province surpasses five billion baht (121,165,124 US Dollar). Visiting Chiang Mai this morning, Mr. Somchai said that the losses to the local economy were estimated at two billion baht (48,466,050 US Dollar). He said local authorities had been ordered to allocate emergency funds to help people affected by the flood.

Praise points

• All of the House of Love children made it to safety. Since no trucks could reach the House of Love the children were floated out in wash basins pulled by the house parents. We regret that there are no pictures of these heroic efforts.
• The HOL children have been provided safe housing for this past week. We are grateful that the water has receded from the house. We are hoping to move back on Sunday August 21st. Extensive cleaning is required before the children can move back due to their weakened immune systems.
• Kim's vehicle has been restored to working order and she can travel to the sites where the office and children are located. It was hard for Kim to be cut off from the others during the early days of this crisis.
• We thank God for each of you who are sharing in our ministry through your love and prayers.

Prayer points

• Please be praying for the children to settle back into a routine quickly—and pray that they stay healthy amidst the many germs in the water and air.
• Please be praying for the staff who has had much responsibility and extra work this week that they will be restored and rested.
• Pray as the damage assessment continues – We need to determine how much of our equipment needs repaired (washing machines, water pump, refrigerators, 3 motor bikes and our new truck). Pray that we find good people to fix the things at a good price. Pray that repairs are possible and few items will need to be replaced. Pray for the extra expenses we will have in all locations - flood insurance is non-existent in Thailand.
• Please be praying also for Kim Brown whose house was flooded as well. It has been a strain to live in a flooded house, but most things are now cleaned up.
• Pray for the people who live in the slums – In addition to the damage done to their living quarters and belongings, many job sites remain flooded or workplaces have been washed away making it much harder for them to earn a living.
• Pray that additional damage will not occur – The rainy season extends through October with the most rain typically in September. The government is continuing to publish flood warnings and opening the dams to prevent them from breaking under pressure.
• Please continue to pray for Kim's Dad – He is at home and his health has improved slightly, but he requires around the clock medical care on an ongoing basis.

Many of you have asked how you can help specifically. In addition to replacing items that have been lost or damaged at the HPTP office, the House of Love and Kim's House, The HPTP has seen many needs in the slums. While people were able to move to safety, many have lost their bedding and food supplies, and the mosquito population has grown to an unbearable level right now. The health teams would like to provide assistance to these needy families who have very few resources. The government is giving out a liter of rice to families who have registered house numbers, but of course, many in the slums don't fit this category. So we would like to buy food supplies, as well as large mosquito nets ($2.50 each) and blankets ($2.50).

If you feel led to provide financial assistance at this time please contact me at kbrown@loxinfo.co.th for instructions on how to send the funds. Funds needed to provide assistance to those impacted by the floods will be disbursed from the accounts identified and any remaining funds will be used for ongoing project work. Thanks for your caring and your praying for us at this critical time!

Blessings,

Kim