It is very hot here in Bangkok, but I realize that in the US the climate is cooling and advertisers will soon be urging everyone to buy for Christmas. Even on the other side of the world, in a predominantly Buddhist country, people are beginning to buy Christmas gifts to send home and to choose decorations for the coming season. We have an incredible opportunity here to share with people the real meaning of Christmas behind all the fun parties and festive decorations. We invite you to do the same by buying some of your Christmas decorations from a project, which draws people from destitute situations and offers them abundant life.

            "Flowers of Compassion" was started two years ago to provide women living in the slum community around Charoen Krung Baptist Church, a way of providing for their families needs. Women are employed to make the flowers but through this project in partnership with Compassion International, they also receive training, sponsorship for children's education, discipleship, and emotional support.

Jit is one of these mothers who began with the project two years ago. It has been exciting to see her leadership skills develop as she gains confidence. Jit has faithfully attended Bible Studies, retreats, and training seminars for two years. Last month, on her birthday, Jit made a commitment to give her life to Christ. She is also now beginning to take more of an interest in her community and to be concerned about some of the issues others are facing. We visited a family in the slum, last week and heard about a 13-year-old girl, 4 months pregnant by an ex-convict recently released from prison. It was sad and the woman who had cared for this girl was at a loss for how to help. We encouraged her and as we were leaving, Jit announced to her that she had accepted Christ and was anxious for her friend to join her in this new life. She has discovered the difference Christ has made through this project and now wants to share this discovery with others in her community.

            We have an exciting suggestion for your Christmas decorations which will enable you at the same time to support a worthy cause! "Flowers of Compassion" is excited to offer you our latest design of flower - the poinsettia. These beautiful flowers are made from the Saa (mulberry bush) paper and make wonderful Christmas decorations for home, businesses and churches. The women who make these are really excited about these poinsettias and are anxious to sell them abroad.

            We hope that you will consider ordering some poinsettias and continue to support the Flower of Compassion project.

            The poinsettia as well as the other flowers can be ordered through:

Beth Hollis
First Baptist Church
121 West First St.
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 732-0869
EJH523@aol.com

Or Ryan Hughes at flowersofcompassion@hotmail.com

            I would also like to introduce you to Ryan Hughes who is a volunteer with IM and has come to Bangkok to help with the marketing of the flowers. Ryan will also help to set up some networks for marketing these flowers in the US and to make it easier for you to access the flowers in the coming year.  

            We thank you for your prayers and continual support of our mission work here in Bangkok. May God bless you abundantly.

Annie Dieselberg