Good morning to all of you. It is the beginning of September which marks the start of new program year for Tabitha Cambodia. It should be a time of busyness for our families as this is the rainy season which means the planting and nourishing of their rice crops – the main crop in Cambodia. But sadly the rains have not fallen this year – a shower now and again which builds up hope and then dissipates ten minutes later. It is a hunger year. With the lack of water comes despair and with despair comes desperation and so many of our rural families have become migrants – some to Thailand, some to the cities, some to Vietnamese owned plantations. All have become economic migrants – a scene so vivid these days as newscast are filled with stories of people desperate to live a decent life.

But it is not all doom and gloom – for our families with field wells – the rice is growing well, animals are thriving and life is good. For Tabitha Cambodia our 22nd year of work is marked with new beginnings and tales of hope amongst the despair. We look forward to helping those who struggle to rebuild when they return – we look forward to those who have remained to move ahead –one small step at a time.

To make this possible, our foundations around the world keep working on behalf of the families here. For Tabitha Cambodia we have just received Online Donations capacity – 22 years is a long time to wait but the miracle has happened. So what does this mean for all of us?

First: are you looking for a special gift of Cambodian silk – you no longer have to fret – now you can buy direct from us using our online capacity. There is so much to choose from our catalogue of goods – things such as silk covered beads, scarves, handbags and wallets, home accessories such as cushions and bedcovers; educational toys for the very young; Christmas items for that special season. Just go on our web site at www.tabitha-cambodia.org  and push the button for cottage industry – review our catalogue and then send an email with your order to tabitha@online.com.kh and Joyce will help you

Second – you can send a contribution towards a water sources for our families – this year we would like to do 1550 water sources – a gift of life. We would like to encourage all our schools to get involved with our BIG Splash campaign – have the students study about water and then do an event to raise money for water sources. We have a special section on our web -www.tabitha-cambodia.org -with some tools that may help – again just go on our web site and push on the BIG Splash logo – and join our efforts.

Third – if you need a gift for someone that has it all – then why not send a gift card – this will enable us to help a family for a year – it is a gift that keeps on giving. Send us an email or go on the website and push the donate button – fill in the information and your payment of $20 and we will send you the card.

This online thing is all new to us and to Cambodia. We are so thankful for that gift as it allows so many more people to donate or be a part of us. For all of you who live in Canada, USA or Australia - donating through our Tabitha Foundations gives you a taxable receipt – for those in the UK and Europe – your donation will enable the UK government to add to your donation – for all of you outside these countries you can now donate direct to us. It’s all so very good.

How thankful I am to start our 22nd year of work – how thankful I am to my God that He allows me to talk with all of you – how humbled I am that I am allowed the privilege of standing with so many here in Cambodia. How good that is!

Janne