25 Years of Witnessing to the Word in Thailand 195 Thailand, Bishop Phimphisan assisted him as an interpreter and prepared translations of the Holy Father’s speeches. The Diocese of Udon Thani is the poorest in Thailand; it is located in northeast Thailand, not far from the border with Laos. Thailand is about ninety-five percent Buddhist, while one-half of one percent of the population is Catholic. It is difficult to comprehend how people can live on three dollars a day. Like their ancestors, many Thai people work in the rice fields throughout the day in the hot sun with humidity at 100 percent and temperatures that often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, even during the rainy season. Nong Bua Lamphu has no industry or manufacturing; it is strictly an agrarian community based on rice farming. Our life paths cross through an unseen wisdom Barbara and I plan to return to watch the children’s progress. Many of the children are Buddhist, yet they still go to St Michael’s Church weekly and attend religious education classes regularly. A few have decided to be baptized. We will keep in contact with Bro. Damien via e-mail to follow the development of the vegetable garden. We are also interested in the fish and duck ponds that aid the children working towards independence. We are glad to help kids affected by HIV have a happier life. As I reflected on meeting and working with Bro. Damien, I thought of Father Damien De Veuster’s pioneering work in Molokai, Hawaii, in the 1800s. Bro. Damien Lunders SVD has been a true missionary pioneer in the Nong Bua Lamphu area and he has dedicated his life to the children of the mission for more than fifteen years. Learning the Thai language, evaluating
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