Crossed the border at Cham Yeam, a place used mostly by smugglers and addicts. A casino and a string of tawdry hotels sit alongside the border station, making it convenient for sex traffickers, drug addicts, and pedophiles that come here on “business trips.”

I’m writing to pass a restless night. From my balcony the sea breeze feels good, sweeping over now-empty streets. Only Orion is keeping vigil.

Spent the afternoon and evening visiting little islands where we have permission from the provincial leaders to teach in the schools the Buddhist and Muslim kids attend. We also have after-school outreach teaching English. The people are so poor and neglected here that many don’t mind their children being taught by Christians if it will improve their prospects. And the children eagerly come because they find people who love them. Yet, it is long, slow work.

My mind is crowded with all the ragged, beautiful, lost children that gathered around us today. On the islands the houses are built on stilts to accommodate high tide. All of the garbage and sewage goes into the water, leaving the little islands afloat in filth. On the smallest island, Bang Kang, there were nearly 1000 people crowded together. The kids were cautiously curious, and some wanted a closer look at probably the first white person on Bang Kang. Often they would look and laugh. Their toys are crafted from trash and sticks that wash ashore. They live and play in water or mud, and malaria and dysentery take their toll. Talked with the village headman about expanding the clean water supply and our building a library on the island for the kids. This is exciting! Here a library only requires bamboo, banana leaves, and books!

Starlight will soon turn to daylight—better try to get some sleep.