The Marist family blooms and booms in Ranong

First there was Ronald who has been the backbone of the Marist Mission in Ranong from its very conception in Mindanao in the Philippines, through those difficult eighteen months in Burma/Myanmar and during the last three and a half years in Ranong. He has been a Marist lay missionary from the very beginning and vows to continue as long as he can.

Then his girl-friend Carolyn (“Tata”) arrived to teach in the local Catholic school in Ranong. Before too long we were all invited to the wedding back in the Philippines. They returned to Ranong as Mr and Mrs Lida.

Next the baby is on the way … not yet born but already called John Paul. But it could be difficult for Tata to have their baby in Thailand, a foreign land. They are both needed in the mission and want to stay here during the time of John Paul’s birth.

So, today Tata’s mum arrived from Mindanao in the Philippines. She can be with Tata during the time of the birth and help her with the baby for the first few months.

So the Marist community continues to grow in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

On this first night of Tata’s mum’s arrival in Ranong she is on washing-up duties with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson-on-the-way.

The Spirit is guiding this mission along unexpected paths just as the Spirit guided another young lady from Nazareth a while ago.