A letter from Amy Davisson Galetzka serving in Thailand
Fall 2015 - A Grateful Letter
Dear Friends,
I want to take most of this update to share a wonderful letter from one of the people we have had the privilege of working with over these past few years. Pan Rak Foundation, with whom I minister as a long-term volunteer through World Mission, partnered with the Prosthesis Foundation of HRH Princess Mother (of Thailand) to bring people to a location where they could be fitted for and receive their prosthetic legs. Here is a story of abundant life received. The story of “Sha.”
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Abundant Life Project through Pan Rak Foundation working with Prosthesis Foundation of HRH Princess Mother to provide prosthetic legs
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Sha receiving her leg
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Sha over the years (since meeting her in 2010)
Miss Ye Shien (“Sha”), from Burma, lost her leg at age 8 when she stepped on a land mine while walking to school. In 2012, at age 19, she received her first prosthesis. She gained weight and her leg had to be replaced in May 2014. She asked for baptism at that time. On March 29, 2014, Sha wrote a letter to the governor and the prosthesis team at the Prosthesis Foundation. It was written in Chinese and translated into Thai and English. She wrote:
Dear Governor and all the prosthesis team,
We would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for you who devote yourself to helping people who need help. Without help and encouragement from your team we might not be able to walk normally like other people and would not know how to overcome problems we had.
As a disabled person, when I looked at an able, healthy person, I was jealous of them. I was envious that they had such a good and happy life. When I looked at myself I saw nothing but difficulties. I could not go as I pleased. I saw myself as different from others. I sometimes cried and thought, Who would understand my feelings?
When we received care from the Prosthesis Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother, we felt great love among the people, and it is a thing to be proud of. Your team empowered us, gave us a better life and warmed our hearts. I felt like I was the happiest person in the world. Our lives now are much better and we don’t know how to return your kindness. I am very thankful. I am happy and have joy back in my heart again.
I received help from the Prosthesis Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother, who does not discriminate among races and helped us without any charge. When I heard about this I was glad, excited and looking forward to it. When I was in the care of the Prosthesis Foundation of H.R.H. The Princess Mother, I was among people who needed help. I realized I was not alone. I looked around and saw caring and kindness. I was so happy and could not hold my tears. I know it was not easy at all to get these prosthetic legs.
We will take very good care of the leg. I hope I will have a chance to study and help other people who need help and disabled people like me. My dream is also to study about prostheses. I want people to see that even though we are disabled we are not disheartened. We have to practice, be brave, and have confidence. We have self-confidence that we can walk. I want other disabled people to be proud of themselves too.
In this world, in reality, life is hope, and something to look forward to, full of possibility. So don’t look down on yourself. May we pick ourselves up and live equally with others.
Finally, dear Governor and all the prosthesis team, you have done so much for us. I hope you keep doing this for many.
With gratitude from your loyal disabled people,
Ye Shien (“Sha”)
Pan Rak’s vision is to share God’s love in tangible ways that bless people, to inspire relationships with God, and to help people share this love with others. The foundation’s mission is to bring help, hope and love through the support of education, health, relief, leadership and spiritual development, and cultural arts.
Personal Update
Seasonal change is here in Thailand, from what is usually a more rainy season to a dry and cooler season, and in the U.S. to Fall. I believe this has been a year of positive, incremental (small steps!) change in my personal and professional life. There are still some months left in the story of 2015, and with excitement I look forward to what each day will bring. The test for me is to enjoy the moment, while doing what I can to prepare for the future without getting completely wrapped up in the planning and forgetting the people around me and forgetting to find out about them—the joy or sorrow they are going through. Lifting things up through prayer, and not dwelling too much on tomorrow or the future things that are certainly not “for sure” even if I have planned everything out, keeps the anxious feelings at bay.
I covet your prayers for:
• Continued health and cancer-free reports for my mother and sister
• A thriving work life for the people of Pan Rak Foundation, and that we can carry out the vision and mission of our organization each day with God’s strength and joy in the face of the difficulties so many people we know are facing
I am thankful for, and continue to need, your faithful prayers and financial giving. I really appreciate your notes, messages, emails and phone calls (Skype, FaceTime, etc.!).
With love, and a grateful heart,
Amy (for Johnny and Nadia too!)
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 235
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