Thank You, Lord..For Being With Me..

In the next morning, I heard the morning prayer coming through my half-open door. At the same time, I smelled something like rotten eggs from the fishery factory near the house. Honestly it was the very first morning I woke up with hope and peace.

"Wow! Here's a snake!" I said with a surprise.

I thought the snake was Ronald's pet. I saw it in a big jar in front of the house while I looked around the place.

In a hurry, Ronald was by my side with a stone and asked me where the snake was. My first thought was wrong. It was not Ronald's pet at all. ( Also I myself killed a snake before I went to the Philippines)

In Ranong, most of the local people were Burmese coming from the southern part of Myanmar, mainly the Mon tribe. Unfortunately, I did not understand their Burmese. Our neighbors were Burmese too. They called the Thais "Shans". At first, I was confused with the Shans in Ranong and those in Myanmar. I still remembered a Burmese fellow gave a comment about the Thais that the "Shans" were very rude.

Next morning, I heard Fr. John talking to Ronald. I was so excited that I jumped out of my bed and ran to the kitchen. Of course, I was so happy to see him again. We did not talk much that morning.

After two-day stay in Ranong, Fr. John and I travelled to Bangkok for my enrollment in St. John's University. Fr. John worked very hard for me with that scholarship.

We arrived in Bangkok very early morning. We went to the Redeemptorist Church where we had accommodation. We had very early breakfast there and took some rest for a few minutes. Then, we set off to St. John's University.

In the school office, we found two Thai ladies. Supposedly they were secretaries but did not speak English well. Finally, One of them went out and brought a Burmese stuff who spoke Thai and Burmese. I was so disappointed and dismayed about that. I could not imagine how I could study in the school like that.

I learned through the Burmese stuff there was no program in English except a Marketing course. Of course, I had no choice because I did not come to choose but I came there to take whatever they could offer.

On the other hand, Fr. John worked it for many weeks. I should appreciate it. I should not come home empty-handed.

In my mind, I asked God if it was really for me. I prayed hard to thank Him and tried to accept the gift.

Suddenly, I got a second thought and I suggested Fr. John if we could go to see Assumption University. Fr. John sensed that I was not happy about the school. But I assured him that I was very much grateful to have a scholarship.

He honestly told me that he did not know about the Assumption University and he did not have any friends there. Surprisingly he agreed to go and see. I still remembered his common word," Let's see, Paul." On the other hand, he was also not sure.

On the way to Assumption University, I felt guilty and unfair to propose him with such an unprepared visit.

Honestly I just heard about the name of Assumption University from a friend.

When we arrived at the principle's office, we learned that the principle went out for his lunch but we could see him at 1:00 pm. So, we looked around the school to kill time.

When we came back to the office again, one of the secretaries came out and told Fr. John to go inside the office. Before he entered into the office, he told me to pray for him.

After about 30 minutes, Fr. John came out but his whole face turned red. I thought it was not a good sign. Then slowly, he smiled at me. We both went into the office to see the principle Bro. Bancha Saenghiran.

It was amazing. It left both of us speechless and overwhelmingly happy. Of course, I would have a full scholarship for my four years undergraduate. ( but later, I had an inconvenient problem with the registrar about my scholarship).

Later in that evening, I was in a deep thinking about that day. It would be impossible for us. Also I did not expect it. Truly, I felt guilty because I was very bold to ask Fr. John with such an idea and I seemed to take an advantage on his kindness and selfishness.

I did not know what to say to Fr. John, but I said a Rosary for him and said prayer thanking to God.