Hi Guys!

So much news to share! Check out Laverne’s article which will appear in the summer edition of Abilities Magazine (www.Abilities.ca) its called No Ordinary Vacation and its about our SE Asia trip.

In June, our friend Venerable Somnieng Hoeurn, who we met in Cambodia, visited us in Calgary, now that he has finished his studies in the US. Somnieng lead a walking mediation on June 12th at a local park. After months of rain and snow we had an awesome day for the walking meditation and a trip to the mountains the following day!

Somnieng is the monk who will be leading the retreats mentioned below. But this is NO ORDINARY MONK. Somnieng is the Executive Director of a Cambodian organization called Life and Hope Association (www.LifeandHopeAngkor.org) which he founded. He has done amazing work, especially in supporting the neediest children and girls at risk. You can watch a cool video about his work at http://vimeo.com/7837600.

UnPlugged Family Retreat - Cambodia

Are your kids spending too much time plugged into their iPod, cell phone or laptop? Then join us for the “Unplugged Family Retreat” which we will be hosting in Siem Reap Cambodia at Christmas time.  Expose yourself and your kids to the wonders of Angkor Wat, mindful and compassionate living, Cambodian culture, appreciation of those with less and most importantly a week of “unplugged”. This is a unique opportunity for families to reconnect with each other in the absence of their electronically gadgetry. It is a really exciting collaboration with Venerable Somnieng and the monks at Wat Damnak.  Its an awesome opportunity to visit the Temples of Angkor Wat and the retreats will benefit the many programs of Life and Hope Association.

We will also be offering Meditation Retreats in October and April each year to correspond with significant Buddhist celebrations. Check them all out at www.AngkorRetreats.com.

Still Connected - Vietnam

We are warmed by the reports we receive from Dr. Nhan in Vietnam about the kids with disabilities who are still benefitting from our Kids Can’t Wait project.

Our newest project? We are also thrilled to be partnering with a Canadian charity, Health Partners International Canada (www.HPICanada.ca) to be bringing medications into Vietnam for children with Cerebral Palsy. This delivery will be done by Laverne on her way to the October Meditation Retreat.  We are thrilled that Sue Brezinski, a nurse from Alberta Children’s Hospital will be coming along for the hospital visit. This will be a collaborating with an Australian organization called CLAN (www.whatisclan.org) on this project.

Recipe Book

As for the recipe book that we promised to anyone who made a donation of at least $25 to our Kids Can’t Wait project, we will also be sending a copy to anyone who donated to our Strips for Kids project! Who knew it would be so much work to complete a recipe book? It is still in progress and we will also be making copies available for sale with proceeds going to one of our projects. Watch for that!

Summer Plans:

Africa it is! Check out our Africa blog for the challenges we’ve already encountered!

Warm regards,

Laverne, Dave, Devin and Kasenya

No Ordinary Family, No Ordinary Life, No Ordinary Journey