Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in the history of the world. During the Vietnam War, the United States dropped 270 million bombs on this tiny, impoverished country, targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 30% failed to detonate. 80 million are still there, waiting to fulfill their mission of killing … in farms, villages, and schoolyards across Laos.

The Restoration Laos team clears land in Khammouane Province on the Lao-Vietnam border, where the Ho Chi Minh Trail crossed into Laos from Vietnam. The result is that children can play, and farmers can plant, without fear of sudden violent death. Mine Action Team 53 is an all-female team of bomb technicians, formerly sponsored by the United Kingdom, which would have been disbanded without Restoration Laos sponsorship. Restoration Laos now fully funds this team, which is restoring land, peace of mind, prosperity and dignity to people in remote rural Khammouane Province.

On Sunday, May 5, The Rev. Canon Michael Ambler, founder of Restoration Laos, will visit St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. He will preach at the 8:00 am and 10:00 am services and give a talk on Restoration Laos at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall. Light refreshments (including some Laotian food) will be provided. All are encouraged to come hear about this important work.

See https://restorationlaos.org for more information.