Update -- Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005

Our search for Ben continues. David is still in Thailand and currently making a journey by power boat to the island of Phi Phi. His plan is to visit the resort where Ben was staying and to check the progress of the search there. There were some delays in the search due to contaminated water on Phi Phi, but workers seem to be back on the job and bodies are still being recovered. Together, the Thailand team (Dave, Matt, and two investigators), will then make a circumference of the island in the boat and check the coastline.

Wonderful stories keep pouring in by email and through comments on this site. In addition, there have been many school children who have shown their love and concern by sending cards and contributing to the fund! Libby’s sister, Maggie, a school teacher relayed a story about her seventh grade students who covered her chalkboard with messages of hope, support, and good wishes for Ben.

Speaking of Libby, we received another update from her sister, Maggie. Here is an excerpt:

This time I report with good news. Libby is doing well in her new home in the hospital in Bangkok. Therapists are working with her daily. I think the infection has stopped spreading and the antibiotics seem to be working. We are hopeful that if all goes well, she should be home in two to three weeks. Libby said that her care is good and she has a team of doctors working with her.

The search for Ben will continue although it requires patience both here and in Thailand. There are many complexities involved in the recovery effort and everyone is working very hard in a most challenging situation.

As always, the Abels family is very grateful for the continued outpouring of support from friends, family, and even people they have never met.