We were in the capable and enthusiastic hands of Southport School student guides.
while in Australia, twelve boys and their football (soccer)
coach found themselves trapped in a cave in Thailand and
serve as a real-life illustration of its value. While the world
watched in fear and wonder, rescuers from Australia,
Britain, China, Israel, and the United States came together
in a united effort to get the boys out of the cave. Over the
course of seventeen days, we marveled at their resilience,
sense of hope, and trust under the able leadership of their
coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, a twenty-five-year-old
Buddhist novice. Despite Chanthawong’s concerns, he
was determined to keep the boys’
hopes alive. Through meditation,
prayer, games, and building upon
the habits taught to them in training
as footballers, the boys kept up their
spirits and even learned to swim
before they could be rescued. In the
months since their rescue, eleven of
the boys (the exception is a Christian)
entered the monastery for a week
By the numbers: 619 Delegates;
163 Boys’ Schools; 13 Countries
(awaiting the Plenary Session). One
Mission: Our Boys. Their Future.
Learning to Lead.
16 • Saint David’s Magazine
to show their gratitude and respect for the Thai Navy
SEAL Saman Gunan, who sacrificed his life in the rescue.
Chanthawong, now an ordained Monk, has promised he
and the boys would be good citizens, dedicated students,
and love others the way they were loved. This is what we
hope for all of our boys.
My wife, Lillian, has been reading Alice Walker’s book of
poetry, Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart. In one poem,
Ms. Walker reflects on the challenges of raising young,
black boys in her community, asking, “What is to be done?”