REACHing Thailand
When Tim and I first visited Thailand in July 2008, we went with the purpose of research and building relationships. We really did not know yet how God would use us in Thailand. After a meaningful visit, we arrived home with a mission...a plan.
Now, as we just returned from our first Grace Outreach mission trip to Thailand in March 2009, we now know that as we attempted to REACH Thailand, Thailand in fact REACHed us.
Our plans were of well thought out and we were ready. We had every detail covered and our team was well trained and prepared. To our surprise, God certainly had other plans in mind that we had to adjust to. Instead of running a relational ministry with a VBS program at Agape Hostile for over 130 kids, we were redirected to team with Compasio (www.compasio.org), which is an incredible hands-on ministry operating on the streets on Mae Sot.
We assisted Sia, the Mae Sot Director, by running a VBS each day at a nearby Burmese Refugee School. She was asked to run the VBS, but simply did not have the hours or manpower to do it...until we came along. God strategically placed us to fill that gap.
We also spent time ministering at the Compasio "Safe House", which houses 7-8 kids who come from homes where they were beaten and forced to beg on the street. If they refused to go out and beg or came back with little money, they were punished severely. Their stories burn in my mind and are heart breaking. Some of these kids are still at risk of being found by their abusive parents.
We also spent time with the "Prison Babies" each day. These little children were found in a nearby prison in very dismal conditions. Most were starving and struggling to live. These little ones are precious and are now doing so much better under the care of Sia and her staff in a house in Mae Sot.
Our last daily activity was spent on the street, in the heart of Mae Sot. Kids ranging from the ages of 5-16 beg on the streets. They are dirty and hungry. We would walk the streets to find them and then feed and play with them. One day I gave all the boys Mohawks haircuts (http://gograce.org/grace-outreach-blogs/burmese-mohawk/) after treating them for lice.
Grace Outreach's ministry in Thailand 2009, was an incredible example of the Lord telling us he has His own plan in mind.
When we went back to the refugee school our last evening to say goodbye, we were saddened and received many hugs and sad faces. Many of the kids cried as they said goodbye.
As our team is happy to be home in San Diego, at Grace Outreach we are also excited to go back next year and continue our ministry in Thailand. We have added our Thailand Coordinator, Milk, on as Grace Outreach staff and hoping she will visit San Diego soon.
Thank you for your support and love for the Thai/Burmese people, as they are near and dear to our and the Lord's heart. God has used you and us to draw them closer to Himself.
Here are a few photos from the trip. More pictures can be viewed here.
Group picture with Burmese Refugee School
Nokia from Compasio Safe House and Jamila from Compasio Baby House
Scott, giving mohawk haircuts to Burmese refugee street boys.