Jem was one of the quietest children in the group. She did not understand Thai very well, and her big eyes often watched silently as we sang and shared Bible stories during our visits to their farm. Many families lived there together under a bamboo shelter—one room per family—and smoke rose from open fires where mothers cooked rice for their children. Most of them were refugees who had no legal right to work or study. We came to share the love of Christ.
God’s blessings did not end there—Jem met her future husband at Avoda! Now they serve together both at the school and in the church. Their home has become a welcoming place where children find hope, and every Sunday people gather to worship God. Thank you for your involvement in the lives of children like Jem!
When we arrived, the children ran toward us with shy smiles, longing for songs, stories, and even a small drop of love and attention. Avoda School was opened for children just like them—children without opportunities, but with hearts ready to learn. Through the school, Jem not only received an education but also came to know Jesus.
Years later, Jem grew up and became a teacher at the same Avoda School. Today she teaches children from similar families and travels to their farms to speak with them in their own language.
One of the ministries of the “Avoda” Foundation is the School of Life Skills, which helps both children from tribal communities and children from refugee families living in Thailand who are not allowed to attend Thai schools.
A young woman writes: “My name is Gigi Win, I’m 26 years old. I was born in Thailand into a Burmese family that fled the war. As a child, I had a dream — to learn to read and write in Thai. But Thai schools did not accept Burmese children. Because of this, I felt excluded… Why couldn’t I go to school?
Everything changed when I was 8 years old and I came to the Avoda Foundation, where both Thai and Burmese children were welcomed. Here, I not only learned the Thai language, but also came to know about God’s love — a love that doesn’t differentiate based on race, language, or religion.
At 14, I made the decision to follow Jesus. He was the only one who saw my worth — even on the days when no one else did.
Today, I serve at Avoda: I teach children and share God’s love just as I once received it. I thank God for revealing the truth to me — that I am deeply loved.
Now, my greatest desire is to reflect on His love and share it with other children.”
Gu Yen, a 74-year-old woman from the Mien tribe, grew up in a culture of spirit worship and dependence on shamans. In her community, spiritual matters were led by men. When her husband left her, she became an outcast — especially after the village shaman refused to help her. That rejection left her feeling deeply humiliated.
“I had no one to turn to and felt completely broken,” she said. “But then I met the One who truly loves me — Jesus. He listens to my prayers. I don’t have to offer anything to earn His love. He understands my pain and is always with me.”
Last year, Gu Yen suffered from a serious ear problem and began praying to God for healing. “God answered my prayers, and I began to feel better. I see His hand in my life every day! Thank you, Lord, for choosing me! Thank you for sending missionaries to our tribe so we could hear about You!”
Gu Yen’s tribe has no written language, so they listen to the Bible in audio format. “Once a week, I gather with other elderly believers to pray,” she shares. “We pray that our whole tribe will come to know the one true God.”
Because of your support, people like Gu Yen are finding true hope — and eternal life — in Christ.
A small room, full of people. The windows and doors are closed! Men, women, and children — all were praising God with loud voices and hearts full of joy. They are refugees from Myanmar. Some still live in camps. Others have found shelter in this area and have founded a church. Among them, many are getting to know Christ for the first time.
One by one, they shared testimonies — about how God is working in their lives, how He takes care of them, strengthens them, and urges them to trust Him. Some children bravely told us that their parents don’t know they go to church. For those from non-Christian families, following Jesus can have serious consequences. And yet they come — joyfully, with faith and courage. The doors remain closed — not only because of the heat, but also because the neighbors are against the church. After each service they gather together, eat, and share how God worked throughout the week. We held a special camp for children and youth from refugee families. The joy and freedom these children experienced were unforgettable.
Thank you to everyone who prayed, helped, or supported. Every gift, every prayer, every cent made a difference.
This month, the camp on wheels was successfully completed — despite the scorching heat and sudden storms, God protected every step. Not a single child got sick or was harmed, and we always had good weather during the events. We traveled to Tak and Mae Sot, meeting with children from rural areas and refugee children from Burma. Many of them work to support their families. For a few days, they became children again: laughing, playing, and hearing that God loves and sees them.
More than 100 children in Tak, over 80 in Mae Sot, and 90 young people joined our camps. The children learned about God as Creator, Helper, and Keeper. Many opened their hearts and chose Jesus. Many of these young people come from pagan families. They follow Jesus — even though they know their families may turn away from them. Please pray for these children — that God’s Word will take deep root in their hearts. Thank you for being with us — through your prayers and your support. You are a part of every smile, every lesson, and every decision made in the camp on wheels. In October, we want to continue our camp! Join us on this journey.
For eighteen years, a son fervently prayed that his parents would come to know the love of Jesus. His father, a doctor, was displeased when the son chose to follow Jesus. But the son continued to hope that they too would believe and be baptized. And finally — they did.
The parents began to share their testimony with our church, when suddenly a heavy rain and thunderstorm broke out, making it difficult to hear them. The baptismal pool had to be moved indoors. The couple entered the water and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! It was a very solemn moment. Their son stood beside them, overwhelmed with joy. God not only answered his prayer but also tested and strengthened their faith during the storm.
That day became a testimony of hope for the children in our church who are still praying for their parents and grandparents to come to Christ. It reminded us all: God hears. God answers. And His timing is perfect. What a great God we serve!
By God’s grace, we will visit our family and church in the U.S. in August and September 2025. If you would like to learn more about the ministry in Thailand and invite us to your church, we would be happy to share what God is doing in this country.
