Missions Blog

The presentation was on “We are family. “The message was taken from the book of Ruth while focusing on Ruth and Naomi. The point included we may come from different backgrounds, but still, all of the family of God. The girls were divided into two groups: one represented Ruth, and the other, Naomi.  The girls picked a partner from the opposite group and encouraged them to be a mentor to their partner. The mentor was encouraged to help the partner to see they are Chosen, Called, and Loved. As a reminder, they are Daughters of a King.

Day of Love and Boundaries at Faith House – Mae Sot, Thailand 

Greetings from Mae Sot, Thailand! 

Our team has been blessed to spend time serving alongside Faith House, a refuge and home for young girls from the Karen tribe who have fled the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. Many of these girls have experienced hardship beyond their years and are vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. But here, in this safe space, they are met with God’s love, encouragement, and the joy of community. 

Hearts of Friendship 

Today was full of joy and purpose. One of our team leaders, Brenda, led a beautiful lesson on Godly friendship. Through Scripture, she showed the girls what it means to be a true friend— loyal, kind, forgiving, and loving as Christ loves us. 

The girls then participated in a creative activity where they decorated paper hearts with Bible verses about friendship. Each heart was not only a craft project, but a reminder of God’s word planted in their hearts. Watching their faces light up with glitter and glue in hand was a beautiful reminder of the healing that joy can bring. 

Gifts of Care 

Our team also had the privilege of providing the girls with hygiene gift baskets. Each one included essentials along with a special touch—a shower headband! It was a small gesture, but for these girls, it was received with gratitude and excitement. It reminded us that dignity and care can be restored in the little things. 

A Night to Remember 

Next, we traveled with the girls to a local hotel—a special outing planned to treat them to rest, comfort, and fun. In Mae Sot’s warm climate, air conditioning and soft beds are a luxury, and the girls were absolutely thrilled. 

But the highlight? The pool! It was all laughter and splashes as they played and swam. It was a moment of freedom, of simply being children, surrounded by safety and love. 

Teaching Boundaries with God’s Wisdom 

Later, we gathered together for an important lesson on healthy boundaries—a critical topic,  especially for vulnerable youth. The presentation covered ten biblical principles that help guide relationships with wisdom and strength. A few key messages included: 

• Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23): Know when to say yes and when to say no.
• • Sow good seeds (Galatians 6:7–8): Your choices shape your future. 
• Own your actions (Galatians 6:5): You’re responsible for your choices—not someone else’s. 
• Respect others’ limits (Matthew 7:12): As we want others to respect our “no,” we must also respect theirs. 
• Speak up with love (Ephesians 4:15): Boundaries require communication and courage. 

While this part of the day was more serious, it was powerful to see the girls engage, ask questions, and begin to understand their worth and how God calls us to live in freedom—not fear. 

Closing Reflections 

Today was about more than activities and lessons—it was about planting seeds. Seeds of truth,  hope, identity, and joy. Faith House is a sanctuary in a hard world, and we’re grateful to play even a small part in supporting these incredible young women as they grow into who God created them to be. 

Please continue to pray for the girls of Faith House, for safety, healing, and a future filled with light.

Hello dear family! This is Yindi reporting from Mae Sot.

What incredible days we had today!

Today was our first complete day. We started with an (unplanned) Thai breakfast before starting with the first lesson (taught by me) about Evangelism; in the afternoon, Grandpa Glenn taught about giving back. Girls are very participative during lessons, and what a great joy it is to hear them recite the biblical verses (several of them from memory), even if we do not speak the same language.

We spent a lot of time with the reinforcement activities: they learned to write their personal testimony, painted rocks with bible verses and phrases to evangelize, and made encouragement cards.

For lunch, we were able to spend some time with the staff in a restaurant where you could see Myanmar (and the scam center) on the other side.

I am impressed by how sweet, affectionate and obedient all the girls are - this speaks very well of the love and care they receive from Maria and Faith House staff. I am so grateful for Deborah (my translator); she made my lesson more enjoyable.

One of the times we enjoy the most is worship. I do not exaggerate when I say that they are a choir of angels, surely that is how it will sound when we all praise God together in eternity.

PS: Thai food is amazing!

Early Sunday evening around 6:00pm Thailand time, we arrived at Faith House after our long journey. Total airtime on 4 flights was about 22 hours, but it was worth all the effort! The staff and girls warmly welcomed us with a song and greeting line; it was very emotional, and I’m certain something our team of seven will never forget.  

All of us then sat down to dinner which was prepared by staff and the girls. After dinner, I briefly spoke to the girls with Psalm 46 as our scripture about their experience with a recent earthquake. Tremors were felt at Faith House with the epicenter about 600 miles away in Myanmar.  There was no damage nor injuries at Faith House, but most of the girls' families live in Myanmar.  As far as is presently known their families are safe. We wanted the girls to know of our church’s concern and prayers for their safety once we knew of the earthquake and through Psalm 46, God’s power, love, and sovereignty. 

Following my remarks, Brenda Tenison spoke to the girls as to their identities as “princesses of the most High God”. After Brenda spoke, each girl had placed on their heads by our team members a beautiful crown like headband to symbolize who they are in eyes of God. A special evening with more to come tomorrow. 

Our final days in Panama were filled with unforgettable moments and a whirlwind of activity.

One of our favorite camp traditions is Carnival Night, where we gather the kids in the gym to play games and win prizes. Regardless of how they perform, every child receives a prize at each station, which makes the experience extra special for them. The kids absolutely love it, and it’s heartwarming to see their joy. All the prizes were items donated, and it was a blessing to witness the kids so excited about receiving them. We also invited the kids who had served at our duplex to select clothing donations we brought, giving them an opportunity to choose something for themselves.

Our final day was emotional as we said goodbye to the children and watched them head home. Not all of them return to loving or stable environments, which made it even more difficult to say farewell. We also said goodbye to the missionaries, who have truly become like family to us. Later, we drove through Curundú to visit the neighborhoods where some of the children come from. It was a sobering reminder of the challenges they face and why the camp is such a vital part of their lives.

As we head home tomorrow, the children, the missionaries, and the Word of Life team will remain in our hearts and prayers. We leave changed, empowered, and determined to be a light in the world.