Missions Blog

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.

The morning kicked off with a hearty breakfast and Bible lessons for the kids. One of our teams, working with a cabin, named their group “Cinco Hombres” (5 men). Ian, a boy from the group, recited the memory verse from the day before and won a prize. It was a really touching moment, especially since just the day before, he was in tears because no one wanted to play with him. The kids are also learning new songs, and I have a feeling we’ll be singing them for months!

Another special moment happened when one of our team members got the chance to share Christ with a boy who had come from a rough orphanage. He was struggling to grasp God’s love, but God gave the team member just the right words to explain it. We’re continuing to pray for this boy, hoping for a better future for him.

As the evening came, the whole camp gathered around the campfire. They sang more songs and then sat down to hear the testimony of Darlenis, a counselor from Carrudu, a tough neighborhood outside Panama City. She shared her dream of going to Mexico City to study at the Bible Institute. After her story, the kids were invited to pray a salvation prayer, and if they chose to, they could throw a stick in the fire as a symbol of their decision to follow Jesus.

Tomorrow is one of our favorite days: carnival night!

The day started with a delicious breakfast, which the kids absolutely loved. One of the best parts of camp is that the kids get to enjoy three full meals a day—something that, for many of them, isn’t always guaranteed at home.

While the kids tidied up their rooms, our team gathered in the office for a presentation from Jon Fowler. He shared their journey—where they’ve been, where they are now, and their vision for the future. It was so encouraging to hear how much God has already provided, and it left the team feeling inspired and excited about what’s ahead.

The rest of the day was packed with fun activities for the kids. The younger girls on our team ran craft time, where the kids got to paint and decorate their own cinch sacks. Honestly, we’re not sure what ended up with more paint—the bags or the girls! The evening gospel show was even better than the day before. You could see the joy on the performers’ faces, and it completely drew the kids in—they were loving every minute of it.

It’s so uplifting to see our team growing closer and supporting each other, even when we’re running on fumes and feeling all the emotions. One of our team members really stepped up when the counselor for his cabin had to leave for a visa appointment. Even with a language barrier, he made sure the kids were cared for and had a great time. Our daily debriefs and devotionals—both in the morning and evening—have become such special times of connection and honesty.

It’s been incredible to see how God is working in every moment—through the laughter, the challenges, and the connections being built—and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the week holds.