The Fatherless

With so many, it’s hard to know where to start.

We often refer to people we reach as “at risk.” God often talks about the fatherless.

I have a memory of Jim standing in the Gulf of Thailand with two young Thai girls, little arms wrapped around Jim’s legs, shrieking with delight as waves crashed and washed sand from under their feet. In those moments, the strength of a father allowed them to enjoy the wild ocean.

The fatherless—the at-risk—often cannot fathom safe strength. If they know strength, it is capricious and treacherous. For them, self-protection is the only option. Our job is to lead them to safety and joy in Jesus; this is the Gospel.

Here is how The Well team has been doing that in Bangkok these past few months.

Fatherless Teens

In school… Dear and Addy continue volunteer teaching and developing relationships with staff and students at a local school, with the goal of sharing Jesus and helping to understand and reduce its high dropout rate. 

• Our weekly Saturday program offers lessons in guitar, keyboard, drums and English.
• Christmas for Muslims. This predominantly Muslim school asked for a Christmas program. Ann and Sunisa partnered with our former co-worker Si and her husband, who do a lot of Muslim outreach, to share the Christmas story during school hours. 

On the streets… Six students who participated in the Brave Carpenter program a year ago now have skills in furniture making and carpentry. Three work full time while three are moving forward with education and part-time work. 

• They still have much to learn and heal. Most Brave Carpenters came from The Hub, a teen homeless shelter in Chinatown. Kids gather on the floor, eating ramen, sharing distorted ideas and world views in coarse street talk. Some are already absent fathers. 
• How to help more? Dao and Bpop reach out to these teenagers and would like to bring them into a safe place providing education and healing along with other types of work.
• Partnerships are paramount. Plugging people into healthy environments is key. We are praying for more Thais to want these precious but problem-causing young adults in their churches, workplaces and homes, and indeed, interest is growing.

Fatherless Women Working the Streets

A certain kind of work, that is … A few blocks in Chinatown are either the home,  “workplace,” or both of dozens of women of all ages.

• Christmas for the least of these. In December, Dao, Bpop and volunteer Pada hosted our annual Christmas party. The ladies come excited, hair styled, lipstick etched, and foundation plastered in a futile attempt at youthfulness. Smiles, gifts and games—each year trust grows with added memories.  
• Breaking … rice? Women in street prostitution tend to have chronic emotional disorders, something that visits on a busy sidewalk alone can’t address. Dao and Bpop were inspired by Acts 2:44-47, “And all who believed were together … breaking bread in their homes…” and decided to begin sharing regular meals with women in their homes.
• Fellowship, not social work. These visits only began in January, but have already borne fruit. Women want to know Jesus and show signs of growth.

Slow-but-steady Community Development

COVID catalyzed community. Ann has put together a small network of churches working on outreach and development projects in a nearby slum centered around garbage recycling.

• Handout mentality to empowerment takes patience. While the COVID crisis called for hundreds of handouts of meals, medicine and masks, the focus is now on longer-term efforts, including a church-sponsored small school for migrant kids.
• Crisis care. To her delight, families are beginning to see Ann not as a benefactor, but as a wise friend. A family recently sought counsel for a teen daughter in crisis.
• The Doctor is in. Ann’s volunteers helped a Thai Christian physician and small health team come into the community this month to provide wellness care.

And “Just” Loving Neighbors

Because “just” loving is actually a big deal.

• Connect Center is open on weekends, led by Bpop, Dao, their daughter Disk and her boyfriend, Drive. (Yes, Disk and Drive. Really.)
• School uniforms can cost half a month’s wages per child. Connect recently hosted a small second-hand sale of school uniforms and shoes. We hope to expand in the future. 
• What’s next? To be open more hours, offering classes, activities and most importantly,  opportunities for neighbors to meet Jesus. 
• What’s needed? Pray with us for Thai volunteers. Some have come forward, including a nearby church group who hosted a special event. 

Thank you for helping us care for these people with your prayer, your encouragement, and your financial support.

Fatherless are now everywhere. If we can help you take care of someone vulnerable in your community, will you let us know? We would love to hear from you, to pray for you, to encourage and share ideas.

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