Contents
Main Highlights
Our focus remains “Reach-Teach-Send”, focused on patiently building disciple-leaders, with the ultimate goal of bringing Thai people to Jesus. But as a relational society, this can only happen through a foundation of strong Jesus followers both sharing and demonstrating the Gospel.
Thai Christianity continues to grow, but with ongoing weakness in demonstrating the Gospel especially to the poor and broken, due to its shame-based culture and focus on wealth-building. Our small group of Thai colleagues are
We are preparing the way for broader proclamation and Bible dissemination as leaders are equipped and mature.
We continue to prioritize those at risk of exploitation, and maintain hope that one day Thai people will begin to reject men’s entertainment, but do so through this slow process.
- The multiplying impact we pray for is indeed happening, as leaders are gaining credibility in Christian circles, and becoming increasingly effective in reaching and teaching others.
Marginalized Communities
Overview
Located next to the main garbage dump for eastern Bangkok are two ramshackle recycling communities housing well over 1000 people, at least half who are Myanmar nationals. Ann, our Thai social service coordinator, began life-saving and relief work here during COVID, and with her ongoing coordination it has since matured into a growing, thriving community-development network, with people increasingly learning and living the Gospel.
Our community at On Nut #84 now has two rooms right in the community that they can use for the children and other outreaches. This resource came through partnerships with other ministries who also partner alongside Ann. God is working in this endeavor. Your partnership with Servantworks gives Ann this opportunity to join God in His work. Focus is on families. (children, teens, and the elderly).
Your partnership also provides resources for transportation, so that these children from this same community can go to a church that welcomes them, to a place that they look forward to from Sunday to Sunday.
Ministry developments
Ann’s network of Christian volunteers provided:
- Mental health education, counseling
- Medical services, health education
- Educational enrichment, both to Thai and children from Myanmar
- Case management social services
- Bible teaching
- Prayer ministry
- Home visits
- The miracle of a place provided after several years of wishing and waiting.
Some individual highlights
- A young child with reactive attachment disorder including no eye contact began to thrive.
- Developmentally delayed toddler began to walk with help from a physical therapist.
- A young girl unable to communicate verbally began helping clean and interacting with volunteers.
- Boys moved from apathy to engaged, and are asking for a place to play sports.
- Parents began to ask faith questions.
- Community members became increasingly involved, including Muslim, Buddhist and one brand new Christian.
- A young mom, 30, with long-term effects from a stroke, received extensive services, along with her two teen daughters who help care for her.
- An elderly woman chose Jesus just last year and began to openly witness for Him. She recently went home to Jesus while sleeping.
- Several older folks expressed interest in God’s word.
Challenges, upcoming priorities
- Pre-teens on the edge of all the really hard stuff but with so much potential to break the cycles.
- Possibly beginning a church.
- Athletic space
Chinatown women and teens
Overview
Our community from Wongwian 22/ otherwise known as Chinatown- our outreach to women freelancing on the street. Many of these women are older, mentally ill or teens on their own. Dao and Bpop are the main staff facilitating this outreach/discipleship program.
Ministry developments
- Two to three small bible studies are being taught each week.
- Alongside partnerships with several other ministries and churches, Dao and Bpop have been able to facilitate:
- Vocational training
- Bible teaching
- Weekly worship
- Social services and family visits
Individual Highlights
- This year we have seen God change desperate lives to lives with hope.
- Women are connecting to Dao/Bpop’s church and participating in the church community.
- Continued connections with The Hub, a social service foundation for homeless kids/runaways close to Bangkok’s train station.
- Dao and Bpop have taken in a 13 year old girl, abandoned by parents, abused by men. She is responding wonderfully.
- Several of the young people from the Brave Carpenter Program in 2022 are contacting Dao/Bpop and two of the boys/young men are now serious about making changes in their lives.
On Nut Center
Our community in the neighborhood where we live and have our spaces: On Nut 38/1
Overview
Our three rented properties provide the following:
- Our office space and community areas provide a place where we can welcome “alumni” of The Well, both the women/students themselves and their kids also, many of them in early adult stages.
- Video podcast studio
- Space for administrative offices
- Temporary housing for women and children in transition
- From school to adult life
- From the province back to city
- Children in crisis family situations
- Workspace for our Connect Peanut Butter business.
- Classroom space
- Space for outreach and worship events.
Ministry Developments
Individual Highlights
- Women and teens developing skills in the Connect Peanut Butter business.
- Women growing in the community setting, learning grace and truth.
- Housed and placed a sibling group of 3 after their mother was arrested.
- Bible studies and counsel provided for people in life transitions.
- Opportunities to continue relationships that have been built over many years, to reconnect and provide further safe experiences to children whose early memories have been with us.
- Discipleship, outreach and leadership development provided through the Glass of Water Church.
- Networking with other ministries.
- A struggling marriage was improved, and the couple chose to parent rather than abort.
Sapphire Girls’ Home
Overview
The Sapphire Home for teen girls began this year under the initiative of Kevin and Robin Shipp of Rohnert Park, California, and their ministry, Desire of Nations. The home will house at-risk teen and pre-teen girls, and welcomed its first student in November, with another one planned to enter in January.
We are serving as long-term partners/consultants, helping with policy and curriculum development, training, recruiting, coaching and ,
- Systems development, training, coaching and recruiting
- Prang 20 years later
Leader development
- Challenges
- Addy completed an M.A. in Ministry Leadership at Wheaton College.
- Kay is studying sociology
- Staff completed 2-year program
- Our observations: initiative, effectiveness, mobilization
- Three of our staff complete a 2 year intensive training Bible course with a focus on training others.
- Breakthrough with Sophia’s group
- Sorn/Gik
Partnering
- DON
- The Way Center
- Grace Fellowship of Prawet
- New Beginnings
- Maitrichit Church