Thank you for your interest in our work in Thailand. Many have been able to make a life-changing investment in others here. At the same time, most who spend time volunteering leave feeling that they have received more than they have given.
The marvelous thing about following Jesus is the opportunity to be a part of something God is doing that is far beyond ourselves. You are God’s masterpiece, and God has prepared great successes for you to participate in (Ephesians 2:10). We wish visitors to understand that you will not bring Jesus to Thailand. You will find Him already here, waiting for you.
Types of visits
We welcome visitors who come under one or more of these purposes:
Explore Longer-term Work
We welcome people who are considering a long-term call to Thailand. We strongly recommend an extended exploratory visit for full-time work in Thailand, whether you hope to work either directly with us or in a related ministry. You will want to experience life in Thailand and participate in the kinds of work that you might eventually do.
Length of visit
One to two months
Prerequisites
Complete the application and interview process with Servantworks. This will include at least one video interview with a leader in Thailand.
Explore a Church Partnership
We welcome representatives of churches, regional associations of churches, or sub-groups within larger churches to visit in order to consider longer-term intentional partnerships. This involves working and praying together to understand and follow what God is doing and would ideally have a two-way component. Not only might your church send people to participate here, but you may host English-speaking Thai people that we send to learn and assist in your ministry.
Length of visit
One to two weeks
Prerequisites
Dialog to ensure compatibility with doctrine and values • At least one representative will ideally be gifted in strategic networking, matching needs with the calling and expertise of potential future volunteers.
Expert Training and Strategy
Visitors have made a significant long-term impact by training Thai workers in their areas of expertise. General areas of need are mental health (including addiction counseling), educational methods, management, and certain trade skills.
Length of visit
Depends on the subject and type of training. It can be a three-day seminar or a three-month intensive in-service. Multiple visits are often called for (see prerequisites below).
Prerequisites
Dialog with Thailand leadership to determine not only usefulness but long-term effectiveness. Very often, a single session is not enough for people here to really catch on, whether it is a technical skill or a thinking paradigm. We need to make sure that we have people in place to continue education or training.
Serve with Special Events
These may be camps or retreats where visitors can assist with tasks such as childcare or leading English language activities.
Length of visit
One week
Prerequisites
If working with children, sign compliance with Servantworks Child Protection Policy. We may request that team leaders complete background checks.
General Requirements
Health
Please talk to us beforehand if you have any health or mobility issues that may interfere with your visit. Thailand has good medical care, and most medicines are available. We can help you decide whether there might be any extra risks.
If you are taking any narcotic or psychiatric medications, check to ensure you can bring them into the country. If your life includes past trauma or addictions, including sexual, please be careful and be upfront with our team ahead of time. The nature of our work can activate long-ago trauma.
Ability
Due to language and the sensitive nature of our work, unskilled volunteers can contribute in limited ways. At the same time, many people have at least one area of useful expertise but do not realize it could be of help. Please dialog with us before coming to explore possibilities, whether for yourself or for others you are looking to bring with you.
Confident Love
It perhaps goes without saying that, above all, love is most important. The best visitors are those who readily connect in a loving way with others. Visitors have the most positive experience when they can get out of their comfort zone, overcome shyness, and be fully present and eager to learn. Active, reaching-out love crosses all barriers, including language.
About Teams
Being part of a mission team is energizing. You meet together, pray and prepare. The group effort lends itself to fundraising. But on the ministry side, there is a definite law of diminishing returns.
- Smaller teams have simpler logistics and can often do more. What two people can do in 5 minutes, e.g., a roadside bathroom stop, becomes 30 minutes with a group of 10.
- Smaller groups let individuals shine. Quieter, shy members will yield to natural leaders in a big group, and we like to involve everyone according to their actual gifts and personalities.
- Smaller groups are often more connection-focused. In large groups, people naturally talk to each other and avoid the awkward process of trying to communicate with those speaking limited English. Small teams typically spend more time connecting with Thai people.
For our purposes, smaller is almost always better. Most importantly, our work is about relationships, and the best thing that you can both give and receive from being here is a loving connection with one or more Thai people. Therefore, we recommend a team limit of 6 people.
Consider Cost Effectiveness
We don’t want to discourage you from visiting, but we do want you to think through the decision with wisdom and prayer.
Simplicity
Mission Trips and Tourism
It is common for mission groups to add recreational activities to their visits, such as a day at the beach or other tourist sites. Sometimes these adventures aren’t financially accessible to the lower-class Thais they’ve come to visit. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t enjoy Thailand, but as Kingdom stewards, we certainly should be aware of this reality.
Other things $1500 can do:
- Cover tuition, books, and a travel stipend for a student at a public university for one year.
- Support at least three public school students for a year.
Many poor kids miss school during the school year and drop out of upper grades. Students must pay for their own transportation and food. Schools require three different types of uniforms.
- Support a weekend camp for 20 people.
One of the sad realities of urban poverty is life without nature. Many kids grow up never seeing the Milky Way, a quiet beach, or a mountain view. While large and beautiful, Bangkok’s parks are far apart, and the working poor seldom have the time or budget for a 6-hour round trip to a quiet location.
- Help dozens of kids buy musical instruments and art or hobby supplies.
Help us fight phone addiction by giving poor kids ways to save towards a guitar, paints and canvases, or a drum set.
Ready to learn more?
Send us a note if you or a team are interested in a visit. We’d love to start a conversation about the best way for you to connect here.
We’ll be able to answer any additional questions, including those related to the following:
- Visas
- Cost
- Insurance
- Jet Lag
- Planning Process
- Housing
- Food
- Transportation