Thailand 2018 Mission Trip
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Thailand is a country that looks like a postcard at the first glance – gorgeous scenery, beautiful climate, delicious food, and warm smiling people. But underneath this façade there is a great void for spiritual freedom and deliverance. Millions live in areas without a single church. Countless people have never heard the Gospel and have never knowingly met a Christian. Their lives are centered around making a living and earning a better reincarnation. They worship idols in the hope of a prosperous and happy life, or they are only concerned about material things instead of spiritual things. As a result, there is great brokenness among the Thai people.
We will divide the ministry between Bangkok, the capital city of 8.2 million people and the beautiful northern city of Chiang Rai. In Bangkok we will partner with several local churches in evangelism, leadership training, and outreaches to the youth and women. "Bangkok" originally was a small village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. In the 18th century it became the capital of Siam and named the city Krung Thep, as it is now known to Thais and in English translates as the "City of Angels". Ordinary people used to live on bamboo rafts along the river, while floating vendors roamed the water to sell fruits and vegetables. The only stone structures built on land were temples and palaces. In the 19th-century, Western powers incorporated much of Southeast Asia into their colonial empires. King Rama IV and V felt that the only way to keep Siam independent was to modernize the country. Traditional canals were filled up and turned into roads. Bangkok really started to develop after World War II. Rapid economic growth has attracted migration from the countryside, with millions of Thais moving there to make a living. This expansion turned Bangkok into one of the most cosmopolitan and happening cities in Asia; but also ensured numerous problems. A wide gap has emerged between the rich and those who came to the city from the countryside in search of work.
As always, the Lord called us to this nation for a very specific and timely mission to reach the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand, the most oppressed people group in the nation. A 2013 article in the Bangkok Post said that "Nearly a million hill peoples and forest dwellers are still treated as outsiders—criminals even, since most live in protected forests."
Viewed as national security threats, hundreds of thousands of them are refused citizenship although many are natives to the land". Here are some recent statistics about the "Hilltribe" people and Thailand:
· The average "hilltribe" person lives on less than $1.00 US a day--this is 12 times less than what an average Thai citizen lives on.
· Many Thai schools do not accept "hilltribe" children and in cases where they do, the children are given little support with the cost of schooling and materials.
· 1 of every 3 sex workers in Chiang Mai (Thailand's second biggest city) comes from a "hilltribe" family.
We have an opportunity to reach out to these people in the northernmost city of Thailand, Chiang Rai and work with local churches, orphanages, and the drug rehabilitation center. We need preachers, teachers, counselors, and those who feel called to women’s ministry to be able to minister love, forgiveness, and hope.
Chiang Rai today is known as a beautiful and quiet destination to explore the stunning nature, authentic Thai foods, and lifestyle of the native tribes; but in the 1970s it was part of the Golden Triangle - the drug trade and home base for drug lords. Chiang Rai is also known for its night market lined with crafts vendors and food stalls, musicians, and cultural shows. This is a great opportunity for Bibles and Gospel tract distribution and one-on-one street evangelism.
I am SO honored to be asked to be part of this groundbreaking mission trip, November 30-December 10, 2018 with World Missions Alliance. I took a trip with them to Moldovia a few years ago and it was an experience I'll never forget.
World Missions Alliance has been strategically placed by God in the world’s “hot spots” at the most crucial time in history. Each of their trips to the nation of calling coincided with a major historic event and we know that this trip shall be no different.
You can read more about the hosts of this mission here: rfwma.org.
I am writing to ask for your help in 2 areas. First and foremost I ask you to pray for the success of this trip. We’ve already begun planning, getting passports, purchasing airplane tickets etc. We need God’s guidance in every aspect of this trip. So your prayers are extremely important.
Next, I am asking you to consider helping financially if you can do it. I truly believe the Lord is directing this mission and your money will be sown into very fertile soil. Upon return I will be excited to share with you about the Harvest that will be yours as well. I need to raise $3600 for travel, food, interpreters, etc.
All gifts are tax deductible.
Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for your support. You will be a vital part of everything God will do in Thailand. I can’t wait to share with you the incredible account of this mission!
God Bless,
Sundi Jo
We will divide the ministry between Bangkok, the capital city of 8.2 million people and the beautiful northern city of Chiang Rai. In Bangkok we will partner with several local churches in evangelism, leadership training, and outreaches to the youth and women. "Bangkok" originally was a small village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. In the 18th century it became the capital of Siam and named the city Krung Thep, as it is now known to Thais and in English translates as the "City of Angels". Ordinary people used to live on bamboo rafts along the river, while floating vendors roamed the water to sell fruits and vegetables. The only stone structures built on land were temples and palaces. In the 19th-century, Western powers incorporated much of Southeast Asia into their colonial empires. King Rama IV and V felt that the only way to keep Siam independent was to modernize the country. Traditional canals were filled up and turned into roads. Bangkok really started to develop after World War II. Rapid economic growth has attracted migration from the countryside, with millions of Thais moving there to make a living. This expansion turned Bangkok into one of the most cosmopolitan and happening cities in Asia; but also ensured numerous problems. A wide gap has emerged between the rich and those who came to the city from the countryside in search of work.
As always, the Lord called us to this nation for a very specific and timely mission to reach the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand, the most oppressed people group in the nation. A 2013 article in the Bangkok Post said that "Nearly a million hill peoples and forest dwellers are still treated as outsiders—criminals even, since most live in protected forests."
Viewed as national security threats, hundreds of thousands of them are refused citizenship although many are natives to the land". Here are some recent statistics about the "Hilltribe" people and Thailand:
· The average "hilltribe" person lives on less than $1.00 US a day--this is 12 times less than what an average Thai citizen lives on.
· Many Thai schools do not accept "hilltribe" children and in cases where they do, the children are given little support with the cost of schooling and materials.
· 1 of every 3 sex workers in Chiang Mai (Thailand's second biggest city) comes from a "hilltribe" family.
We have an opportunity to reach out to these people in the northernmost city of Thailand, Chiang Rai and work with local churches, orphanages, and the drug rehabilitation center. We need preachers, teachers, counselors, and those who feel called to women’s ministry to be able to minister love, forgiveness, and hope.
Chiang Rai today is known as a beautiful and quiet destination to explore the stunning nature, authentic Thai foods, and lifestyle of the native tribes; but in the 1970s it was part of the Golden Triangle - the drug trade and home base for drug lords. Chiang Rai is also known for its night market lined with crafts vendors and food stalls, musicians, and cultural shows. This is a great opportunity for Bibles and Gospel tract distribution and one-on-one street evangelism.
I am SO honored to be asked to be part of this groundbreaking mission trip, November 30-December 10, 2018 with World Missions Alliance. I took a trip with them to Moldovia a few years ago and it was an experience I'll never forget.
World Missions Alliance has been strategically placed by God in the world’s “hot spots” at the most crucial time in history. Each of their trips to the nation of calling coincided with a major historic event and we know that this trip shall be no different.
You can read more about the hosts of this mission here: rfwma.org.
I am writing to ask for your help in 2 areas. First and foremost I ask you to pray for the success of this trip. We’ve already begun planning, getting passports, purchasing airplane tickets etc. We need God’s guidance in every aspect of this trip. So your prayers are extremely important.
Next, I am asking you to consider helping financially if you can do it. I truly believe the Lord is directing this mission and your money will be sown into very fertile soil. Upon return I will be excited to share with you about the Harvest that will be yours as well. I need to raise $3600 for travel, food, interpreters, etc.
All gifts are tax deductible.
Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for your support. You will be a vital part of everything God will do in Thailand. I can’t wait to share with you the incredible account of this mission!
God Bless,
Sundi Jo
Organizer
Sundi Jo Graham
Organizer
Belle, MO