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Protect a Child

Category: Families of Blessing (northern Thailand)

Making Disciples

In the picture, you can see people planting rice, expecting to harvest a hundred-fold. It is like that in our spiritual lives as well. We plant seeds, praying that the God of the Harvest will work in the hearts of others to reap a harvest.

At the House of Blessing, it is the same. Every Sunday morning, they hold a Bible study for Sunday School, planting and watering seeds.  Everyone is divided into three groups: one for new believers, another for little kids and a third one for those who want to go deeper with God.  Julie, our ministry leader, says, “The reason that we have a program like this is that we are not only winning souls, but we are making disciples of Jesus Christ.” Join with us in praying for these dear children as they accept Christ and grow to hear His voice, trust and obey.

The Impact of Missions on a Family

Traci: Welcome, Jen Janzen, to our blog!  What impacted you most on your recent trip to Thailand?

Jen: There were many things!  Along with all the amazing stories we have, I would say that hearing first hand some of the stories of pain from others we met outside of HOB was very impactful.  Seeing with my own eyes how rampant human trafficking is in this area also affected me.  But then, on the flip side, seeing how the House of Blessing team are building relationships in the villages and how God is moving towards bringing more people to health and freedom is exciting!  It felt like I was on the frontlines of a war and we were winning battles here and there, such as the night we showed the powerful anti-human trafficking film.  God’s power is so evident, and I can see Him working in all kinds of ways and I know He has plans to set more people free from spiritual and physical bondage!

It was also very impactful seeing how well the House of Blessing kids are doing!  The new property that they are on seems ideal and the new houseparents, John and Ann, are so fantastic with the kids.  The House of Blessing kids continue to amaze me with how well they are doing. They rise to challenges and are so passionate and eager to share their faith with people who don’t yet know Jesus, especially at the village outreaches.  To see how God has taken these kids from at-risk or abusive environments and given them a new life where they are joyful and thriving in Him is so incredible.  From last year when we visited them until now, we can see much growth in their spiritual lives, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills with one another.  Plus, many of them now know how to speak English quite a bit better!  We love these kids so much and are so blessed that God has connected us with them and this ministry.

Children’s Rights and Protection

House of Blessing is located in an area rife with abuse, drugs and human trafficking.  Since the children at HOB come from vulnerable home situations and many of them return home briefly for the summer school break, it is great to see their leaders take the initiative in training the children to know their rights and learning how to protect themselves from others who might try to abuse them.  This training session took place at the HOB meeting room and was led by Think Small Foundation, a Thai non-profit foundation who teach from a Christian perspective.  The children are now more aware of what is happening around them and can be a positive influence in their town and school, helping to protect themselves and others.

Furthermore, the adult leadership training event in February also focused on the topic of Child Protection Program and how to do outreach in the school and communities.  There were 22 leaders who attended (10 churches and 2 foundations).  This session taught leaders who are working with children to be aware of child rights and protection so they will know how to protect both the children they work with as well as themselves.  This would be like many of our churches who implement a safe place policy for child and youth workers.  Children are a gift from God and are to be protected as they learn to glorify God.

To Know God

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.  -Jeremiah 9:23-24

Here in Canada, it is easy for us to be self-reliant and for us to boast or be proud of our wisdom, strength and riches.  However, when I look back at my times in the Golden Triangle, what impressed me most was that the children and ministry leaders alike all truly wanted to know Jesus.  They had daily personal devotions and then each night, they worshipped together.  During the evening worship services, there was always time for anyone to share a testimony.  It was these times that I treasured!  To hear the kids recount a brief story, moment, thought or Bible verse where they saw God and His kindness or teaching, truly blessed my heart.

One evening, we heard several children share their testimonies before their baptism the next day.  These children come from difficult backgrounds and I expected them to share how they felt abandoned by their parents or bitter towards their parents for exposing them to dangerous situations or else not caring for them at all.  I expected them to share how they were a victim and then how God helped them forgive and become survivors.  But I was wrong!  Not one child mentioned their vulnerable pasts.  Instead, they shared stories of transformation such as how one used to fight with the other children and no longer does because God has helped that one become a child of peace. 

Let us come as children and seek to know God, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth.  May we find delight in what delights the Lord’s heart.