“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” -Psalm 9:9-10
This month, I have gotten the opportunity to meet with many amazing missionaries and hear about their ministries. But I have had the privilege to really get to know the heart and passion behind one particular ministry: the Garden of Hope. Their mission is to provide education and protection for vulnerable teenage women and children who are at-risk for abuse and exploitation (or have already been exploited/abused). I got the chance to travel up to Mae Sai (about 5 hours north of Chiang Mai) with Larry, one of the Director’s at Garden of Hope. He has such a heart for the Lord and is hoping to open a home for teenage women who have been abused or exploited early next year. His plan is to open an educational center that will teach girls how to sew or bake/cook so they can use those vocational skills in the future. He also shared some shocking statistics, that 96% of the girls go back into prostitution. Why? Usually, it is because of the “good money” and more commonly, that lifestyle is just what they are used to. Some may ask, “What is the point of being there if the girls just go back into prostitution?” Well, what about that 4% who stay OUT of prostitution? Isn’t that worth it? Doesn’t every single life count? Even so, we have no idea how many seeds are being planted in the minds of these children, men and women who we come across and converse with. Just a simple conversation at a bar or on the street shows them they are loved and WORTHY.
I also got a chance to visit a project under Garden of Hope, called TawSaeng Ministries. This ministry is specifically for children who are at-risk for exploitation and from impoverished areas. There are 33 children from the ages of 7-15, who come to this after-school program to learn about Jesus. TawSaeng is also passionate about furthering the education of these kids, so they help them with homework, have English and Thai classes and let them enjoy a Club Day every Friday. On Club Day, the children get to choose whatever they want to do: guitar lessons, piano lessons, dance class, art, you name it. So when the team and I got to visit and participate the first day, we had a blast dancing with them and helping them make cards to send to America. I especially grew to love two little girls who were not immediately keen on the idea of foreign visitors. But as a few hours passed, they slowly began to warm up to me and I saw a change in their demeanor from that of sadness to pure joy and giddiness. By the end of the day, I got a kiss on the cheek from one of the little girls and an extra tight hug from the other.
As soon as the girls left, I was informed that most of the kids at TawSaeng come from abusive homes and live very difficult lives. A lot of the kids are from the slums and are either orphaned or have parents who work day and night just to provide the basic needs for their family. I learned that one of the little girls I got close to lives alone with her mother who is an alcoholic and has tried to commit suicide many times already. Can you believe that a 9 year old girl has had to watch her mother try and take her life many times? The other girl’s father died when she was little and her mother left to work in Bangkok. Currently, she is living with an older girl who attends TawSaeng. To be honest, the first time I walked in to this ministry, I could see a strong sense of abandonment and hurt these children. I could sense a powerful sadness that came from deep within. But, I have also seen each of these children play, dance and just be KIDS! It is a safe place for them to be themselves and know that they are loved deeply. My heart aches for the children there who are being abused or who are undergoing situations that no one should ever have to go through, especially at such a young age. But what a blessing TawSaeng has been to not only me, but each of the children who attend. There is hope in the darkest of situations. There is hope for healing and recovery after abuse and exploitation. The joy that I see in these kids once they feel safe to open up is contagious. Their laughter and love is worthy to be fought for. They are beautiful. They are unique. They are each children of God.
Thank you Jesus for showing me your heart for Thailand. You are clearly at work here, even though it may be hard to see at times. Thank you for the staff at TawSaeng and the missionaries around the world who have obeyed your calling on their lives. Thank you for those throughout the world who are prayer warriors and financial supporters for organizations like this. And thank you for the hope you bring every single day.
“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” –Jeremiah 31:13
*If you would like to support this ministry, donate here.
