A Family for the Orphaned in Thailand
Tall white spires reach up to the sky in the Srivijaya style common to temples in this region of Thailand. Locals and tourists line up to pay homage to golden Buddhas and decorate the altars with bright orange marigolds. The vibrant colors are said to symbolize wisdom, compassion, and the path to enlightenment.
Varun*, a Haggai leader in a capital city near Bangkok, is used to seeing throngs of people outside the city’s shrine and often wonders how he can reach these people with Jesus. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, practiced by over 92% of the population, and has been a significant hurdle to sharing the gospel.
However, this does not deter Varun. As the director of an orphanage caring for upwards of 100 children, his vision is to show the children in his care the love of God. Many of the children have been orphaned or abandoned and priority is given to those who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Serving as a house parent in one of the 10 homes that make up the village, Varun believes that bringing children to know God results in a permanent change in their lives, bringing restoration to their stories and hope for their futures.
In line with his passion for seeing God’s restoration in children’s lives, Varun also has a ministry in a juvenile delinquent facility where he organizes activities for the children and shares messages about his faith. He says, “Many children believe in Jesus and are baptized due to our ministry. The number of children in this place has decreased, because they believe in God, and [it breaks the cycle].”
Each year, Varun gets involved with Operation Christmas Child where gift boxes are given to vulnerable children and the message of Jesus is shared. The attraction of this ministry is that it is provided in English and many middle-class families send their children with the hope that it will be an opportunity to learn the language. Varun believes that reaching these families with the message of Jesus will bring a change to his city.
Varun’s vibrant city with its abundance of temples is the gateway to many of Thailand’s popular Gulf Coast islands. With good people like Varun in its midst, we can pray for this city to be a gateway to the growth of Christianity in Thailand and the restoration of all who come into contact with the Spirit of God in this place.
*Name changed for security.
Written by Carolyn Grant
A Family for the Orphaned in Thailand
Tall white spires reach up to the sky in the Srivijaya style common to temples in this region of Thailand. Locals and tourists line up to pay homage to golden Buddhas and decorate the altars with bright orange marigolds. The vibrant colors are said to symbolize wisdom, compassion, and the path to enlightenment.
Varun*, a Haggai leader in a capital city near Bangkok, is used to seeing throngs of people outside the city’s shrine and often wonders how he can reach these people with Jesus. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, practiced by over 92% of the population, and has been a significant hurdle to sharing the gospel.
However, this does not deter Varun. As the director of an orphanage caring for upwards of 100 children, his vision is to show the children in his care the love of God. Many of the children have been orphaned or abandoned and priority is given to those who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Serving as a house parent in one of the 10 homes that make up the village, Varun believes that bringing children to know God results in a permanent change in their lives, bringing restoration to their stories and hope for their futures.
In line with his passion for seeing God’s restoration in children’s lives, Varun also has a ministry in a juvenile delinquent facility where he organizes activities for the children and shares messages about his faith. He says, “Many children believe in Jesus and are baptized due to our ministry. The number of children in this place has decreased, because they believe in God, and [it breaks the cycle].”
Each year, Varun gets involved with Operation Christmas Child where gift boxes are given to vulnerable children and the message of Jesus is shared. The attraction of this ministry is that it is provided in English and many middle-class families send their children with the hope that it will be an opportunity to learn the language. Varun believes that reaching these families with the message of Jesus will bring a change to his city.
Varun’s vibrant city with its abundance of temples is the gateway to many of Thailand’s popular Gulf Coast islands. With good people like Varun in its midst, we can pray for this city to be a gateway to the growth of Christianity in Thailand and the restoration of all who come into contact with the Spirit of God in this place.
*Name changed for security.
Written by Carolyn Grant
A Family for the Orphaned in Thailand
Tall white spires reach up to the sky in the Srivijaya style common to temples in this region of Thailand. Locals and tourists line up to pay homage to golden Buddhas and decorate the altars with bright orange marigolds. The vibrant colors are said to symbolize wisdom, compassion, and the path to enlightenment.
Varun*, a Haggai leader in a capital city near Bangkok, is used to seeing throngs of people outside the city’s shrine and often wonders how he can reach these people with Jesus. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, practiced by over 92% of the population, and has been a significant hurdle to sharing the gospel.
However, this does not deter Varun. As the director of an orphanage caring for upwards of 100 children, his vision is to show the children in his care the love of God. Many of the children have been orphaned or abandoned and priority is given to those who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Serving as a house parent in one of the 10 homes that make up the village, Varun believes that bringing children to know God results in a permanent change in their lives, bringing restoration to their stories and hope for their futures.
In line with his passion for seeing God’s restoration in children’s lives, Varun also has a ministry in a juvenile delinquent facility where he organizes activities for the children and shares messages about his faith. He says, “Many children believe in Jesus and are baptized due to our ministry. The number of children in this place has decreased, because they believe in God, and [it breaks the cycle].”
Each year, Varun gets involved with Operation Christmas Child where gift boxes are given to vulnerable children and the message of Jesus is shared. The attraction of this ministry is that it is provided in English and many middle-class families send their children with the hope that it will be an opportunity to learn the language. Varun believes that reaching these families with the message of Jesus will bring a change to his city.
Varun’s vibrant city with its abundance of temples is the gateway to many of Thailand’s popular Gulf Coast islands. With good people like Varun in its midst, we can pray for this city to be a gateway to the growth of Christianity in Thailand and the restoration of all who come into contact with the Spirit of God in this place.
*Name changed for security.
Written by Carolyn Grant
