Missions Blog

The Journey Begins

When God calls you to go, He doesn’t promise an easy road — He promises to go with you. And every twist, every delay, and every unexpected detour on our way to Mae Sot, Thailand was a reminder that His hand was guiding every single step.

Our team — Dee, Brenda, Glenn, Joell, Kathleen, Sally, and Bill — set out with hearts full of anticipation. The route was a long one: Pittsburgh to Atlanta, Atlanta to Seoul, and finally Seoul to Bangkok. Over 30 hours of flying before our feet would touch Thai soil.

Dee’s journey had a little extra adventure. A mechanical delay out of Fort Wayne meant she couldn’t connect with us in Atlanta as planned. But God had another door open: she rerouted through Detroit and caught up with the rest of the team in Seoul. What could have been a discouraging setback became a clear reminder that the Lord was working ahead of us, keeping our team together across thousands of miles.

We could see God’s hand in it all.

Bangkok: A Night to Rest and Prepare

After those 30-plus hours of travel, we landed in Bangkok, checked into a local hotel, and gave our bodies the rest they needed. The next morning we gathered as a team for a planning session and devotional before the final leg of our journey.

A special word of thanks is due to Brenda, our trip leader. The care, prayer, and coordination she poured into every detail of this trip is evident at every turn. She is a true servant leader, and our team is deeply grateful for her.

Nok Air — “Bird Air”

From Bangkok we boarded a domestic flight on Nok Air — which translates, appropriately, to “Bird Air.” Don’t worry — it was not the rickety contraption from Indiana Jones. It was a proper Boeing (think Southwest Airlines), and they even served a meal! We landed in Mae Sot refreshed and ready.

Welcomed with Flowers and Warm Hearts

When we stepped off the plane at Mae Sot Airport, the Faith House staff and several of the girls were there to meet us. If you have ever experienced a welcome like that — genuine smiles, arms full of beautiful flowers, and hugs that feel like coming home — you know there are simply no words adequate enough.

Faith House staff and girls welcoming the team at Mae Sot Airport — flowers, smiles, and warm hearts.

They are truly amazing people. Their warmth, their joy, and their faith are a gift to everyone who meets them.

And there was Glenn — our beloved “Grandpa” — who had come over several weeks early to teach English, minister to the girls, and preach Sunday sermons. Seeing his beaming face was a joy. He is absolutely in his element here, surrounded by his “granddaughters.” This man loves these girls deeply, and they love him right back.

The Hands and Feet of Jesus

Back at Faith House, we unpacked all of the donations that were so generously provided before we left. To everyone who gave — clothing, supplies, and so much more — thank you. You are the hands and feet of Jesus, and your generosity traveled over 8,000 miles to bless these precious girls and their community.

With grateful and full hearts, we headed back to Panu House for a good night’s rest.

Morning Coffee and “Joshua Forward”

The next morning came with coffee and quiet time in the Word. Our team is reading through the Living Grounded — Joshua Forward! devotional series, and it has been a perfect companion for a trip like this one. Joshua was called to step into unknown territory with courage and faith — and so are we.

Energized and anchored, we headed to Faith House early.

A Church Is Born — God Is Multiplying

One of the most humbling moments of this trip has been seeing what The Bible Chapel’s generosity has made possible. Thanks to the giving of our congregation, there is now a church at Faith House — a real, beautiful place of worship that can hold local villagers who come to hear the gospel.

God is not just working here through us. He is multiplying through the steadfast faith and leadership of Maria, the dedication of the local Pastor, and the love that our church family poured out from thousands of miles away. That is the kingdom at work.

The new church at Faith House — a place of worship for the girls and the local village community.

Sunday Service: “The Battle Is Not Yours”

Glenn preached a powerful message from 2 Chronicles 20. In that passage, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced an overwhelming enemy army. But rather than turn to military might, they turned to God — through prayer, fasting, and worship. And God delivered them in a miraculous and undeniable way.

That message lands with particular weight here at Faith House. Many of these girls have faced their own overwhelming enemies — circumstances no child should ever have to face. Yet here they are: standing, worshipping, and trusting God. Just like Jehoshaphat’s people, they are learning that the battle belongs to the Lord.

Getting ready for Sunday service — joy and anticipation in the air.

One Table, Many Stories

After the service we shared a meal with the girls and the congregants from the local village. Sitting around that table — so far from home, surrounded by people whose language, background, and daily life look nothing like ours — something beautiful and simple became very clear: we are not so different at all.

Families. Hopes. Dreams. Hurts and hang-ups. Laughter. The desire to be known and loved. Every person at that table had all of it. Seeing God at work in their lives, the same way He works in ours, is truly humbling.

Sharing a meal with the girls and local village congregants — one table, one family in Christ.

Evening: A Testimony and a Crowning

After a short break in the afternoon (which included an important expedition to find a soccer ball pump!), we returned to Faith House for the evening’s program.

Grandpa Glenn shared his personal testimony — a story about how God loves and accepts you, even when others don’t. About how, when you turn to Him, He places people and blessings in your path that you never could have arranged for yourself. Glenn spoke of being like a “Bummer Lamb” — the first one to come when the Shepherd calls. It was a message tailor-made for these girls, and you could feel it land deep.

Then came a moment of pure joy: Brenda led the Crowning Ceremony. Each girl received her crown — a beautiful, bedazzled headband — and with it a reminder of who she truly is. Our Princess Warriors, equipped with God’s love and the gospel, now carry their crowns as a symbol that their worth is unshakeable and their light cannot be put out.

Finally — Playtime!

And then, at last — playtime! The laughter that filled the yard was the kind that restores your soul. Joell had a wonderful time making friends, and being close in age to some of the older girls at Faith House, she had some really genuine, meaningful conversations. Hearts were touched on both sides of those friendships.

Joell making new friends — joy that crosses every language barrier.

Thank You, Bible Chapel Family

To every person at The Bible Chapel who prayed, gave, donated, and encouraged this team — you are here with us. Your generosity is in the donations being unpacked. Your prayers are in the peace we feel. Your faith is in the church that now stands at Faith House.

God is on the move in Mae Sot, Thailand. And you are part of it.

More updates to come. Keep praying!
— Dee, Brenda, Glenn, Joell, Kathleen, Sally & Bill