In the mountains Northern Thailand, there is a large Chinese population. Many of the children watched idly as their heritage slips away. That is, until a group of missionaries from China left their homes and moved to Thailand to teach the children about Chinese culture and language. This Center of Influence is making a huge impact on its community.
In Northern Thailand, a village sits high on top of the mountainous landscape. This is an ideal place to grow tea and other herbs. This region of Thailand has a strong Chinese influence. Many of the the older people in the village still speak the language. Most of the younger villagers only speak Thai or local hill tribe languages.
Retaining their cultural heritage has always been important to the older members of this village, but over the years it has been a struggle to keep the Chinese language alive in the younger generations.
A few years ago, two young Adventists in China heard about the need to revitalize the language among the youth in the community. So they left their home in China, and traveled all the way to this small village in Thailand to teach Chinese to the children. Eventually, they started their own school.
Parents in the community were so happy that their children could learn more about their heritage and culture.
Over the years, more Chinese missionaries have come to work at this Global Mission Center of Influence. God is doing amazing things through His willing servants.
The school has grown in size and support. The children like coming to this school so much that they are willing to attend this school right after their regular school. Some of them are even picked up in the truck so they don’t have to make the long trek across town. Children of all ages come to learn and socialize.
In recent years, they have also started a dormitory where students live and work. The Chinese missionaries gather to pray for the students who are in their care. The students get room and board and attend the local schools by day. Because they are staying at the dorm they learn Chinese much faster. Several of the students have become Seventh-day Adventists.
Thanks to the Center of Influence, many of the students are now skilled in speaking the Chinese language. And the youngest students in particular seem to learn the fastest!
This school not only has academic influence, but includes spiritual education as well. Through this school, many of the children have been introduced to Jesus. They pray before class and their lessons frequently revolve around God’s Word.
Each morning, dormitory students gather together for morning devotions. As breakfast is being prepared by staff members, they sing, pray, and praise God for His blessings. Jesus is making His way into the people’s hearts in this village.
If it wasn’t for assessing the needs of this community, these children may have never wanted to learn about Jesus. Please pray that this Chinese Center of Influence will continue to bless the lives of the villagers. Pray that God’s love can spread throughout Thailand and beyond. Thank you for supporting Global Mission projects like this!
