A bowl of rice porridge seems very different from the vast array of breakfast cereals that line the supermarket shelves of Australia and what our children and grandchildren enjoy for breakfast at the start of each new day. However, that bowl of rice porridge is enjoyed and eaten with much gusto by the little children […]

A bowl of rice porridge seems very different from the vast array of breakfast cereals that line the supermarket shelves of Australia and what our children and grandchildren enjoy for breakfast at the start of each new day. However, that bowl of rice porridge is enjoyed and eaten with much gusto by the little children who come each day to the Home of Praise in the slums of Klong Toey in the vast city of Bangkok, Thailand.

Many children in this environment do not have anybody to look after them during the day as both of their parents often have to work in order to make a living and support their family.  Other children live with family members and others who are caught up with drug and alcohol addiction, or family members in prison, many coming from broken families. With the love and care offered by the missionary Anne Haug and the five staff of Home of Praise, more than 35 children in these terrible circumstances in Bangkok experience the love of Jesus in very practical ways.

Through various activities offered at the Home of Praise the children have the opportunity to learn, and have new experiences in a safe environment. The children are also provided with opportunities to improve their linguistic skills, as well as learn to appreciate music and arts with experienced missionaries and volunteers who help at the Home of Praise. In addition, other older children from nearby slum communities are offered the opportunity to learn computing, learn to play various musical instruments – particularly the violin – and receive help with homework.

As these children grow up and enrol in elementary school, the staff of Home of Praise work together with the Family Development ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Thailand (ELCT) to grant scholarships for some of them. In some cases this support may even be extended until university level. Through the ministry carried out at Home of Praise abundant opportunities are available for some of the children living in poverty.

‘Home of Praise’ was founded by the Immanuel Church, of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand (ELCT) in 2003. Over the ensuing years support has come from other overseas Lutheran partner Churches to expand the ministry of Jesus’ love to the children and their families living in these difficult circumstances. Today the Lutheran Women of Australia have the enormous privilege of joining together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thailand and their partners in the mission of God to the children of the slums of Klong Toey.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner churches in Thailand at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/thailand/