l e a r n i n g o b j e c t i v e For children to learn about caring for the person in need

b i b l e a p p l i c at i o n

k e y c o n c e p t

m i s s i o n a d v e n t u r e

Matthew 25: 35-36

God is always with us

Thailand

My Home Away from Home in Thailand

PHOTO: ALEX BAKER

FUN FACTS: • The official name of Thailand is the Kingdom of Thailand.

• The national symbol of Thailand is the elephant. A century ago there were 100,000 elephants in the country. Today, there are an estimated 2,000 left in the wild.

• Thailand has over 1,430 islands.

• Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand. It is practised by about 95% of the population. Christians make up 1.2% of the population.

• Thailand’s climate is tropical. There is a rainy monsoon season from November to March. During that time the southern area of the country is especially hot and humid.

• Siamese cats originated in Thailand. They were called Wichian Mat.

• There are 15 reserved wild animal species in Thailand, including two types of rhinoceros.

INTRODUCTION:

The Bible is filled with stories that show how God wants us to care for the earth, other people, and ourselves. And he has a special heart for those in great need, such as refugees and people in poverty. God still takes special care of people like that today. We are all part of God’s family, and together we are all children of God – that’s why we have to look after each other. In these lessons, we will learn more about how we can respect and care for each other! … Read more (see Introduction Sheet)

b i b l e v e r s e :God is Always With UsMatthew 25: 35-36

Thailand is a country in southeast Asia with a population of 67 million people. It borders four countries – Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Thailand is full of tropical beaches and spectacular temples. It is sometimes called the ‘land of smiles’, as the country is known for having friendly people and breathtaking natural beauty.

Even though Thailand is known for being beautiful, the country still faces huge challenges. Today, the country is still rebuilding after a tsunami killed thousands of people in 2004. BMS World Mission helped communities then and remains committed to helping the Thai people.

BMS has long-term mission personnel and supported partner workers in Thailand who work in health, justice and leadership ministries. BMS supports people in a variety of projects, which include things like helping people earn money, working in the churches and working in hospitals.

One specific way BMS is working in Thailand is by helping migrants on the Thai-Burma border at a place called Mae Sot. Due to 60 years of violence and oppression of ethnic minorities in Burma, millions of people have fled to Thailand to seek refuge and survival.

Through our work in this part of the country, we aim to do everything we can to help keep vulnerable people safe. Our local partners provide a home for women and children who are in desperate need. They have safe houses for women and children who have been removed from dangerous or abusive environments, and are able to provide an approach for each survivor that helps their bodies, minds and hearts to heal. Workers provide counselling, continued learning opportunities and job training for adults, and they ensure there is food, education and care for children.

The goal in providing this temporary shelter and care is that eventually children will be raised in real families.

b a c k g r o u n d :Thailand

Source:*interestingfunfacts.com, *atozkidsstuff.com, *bbc.com, *cia.gov Source:

*cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html *sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/thailand.html, *timeforkids.com/destination/thailand

Hello! My name is Myat*. I am seven years old. My parents and I used to live in Burma, but because of hard times, we had to move to Thailand. My parents were poor, so they were called economic migrants because they were searching for better healthcare, education and jobs.

At first it was really tough for my mother and father when we arrived in Thailand. We didn’t have much money and it wasn’t easy for either of them to find a job. Sadly, they both got into some trouble and they had to go to prison.

When that happened, it was really scary! I didn’t know what would happen to me. Luckily, there were nice people who helped me. I went to stay at a home that is supported by BMS World Mission. BMS workers Brian and Lydia English and other nice people helped to take care of me while I had to stay there.

Even though it wasn’t my real home, they made it feel like home. I lived with other children who couldn’t be with their parents either. The people at the home were kind to us. They gave us food, taught us things and we played fun games too. They also taught me about Jesus! Even though I wasn’t with my parents, they made me feel loved.

I am very happy I found a safe place to stay because otherwise I could have ended up living on the streets. I was lucky to find people who would care for me until I could be with my parents again. It was still hard though, because I really missed my family. Thankfully, the people I stayed with took me to see my mum and dad every month while they were in prison. It made me very happy to see them.

After two years in the home, my mum finally got out of prison. It was the best day ever when I got to go home with her! Now we live together in Thailand.

It’s so nice to live with my mother again. She says that she has the same hope for her children that all mothers do, for me to grow up happy and successful someday. I have dreams that it will happen. Thank you for praying for me and my family. I would love to visit the UK and play together with you someday!

*Name changed

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. Why did Myat’s parents leave Burma to go to Thailand? (Because of hard times. They were looking for better education, healthcare and jobs.)2. Who helped Myat when his parents went to prison? (A home in Thailand supported by BMS.)3. What kind of help did Myat receive? (They gave him a safe place to live. They gave Myat food, taught him things, played games with him, and showed him the love of Jesus.) 4. What might have happened to Myat if he had not found a home? (He could have ended up living on the streets in Thailand.) 5. How can we, here at church, help families in our community? (Make a list of their suggestions and pick one to work on over the next year as a Sunday school class or church; alternatively, encourage children or families to volunteer at services that already exist.)

DISCUSSION ACTIVITY:Myat and his family travelled from Burma to Thailand to their new home. What’s your understanding of home? (Have children draw a picture of what ‘home’ means to them and explain it to the group. Encourage the children to share their drawings and answers afterwards. Put their pictures up.)

s n a c k :Thai sweet chili sauce

Sweet and spicy! Children can try out a traditional Thai sauce over rice.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup water, 3 tablespoons hot ground chili paste (can use peppers if you don’t have paste), 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons corn starch, rice

Directions: Combine all ingredients (except rice) in a sauce pan and mix. After everything is blended well, bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes. Enjoy over rice!

m i s s i o n a d v e n t u r e s t o r y :

My Home Away from Home in Thailand

Source:*food.com/recipe/thai-sweet-chili-sauce-120670, *allrecipes.com/recipe/87872/sweet-chili-thai-sauce/*food.com/recipe/thai-sweet-chili-sauce-457035

Lord, thank you that you love Myat and children like him in Thailand. Please bless BMS’ work to reach out to these families and give them hope as they experience the love of Jesus. Thank you too that Thailand took in these families who left their home countries. Please bless all the migrants in Thailand and those who help take care of them. Amen.

p r ay e r :God is always with us

Fun d r a i s e r :Cakefest

Get the children to make invitations to a “Cakefest” event that you can organise for one Sunday after church. Children can pass them out to their families, friends and different members in the church. Ask members of the church to bring in cake or cupcakes to the event. You can use the event to raise money for the work of BMS. The children can also help by serving cake, coffee, and teas on the day of the event!

a c t i v i t y :Dyeing Scarves

You can find beautiful scarves in Thailand. For this activity we will make our own and dye them different colours.

MATERIALS: Food colouring (different colours), glass bowl (one per colour), white vinegar, a colander, a microwave, artifi-cial silk scarves

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Based on the colours you want, assemble your food colouring in glass bowls.

2. Place the scarves in a pot of hot water with two table spooons of vinegar for 30 minutes to help the fibres absorb the colours. Remove one scarf at a time to dye.

3. In a glass bowl, pour two cups of water, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and food colouring. Dissolve thoroughly.

4. Place the scarf in the glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for three minutes and allow to sit for three more.

5. Allow the scarf to cool. Over a colander, begin to rinse/ wring your scarf until the water runs clear.

6. Put your scarves to dry in the sun while you endlessly try to keep your children away from them!

Source: *triedandtrueblog.com

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© KIDS CARE, Canadian Baptist Ministries. 2016. All rights reserved.

This resource is produced in collaboration with our colleagues at Canadian Baptist Ministries.

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