Love in Action

On the Friday before Valentine's Day an organisation called Night to Shine puts on amazing prom nights for special needs young people across the world. Look them up - they are very special. We have been privileged these last three years to have our children from Hope Home attend, with staff members too. The preparation to get ready to 'be presented' as queen/king means choosing outfits, getting all made-up and whatever else is all part of the excitement, and involves all staff, even those who are not attending, This year was no exception and everyone looked great. Sadly we left one boy behind due to ill health-next year!!! At the evening there is worship music, dancing, lots of food and time for testimonies and song presentations - as well as the red carpet prom presentation of sashes and crowns for each young person, cheered on noisily from the sides. Why do this? Well it is made abundantly clear in words and actions that God loves every single person and they are worthy to be honoured and praised for who they are. The smile on our children's faces demonstrates that they indeed did feel very special and loved. One of our boys shared his testimony and this was very moving and undeniably showed his deepening faith and trust in Christ as healer and Saviour. My prayer is that I, and others can daily continue to show our love and care and respect to these wonderful young people placed in our care, and not wait for special days only.

One of the boys, who due to ill health missed out on his first Night to Shine, but he did however the week before have the opportunity to do assisted wall climbing. Three of our boys went and they had a wonderful time, reaching new boundaries, conquering fears and being supported and loved by an organisation committed to seeing all people of all abilities to have the same opportunities. Again very clear demonstration of God's love being shown through others to the lives of our children and the staff attending with them. We at Hope Home feel so appreciative and privileged to be able to partner with others of a similar mindset to help every individual reach their full potential and to have access to new learning opportunities. Our prayer is that we too can keep seeking ways to do this, not only with the children in our care, but with those we are getting to know in community too.

The staff of The Social Development and Services Unit of the Church of Christ in Thailand (SDSU) where I also help out, have had a busy time this last month. Following the severe flooding in South Thailand, along with a donor organisation, they have been able to be the hands and feet of the CCT going into help with relief work there. This month hundreds of families have received parcels of essential supplies, and later this month they will be having support to mend and rebuild their houses. The SDSU team joined with local churches there and officials from the CCT to be a presence and a witness to communities who suffered badly due to the severe floods. it is a privilege to be able to help support SDSU to be such a practical witness in Thailand, on behalf of the wider church, the CCT.

This month has been a month with much to thank God for- for opportunities to learn new skills such as wall climbing, opportunities to shine and be honoured for our young people and opportunities to help others in times of ongoing need, and all these events done in honour of Christ. His light, His love and His compassion for us, for those we serve is made evident through not only our words, but our actions, and through our partnering together. Praise God for all these opportunities, and may we continue to seek out ways to be His presence in people's lives around us.

Pray for the staff and children of Hope Home and the families we work alongside-for ongoing health, and for a deepening sense of their worth in Christ as His children, dearly loved.

Pray for the SDSU team and their energy and enthusiasm to keep on reaching out to vulnerable community groups in very practical as well as spiritual ways.

Praise God for partnerships in the Gospel, and for increased working together.

Thank you for your ongoing support of BMS and of us personally here in Thailand. We are partners together and you are appreciated always. I pray that in this season coming towards Easter that His presence will remain real and tangible in your life, and that you too will be able to seek and be participatory in ways that actively demonstrated the great love God has for each one of us. We have a message people need to hear, and for some hearing comes more easily through seeing it manifest in actions. I look forward to being home the end of April through to July and visiting churches in the UK.

With my sincere thanks and prayers

Judy