It’s hard to imagine the difficulties children face in other cultures.

Following is a story from our favorite bloke, Tim who works for Orphan’s Promise all over Asia. (note, names have been changed for protection.)

Tim - Chow was only a young girl when her mother sent her away to fend for herself. Conditions at home were harsh. Chow’s father was an alcoholic and during his drunkard rages, would often beat Chow and her mother and siblings.

The family was desperately poor and food was in short supply, partly because money was wasted on alcohol. There was only one small rickety bed in the dilapidated house for all of the family to share. Chow’s father would make his family sleep outside on the ground, even throughout the freezing winter, just so he could have a bed all to himself.

After Chow was sent away, she eventually found work at a small roadside store. Unable to attend school and not yet even in her teens, Chow worked hard at this little store for over a year, receiving just her board. Having thought she had escaped her abusive home situation, Chow was then sexually abused by the owner of the store. She returned to her mother who refused to let her stay. Giving her the equivalent of one dollar, Chow’s mother made her leave for the big city to find work.

All alone, Chow left yet again, taking her first ever bus trip to the big city. After roaming the streets looking for work, she was picked up by a lady and eventually referred on to our Orphan’s Promise ministry partner, who willingly agreed to care for her in their orphanage.

When Chow first arrived at the orphanage, she was just eleven years of age, and full of hurt and pain. She was initially a major behavior problem, but over time the love of God, demonstrated through caring Christian Vietnamese staff, softened and opened her heart for healing and restoration. With all she had experienced, Chow desperately needed a warm safe place of love, care and understanding, and that is just what she found at this orphanage.

Orphan’s Promise (OP) has provided funds to help renovate this orphanage and make it into a more safe and comfortable home for Chow and the other children. OP also provides monthly support to purchase food, clothes, and all the other essentials items the children need, so Chow and her friends can be well nurtured to reach their full potential.

Over the year that Chow has been at the orphanage, she has transformed into a thoughtful, well behaved child. Chow chose to accept Jesus as her Savior at a Vietnamese Church and is so happy since He touched and healed her heart. She goes to church at every opportunity, has sung in the choir, and also takes part in weekly Bible study. Chow is now able to attend school and has many opportunities to grow and develop, more than she could ever have dreamt of a couple of years earlier. Her life has taken a dramatic turn! Chow is being restored and is rediscovering joy, hope and innocence, through the transforming work of Jesus Christ, and the love of our ministry partner and Orphan’s Promise supporters.

Terry