 Tassanee busy at work making her cards. |
This just in from our "Bloke in the Field". Tim is an Aussie who is our man on the ground in Asia and he keeps very busy indeed, overseeing many projects all over the continent of Asia. Here's the latest:
AIDS Orphan in Thailand Finds Beauty for Ashes
A slum community in Northern Thailand is home to many poor and hurting people. Several years ago, a young, introverted, slum resident called Tassanee, lost both her parents to AIDS. Her own health was frail since she contracted HIV+ through her parents and subsequently lost the vision in one eye. Tassanee's future was looking bleak and she was both physically and emotionally spent.
In 2010, Orphan's Promise began supporting the salary of a Christian social worker, a lady called Poommarin, to work in this slum and help address the needs that the community and children like Tassanee were facing.
Poommarin started weekly outreaches for teenagers and other children in the slum. Since this time, Tasannee and many others have come to know the Lord. They are now being discipled into strong believers to help transform their community.
At one stage, when Tassanee was very sick and admitted to hospital, Poommarin was able to visit and pray for her. Her health then improved and she has not had to stay overnight in hospital since.
After this time, Poommarin discovered that seventeen year old Tassanee is very creative and loves art. Tassanee had a deep desire to learn how to make gift cards. Through the help of a volunteer, Poommarin was able to help Tassanee learn how to make gift cards and start her own small business. She now sells cards to support herself and the relatives she lives with, in the slum. Orphan's Promise has also helped Tassanee set up her own card stand at CBN's Thailand office where she sells her cards to staff and visitors.
 Poommann teaching children in the slum |
Through the grace of God and the help of Poommarin, and others like her, Tassanee has discovered a new lease on life. She now has purpose and hope and is so excited to be able to contribute to her community, create beauty, and bring joy and love to those who receive her cards.
God has taken this young HIV+ slum dweller, who others may have seen as worthless, and made something beautiful out of her life. He traded beauty for ashes. It is through the generous giving of donors that Orphan's Promise is able to reach out with the love of God to transform the lives of AIDS orphans like Tassanee. We thank you for being a part in blessing Tassanee life; giving her joy and purpose, and making her dreams come true.
Terry – what a blessing to see this one life changed from something so hopeless to a life that is full of hope. Then I look at all the little ones learning about the Lord and I feel so blessed to be a part of this work. I know you feel the same way, thank you for being a part of the Orphan's Promise Family!
