Helping Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Northern Thailand - May 27, 2010

By Josh Grammar, NTIM Summer Volunteer from EBC, Tuscaloosa, AL USA

Yesterday morning, Gae and I drove to a hospital just north of Chiang Rai, Thailand. Gae serves as Coordinator of Compassion Ministries for Baan Athitaan Church. At the hospital we met up with a man named Frank. Frank is a Canadian born man who lived in England. He moved to Thailand on a calling from God to help families affected by HIV/AIDS. He found himself volunteering in hospitals and clinics and establishing friendships. On this morning, we drove from school to school making sure each child they support gets the money they need. Frank and Gae are tireless in their work. When notified of new candidates, Frank finds the house and makes sure it is a legitimate need and meets the families. Frank knows the families personally and you can see a smile on the kids’ faces when they see him.

Frank and Gae are impacting those affected by HIV/AIDS in Thailand for God. If there was ever a man to trust with ministry money, I can trust this man. He lost virtually all American aid when Katrina hit, so he relies on funds from England, Baan Athitaan Church, and Northern Thailand Impact Ministry to support the ministries of Open Doors and HIV/AIDS Outreach. As Frank spoke with principals and teachers, he informed me that some were very trustworthy, but that others would pocket the money. That is why he checks back with schools and families. His face shows a true heart for the children, and his passion sneaks through as you hear the slight anger in his voice as he mentions the corruption that interferes with helping the needy. Because of what Frank and Gae do, these children who have lost parents, or may be losing parents are given an opportunity to change their lives. They are all very poor. One in particular we visited lived on a little dirt road with her mother. She has to ride an old worn out bike to her school.

Christians like Frank and Gae, who have an open heart to God, are able to see the needs of God’s people and step in and make a difference. Mark 9:36-37 shows, “He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

Christ has called us to be His body on earth. Are we limping? Are we keeping our hands in our pockets? These children are suffering and I have seen first-hand what a small amount of help can do. We are capable of so much more though, right? If we work together and support our fellow Christians, and use our whole body as we are called to, Christ’s work here on earth will be even more glorifying to God and many souls will be saved from a life apart from God. In a country where less than 1% of 66 million people know Christ, there is much work to be done.
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Projects and compassion ministries like these are possible through giving to NTIM. Donations to NTIM may be made by clicking on this link: www.gontim.org
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NTIM is a 501c charitable organization committed to taking the love and message of Jesus to the poor and needy in and around Northern Thailand.
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“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19