Our two-week Life-Changing Mission: Our Adventures in Thailand took a team of six from New Hope Church in Brisbane, led by Pastor Chris and his wife, Pastor Vickey. With years of mission work behind him, Pastor Chris is fluent in Thai and passionate about medical missions across Thailand and the Philippines. His dedication to teaching and outreach drew me to New Hope Church.
Vickey, known for her warmth and efficiency, runs craft sessions at the church, which I help with regularly. Our team also included Alberto, whose powerful testimony of redemption now fuels his hospital ministry; Mike, a German evangelist with a heart for the homeless; and Christina, a talented singer, youth leader, and our media coordinator for the trip.
The Journey Begins
My journey to our Life-Changing Mission: Our Adventures in Thailand started with a long stopover in Singapore. I had hoped for a swim at the airport hotel pool, but it opened just as I had to leave. However, a surprise awaited me—my son Joseph was also in Singapore! We met at his hotel, where I finally got my swim. Interestingly, Pastor Chris had a similar unexpected reunion with his daughter just before he left, too,
At Sydney Airport, Chris conversed with a man carrying a guitar. When the man mentioned he played Christian music, Chris shared our mission to Thailand. To our surprise, the man named Joseph was actually part of our mission team and pastored a church we later visited.
Meeting Fellow Missionaries
Outside our New Hope team, we were joined by Dr. Doug from the U.S. He led the medical team and brought vital supplies. I had met him and his wife, Debbie, on a previous mission. Dr. Arun from India, another returning team member, shared a powerful testimony of his journey into medicine. David, a long-time missionary in Thailand, had been serving for 15 years, relying solely on faith rather than formal support.
Later in the evening, six of us ate at a local food stall for just AUD 15. The next day, we travelled to Mae Sarang, a scenic town where our basic hotel had a certain charm. We shared a meal at a local restaurant with a fantastic river view, and later that evening, we explored the town, stumbling upon a Buddhist festival.
Medical Clinics and Evangelism
Every morning of our Life-Changing Mission in Thailand began with a 6 a.m. devotional. Afterward, we had breakfast and drove to that day’s clinic location. Christina and I managed the pharmacy at Baan Pae, while Dr. Doug and Dr. Arun treated patients. Mike and Alberto showed the people where to go to collect the medications.
Our team also distributed reading glasses, using a chart featuring John 3:16, with the text decreasing in size to help determine the right prescription. Pastor Vickey oversaw the distribution, ensuring each patient left with improved vision and the gospel message.
After each clinic, local churches hosted us for meals and held evening evangelistic meetings. One night, Alberto shared how God healed his paralyzed back, and Pastor Chris preached in Thai while a local pastor translated for me. At the end of the service, the church gifted each of us a beautifully crafted Thai bag.
Events during our trip
Clinic Day 4 began with breakfast at the church, followed by another busy day at the clinic. I felt exhausted today, but things started to slow down after lunch. Dr. Arun suggested a walk to the Myanmar border, so Mike, a local person and I joined him. We were invited to see a Burmese couples house and found their living conditions were sparse. Dr Arun bought a cake from them with a 100 baht note. Before returning to Thailand, we prayed for the couple, and Dr. Arun encouraged a few Burmese people to visit our clinic. Four of them came. While we were away, the clinic had been bustling but quieted down just as we returned to start packing up. Across the room, I could hear Vickey sharing the gospel. Later, I learned that all four Burmese visitors had decided to become Christians.
Another meeting was planned that evening, but I chose to rest due to exhaustion. Pastor Chris was scheduled to preach again on John 3:16. When I asked if he felt tired after all his preaching, he explained that if it were God’s will, he would pray for strength and feel energized to continue. Instead of attending the meeting, Vickey, Arun, and I walked to the local 7/11 for a quick bite. I picked up an ice cream and a meat skewer while Vickey and Arun got a noodle dish, which they brought back to enjoy at the hotel’s reception.
Mike’s birthday
We began again at 6 a.m. the following day, heading to Mae Usu Eternal Life Church for our clinic. It was Mike’s birthday, so we started by singing “Happy Birthday” to him, making the morning festive. The church was set high up in the mountains, providing breathtaking views. Later, before the evening service, we were served dinner, though we ate in darkness due to a power outage. Thankfully, the electricity returned just before the service started, allowing for a beautiful gathering where Ps. Chris preached again. Many people came forward for prayer, including a woman facing a court case. Later, she returned to this church to share that her case had been dismissed.
The next day, we travelled to a Christian school that serves Burmese students. While there, I met an English missionary from Manchester who had initially come for a short-term mission but ended up staying. He married a Burmese woman, and together they have two lovely children. That day in the glasses section, two miracles occurred: a man who had been unable to see with one eye regained his sight in both eyes and a woman who had difficulty reading found that, after prayer, her vision improved. Throughout the clinics, we saw more and more people coming to faith. I was enjoying this Life-Changing Mission: Our Adventures in Thailand.
Stories of Faith and Resilience
Events during our life-changing mission: Our adventures in Thailand were as follows:
At Huai Sing Church, we heard the incredible testimony of a female pastor who faced death threats from local witches when she first planted her church. Through fasting and prayer, she stood firm, and her father’s intervention stopped a planned attack. After another powerful service that night, we received a second Thai bag – this one, for me, was a lovely shade of purple.
At Khon Perng Church, I shared my testimony of deliverance while Christina sang. Once again, we experienced a deeply moving service, and the church thanked us with a gift of locally grown coffee beans—a wonderful surprise!
A Sunday of Worship and Service
On Sunday, we travelled north to TSY Love Church. Pastor Chris preached again after an early morning devotion and a shared meal. Later, we visited a medical clinic before checking into a new hotel. While this hotel was more comfortable, it lacked the scenic beauty of Mae Sarang. Still, I was grateful for a tiny victory—my washed socks finally dried overnight, something that hadn’t happened in the humidity of our previous location!
Our Life-Changing Mission: Our Adventures in Thailand were more than just a trip; they were a journey of faith, service, and transformation. From sharing the gospel to witnessing the resilience of believers in remote villages, every moment was a reminder of God’s power at work. As I reflect on our experiences, I know that this mission truly changed lives—including mine.
