2005 Ministry Review
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Missionary nurse Kim Brown has marked 20 years of overseas service!For the past 15 years, Kim has worked with The Health Project for Tribal People, which began in 1991 doing basic AIDS education amongst the tribal people of northern Thailand.The Project has evolved to meet other needs in the tribal communities, and as of January 2006, a new name "The Integrated Ministries for Ethnic Minorities" (IMEM) has been chosen for the foundation that will serve as the umbrella for The Health Project for Tribal People, The House of Blessing Day Care, The House of Love, and the Tribal Youth Ministry.Kim also champions the work at her former hospital in Maesariang, now acting as a rehab center.Here are a few highlights from 2005.Read on, and give God the glory for what He is doing in Thailand.
Health Project for Tribal People (HPTP)
AIDS Education
AIDS education remains primary objective, and a total of 13,517 people in 136 villages and 9 urban communities were taught in 2005.
Materials Development
Videos are written and produced by the health teams, and are a popular way of communicating AIDS information.The teams also made posters, calendars, music tapes, and flip charts.
New Lisu Team
A new tribal group was added to the HPTP—Lisu.This has been a key addition to the work, as the HPTP has started working with Lisu in China as well as Thailand.
House of Blessing Day Care
The House of Blessing Day Care serves tribal children from urban communities in Chiang Mai.Originally started in 2001 because working parents wanted a safe place for their children, the HOB Day Care has developed a program to stimulate intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional and physical development of the children in their care.The staff are also able to assist with other areas like encouraging parental relationships, and helping obtain citizenship.
Education
The daycare has between 35-40 students daily, with a total of 59 different children attending in 2005.Nineteen students graduated, and fourteen of those are now in Thai school continuing their education.
Life skills
Besides doing studies, the children learn the importance of hygiene, and practice skills like brushing teeth.Being in daycare also means that they receive lunch and snacks, and many have improved health because of improved nutrition.
Spiritual and Social Development
The school day includes lots of fun, like singing and playing outdoors.But special activities such as a Christmas party with Christian international school students were real highlights in 2005.
House of Love
The House of Love celebrated 10 years of housing HIV-infected tribal women and their children and at-risk tribal children with a worship service in February 2005.We are also celebrating no deaths in 2005, with 27 residents currently at the HOL.Six of the children are HIV-positive, and four of those are doing well with anti-retroviral drugs.Celebration was a part of most Saturdays, with the afternoon program started by the students at Grace International School (GIS).Bible teaching, prayer and just lots of fun and games highlight the time between the HOL and GIS kids.
Flood!
Chiang Mai experienced one of the wettest rainy seasons ever—and the HOL flooded 4 times, 2 times requiring the children's evacuation to safety!
The women and children make some paper embroidered cards and jewelry to sell—and this year sold B58,000 worth of items.
Fun times are a part of the HOL family—and there were 14 birthday parties or special parties and 13 outings in 2005.
Special needs:Tribal Youth Center (TYC)
Community-based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP)
Wow!There have been many successes in 2005.The youth work in Chiang Mai has been able to have a popular Saturday program with tribal youth, and more involvement with the juvenile detention center.However, 2005 marks the last year of overseas funding for the Center.However, while youth ministry will be scaled back, the staff of the HPTP plans to continue some of the work in 2006.In Maesariang, the CBRP has continued to positively affect tribal people with handicaps.A bonus—more involved parents!!
Youth from many sectors, including youth from student hostels, girls working in karaoke bars, and others from urban churches relish a simple meal—and the in-depth relationships they have made with the youth center staff.
