I woke up early on our first morning at the Ministry Centre in Fang. After the exhaustion of travel, we all went to bed by 8:30 on Wednesday night. This meant my mind was awake and ready for action at 4:30 am. This is remarkable for one who has been a night owl. I am now on rooster time.
At orientation on the first evening with staff, we looked ahead at preparations needed for hosting alumni dinners, offering leadership at a school, church and camp. Now that I felt rested, my brain buzzed with possibilities and began crafting a talk for our camp day. Our theme is “Arise, shine for your light has come.” Isaiah 60:1-2
We saw glimpses of the beauty of that light all day long.
Time with the staff to share and pray is holy time. Our worship together, the sincerity of faith expressed, the vulnerable sharing of prayer requests knit us together quickly regardless of the language barrier. David and Gan are amazing at interpreting not just the words but the spirit behind them. Gan and Mom made all of us tear up as they spoke about how meeting one another changed the movement of their lives. Gan came to work for Mighty Oaks as a young woman searching for her purpose. Mom found a partner to pioneer a ministry with. I could tell that Mom is not sure if she will be able to share moments like these in person again, so is making the most of her time here. She shared her heart with each person around the table and encouraged us all with insight and care. After praying Thai style - all voices speaking over one another prayers meant for God’s ears but the holy murmur felt by all - we climbed aboard the MOT truck.
The light of Christ shone before us to beckon us into our first day.
It was a half hour drive to the Lahu village Mighty Oaks has partnered with for twelve years. Two of our Agape girls, Rachel and Bo - came from this Hill Tribe village to get further education beyond grade six.
Pastor Surachai is Rachel’s father and leader of the Lahu village church. Their story is an example of God’s redeeming power at work. The Lahu people were driven out of Myanmar and arrived as refugees in Thailand. The tribes were allowed a plot of land in the mountains to settle, but they had to earn or buy Thai citizenship. The christian Lahu people asked their chief for a place where they could live out their Christian values as they follow the way of Jesus. Since that time, they have become a light to the villages around them. Mighty Oaks has partnered with them on development projects and has been blessed by their spiritual maturity, joy, faith and prayers. Mom tears up as she talks of all the children of the village praying for her many years ago - fervent prayers in another language whose Spirit could be felt. The elders joined the youngest voices and respected all with space and time to let them pray what the Spirit put on their hearts. The pigs donated by Mighty Oaks have helped create a sustainable source of protein to supplement the gardens they have scratched out of the mountainside.
The village prepared to lead us in a communal dance, with music from drums and small wind instruments fashioned from gourds and bamboo. Video link here! I tried out the gourd instrument - but only succeeded in making joyful noise. Rachel and Bo were immediately engulfed in a community that loves and cherishes them - enough to let them pursue education in town. The community blessed the girls with the gift of possibility and discovery. They released them from the nest to grow and explore what God has in mind for them. Bo and Rachel have been taking time to intern with Mighty Oaks as they care for the younger girls at the home. If they had stayed in the tribe, the necessity of survival would have resulted in early marriage and a hope for the best through hard work living off the land the village tends together. Community is the strength of the village. Together they work, play, dance, pray and thrive.
In the evening we spent time hearing more of Bo’s story after playing games and laughing a lot with the Agape girls. Bo is so grateful for the love she has experienced in a home where she was chosen. After years of schooling and living with the staff of MOT, she has learned of her value in the eyes of God. She is not a second class refugee and foreigner, but a beloved child of God who is worthy of living into her hopes and dreams. After completing the highest level of education available in Fang, Bo is heading to Chiang Mai to complete her BA in accounting in May. The plan is that Rachel will take over leadership at the girl’s home for an internship with Mighty Oaks. Bo never thought she would have the opportunity to learn and become in the ways that Mighty Oaks has provided. The girl's home is a place full of light, hope, and healing under the shelter of God’s unconditional love.
Our Canadian team felt a deep connection with the girls. Without language, we found ways to connect from the heart as we basked together in the light of Christ.
A Sermon Without a Pulpit
by Selina Mudavanhu
I enjoy listening to sermons on Sunday mornings at my church and on YouTube. Sunday sermons help me start the week with clarity and purpose, while YouTube lets me revisit messages or hear fresh perspectives whenever I need a spiritual reset. Together, they keep me growing, grounded, and inspired to live out my faith.
Yesterday’s sermon, though, was different. It wasn’t delivered from a pulpit. It was lived out by the Lahu people of Northern Thailand, one of the people groups with which Mighty Oaks has partnered and supported in various ways over the years.
Here were the “mini-sermons” they preached without saying a word:
- Letting their light shine,simply: we heard stories of how they live out Jesus’ command from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). No fancy setups. Just faithful obedience woven into everyday life. While surrounding communities struggle with drug addiction, one non-negotiable stands firm in their village: no drugs. Instead, they choose the way of Jesus. They are deeply committed to not being of the world, just as He was not of it (John 17:14-16).
- A transformed mindset: Rather than conforming to the pattern of this world, they’ve clearly been transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). At the very top of the village stands a church both physically and spiritually. Their pastor lives among them with his family, not above them, embodying shepherding at its finest.
- The Great Commission in action: They don’t just read Jesus’ words; they walk them out. “Go and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19-20) is a lived reality. With the support of Mighty Oaks, believers from the community head out every Saturday to share the message of Christ. Ordinary people. Extraordinary obedience.
- Generosity that refreshes: And after a beautiful communal dance performance, they truly “preached” again, this time with food. We were refreshed with all kinds of delicious treats. In the spirit of Proverbs 11:25, may they be blessed and refreshed, just as they so generously refreshed us (and our very happy stomachs).
No sermon notes. No smoke machines. Just a village quietly shining and preaching one of the most powerful messages.
See Day 1 Blog Post here:
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It would be a pleasure to have you here with us! Thanks for sharing the journey through your prayers and support!
Bless you, both!!