Mission House Volunteers Lead Humanitarian Action on the Thailand–Myanmar Border

With 100 participants, the initiative focused on education, healthcare, and infrastructure in refugee communities.

Clara Silveira, Mission HouseThailandApr 29, 2025, 6:09 AM

A group of 100 volunteers, coordinated by Mission House, completed a mission trip from April 14 to 18, 2025, serving communities along the Thailand–Myanmar border. The initiative brought together students from the Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) and partner institutions with the aim of offering practical and spiritual support to families facing hardship due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, which was further intensified by the earthquake that struck on March 28.

Victor Bejota, chaplain at AIU and leader of Mission House, emphasizes that the mission depends not only on those in the field.

“Our actions happen thanks to the strength of the missionaries who are here and also those who are not. There are people who pray for us, who send resources, and that’s what allows us to support these communities.”

Impact of the Initiative

The mission reached four communities, all affected by poverty and forced displacement. In each location, volunteers provided medical care, educational activities, food and clothing distribution, and moments of prayer in predominantly Buddhist villages. Volunteer Vinicius Amaral highlights that mission work starts wherever there is need.

“It doesn't matter the region or the place—if you look closely, you'll see opportunities to serve as a missionary, whether at home or across the world.”

In the healthcare area, nursing students from AIU performed basic check-ups and offered health guidance in communities with no regular access to clinics. They also distributed 80 hygiene kits, including soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and other essentials.

Meanwhile, another group led English classes for children and teenagers, using games, music, and Bible-based stories to teach the language in an engaging and welcoming way. The program was supported by the donation of 110 coloring books, 100 children's storybooks through a partnership with Macakitos, and over 100 books in the local language, promoting literacy and a love for reading.

In the area of infrastructure, volunteers assisted in cleaning, organizing, and repairing schools and community spaces. One of the most meaningful efforts was the replacement of a church roof, improving the space for worship and fellowship.

During the mission, Cíntia de Alencar reflected on God’s presence in the midst of service.

“When I look at the world, I ask myself: how can people feel God? I know He’s caring for them. And when I see these people facing so many challenges, I know He is here.”

The team also coordinated the distribution of four tons of rice (200 bags) for schools serving refugee children, along with a special nutritional flour made from pumpkin seeds, sesame, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, oats, garlic, onion, and curry. This blend was developed to combat child malnutrition in communities where rice is the primary food.

Ivete Souza, the naturopath who created the recipe, explains, “We noticed that malnutrition was affecting both the physical and mental health of the children. In consultation with other specialists, we created this nutritional flour to meet that need.”

International Partnership

A defining feature of this mission was the diversity of student participants, especially from AIU and the California International School, a Christian institution formed by Chinese students whose parents sent them to Thailand in search of a religiously free education. These students actively engaged in service, evangelism, and hands-on learning, sharing a profound intercultural and spiritual experience.

Ingridy Gomes, who helped coordinate the mission, shared the behind-the-scenes challenges: “I had never organized something this big in such a different context. Coordinating meals, housing, logistics… with people from different cultures and religions was difficult,” she said. “Part of the group wasn’t even Christian—and we needed to show Jesus to them too.”

Although that reality was initially a concern, the feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve, build cross-cultural relationships, and find purpose through the experience. Among AIU students, the impact was so profound that several committed to becoming full-time missionaries.

One of them is Liam Mung, a student of Communication in English from Myanmar, who shared, “Honestly, I never planned to become a missionary—but receiving the call changed everything. I’m thankful for this experience.”

Another participant, Tiyisela Rikhotso, a master's student in Theology, reflected, “People here live simple lives and yet are grateful. Being here taught me the importance of giving thanks to God for everything we have.”

This renewed vision also reached Mission House leadership. Fagner Nascimento, a missionary and team leader, said, “We were created to serve, to love, and to bring hope through Jesus. I feel the Holy Spirit here—even with all the wars.”

One of the most powerful testimonies came from Ellen Parmegiani, a new education student at AIU, “I asked God to open the door He wanted me to walk through. I want to serve here in Asia—and for that, I need to understand the culture, the language, their way of life. The desire of my heart is to make a difference.”

About Mission House

Mission House is a non-profit, supporting ministry of the Adventist Church. All missionary calls are made through Vivid Faith.

Based at AIU, the project develops initiatives in digital evangelism, missionary training, and humanitarian action in countries with high concentrations of unreached people groups. Its outreach missions have mobilized local students and international partners, promoting Christian service in strategic regions of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD).

The original article was posted on the Adventist News Network news site.