METTAKIJ HOSTEL

Rev Henry Yeo, MMS Country Director of Thailand.

In the early days of ministry in Thailand, we planted a few churches up in the mountains where the Lahu tribes were. As we ministered to them, we found out that many of the young people marry at very early age. One of the reasons was that they were unable to continue their education beyond primary school because most of the villages did not have schools beyond that. Most of them did not even have proper primary education.

Genesis church worship.

Some parents sent their children to nearby towns to receive secondary education but this was very costly for them. Additional expenses such as accommodation and food would not have been incurred if they had remained in the village instead. One of our pastors recounted how much he suffered when still a youth after he left his village to pursue his education. He had to sleep in temples and makeshift shelters made from discarded cardboard. He also had to beg for food.

Santi village children performance.

Following consultation with MMS, I started a small home to house the students from our village churches who intended to continue their education beyond primary school. They were in the residential programme of our Students Scholarship Scheme.

Bible study at Mettakij Hostel.

Mettakij Hostel was established in 2004 at the same premises as our Vineyard Methodist School and Shineforth Methodist Church. These students were encouraged to serve in the church and help out at the school.

At the hostel, we provided for almost everything from school expenses, food, and even small amounts of pocket money. The parents are requested to make token contribution either in cash (about S$200 a year) or in kind like rice and crops from their farms. The students must attend one of the two secondary schools identified by us as being closest to the hostel.

Serving with the church. The hostel sends out the students to perform community services.

One of the challenges has been to find suitable house parents who love young people and are able to inspire and motivate them in their study as well as to nurture them to be disciples of Christ. It is also very challenging for the house parents to nurture 30 youths (now reduced to 20 due to budgeting). Of course, apart from academic achievement, our goal is for these students to become not only good Christian disciples but also leaders in our churches.

Apart from academic achievement, our goal is for these students to become not only good Christian disciples but also leaders in our churches.

TESTIMONY

by Wanida Somjitkaew, a Mettakij Hostel graduate

When I was younger, I did not know where to go for my secondary education and prayed for God’s best plan for me. Later, Ps Theerasorn Sangskawrat linked me to Mettakij Hostel, a good Christian dormitory in Chiang Mai where I could learn more about God and have opportunities to serve Him.

Mr Prachuap Aksorncharoensakul, the former house parent of Mettakij Hostel invited me to stay. And I made many friends from different tribes and languages so I could practise speaking Thai, a common language at the hostel. I met Ps Seeda Saenkasa and Ps Chinnakorn Saenkasa at Shineforth Methodist Church and had the opportunity to serve in the Children’s Ministry and Worship Team.

Mettakij Hostel was like my second home, a conducive shelter with warm, meaningful fellowship and good food. Mr Prachuap and his family were like a second set of parents who raised me up. I stayed there for three years until I completed high school.

I continued to serve in the church even after I left the hostel. I graduated with a major in English at the Faculty of Arts of Chiang Mai Rajabhat University. After serving at Lanna Bible College for three months, I became a teacher under the Border Patrol Force to teach in a school in the mountains.

I thank God for everything in my life. Because of His great grace and mercy, He has led me every step of the way and continues to prepare the best way for me. I’m thankful to everyone who has played a part in my life, including Ps Henry, Ps Chinnakorn, Ps Seeda, and Mr Prachuap and his wife.