Despite being known for its friendly people and outstanding natural beauty, Thailand faces huge challenges, such as government corruption, a thriving sex industry and a significant increase in HIV. BMS World Mission supports personnel and partners in a variety of projects including theological education, schools, church ministries and social and health work. BMS is a co-operating board member of the Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship and a partner of the Church of Christ in Thailand. (source:BMS)
Judy Cook is a trained nurse working with the Thailand Baptist Missionary Fellowship (TBMF) at the Agape Home for women and children with HIV/Aids in Chiang Mai. Some of the women are supported to return to life in the community via a half-way house, but others are very sick and Agape provide love and care in the final stages of their lives. Foster parents are selected to look after some of the older children who have been orphaned and are themselves living with HIV.
January 2008 Update
Judy asks us to pray for the Hope Home in general as they take in 3 new boys next week and to praise God for the new physiotherapist who will start work there in February. She asks us to continue to pray for her as life has become too busy recently and it is hard for her to have quality time with Sasi.
December 2007 Update
Judy starts this month’s letter with greetings for Christmas and prayers that for each of you this season of celebration will be very special.She will be having her parents to stay during December and hopes to join in trips and activities planned by CAM & Agape. Her news includes the fact that Hope Home is now a reality and has its first residents as well as respite care children.She says that things are happening so quickly that it is a bit scary but God’s hand has clearly been leading & guiding and they go forward in His strength. Sasi is well and happy though a tad heavier now with plaster casts on both legs.These are to correct foot deformities and already her feet look to be in a better position. We continue to remember Judy in our prayers, trusting that the Lord will give her the strength and wisdom that she needs in her busy life and that He will continue to supply all her needs.
September/October 2007 Update
Judy seems to be very happy. She is attending a small Thai church where there is good preaching and where the people are friendly and accepting of however many children she has with her at the services. She appears to be very involved with several children from her local area and with their carers,offering respite care for them in her home. Her own little girl,Sasi,is making good progress too.
The CTT Aids ministry has gone through a time of change from being under a larger organisation to finding funding and doing all their correspondence themselves and Judy is enjoying the challenges this brings both in the admin and in the weekly visits into the community to help and encourage families living with HIV/Aids .
Judy and a colleague,John are about to start setting up a disabled respite care home.They are interviewing staff and are in the process of getting funding and will hopefully be renting a house very soon.They are asking for prayer for this project.
For more information on Judy's work please visit the BMS website.
