Discovering the Love of God in Thailand through Joni’s House
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Praram was just a year old when his mom, Phornnapa, first asked herself: Does my son have autism? At the time Praram’s doctors didn’t share his mother’s concerns. But her instincts were correct—and at age three, Praram received an autism diagnosis, which shook Phornnapa and her husband.
To care for Praram, Phornnapa quit her job, resolving to accept his autism and fully embrace him for who he is. Like many families living with disability, Praram’s family struggled to find places of true belonging. But when they learned about Joni’s House programs in Thailand, God began to weave their lives into a fabric of deep Christ-centered community.
“I am not alone…” – Phornnapa (Praram’s mom)
From the beginning, Praram and his family felt loved and supported by the Joni’s House team, receiving staples like milk. The care they received surprised and delighted the family. As Phornnapa says:
“I am very happy to know such a project like Joni’s House programs. I never knew there was an organization that cares about my child. It makes me feel like I have friends, and I am not alone.”
When they attended a Joni and Friends International Family Retreat, Praram’s family encountered love and unconditional acceptance like never before. Afterward, when Phornnapa expressed a fresh desire to know God and attend church, the Joni’s House team connected the family to an inclusive church that welcomed them with open arms.
Eager to share her new-found joy of being embraced within a church, Phornnapa invited two fellow special needs moms, Jirawan and Suwapreeya, and their sons, Win and Sibthit, both of whom have autism, to join her and Praram for worship. Through shared experiences, these three moms and their boys became a close-knit “cord of three strands.”
“I feel safe…” – Jirawan (Win’s mom)
Seven-year-old Win was diagnosed with autism at age two. For his mother, Jirawan, who works to support the family, caring for her two children while earning income poses daunting challenges. That’s why being introduced to Joni’s House programs, and finding a welcoming church through Phornnapa, has made such a powerful difference to Jirawan and her family.
Jirawan learned about Joni’s House alongside Phornnapa and Suwapreeya. Like Phornnapa, Jirawan has received dignity kits from Joni’s House, providing necessary items for Win’s care. Jirawan shared how much the dignity kits mean to her, as they are the first tangible assistance her family has received to meet Win’s needs:
“Receiving help from Joni’s House Programs has given me more strength and energy because I am the only one providing for my child and family… I am very grateful.”
Jirawan
Jirawan recalls taking her sons to church with Phornnapa and Praram—and how true acceptance in the body of Christ helped create a sense of safety. It’s the same foundation of trust that now emboldens Jirawan to bring Win to other Joni’s House programs.
“I am very glad that Joni’s House Programs came to help my family, and moreover, I feel safe when I participate in Joni’s House Program activities. I feel comfortable going because they welcome my child,” says Jirawan.
“I’m very happy…” – Suwapreeya (Sibthit’s mom)
After moving to Chiang Mai for work, six-year-old Sibthit’s family struggled with isolation. As Christians they wanted to attend church but feared that Sibthit’s behavior would disturb people. But when Sibthit’s mom Suwapreeya got to know Praram’s mom and Win’s mom, their families bonded over shared experiences and a love for God—and now they all go to church together.
Today, Sibthit, Praram, and Win enjoy playing together at school and church. And during worship services, their parents are free to participate as volunteers from Joni’s House lovingly care for the boys.
Suwapreeya thanks God for Joni’s House programs, which have not only made her family feel welcome with home visits and loving care at church, but also provided basic necessities like milk and diapers. She says:
“Having help from Joni’s House has made me less worried than before because my husband is the only one working for our family. I take care of our three children. Our eldest son requires special attention because he has autism. I’m very happy and don’t know how to describe it. I’ve never encountered an organization that visits and talks with us at home.”
Through Joni’s House programs, Joni and Friends identifies and meets the needs of people living with disabilities through local, Christ-centered support. At international locations across the globe, Joni’s House is raising the standard of care for people with disabilities, offering physical, economic, spiritual, and social support, all in the name of Jesus.
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