From Rejection to Belonging: A Life Transformed in Thailand
“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’”
Genesis 16:13
At the rough, mountainous border between Thailand and Myanmar, a man name Janga once lived as an outcast. Unstable on his feet because of his physical disabilities and unable to speak because of his profound autism and other intellectual disabilities, Janga faced abject poverty and discrimination within his community.
Beyond rejection, Janga endured abuse. Janga’s sister Nalintip shared that both of their parents physically mistreated Janga and their father is now in jail. Ultimately, as his sister says, “Janga was abandoned by our own family.”
With no one to understand him, meet his basic needs, or extend him simple dignity or kindness, Janga suffered in isolation for many years. But even as the people in Janga’s life rejected and scorned him, God saw his precious child, just as he saw Rahab in the desert in Genesis 16—and reached out to rescue him from his hopeless circumstances.
God’s Grace Multiplied
With the help of Nalintip, two years ago Janga moved to Chiang Mai where he lives in a basic hut provided by his sister’s mother-in-law. And when Nalintip connected with the Joni’s House Thailand team, God’s grace in Janga’s life multiplied.
In partnership with the local church, Joni’s House has identified and met Janga’s most critical needs—not only with a home renovation and dignity kits, but with warm acceptance in the local body of Christ. Now Janga’s countenance radiates joy. Though his home is simple, he loves his space and the freedom and safety he enjoys there.
While Janga doesn’t speak, Nalintip and Janga’s pastor and friends know he understands what people around him communicate, in word and deed, including the Gospel message that he has embraced. And through Janga’s gestures, body language, and dedication to his church, his faith in Jesus shines through unmistakably. As Nalintip says:
“We can surely see that he has faith because of his actions. He goes to church every Sunday, helps in every activity. He is the first one who gets there, eager to help in every way possible.
I am very happy that there are people who love and support my brother, and do not abandon him. After learning about God’s love through Joni’s House, he seems much happier.”
You can send God’s rescuing love to a person like Janga!
Around the world people with disabilities suffer from isolation, poverty, and rejection. But you can offer them the one thing that transforms despair to hope: the love of Jesus, our Savior who sees and loves each one of his children.
Through Joni’s House programs, in Thailand and in countries across the globe, Joni and Friends delivers the Gospel in word and deed, truly seeing people with disabilities and meeting their physical, economic, social, and spiritual needs, inviting them into God’s house, now and for eternity.
“Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.… Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.”
Luke 14:21, 23 (NIV)
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Your gift today will show people with disabilities they are seen and loved by Jesus! Learn more about Joni’s House.
