The house parents at Life Impact International are the heart and soul of what we do in Thailand, rescuing and raising up a generation. All of our house parents have made countless sacrifices, like leaving their own families, communities, and villages and moving to the Thai/Burma border to be Jesus with skin on. They are a vital part of the healing process for our rescued children. They, too, are missionaries. They come with their biological children and take in another 4-8 children to raise them in a family-style home. Some have been working with us for ten and even 15 years. They are the true, unsung, behind-the-scenes heroes who love these children as their own!
When the children are sick, they stay up with them.
When the children are scared, they comfort them.
When the children ask hard questions about their biological families, they walk them through the difficult answers.
As children work through their trauma, the house parents are right there by their side.
So, naturally, when it comes time to celebrate these heroes during Father’s and Mother’s Day, Life Impact Staff and children go all out to honor their hard work and faithfulness! They host a big BBQ celebration that includes a worship service, skits, and an appreciation video with special thank yous from the kids.
When we ask the children how they would like to say thank you, their responses include:
“Thank you for being there for me.”
“Thank you for taking care of me when I’m sick.”
“Thank you for teaching me right from wrong.”
“Thank you for helping me with my homework and driving me to school.”
“Thank you for loving me.”
The children also receive a special blessing as the house parents pray over them.
The Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations let our parents know we value them, honor their sacrifices, see every sleepless night, and are thankful for their selfless hearts to love and protect God’s rescued children. We literally couldn’t do what we do without them. It’s truly a celebration of God’s love, who is the true Father to the fatherless!
Psalm 68:6 says, “God sets the solitary in families,” which He has done at Life Impact Thailand.
