In Thailand, most rural villages outside the big city (specifically Chang Mai) do not have any schools once kids are done with elementary school, so most parents send their kids away to the city for middle and high school. Students often do not see their parents for three or more years, partially due to the difficulty of travel to the city. The government recognizes this problem and runs “youth-homes,” but realizes this is not a good fix to their problem.

The Prosperous Youth Foundation (PYF) ministers to 70+ youth-homes in Chang Mai, Thailand. They host summer camps, leadership trainings, disciple youth, have a foster-care awareness program, and more!

During our 2024 Key West Bike Ride, we saw 54 cyclists and support staff #PrayPedalRepeat and #PrayServeRepeat for the youth in Thailand in Jesus’ Name. The prayers and funds raised from this tour helped make this story happen.
To God be the Glory.

“Why is there so much free time?”

“We just get to have fun all day?”

This year [2024], a large chunk of our camp counselors were year one college students who have never experienced a Prosperous Youth Foundation (PYF) camp.  The first day, they were shocked that it was not just going to be sitting in a room studying the Bible all day.  They loved the flexible schedule with tons of electives to choose from, plenty of time to relax, and to spend their free time in our prayer room, etc.  It has been a huge encouragement for how much work the whole team puts in for months to find preachers who engage the kids, worship that gets the kids jumping and praising, electives like job fair, P-Boy [“P” is a term of endearment and “Boy” is his name] dancing, sports, crafts, etc. that give the kids tons of choices.  We work hard to let the kids be kids and let them meet Jesus where they are at.  And how incredible that we serve a God who comes down to meet us wherever we are at!!

I often find myself praying for God to keep me in the palm of His hand.  But then I have this image in my head of me, a small child, already always in the palm of His hand.  Everything I need is there.  But it is me.  I am the one who looks over the edge and jumps headfirst into the rocky waves below.  It is fun for about two seconds but when I realize I am starting to drown and can not tread water for as long as I thought I could, God reaches down with that same palm and scoops me out of the deep blue depths.  No matter how many times I jump, He is there.  

I think if one kid feels that love from God at camp, we have done what we are supposed to be doing.

Years ago, Ploy came to me at camp (attending as a student), having decided life was not worth living anymore, as depressed as I’ve ever seen a person, looking for a way out…

Months ago, now an intern with the Prosperous Youth Foundation (PYF), in between the Super Hokkaido Cheese Calzone and the Spicy Shrimp Extreme Pizza we were having, Ploy said, “In reality, the feeling has never gone away.”

I had taken Ploy out to lunch to catch up.  After talking about all the silly stuff, I asked her how depression was going.  To give her something to grasp onto, I said, “I think I will probably struggle with it my whole life.”  I kept talking because she had stopped eating and was nodding her head along with what I was saying, “It never feels like it gets easier, does it? The feeling still remains with me every day.”

Ploy looked at me and started laughing.  Feeling self-conscious but hopeful, I leaned over the calzone and whispered to her: “I do not tell many people that.  I am assuming you are laughing cause you can relate.”

Her eyes squinted up and she said, “Yea. In reality, the feeling has never gone away. You and I are the same.”

We started at each other and picked at our pizza, suddenly feeling sad that even though we were in it together, we faced such a sad obstacle most of our days. 

But we looked up at each other then and started laughing again.  A real laugh, not the one we had been talking about where sound comes out of your mouth but there is no light in your eyes.  

This was joyous.  Like sharing the feeling had lifted the burden and amplified the joy. 

Ploy’s story from years ago comes down to counseling, Jesus, a whole lot of community, and watching the dark transform into light as soon as it escaped her lips. 

Days ago, we were at camp, sleeping next to each other on thin mattress pads, a fan oscillating back and forth between the two of us.  Every night of the second round of camp, rain pounded on the roof of the tin building we were in.  Every time the first boom of thunder went off, Ploy’s eyes would fly open and mine would follow, us staring at each other in the darkness.  Lightning would flash through the window, giving way to more thunder and Ploy would cover her ears in anticipation.  Like clockwork, as thunder continued to sound, she would close the six inches of space between us and shove her mattress pad up against mine, just needing a little comfort from the storm.  

And the next morning as she thanked God for this camp and for PYF (camp marked the end of her internship with us), she looked over at me with tears in her eyes.  Mine followed as she said this would probably be her last camp.  I am not sure she knows how much joy and profound gladness she has brought forth out of deep, deep sorrow.  Every time I see her face, I am reminded of how precious life is.  

20 seconds later, she smiled through the tears and said, “Actually, who am I kidding?? See you next year.” 

Praise Jesus there is hope. 

Camp [in late 2024] is over and we are quickly moving into preparing another worship event for multiple youth homes, Christmas parties, and back to our regularly scheduled small groups. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

Love,
Allison Duncan (PYF, Thailand)

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