Children's Day in Thailand

Most nations don't get the opportunity or the joy to celebrate a day that is dedicated to Children - In Thailand - we do!

Children's Day in Thailand is not simply a day to celebrate children for who they are, but to bring awareness to children around the globe that have succumbed to violence in forms of abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

The River firmly believes this and takes Children's Day very seriously!
We were invited to be involved in Children's Day events all around the country.  
We participated in 2 events in the south, 2 events in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai we were involved in 2 more events.  Combined, close to 1000 children were reached, through fun, activities, which affirmed their value and purpose!

We had games, prizes, jumping castles, and as always, the most popular activity was face painting!  The kids loved it, our team loved it, and we continued to build stronger relationships with our local communities.

Check out some great pictures from some of these events.

Our Fearless Leader handing out prizes in Bangkok!

Our Team doing incredible work in Hang Dong

Bek, one of or Master Face Painters!!

Our army of volunteers in Bangkok, putting smiles on kids' faces

Thank you for your ongoing partnership with The River.  Through you, we are changing lives in Thailand!

She is Priceless

Over the past four years, a family of five has become close to The River in the south. The experience of unconditional love and acceptance, as well as the evident devotion of our team to grow in the character of our Lord, have broken the walls of fear. Genuine friendship and trust has formed, resulting in eagerness to understand the source of this supernatural love.  

Just a few days before our annual women’s conference three months ago, a miracle took place! Ordinarily the belief system of the deep south would not allow this: The wife of the family joined our team girls on her first-ever trip out of her region to be part of a life and eternity changing experience of her life.  On the Sunday before the conference started, she heard the message about the Good Shepherd, who left the 99 sheep to go after the one that was lost. Our beautiful friend wept throughout the message and by the end of it made the decision to follow the true Good Shepherd. A joy that she had never known filled her heart.

During the women’s conference, she listened to the messages about worth, strength and purpose. She discovered that her value is not based on her gender or barrenness, but is actually priceless because of her Saviour! She asked to follow His example by being immersed in water and then shared her joy with all of her sisters afterwards. There was not a dry eye amongst us that day.

She is now back with her family and community, growing in His love and learning to extend it towards others.

Christmas 2014 at The River

Christmas at The River was a very exciting time for the River and all the communities that we are involved with.

We had our first ever River Christmas in Bangkok on the 16^th of December! We had a Christmas party for all our Bangkok connect groups with over 100 people attending. It was an amazing time of fellowship, friendship  and fun! Gifts were shared, people were encouraged and the message of Christmas was shared. It is was amazing to see how many new people attended and how fast The River is growing in Bangkok. On the following Saturday, The River team spread the Christmas Spirit by giving gifts to people in the community.

Christmas gifts galore!

Christmas time in Hang Dong was filled with activity and festivity. The River team worked together with local community leaders to  bring a night of fun, food  games and a message of joy to over 200 people in the San Pak Wan community in a wonderful community concert. There was singing, dancing and drama presentations presented by both The River team and local community members.

Santor School invited the River team to be apart of their Christmas celebrations. The students welcomed our team with open arms.

 Our incredible team at Santor School on Christmas Day!

On the 21^st Of December we celebrated Christmas as a church community. The place was packed with so many people! It was an atmosphere of excitement and expectancy! Four teachers from a local school that we teach in attended our church for the first time!
One woman experienced a miracle of provision, by receiving a simple bag of rice as a gift.  Only God knew that it came at exactly the right time.

Our beautiful angel!

Christmas in the South was also extremely successful and wonderful.  Families that our team work with helped prepare and present the Christmas concert. Over 100 people attended and 50 gifts where given!  People left with full stomachs and happy hearts!

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and prayers over the Christmas period.  Over 700 people attended River Christmas events and over 500 gifts were given out!

The whole of The River Team wish you a wonderful 2015!

October and November saw GIRL POWER at The River!

The last few months of 2014 were an awesome, crazy, phenomenal blur!  So much happened in such a short amount of time!  We're going to try and fill you in as best we can!

October saw the launch of Shine HOPE in Asia!!
Shine HOPE, from Hillsong Australia, is a new program, aimed at girls and women who are at risk of being trafficked.  It is about clarifying the understanding about the existence of human trafficking and about bringing value and worth to women.  Reminding them that they are beautiful, unique, and PRICELESS!

More than 30 key women's leaders from all over Asia came to attend the training, hosted by the lovely Nandi Spry from Hillsong Sydney.

Not long after this successful week of training, we hosted our magnificent 

Women's Conference - Full Life Begins!  

Around one hundred women come to our Training Centre, where our River Team hosted one of the best conferences yet!    It is astounding to see, when our team gets together - that anything is possible!

We had 2 guest speakers join us for the conference - Ps Rachel Mawston from Hillsong Brisbane, and Ps Barbara Nield from Tweed Coast Church.  They both came with powerful messages that changed lives.

We also spent the afternoons of the conference, training our delegates on Shine HOPE. We are so excited to have this in Asia, and the impact it's going to have on women all over this region!

Amongst many amazing God-moments, one definitely stood out: A friend from a creative access area found freedom and new life in her Saviour. This life will be a catalyst for many more transformations to come!

The River December was just as big with all our Christmas Festivities!
Stay tuned for more to come!!

Community work in Bangkok has begun!

The River is starting to make a noise and an impact in the great city of Bangkok!

Whilst our Connect gatherings each Tuesday night have been growing and expanding, we have also been hard at work, building relationships and pathways into some inner city communities.

The communities have asked for help with English teaching, and also to assist them in organising after school activities for the kids.

Last Friday we started English teaching in one of the local temple schools - teaching grade 4 with approximately 50 students in attendance!
One of the champion volunteers from The River - BKK, was a part of the teaching team, which is so exciting!

As of last Monday, we kicked off our first kids club program in the same Buddhist school!  Over 100 children turned up and the principal of the school was 100% behind us and what we were there for.

Kenny the Koala came to visit, and the kids had a great time laughing, singing, dancing and learning. This is a great opportunity for us to empower the kids in life and social skills, and incorporate biblical teaching.

This will springboard our work in the community, as we build relationships with children, teachers, and families.

Mother's Day Blessings

The greatly loved "mother of the nation" of Thailand, HRH Queen Sirikit's birthday is celebrated and highly honoured on August the 12th of each year. If fact, the festivities for her extend throughtout the entire month! August the 12th is also the official Mother's Day in Thailand. 

The River honours all women, and especially mothers during this special time.

Preparations begun weeks in advance. On the actual day The River divided into three teams, giving away over 200 lovingly prepared gift bags to the mothers in the communities. Many of these women have children in our Saturday kids club, but this was the first time we had an opportunity to properly meet them.  

Some mothers and grandmothers accepted gifts with tears in their eyes, explaining that they have never before received a gift like this.

It was so great to connect with these beautiful women!  Some we were able to pray with, others we just laughed and got to know each other.  With some families we shared a meal.  One lady had her son pass away just that morning, and it was a true blessing for us to be able to be there for her during this time of grief.   

We are excited to know that we have more friends than ever now!  And we cannot wait to build relationships with each and every one of them!

A new beginning in our nation's capital

WE'VE LAUNCHED IN BANGKOK!

These are exciting days for The River Team, as we enlarge, extend, empower and influence – both our team, and the people of Thailand!

The River Team has officially set up another "room" in the centre of the nations capital!  We now have a base, begun connect groups, and are actively involved in development projects in 2 communities.

We believe that His House needs to have an influence in the community to which it is planted.  

Our connect nights have been fantastic!  The team is doing an incredible job connecting with people who are interested in being a part of our work.  We are building strong relationships and seeing friendships flourish.

With a city of 10million people, we cant wait to see revival!

If you would like to be apart of this new work - either in Bangkok or to support us from afar, please contact us!  We would love to hear from you!