Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, located about 430 miles from Bangkok. With its unique location close to three bordering countries, Chiang Mai serves as a hub for over 1000 missionaries and their respective organizations. Many of them travel on a regular basis into Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and even southern China.
In contrast to Bangkok, Chiang Mai has a cooler temperature and is much more geographically diverse. It consists of a thriving city set in the middle of lush green mountains and foothills, which are inhabited by various tribal groups. This provides a unique opportunity for ministry, as missionaries and local believers can be close to the city for resources, yet still venture into the foothills to evangelize and help the people there.
Most of the tribes of the foothills are living in poverty and are extremely vulnerable to sex trafficking and abuse. Some families are even forced to sell their daughters into the sex trade in order to have money to survive. (For more information about this, check out Remembering Nhu). Along with this, the tribes of the foothills practice a blend of Animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism and are almost completely unreached for Christ.
In the spring of 2008, the Great Lakes District held its District Conference in Thailand. A portion of the trip was dedicated to traveling to Chaing Mai to hear about what the Lord is doing there. While in Chiang Mai, the Hmong District Superintendent cast a vision concerning their ministry and shared about their efforts to reach these surrounding tribes for Christ. Attention was focused on a Hmong village that is tucked away in the mountains one hour outside of Chiang Mai – an incredibly beautiful area! The steep mountain banks are packed with crops that the villagers sell to support themselves. A single C&MA female church planter spent the last two years traveling through mountainous jungles to get to this village to share Christ. Two years ago, this area was completely foreign to the gospel, as of today, 36 people have come to know Christ!
As the Hmong District Superintendent was speaking, God powerfully stirred hearts of GLD men and women and that very day $1000 was donated toward this ministry. From there, the Great Lakes District developed a partnership with the Hmong District in Chiang Mai, focusing specifically on this Hmong village just north of the city. Immediately the GLD started to raise support and explore further how they can build the Kingdom of God in Chiang Mai through reaching people in this village.
| Hmong Truck Project (Summer 2008) –In response to God moving in the hearts of the GLD family during District Conference in 2008, the Hmong Truck Project was created. The project focused on raising $19,000 in order for the missionaries to purchase a truck to travel back and forth from a remote Hmong village, just an hour north of Chiang Mai, Thailand. There was an overwhelming response from churches around the GLD and $24,000 was raised! Praise God for this incredible testimony of how he wants to use the GLD to build the Kingdom in Chiang Mai! |  |
| City on a Hill Project (Fall 2009) –The “City On A Hill” project had just seven short weeks to raise $17,000 to purchase land on a hill outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand in a previously unreached Hmong village that was tucked away in the mountains. The C&MA Hmong District in Thailand and the Great Lakes District are partnering together to reach this village for Christ. An amazing outpouring of donations came in—$24,524!! The land was purchased and plans are now underway to apply the remaining funds toward a simple building. This young church, along with the Hmong District Superintendent, were tearfully overwhelmed with the generous outpouring from our district to acquire this land. To God be the glory! |  The purchased land! |
| Work Team Thailand Trip (February 2011) – A team of 12 individuals (representing 6 GLD churches) traveled to this remote Hmong village in Chiang Mai on February 3-14, 2011. The purpose of their trip was to assist with the construction of a C&MA church. The land for this church was purchased through money raised by various churches around the GLD! |  |
| The Purchased Land in Chiang Mai: |
| Construction |
| Recent GLD Construction Trip |
