Springs of Salvation

In a small rural village nestled in northern Thailand, something extraordinary is happening. For the first time, families in Village 9—made up of displaced Hmong and Burmese refugees—have reliable access to water.

Most Americans aren’t aware of the ongoing crisis in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Since a violent military coup in 2021, the people of Myanmar have faced unimaginable hardship—bombings, persecution, and poverty. Thousands have fled across the border to Thailand in search of safety and stability. Many send what little they earn back home to loved ones still suffering.

The Hmong people, many originally from the mountains of Laos, know this pain well. After helping the U.S. during the Vietnam War, they faced violent retaliation. Like the Burmese, they too became refugees—many ending up in villages just like Village 9. Today, these communities still grapple with poverty, discrimination, and a lack of basic resources.

In Village 9, most families can’t afford to buy clean drinking water. Instead, they boil tap water over open flames—often struggling to gather enough to meet their children’s needs. The recent earthquake in nearby Myanmar has only deepened the anxiety and instability in the region.

But amidst the hardship, hope is flowing.

Recently, Kingdom Workers completed a pilot clean water project in Village 9. We partnered with the local Lutheran church and mobilized an astounding 150 first-time volunteers from the community. Together, we installed a water system that now serves over 500 people—including both Hmong residents and their Burmese neighbors working the farms.

This wasn’t just about water. It was about unity. For the first time, the local church led a service project that bridged ethnic and cultural divides. As villagers worked shoulder to shoulder, they shared meals, formed friendships, and saw the love of Christ in action.

“This is a good project because it connects Christians as a bridge for unbelievers. It may cause the Spirit to work and make people who have received good things want to come to church.” — Volunteer

This was the first nonprofit-led project in Village 9, and the impact reached beyond infrastructure. The village president personally welcomed our staff into his home and invited them to his son’s wedding—a powerful gesture of trust and connection.

This is only the beginning.

There are still countless villages across Thailand where refugees and displaced families live without access to clean water. Nearly 43 million people in Thailand drink water contaminated with bacteria that cause diarrhea, typhoid, and dysentery.

We’re prayerfully exploring how to expand this work into a full field of ministry in Thailand. This pilot project was the first step, and we’re excited about what God has in store. With your help, we can build more than water systems—we can build relationships, share the gospel, and offer lasting hope.