Ending
You Write the
Many children in Thailand struggle with the harsh realities of life—they are
destitute, orphaned, unable to afford proper food, medical care, or education. Most
have never even heard of our great King. But they still need to meet Him. Many have
an inner longing for something or someone bigger than themselves to fill an empty
spot in their hearts. Those of us who know our kind, heavenly
Father know the only one who can fill that need.
You may not have much. Like Makato, you may have
only a shell’s worth of seed. But that seed can grow
and produce a bountiful harvest when you dedicate it
to the great King’s service. ALO
Won’t you plant seeds in the hearts of
children in Thailand with a gift to Asia’s
Little Ones and trust God to bring forth a
harvest of blessing in their lives—and yours?
Asia’s Little Ones
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 N. Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
PA I D
Permit No. 128
Springfield, MO
Vol 21/ No 1
Asia’s Little Ones
Ministering to Children in Asia Pacific
Once
upon Time
a
in
We are very happy to be part of
these children’s lives in helping
them to have a good future. We
could not stop helping them, even
though many times we face problems. We are steadfast because we
know this is God’s will and that
He longs for us to serve Him and
bring salvation to these children.
Many children still need help.
Please pray for us to have enough
funds to help them. Thank you so
much for always helping us and
being our friends.
This issue of the ALO Update features
an ancient Thai folktale that is rich in
spiritual symbolism. Consider sharing it
with someone who is not familiar with the
— Pastor Phanon and family,
Chiang Rai Children’s Home
good work Asia’s Little Ones is doing to
ALO supports Chiang Rai Children’s Home in Thailand.
help meet the physical, educational, and
spiritual needs of children in Thailand and
UPDATE Vol 21/ No 1
600-001-069438 0
Yes!
I’ll plant seeds
for an abundant
harvest in
children’s lives
in places like Thailand!
 Enclosing a one-time gift of $________
For children in:
Cambodia (48)
 Pacific Islands (02)
Indonesia (60)
Philippines (00)
Laos (72)
Thailand (73)
Mongolia (42)
Vietnam (88)
Myanmar
 Where most
(Burma) (28)needed (45)
Or in the area of:
Children’s
Homes (47)
Education (46)
Evangelism (70)
Feeding (01)
 Health Care (68)
 Please send me regular updates about
the ministries of Asia’s Little Ones.
SC:UM
Name __________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
City ____________________________________________________
Since 1990 ALO has reached out
to thousands of hurting and needy
children through numerous outreaches
and compassion projects.
other countries in Asia Pacific.
Or read and discuss the stories and
our responsibility to use what we have
to bless others. You can find lots of
State/Zip _______________________________________________
opportunities to do this—here are just a
Phone __________________________________________________
few ideas:
E-mail __________________________________________________
•a children’s service,
Church to credit _________________________________________
•adult missions service,
 Bill my credit card
MasterCard
Visa
Discover
Credit card # __________________________________________
•Bible study,
Exp. date ________ Signature ____________________________
•discussion group, or
Make checks payable to Asia’s Little Ones.
All gifts tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Contribute online at: www.asiaslittleones.org
•any small group setting.
As i a’s L i tt le O n es
Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 N. Boonville Ave • Springfield, MO 65802-1894
www.asiaslittleones.org • (417) 862-6155
As
Thailand
Christians have shared the gospel with people of various races and
cultures, they have discovered something amazing. No matter how
remote or isolated the people may be or how contrary to Western
or Judeo-Christian thought their understanding, God has prepared
their hearts to accept Him. Romans 2:14–15 says, “God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric
of our creation” (MSG).
Planted within every culture are seeds
of eternity and an innate understanding of
people’s spiritual nature and need. Something
in the heart of every human feels the call of
the Creator, God. Often this is displayed in
the oldest stories and folktales told to explain
the state of the world: creation, a creator, the
struggles of life and death, and the life that folEcclesiastes 3:11 NLT
lows. Some stories even reflect an understanding of humanity’s inability to save itself and the
need for a sinless, loving savior. Many prepare
the way for Jesus, often raising questions only He can answer.
In this issue of the ALO Update, we’ll look at one such ancient folktale
from Thailand. The story of an orphan boy whose deepest longing is to
meet the great king is finally fulfilled echoes the longing of weak and needy
humans for a powerful benefactor who will care for and reward them. Long
before the first missionaries set foot in Thailand, God had given the people a
blueprint for understanding His nature. Romans 1:20 puts it this way: “Ever
since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power
and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things
that God has made” (GNT). ALO
He has planted
eternity in the
human heart.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
to reach countless others
who are still living at risk.
ALO supports the Mae Sod Project in Thailand’s Mae Ramat province on Myanmar’s border. The ministry that has been
providing housing, education, and training for at-risk girls has expanded. It now assists and educates Burmese refugee kids.
The Orphan and The King
A Folktale from Thailand
Y
oung Makato’s life had long
been hard and uncertain.
His sickly mother struggled to raise him on
her own while working whatever odd jobs she
could to feed and clothe
him. The two shared what
little they had—including a
love for stories. Makato loved
nothing better than to listen to the
exciting stories his mother told him at
night, before bedtime. He especially loved
her stories about the good, kind, and powerful king of Sukhothai. Makato was fascinated by the
stories of the great king’s wealth and the joy of those who served
him. Many nights Makato fell asleep dreaming of the day he might
meet this king of all the land.
But his mother’s health worsened, and when he was only four
years old, she died. Poor little Makato had no family or friends to
take him in and care for him. He was left on his own to fend for
himself and make his way as best he could. Makato had to work
hard just to get enough food to keep himself alive. Clearing, cleaning, fetching, hauling, gathering wood, and feeding pigs were some
of the tasks that brought Makato a little money. Still, every day was
a struggle to survive.
Each night before he fell asleep, he thought again of the stories his
mother had told him of the great king. On one such night, a seed of
hope was planted. What was holding him in this place? If he set out
in the morning and walked for many days, might he not get to meet
this great king?
The seed grew within the boy’s heart until, early one morning, he
finally started his journey. He ate what fruit he found growing along
the way and slept in the jungle. Eventually he came to the edge of the
jungle and looked out upon the city of the great king.
The young boy’s heart quickened as he saw that something
important was happening. A parade was making its way through
crowds of cheering people. Makato knew instantly that one of the
ornately decorated elephant riders had to be the king. Makato
ran to join the crowd waiting to see the king.
He managed to push his way to the front of the crowd,
where he could easily identify the trappings of a great
king. Makato held his breath and attentively watched
the king’s kind face. Makato gasped as he saw something tiny fall from the king’s robe and land almost
beneath the sturdy elephant’s large feet. The boy scrambled to
retrieve it and offer it back to his king.
He held out his hand—containing one small cowrie shell (commonly used as money)—to the king. The king smiled at Makato.
“Thank you, but you may keep it.”
Makato was thrilled. Although one little shell was not worth
much,* he wanted to use wisely this gift from the king. He found a
market, where he hoped to buy some seeds to plant. But he discovered
that seeds cost at least five cowrie shells.
Makato thought for a while, then found one kind-looking woman
selling seeds. “If I give you this shell” the lad proposed, “Will you
allow me to dip my one little finger into your seeds and keep whatever
sticks to it?”
The woman was amused by Makato’s unusual proposal, so she
agreed. He guarded his precious seed carefully until he could find a
plot of ground and prepare the soil for planting. He worked harder
than he had ever worked before to plant his precious seed, water it,
and tend it; and before long, it grew into a lush, fine patch of lettuce.
Makato picked the first crop from his garden and offered it to the
king. “Great king, you have made my garden possible by the gift of
your shell. Today I give back what belongs to you.”
The king was so pleased with Makato’s generous gift that he invited
him to live in his beautiful palace and serve him in an honored position. The poor orphan boy’s dreams had come true. ALO
*One cowrie shell would be worth less than five cents in today’s money.
Note: Many Chinese characters related to money or trade feature the
character for the cowry, attesting to its importance in the history of money.
The Sukhothai kings, who ruled parts of Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia
from around 1250 to 1438, were kind and paternal rulers. Free trade was
encouraged—with no taxes. Rule was administered justly, and prisoners of war
could become citizens. Any person with a need or complaint could ring a bell that
was hung outside the royal palace. The king would come out personally to listen,
decide, and dispense justice on behalf of his people.
How is this symbolic of the way in which God, our great King, rules His people?
Facts about
Thailand
twice
— about
s
e
il
m
quare
198,117 s of Oregon
e
e
z
iz
i
s
S
the
ailand is
le say Thd of
p
o
e
p
e
a
he
Som
like the
ee it?
Shape sahnaepleedphant. Can you s
illion
arly 67 m
e
N
n
tio
Popula
city
Capital
y
Currenc
thail
and
k
Bangko
nguage
a
l
n
i
a
M
n
Religio
Baht
Thai
Muslim
dhist; 5%
d
u
at least
B
%
95
s spend
le
a
m
t
is
nk.
ddh
Most Bu heir life as a mo
d
t
mple an
f
o
rt
pa
ave a te de time for
h
ls
o
o
h
inclu
ai sc
Most Thof Buddha and
s
e
u
t
sta
.
worship
Flag
nd
n Thaila
i
s
e
i
r
t
s
ini
e
sistedilm
s
a
n’s Hom
O
re
d
L
irls
A
t
Rai Ch
a -risk g
g
• CMhaiaenSod Projectftuogeheelpchildren
• and Burmese re
lp
u can hpe—$95 per childr lab —
o
y
w
o
H
te
Cam
l compu
ildren’s
• CChomputers for suctheoro(7 needed)
• $805 per comp —$8,600
ll
ater we
ss these
• NPerawyewr — ask Godhtilodbrelen, and ALO’s
• ministries, the chem.
•
about
o help t
efforts t ate— tell others iland and
nic
ha
Commu of children in T LO to write
A
s
d
h
e
g
e
u
n
ro
the
ies th
it
n
u
rt
o
the opp
.
r ending
a happie
Ending
You Write the
Many children in Thailand struggle with the harsh realities of life—they are
destitute, orphaned, unable to afford proper food, medical care, or education. Most
have never even heard of our great King. But they still need to meet Him. Many have
an inner longing for something or someone bigger than themselves to fill an empty
spot in their hearts. Those of us who know our kind, heavenly
Father know the only one who can fill that need.
You may not have much. Like Makato, you may have
only a shell’s worth of seed. But that seed can grow
and produce a bountiful harvest when you dedicate it
to the great King’s service. ALO
Won’t you plant seeds in the hearts of
children in Thailand with a gift to Asia’s
Little Ones and trust God to bring forth a
harvest of blessing in their lives—and yours?
Asia’s Little Ones
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 N. Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
PA I D
Permit No. 128
Springfield, MO
Vol 21/ No 1
Asia’s Little Ones
Ministering to Children in Asia Pacific
Once
upon Time
a
in
We are very happy to be part of
these children’s lives in helping
them to have a good future. We
could not stop helping them, even
though many times we face problems. We are steadfast because we
know this is God’s will and that
He longs for us to serve Him and
bring salvation to these children.
Many children still need help.
Please pray for us to have enough
funds to help them. Thank you so
much for always helping us and
being our friends.
This issue of the ALO Update features
an ancient Thai folktale that is rich in
spiritual symbolism. Consider sharing it
with someone who is not familiar with the
— Pastor Phanon and family,
Chiang Rai Children’s Home
good work Asia’s Little Ones is doing to
ALO supports Chiang Rai Children’s Home in Thailand.
help meet the physical, educational, and
spiritual needs of children in Thailand and
UPDATE Vol 21/ No 1
600-001-069438 0
Yes!
I’ll plant seeds
for an abundant
harvest in
children’s lives
in places like Thailand!
 Enclosing a one-time gift of $________
For children in:
Cambodia (48)
 Pacific Islands (02)
Indonesia (60)
Philippines (00)
Laos (72)
Thailand (73)
Mongolia (42)
Vietnam (88)
Myanmar
 Where most
(Burma) (28)needed (45)
Or in the area of:
Children’s
Homes (47)
Education (46)
Evangelism (70)
Feeding (01)
 Health Care (68)
 Please send me regular updates about
the ministries of Asia’s Little Ones.
SC:UM
Name __________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________
City ____________________________________________________
Since 1990 ALO has reached out
to thousands of hurting and needy
children through numerous outreaches
and compassion projects.
other countries in Asia Pacific.
Or read and discuss the stories and
our responsibility to use what we have
to bless others. You can find lots of
State/Zip _______________________________________________
opportunities to do this—here are just a
Phone __________________________________________________
few ideas:
E-mail __________________________________________________
•a children’s service,
Church to credit _________________________________________
•adult missions service,
 Bill my credit card
MasterCard
Visa
Discover
Credit card # __________________________________________
•Bible study,
Exp. date ________ Signature ____________________________
•discussion group, or
Make checks payable to Asia’s Little Ones.
All gifts tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Contribute online at: www.asiaslittleones.org
•any small group setting.
As i a’s L i tt le O n es
Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 N. Boonville Ave • Springfield, MO 65802-1894
www.asiaslittleones.org • (417) 862-6155
As
Thailand
Christians have shared the gospel with people of various races and
cultures, they have discovered something amazing. No matter how
remote or isolated the people may be or how contrary to Western
or Judeo-Christian thought their understanding, God has prepared
their hearts to accept Him. Romans 2:14–15 says, “God’s law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric
of our creation” (MSG).
Planted within every culture are seeds
of eternity and an innate understanding of
people’s spiritual nature and need. Something
in the heart of every human feels the call of
the Creator, God. Often this is displayed in
the oldest stories and folktales told to explain
the state of the world: creation, a creator, the
struggles of life and death, and the life that folEcclesiastes 3:11 NLT
lows. Some stories even reflect an understanding of humanity’s inability to save itself and the
need for a sinless, loving savior. Many prepare
the way for Jesus, often raising questions only He can answer.
In this issue of the ALO Update, we’ll look at one such ancient folktale
from Thailand. The story of an orphan boy whose deepest longing is to
meet the great king is finally fulfilled echoes the longing of weak and needy
humans for a powerful benefactor who will care for and reward them. Long
before the first missionaries set foot in Thailand, God had given the people a
blueprint for understanding His nature. Romans 1:20 puts it this way: “Ever
since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power
and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things
that God has made” (GNT). ALO
He has planted
eternity in the
human heart.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
to reach countless others
who are still living at risk.
ALO supports the Mae Sod Project in Thailand’s Mae Ramat province on Myanmar’s border. The ministry that has been
providing housing, education, and training for at-risk girls has expanded. It now assists and educates Burmese refugee kids.