In the border towns of Thailand–where stories of war, displacement, and silence often fill the air–testimonies are being written, ones of healing, education, and spiritual restoration. A team of faculty and student volunteers from the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) conducted an outreach mission in the Thailand-Myanmar border area.

The program titled “God H.E.A.L.S..” (Health, Education, Arts, Lifeskills, and Spiritual Enrichment) was organized by AUP’s Community Extension Services Office (CES) with the support of the AUP/PUC Alumni of Western North America (AWESNA). The team served students at Naung Bo Den Learning Center and Maelahklo Christian School in Mae Sot, engaging over 400 learners with education, psychosocial care, and spiritual renewal.

AUP Volunteers Extend Educational and Psychological Support

Activities conducted include mental health education, trauma counseling, dental health services, music and art classes, spiritual programs, values education, and livelihood workshops.

At Naung Bo Den, 210 students participated in the program. At Maelahklo Christian School, an additional 205 students participated in values education, music, health promotion, and spiritual activities.  “They taught us how to handle our feelings and our pain. They prayed with us,” shared one student. “I did not know people from so far could care this much,” he added.

“The Lord has many interventions,” Dr. Cutie Canesares, one of the missionaries and a psychology faculty member of the University, shared. “In that border, they carry many scars, but you will not notice because all you will see is their smiling faces.” She expressed how emotional it was and testified how healing comes in forms of relationships formed.  “God heals holistically,” she explained that people can feel God’s presence amidst the brokenness. She emphasized how coming together in the refuge, even among the missionaries in that place, through the mission of presence, they are also healed.

Stories That Speak

One teacher, Nant Thwe Thwe, movingly recounted the ministry experience at Naung Bo Den Learning Center. “Many of our students, even I, carry past experiences they do not know how to solve. Prayer sessions and psychological services heal our past. God heals,” she testified how the center was blessed with the missionary team and how God healed parts of their being they did not know were still hurting.

Miss Phimpaka Kampeewattana, a teachers at Maelahklo Christian School, expressed a deep gratitude for the mission’s impact, highlighting a joyful time of learning, teaching, and encountering God’s love. “The children were delighted. Our brothers and sisters [from AUP] taught us English related to the knowledge of God’s love as well as music and art.”

Maelahklo Christian School was one of the learning centers visited by the AUP volunteers. Students responded enthusiastically to interactive English lessons and creative workshops in art and music. According to Principal Worapon Wacharakoon, the volunteers’ approach helped students learn “through doing” and brought joy and valuable experience to their daily school life. “The students were happy and engaged,” he said. “We are thankful for the team. I hope that next time you can visit again and teach our students more.”

The team also conducted a week of prayer, and it reached the hearts of five individuals who decided to be baptized: Andrew March Thang, Ko Ko Linn Maung, Thin Yadarnar Hlaing, Htet Myarl Aung, and Htet Htet Soe.

“I used to see stories of war and refugees only in the news,” said Jonas Louis Ranas, a College of Theology student and one of the speakers for the week of prayer. “Now I understand that our mission is global. We are part of something bigger than our campus. We are part of the Great Commission,” he amplified.

Ranas recounted how hearing the hymn We Have This Hope sung in different languages made him reflect on the unity of God’s people. “The lyrics ‘when the nations far and near, shall awake and shout and sing, Hallelujah Christ is King!’ reminded me that God is our hope altogether. It reminded me that many are still unreached, but through missions like this, God is turning obstacles into opportunities.”

Small Acts, Lasting Change

One volunteer from the College of Dentistry, Myjela Eunice Carpizo, shared a personal encounter with a 7-year-old girl who was initially afraid of dental treatment. Despite her fear, the child smiled throughout and returned daily with small gifts and a bright smile. On the final day, she gave Carpizo a drawing and a red paper as a thank-you gesture. “How could they be thankful?” Carpizo recalled. “All I did was clean their teeth.” The moment gave more profound meaning to a message echoed during the mission: “Small acts, big change.”

For many team members, this was their first time serving in a refugee community. Ailen Lazaro, one of the volunteers from the Graduate Education reflected, “Seeing their situation made me realize how much we take for granted. It changed everything. Even if I could do  butlittle, I knew I could pray, and that mattered.”

“It was a place full of laughter, culture, discipline, singing, smiles, and hope,” said Chessie Aplod, a dentistry student. “This trip allowed me to meet good people willing to travel far to teach, preach, and reach,” she added.

Dr. Jolly Balila, AUP’s research director and mission volunteer, described the community as a “family,” with many of its members finding long-term refuge in the learning centers.

Indeed, God Heals

The “God H.E.A.L.S” Thailand mission marks AUP’s third outreach initiative to Thailand. It demonstrates the University’s continued commitment to its motto: “on ever onward,” not only in academics but also in compassion-driven service that extends beyond borders.

According to Ranas, “God can use people to heal you. That is why we are doing this mission together.” The mission found its purpose not just in programs but in presence, in standing beside the suffering; in teaching; in listening; in loving.