Written by: FEBA Radio
Article source: Supplied
“There was one boy who was boasting about his gift to his friends,” says FEBA Thailand Director Sumet Techarukpong. “As they finished their conversation, the boy suddenly kissed his present … [It] was his very first Christmas gift, and he was so happy.”
This boy is one of thousands of underprivileged Thai children who received a gift as part of FEBA Thailand’s 2023 Christmas Give with Love campaign. The campaign was born in 2020, when COVID prevented traditional Christmas celebrations, and FEBA Thailand decided to go online. They invited Thai churches and celebrities to take part in a special online broadcasting event, in which they shared the meaning of Christmas with the Thai people. It was so successful that it turned into an annual tradition.
With the easing of COVID restrictions in 2022, the FEBA Thailand team could reach people in person. They decided to give Christmas gifts to underprivileged children. Director Techarukpong explains: “[The] underprivileged children would receive Christmas gifts, for Jesus is the first Christmas gift. We would pass on God’s love through giving.” That first year, they gave gifts to 5 000 children.
In 2023, the Christmas Give with Love campaign aimed even higher. FEBA Thailand teamed up with Thai churches and Christian celebrities to host several Christmas programs and invited all Thai people to join in giving gifts to underprivileged children. “We challenged each other – hey, let’s double the number from 5 000 to 10 000! We wanted to distribute presents to 10 000 children and organise events at 100 sites across Thailand.”
As with the five loaves and two fish, God multiplied FEBA Thailand’s offering. Their programs drew 2.2 million views across Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. More than 46 000 people participated in the campaign, with more than 2 000 volunteers helping at 269 events, held across 49 provinces. Nearly 45 000 Bibles and Christian books were delivered, and 6 843 people opened their hearts to Christ. And the Christmas gifts? More than 30 000 underprivileged children received a Christmas gift in 2023!
Praise God for His abundant love, which allows us to look forward to the next Christmas Give with Love campaign with hopeful expectation. In Director Techarukpong’s words: “God can perform miracles out of what we have.”
For more information about FEBA’s work, please visit www.febaradio.co.za.
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Date published: 08/04/2024
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork from www.freepik.com
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