My name is Nhel Miole, a missionary in Thailand for almost 26 years now. During my first 3 years, I was busy with my language study. Then I got a volunteer teaching in Baptist Student Center.
During 2001-2004, when I got involved in Prison Ministry. It was exciting in which many friends joined me to go to the prisons to teach English and evangelize. A group of missionary care from Asian Center for Missions led by Ms. Meg came and it was a great time for me because I seldom go back to Philippines. The group encouraged us in serving in a foreign land. Prayed for us. I also took them to see the prison I was going and they experienced to ride in a prison van.
For me, it was a big encouragement to know that there are people who understand me as a missionary. Loneliness, missing the food and missing friends were happened to me but the Mcare group gave us some snacks, prayed for us, encourage us to continue serving God whatever circumstances we face in the mission field.
Missionary life is not just going to the field and evangelize people but knowing someone back you up in prayers is a good thing to know.
Some missionaries went back to the Philippines, I stayed alone and experienced suicidal thoughts. It was the most difficult time for me. It was the time I had no money, my ATM had a problem and I have no one to talk to. I really thank God because my missionary friend who lived quite far called me to join with him in the Church anniversary. He said that there are people who are coming from the Philippines.
I really thank God! A visit, a prayer and person to talk to is a great blessing.
From that time, I always remember the Mcare group, not just the food they bring from the Philippines, but the fellowship, the fun, the prayer and encouragement that made me strong and continue to be a blessing for those new missionaries who come for the first time. I also encourage them to get involve in a fellowship. Although many Filipino missionaries come in group but for me as the only Filipino in the midst of the Thai people, I consider that the Missionary Care is a great vessel of God to be a blessing to many missionaries who is alone in the mission field.
In 2005, we (my team and I) visited sis. Nhel and joined her in her Prison Ministry, where she teaches English in the maximum prison for male prisoners. We also spent the night with her in the House of Blessing female dorm. We had the privilege of attending the Concert in honor of their patron the Princess of Thailand. Choirs with hundreds from all male and female prisons performed and danced, trained by volunteers from the foundation. It was an awesome experience so see the fruit of God’s faithful ministry workers.