Glimmer of Hope – the “trapped”:

Refugees all over Southeast Asia (SEA) come to Thailand, especially the city of Bangkok, for the hope of a better life, hope for religious freedoms, hope for a future for their children and families, hope to resettle in North America or Europe and hope to escape the violence and persecution in their country of origin. Often, those hopes are dashed by the reality of the regulations stacked against them.

Refugees arrive seeking asylum from the large United Nations (UN) presence in Bangkok and relaxed tourist visa entry into Thailand. To receive refugee status from the UN it takes months to years to process the large volume of paperwork needed, and they overstay their short tourist visas. If caught by authorities and sent to an immigration detention center, the refugees have a choice of being deported to their country of origin or be incarcerated in an overcrowded holding cell until a significant bail can be posted on their behalf and pay the fines for overstaying their visas. Many choose the latter for fear of reprisals in their home country and are “trapped” for the lack of funds to post bail by family members because it is forbidden to have any employment as refugees. Without a valid passport, current visa and detailed paperwork you may not visit a detainee, greatly discouraging family members and friends from visiting detainees or communicating with them for fear of getting “trapped” also.

Sadly, we are maybe the only people to see them at the center for the duration of their incarceration. Every Thursday, when permitted, a list of detainees can be submitted for us to visit. Regulations state that only one visitor can see a detainee for about thirty to forty-five minutes.

Please join us for the Thursday morning visits if you are planning on being in Bangkok, because we are allowed to bring much-needed food, clothing and sanitary supplies to the detainee you may visit. The more people that visit, the more we can give a glimmer of hope and an ear to hear their stories and to pray for them.

While some of the detainees are Christian, we visit with Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. Your donation to TGC Foundation will be used to help the detainees cope and provide a glimmer of hope, regardless of their religious beliefs.

“I was in prison and you came to visit me … I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:36, 40