Project L.I.F.E. Foundation (Because Every Life Counts...)

Pikul Thongthep

Miss Pikul Thongthep comes from Chiang Rai province originally and is the director of the Child Sponsorship Program. She works in the Bangkok office.

I came from a Buddhist family who were quite strict in all the Buddhism ceremonies until I became a teenager. However, my family is not perfect. My parents separated when I was 2 years old, because my dad had a new wife and he moved in with her with my 2 oldest brothers. He left mom to look after the 3 younger children including me, the youngest. Before that my family was a warm and happy family until my dad became addicted to gambling and lost all of his money and possessions. I was born in the midst of difficulties. My brothers, sisters and I were not close like other families because we were separated while we were young. What I can remember of mom. She always worked very hard. Mom and Grandma would take on any jobs offered to them in order to provide for the children. I still can remember the time when dad left mom and she was crying. One man’s selfishness destroyed all the love and warmth in his family. When I was 8, I heard the news that dad was shot and killed while driving home with his wife and son. I did not feel sad at all.

Mom always worked really hard in order to send us to school. She could only afford to support me up to Grade 6 which was the minimum level of education at that time. However, mom continued to send my older brother to school because he would be the man in the family, and she could depend on him. I still could remember the day when my teacher asked everybody in my class if we were continuing with our studies. When it came to me, I said “No” because I knew that it was not possible for me. It was also a relief as I was not a burden to mom anymore. Though deep down, I would have liked to continue on with my friends. With minimum education, I did not know what kind of work I could do. I just stayed at home until a neighbour found out, and invited me to come and work in Bangkok. I was only 15, and I did not plan to stay long in Bangkok. I was working in a bookstore. It was days, months and then years, I was still there. At least, I was not my mom’s burden I thought, although I missed home very much. Day after day, I would watch school children going to school, wishing it would be my turn one day. My life at that time was so hopeless and worthless. I did not know the meaning of life, no one understood me. But at this bookstore, I had opportunities to read and gain knowledge. I read all the books I could when there were no customers. I also had lots of time to listen to the radio until one day I heard a Christian song called “ Dependant on God”. It was such a beautiful song, I had to listen to the station again and again. Then, I applied to study bible by post because I loved to study, no matter what! I was not a believer then. I thought my old religion was okay, I even thought of becoming a Buddhist nun. One day, a radio staff member sent me a pocket bible, it was September 1983. I spent most of my time reading the bible, until I finished the whole book. I could not deny the truth and thought why I had not read such a good book before. However, I still was not a believer, though I went to church to worship sometimes.

Then, there was an incident in my life, and I was considering suicide to get away from the problem. It felt like a dead-end and I needed to draw a line somewhere and my life was hopeless and not worth living anyway. There were 2 options in my life at that time; to commit suicide or to give my life to God. In the end, I chose to give my life to God because if I was to kill myself, it would count for nothing. But if I gave my life to God, He could use it for other people. So I received Jesus as my Saviour and in fact Jesus was my birthday present to myself in 1986. That night, I dreamt I saw Jesus holding His hands out to me so I could pay respect (Wai) on His hands. Then He asked me “Do you want to be saved?” It was such a nice and warm voice, I can still remember it. I put my hands together in His hands, although I did not know who He was at the time. My deep unforgiveness towards my father disappeared, and a warm love filled my heart instead. I was able to forgive my father who died a long time ago. That was the beginning of my life with Jesus. As you can see God was so patient and kind to me, it took me so long before I gave my life to Him. As soon as I received Jesus, my view of the whole world changed. It became brighter and warmer. Even in the midst of pressure, I can face anything. In the beginning, some of my relatives resisted, but it was not too bad. Now, some of my cousins have started to show some interest in receiving Jesus, because they have seen the changes in me and God’s blessings and joy in my life.

One thing I have asked of God, is the chance to do more study, so I can be a greater blessing to others. He answered my prayers and enabled me to study a Vocational School of Accounting with good results. I could not finish my degree because I so wanted to serve Him with the Child Sponsorship Program. I am glad I can help under-privileged children and their families who have similar backgrounds to me. I came to work for Project L.I.F.E. in 1996. And in 1998 went to do a discipleship training school (DTS) in Melbourne, Australia. From this work, I have learned how to be a giver like Jesus, who is my example. I do not want anything in return. I give so I can help the children and their families to have a better future, to receive Jesus as their Saviour and to have a new life, like me. My future; the rest of my life I have given it all to Him.

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