In South East Asia, Theresa and Mick live among a community who have been uprooted and displaced by armed conflict.
Amidst the hardship of poverty and trauma, it is desperately important for local young people to see viable opportunities to build a future for themselves and their families. In short, they need hope.
Theresa and Mick run community development classes and vocational training for around 200 youth and young adults. They asked students to make a short video exploring different aspects of community – and the challenges those students shared were overwhelming:
Daily life is marred by sounds of the fighting only kilometres away, and bombs explode in the night. Communication is only possible with dodgy old phones that can’t hold battery life. Students battle torrential rains when monsoon season comes early. And every day they navigate the risks of gathering as undocumented people in a hostile land.
But as Mick and Theresa took the time to listen, support, encourage, and thoughtfully debrief their students, these young people created something beautiful. They shared stories of a resilient community, bruised by trauma but persevering. And in sharing these stories, these precious youth are building towards a different future. Theresa and Mick ask for your prayers for their students.
Please pray that they would hold onto hope.
*All names have been changed.
