Chamnien Phunakao or Mrs. Kao is a woman making a difference in her community. When most people look at her neighborhood they see raw sewage, tin structures, poverty and despair.

But Mrs. Kao is a woman of vision and determination. She began a business by simply making brooms and selling them from a mobile kiosk that she pushed through the busy streets of Bangkok. She took a loan from a micro-finance organization called Peace MED (PEER Servants' partner in Thailand), and invested the money well. The business grew, she paid off the loan, added other cleaning products and a second kiosk. Now, she employs 10 people!

Mrs. Kao was Buddhist but was curious about the love and peace she saw in the Peace MED staff. They told her it was Jesus and soon Mrs. Kao became a follower of Jesus. Recently when she visited her family in another part of Thailand, they ridiculed her for becoming a Christian, but she simply told them of the joy Jesus brought into her life.

The Thai government is planning to bulldoze the neighborhood where she lives and works to build a highway. The people of the community are worried about their future. Pray for Mrs. Kao as she tells them about the peace of Christ and helps them work with their hands to create better lives. And pray that God will bless them as they seek new places to live and work.

Did you know:

• The large-scale sex industry, which is responsible for exploiting the poor and helpless, represents 14% of Thailand's GDP. (Operation World)
• It is estimated that 20% of all Thai girls between 11 and 17 become involved in the sex industry and there are over 5 million children involved in child labor. (Operation World)
• Thailand's Gross National Income per capita is US $2,720 annually or $227 monthly. That is less than 6% of the US. (World Bank, 2006)