Meet Our Misson Partners:
John & Gillian Robinson, Leah, Natalie and Joel.
… working with vulnerable families in Bangkok’s second largest slum community.
John, Gillian, Leah , Joel, Natalie
John’s links with Tadcaster go back to the 70s and 80s when John spent part of his childhood at Barnardo’s. He is still remembered warmly by a number of people in the town. John’s books, ‘Nobody’s Child’ and ‘Somebody’s Child’ detail his astonishing life’s journey through foster homes, the support of Barnardo’s staff here in Tadcaster, to the discovery of the transforming love of God.
‘Nobody’s Child’ was translated into Thai, and in 2009 he was invited to travel to Thailand to speak in the prisons. This was the start of a challenging but exciting new ministry. The whole family are now living in Bangkok and learning the language. Gillian, an ordained Church of England minister, is involved with teaching, preaching and children’s work, while John is developing an effective ministry among prisoners.
JANUARY 2020
News from JOHN and GILLIAN ROBINSON our mission partners in Bangkok
John and Gillian continue to live a life enmeshed with the community, not least with those who find life overwhelmingly difficult like this nine year old boy who had a portion of his brain removed as a baby due to severe epilepsy.
‘He is physically but not mentally able, doesn’t go to school but comes to the groups on the day for his community. He spends his time lining up the cars or trains, and although he doesn’t communicate verbally, he responds with a beautiful beaming smile to any attention or affection.
The foodbank continues to support the elderly, unwell, dying and disabled. They appreciate it so much. Not just the food, but someone to listen to them, someone who cares enough to sit and chat and to offer to pray with them, which they always accept. Recently we have seen an increase in people asking for prayer before we have offered it, and they always say, ‘because it really helped me last time’.
Every week John visits each community. The people are always pleased to see him and invite him in. So many of the situations he meets are heart-breaking. A man who recently came to the food bank with no fingers, was so grateful for the food that he desperately kept trying to put his hands straight to say thank you, which almost made John cry. These people earn so little it is literally a battle for survival, and if they are ill or disabled and have no one to care for them, it is so incredibly hard for them.
Each week God provides enough for what we need, not just for the running costs of the Place of Grace, not just for our budget, but also for the food bank. God has really been so faithful to help these ones so in need and we are so thankful.
Please continue to pray for us, for our visas, for our staff, for Joel, for Leah studying a postgraduate diploma in law in the UK and looking to finish her legal training next year, and for Natalie who graduates this year and is now looking for jobs’.
With love, John and Gillian xx
LOAN COPIES OF ‘NOBODY’S CHILD’
John’s book ‘Nobody’s Child’ tells of his growing up in foster homes, his life on the streets and in prison and his transformation as he became aware of God’s deep love for him. It’s this love which drives his ministry today in Bangkok.
His teenage years were spent in Tadcaster at the Barnardo’s home on Wighill Lane. John remembers these years and the friendships he formed with real warmth.
Three loan copies of ‘Nobody’s Child’ are available on the information table at St. Mary’s.
News from JOHN and GILLIAN ROBINSON our mission partners in Bangkok
John and Gillian continue to live a life enmeshed with the community, not least with those who find life overwhelmingly difficult like this nine year old boy who had a portion of his brain removed as a baby due to severe epilepsy.
‘He is physically but not mentally able, doesn’t go to school but comes to the groups on the day for his community. He spends his time lining up the cars or trains, and although he doesn’t communicate verbally, he responds with a beautiful beaming smile to any attention or affection.
The foodbank continues to support the elderly, unwell, dying and disabled. They appreciate it so much. Not just the food, but someone to listen to them, someone who cares enough to sit and chat and to offer to pray with them, which they always accept. Recently we have seen an increase in people asking for prayer before we have offered it, and they always say, ‘because it really helped me last time’.
Every week John visits each community. The people are always pleased to see him and invite him in. So many of the situations he meets are heart-breaking. A man who recently came to the food bank with no fingers, was so grateful for the food that he desperately kept trying to put his hands straight to say thank you, which almost made John cry. These people earn so little it is literally a battle for survival, and if they are ill or disabled and have no one to care for them, it is so incredibly hard for them.
Each week God provides enough for what we need, not just for the running costs of the Place of Grace, not just for our budget, but also for the food bank. God has really been so faithful to help these ones so in need and we are so thankful.
Please continue to pray for us, for our visas, for our staff, for Joel, for Leah studying a postgraduate diploma in law in the UK and looking to finish her legal training next year, and for Natalie who graduates this year and is now looking for jobs’.
With love, John and Gillian xx
LOAN COPIES OF ‘NOBODY’S CHILD’
John’s book ‘Nobody’s Child’ tells of his growing up in foster homes, his life on the streets and in prison and his transformation as he became aware of God’s deep love for him. It’s this love which drives his ministry today in Bangkok.
His teenage years were spent in Tadcaster at the Barnardo’s home on Wighill Lane. John remembers these years and the friendships he formed with real warmth.
Three loan copies of ‘Nobody’s Child’ are available on the information table at St. Mary’s.
OCTOBER 2019
News from JOHN and GILLIAN ROBINSON
Place of Grace News
They write,’ we have had a real sense of God developing a new work at the Place of Grace that will help give the kids a better education. There is a two-tier education system in Thailand with all the rich kids going to international schools and the poorer ones going to the state schools, where class size is 40 kids. There are constant media debates about the quality of state education. Some of the kids try really hard to learn but the opportunities to do well are so limited for them. So, we are setting up a learning centre where they can learn to the standard of the international schools. It will also enable them to learn in a Christian environment and to resist the enormous pressure to drop out.
We really believe that by investing in a small group of kids in the learning centre they could get really good jobs and be lifted out of poverty, and come out solid in character and faith.
God’s love is personal
Dtii is six and looked after by his grandparents.
Recently his grandfather died and John and Gillian were able to offer prayer and practical support through their friendship and the food bank.
‘Dtii’s grandmother said to us, with relief, ‘At least I have a coupon for the foodbank this week’
John praying with Dtii’s Grandmother
John and Dtii's Grandmother
The discipleship groups continue to be effective. The oldest group has upward of 10 young people who study the Bible together weekly.
Family News
Leah has been working for a year to support herself through law school. She wants to help the underprivileged and fight for justice. Visa requirements made it impossible to stay in America so she is taking up a place to study in the UK.
Natalie is in her final semester of her international business degree in US and praying about which country to apply for jobs.
Joel is busy with home school, but is excited to become a part of the learning centre in the future.
Please pray
With love, John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
News from JOHN and GILLIAN ROBINSON
Place of Grace News
They write,’ we have had a real sense of God developing a new work at the Place of Grace that will help give the kids a better education. There is a two-tier education system in Thailand with all the rich kids going to international schools and the poorer ones going to the state schools, where class size is 40 kids. There are constant media debates about the quality of state education. Some of the kids try really hard to learn but the opportunities to do well are so limited for them. So, we are setting up a learning centre where they can learn to the standard of the international schools. It will also enable them to learn in a Christian environment and to resist the enormous pressure to drop out.
We really believe that by investing in a small group of kids in the learning centre they could get really good jobs and be lifted out of poverty, and come out solid in character and faith.
God’s love is personal
Dtii is six and looked after by his grandparents.
Recently his grandfather died and John and Gillian were able to offer prayer and practical support through their friendship and the food bank.
‘Dtii’s grandmother said to us, with relief, ‘At least I have a coupon for the foodbank this week’
John praying with Dtii’s Grandmother
John and Dtii's Grandmother
The discipleship groups continue to be effective. The oldest group has upward of 10 young people who study the Bible together weekly.
Family News
Leah has been working for a year to support herself through law school. She wants to help the underprivileged and fight for justice. Visa requirements made it impossible to stay in America so she is taking up a place to study in the UK.
Natalie is in her final semester of her international business degree in US and praying about which country to apply for jobs.
Joel is busy with home school, but is excited to become a part of the learning centre in the future.
Please pray
- For the everyday struggles and the mountains of paperwork involved with being a foundation, visa applications and now the learning centre.
- For more staff, as well as for our family as we try to be supportive from the other side of the world.
- For our funding, as the awful exchange rate means the same amount of UK pounds transferred to us each month now gives us a quarter less Thai baht than a year ago.
With love, John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
May 2019
News from John and Gillian
John and Gillian continue to live a life deeply enmeshed in the local community. They were recently involved in the care and subsequent funeral of a teenager from Place of Grace.
Non's funeral with staff and children from his family who come to Place of Grace
They write,
‘Non had a traditional Buddhist funeral and his body was laid out in the temple, We had sent some flowers and they had been placed prominently in the front of the temple saying ‘Place of Grace’.
Later John drove the family to another temple to put his ashes into a lake. We then had a memorial service for him at the Place of Grace which his family and young people from the Place of Grace attended. Each of the staff spoke and we had a video which Natalie put together for those who couldn’t be there. We prayed for the family and then released balloons with messages attached for Non.
Please continue to pray for his mum, who we keep in good contact with.
Our Alpha Weekend
We have also run another Youth Alpha course and took the young people away for a few days.
We had an amazing time as we saw God challenge and change each one and saw those who didn’t yet know him ask Jesus into their hearts. It always strikes us how difficult so many of these youngsters’ lives are, and yet when they meet with Jesus for themselves, he is able to bring such light and hope and peace into their darkness.
One of the toughest girls who comes to the Place of Grace sobbed for two hours after she asked Jesus into her life and you wouldn’t even know she is the same girl since - praise God.
We held an Easter activity day for all the children the day after we got back. It was chaos to have all the children together, but good for them to have the whole day seeing the story progress. We love to see them flourish under the attention and fun they are able to have when they can play every week in a safe place.
Today we watched as a tough group of older girls spent an hour playing with Natalie’s old Bratz dolls - just enjoying playing.
The foodbank also continues to be busy and we see people who are elderly, unwell and living in very hard situations blessed by what they are able to receive. We had a meeting with all five community leaders recently in which they said how much the foodbank and the Place of Grace generally helps those in their slum communities.
Thank you, we so appreciate each one of you, for your support, prayers and encouragement.
With love,
John and Gillian and family xx
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
January 2019
News from John and Gillian Robinson
Many people tell us you can’t fight the system. That is just how it is for the poor.
John and Gillian spent three months over the summer visiting family and churches back in England. They returned in September to a particularly challenging time.
They write,’ It was so precious to come back to the children, some of whom kept saying ‘you came back! And yet it has been a particularly challenging time.
One of our young people, 13-year old Non, had a motorbike accident a few weeks after we arrived back and his situation has been heart-breaking.
We also had a couple of boys move into the slum. The older boy had been looking after his brother for several years.
They had to go to a state children’s home as they didn’t have accommodation and we weren’t able to help them with it. Nai’s pain in being taken away was heart-breaking as he had spent time in a state children’s home before and had desperately tried to avoid it for his brother. They clung to us as they took them away.
Many people tell us not to get emotionally involved; that we can’t fight the system. That is just how it is for the poor.
Yet we believe deeply that God cares for each individual and calls us to do the same.
One of the things that we have felt God asking us to do is to set up a safe house for the children and young people who become suddenly vulnerable, so it buys us time to sort out a good option for them.
This would have helped Nai and his brother. We could have given them accommodation until Nai was 18 (this month) and could then have helped him find a proper job and accommodation for them both.
Please pray for us as we explore this further.
Our clubs, foodbank and discipleship groups keep running every week.
We are now officially a foundation, or charity, in Thailand, and that has involved an enormous amount of work, as have the visas and work permits, which seem to get more complicated and demanding every year.
Please pray for us to have enough time and energy for all the tasks as well as to find a much needed administrator.
Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us and for all your prayers, love and support’.
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
News from John and Gillian Robinson
Many people tell us you can’t fight the system. That is just how it is for the poor.
John and Gillian spent three months over the summer visiting family and churches back in England. They returned in September to a particularly challenging time.
They write,’ It was so precious to come back to the children, some of whom kept saying ‘you came back! And yet it has been a particularly challenging time.
One of our young people, 13-year old Non, had a motorbike accident a few weeks after we arrived back and his situation has been heart-breaking.
We also had a couple of boys move into the slum. The older boy had been looking after his brother for several years.
They had to go to a state children’s home as they didn’t have accommodation and we weren’t able to help them with it. Nai’s pain in being taken away was heart-breaking as he had spent time in a state children’s home before and had desperately tried to avoid it for his brother. They clung to us as they took them away.
Many people tell us not to get emotionally involved; that we can’t fight the system. That is just how it is for the poor.
Yet we believe deeply that God cares for each individual and calls us to do the same.
One of the things that we have felt God asking us to do is to set up a safe house for the children and young people who become suddenly vulnerable, so it buys us time to sort out a good option for them.
This would have helped Nai and his brother. We could have given them accommodation until Nai was 18 (this month) and could then have helped him find a proper job and accommodation for them both.
Please pray for us as we explore this further.
Our clubs, foodbank and discipleship groups keep running every week.
We are now officially a foundation, or charity, in Thailand, and that has involved an enormous amount of work, as have the visas and work permits, which seem to get more complicated and demanding every year.
Please pray for us to have enough time and energy for all the tasks as well as to find a much needed administrator.
Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us and for all your prayers, love and support’.
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
In July 2018 we were privileged to meet up with John, Gillian and Joel.
It was an unforgettable time!
Dear Friends,
It has been great to catch up with so many of you this summer. We have loved being in the UK, the beautiful countryside, being able to speak English all the time, the lack of mosquitoes and the clean tap water.
In May we travelled to America where Leah graduated with a double degree in English and International Relations. Natalie has been with us this summer, before returning to college at the end of this month for her last two years. Leah stayed in America, getting a job to fund herself through law college in the future. For Joel, now aged 9, it has been a summer of mixed emotions. He loves the experience of being in the UK and being able to communicate in English, but misses Thailand as it is all he really knows. He has lived there since he was 10 months old. Thankfully he is an extrovert and has loved going around the churches and especially helping on sound desks where he can!
It has been fantastic and moving to catch up with you, as we have travelled to our partner churches every weekend. It has felt like visiting friends and family. It encourages us to know we are in this work of God together.
Thank you for all your love and encouragement this summer. Thank you for every one of you who prays for us and the children at the Place of Grace. Thank you for your kind donations and regular giving to us through Crosslinks, which provides money for us to live in Thailand, and your donations to the Place of Grace, which funds the work of the ministry. Without you we couldn’t do what we do!
With love, John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
The full prayer letter can be read at www.crosslinks.org
August 2017
Leah and Natalie have created a video
It's wonderfully creative, giving a very moving insight into the vibrant life at Place of Grace.
Just click the link on the latest news page
It's well worth a look
Leah and Natalie have created a video
It's wonderfully creative, giving a very moving insight into the vibrant life at Place of Grace.
Just click the link on the latest news page
It's well worth a look
This is an extract from a letter Leah sent in August.
She writes, ‘This will be my last year at college to finish off my dual degrees in English and Politics. I am excited but nervous for the year ahead.
I have had so many amazing experiences here at Messiah, particularly when I spent a month in Nashville studying music, writing songs and making amazing friends from all over the States. The future is uncertain but my hope is to be able to go to Law school to pursue a career in human rights.
Natalie is going into her second year studying International Business. It has been such a blessing to have Natalie at the same College as me.
This summer has been a challenge for all of us but has also given us many blessings. Our journey with moving house has not been easy in any way. The process has been long and frustrating. We have spent time on sofas avoiding a caving-in roof and time in temporary accommodation with all of our stuff in different boxes and places. After much prayer we moved into to the new house about a week and a half ago with much rejoicing.
I spent the first few weeks of the summer break at the Place of Grace, helping and cuddling the kids that I have missed so much after not seeing them for two years!
I then got an internship at the United Nations, at their UNAIDS office. My time spent there opened my eyes to learn so much more about HIV and AIDS. It was an experience I will not forget!
It has been wonderful spending time with our children at the Place of Grace again. It felt like we hadn’t left. The teenagers treat us as though we’re sisters as we’ve grown up together over the years and so it feels like home to be back with them. So many of the kids think we are all their family.
I have absolutely loved spending time with our little brother Joel, the longest amount of time I have had with him in a few years. He is growing up quickly but he still loves to be silly and hyper sometimes. We watch old x factor videos together, he listens to Little Mix with me and he loves waking us up in the morning by cuddling us. Saying goodbye to him is going to be really rough.
As Natalie and I continue with our College degrees and into the future we want to give our heartfelt gratitude for your support and prayers. They are so necessary for us and it is so helpful to have your prayers when it is particularly challenging to have our parents on the other side of the world from us’.
She writes, ‘This will be my last year at college to finish off my dual degrees in English and Politics. I am excited but nervous for the year ahead.
I have had so many amazing experiences here at Messiah, particularly when I spent a month in Nashville studying music, writing songs and making amazing friends from all over the States. The future is uncertain but my hope is to be able to go to Law school to pursue a career in human rights.
Natalie is going into her second year studying International Business. It has been such a blessing to have Natalie at the same College as me.
This summer has been a challenge for all of us but has also given us many blessings. Our journey with moving house has not been easy in any way. The process has been long and frustrating. We have spent time on sofas avoiding a caving-in roof and time in temporary accommodation with all of our stuff in different boxes and places. After much prayer we moved into to the new house about a week and a half ago with much rejoicing.
I spent the first few weeks of the summer break at the Place of Grace, helping and cuddling the kids that I have missed so much after not seeing them for two years!
I then got an internship at the United Nations, at their UNAIDS office. My time spent there opened my eyes to learn so much more about HIV and AIDS. It was an experience I will not forget!
It has been wonderful spending time with our children at the Place of Grace again. It felt like we hadn’t left. The teenagers treat us as though we’re sisters as we’ve grown up together over the years and so it feels like home to be back with them. So many of the kids think we are all their family.
I have absolutely loved spending time with our little brother Joel, the longest amount of time I have had with him in a few years. He is growing up quickly but he still loves to be silly and hyper sometimes. We watch old x factor videos together, he listens to Little Mix with me and he loves waking us up in the morning by cuddling us. Saying goodbye to him is going to be really rough.
As Natalie and I continue with our College degrees and into the future we want to give our heartfelt gratitude for your support and prayers. They are so necessary for us and it is so helpful to have your prayers when it is particularly challenging to have our parents on the other side of the world from us’.
News from the Robinsons our Mission Partners in Bangkok
January 2017 … Leah and Natalie are both at college in US.
Joel is being home schooled by Gillian.
Place of Grace continues to thrive with children and families from the neighbouring slum districts benefitting for John and Gillian’s unremitting love and care; … through the food bank, discipleship groups, a regular youth service, an Alpha course, children’s clubs, Christmas parties and nativities…
John and Gillian write,
‘We have been having a busy time as usual, with all sorts happening, yet having moments when God does something so amazing in amongst the daily struggles that it makes us so thankful,
We are particularly thankful for the change we have seen in a young girl called Gew.
Gew is 13. She comes from a very difficult family and is one of our most seriously troubled young people.
One day she followed Gillian into a cupboard, slammed the door behind her and grabbed a pair of sharp scissors. She held them against her neck and threatened to stab herself. She is very volatile and has to have someone around her so she doesn’t attack the other children. Even the older teenagers are n scared of her.
The last youth service we did, unexpectedly Gew came along.
We gave a talk on how God can bring healing to our pain, and did a drama to illustrate how God can heal the damage we have (in things like feeling down, self-harm, violence and looking for love in the wrong places). Gew was transfixed.
After the drama Gew asked Gillian to pray with her. Gillian asked Gew if she would like to ask Jesus into her life and she said that she would.
John gave her one of his books and we gave her a bible, and since then she has come along every week. BUT the absolute miracle is, you would not recognise her as the same girl. She comes in and hugs us, rather than threatening to hit us, and we honestly forget she is there, compared with having to have our radar on her every second.
Praise God for the absolute miracle he has done in this desperate young girl’s life.
Please continue to pray for the young people who have so many difficult things to deal with in their lives.
And for us, to have a new place sorted soon to live in.
Thank you for your love, prayers and support - we appreciate you.
With love from
John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel’
John and Gillian can be contacted through;
…. Crosslinks, 251 Lewisham Way, London, SE4 1XF
..…robinsonjg@crosslinks.org
Or Online at www.crosslinks.org or at placofgracebangkok.org
Young People at Place of Grace singing after the Nativity 2016
Robinson News from the USA.
September 2016
Pray that we would know that God is close to us….
The Robinsons, our mission partners in Bangkok, spent August taking their daughter Natalie to join her sister Leah at Messiah College, USA
They write,
‘A different newsletter this time, with greetings from the USA!
We have come to bring Natalie to college at Messiah. After a quick stop in the UK to see family and to sort out some things for Natalie - such as a bank account and warm clothes - We travelled to America. We were so excited to see Leah after not seeing her for a year, as this summer she stayed at college to work in the kitchens so that she could help pay her fees.
We were able to spend a week with Leah before she left for Nashville, where she is spending this semester. She will be using her God-given music gifts to study for three months on the artist track, where she writes and performs a new song every week.
Leah will return to Messiah after her three months in Nashville, to finish the last year and a half of her degree (a joint major in English and International Relations). She hopes to go on to become a human rights lawyer, driven by her passion to fight the corruption which affects the poor in places like the Bangkok slums. She is planning to work for a year when she finishes at Messiah to fund herself through graduate law school.
Natalie will begin her degree in International Business, perhaps with a minor in Mandarin. She already speaks Mandarin as she is gifted in languages, and she has a passion to make a difference in large companies, in how workers are treated and in encouraging giving to charities. Natalie, like Leah, has seen the difference God can make and has a passion to make a difference with the skills God has given her’.
John, Gillian & Joel returned to Bangkok at the beginning of September, thankful for a break from flooding, major storms and mosquitos and for the luxury of being able to drink tap water, but now facing the emotional challenge of leaving both daughters at the other side of the world.
‘Pray that we would know that God is close to us as we go straight back to hectic Place of Grace schedules and home-schooling. We are very thankful that God has provided the money for the first semester’s fees for Leah and Natalie, but the exchange rate has been awful and we have not yet paid the second semester. Please pray that God will provide all we need.
Pray too that we would know that God is close to us during this time of transition as a family, and for Leah and Natalie to know God’s presence with them’.
With love from us all, John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel xxx
John and Gillian can be contacted through;
…. Crosslinks, 251 Lewisham Way, London, SE4
…. Abbi McClure at amcclure@crosslinks.org
Or Online at www.crosslinks.org or at placofgracebangkok.org
News from the Robinsons
May 2016
‘Jesus will take your hand, walk with you and never let you go’
A water festival, a teenage weekend away, running a food bank, children’s clubs, and visa problems….. All part of the ongoing challenges faced by John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel, our mission partners in Bangkok
‘Jesus will take your hand, walk with you and never let you go’
This has been John and Gillian’s personal experience during an incredibly stressful but effective few months. Change in the visa laws meant an emergency 14 hour drive to the border, only to be refused a visa, a flight to the Thai embassy in Singapore, and weeks travelling round Bangkok to collect the necessary paperwork to renew their one year visa, all adding pressure to their struggling budget.
‘Jesus will take your hand, walk with you and never let you go'
This was the invitation to the 22 young people they took away for a weekend.
John, and the three Thai staff, told the youngsters how following Jesus had changed their lives. Gillian then reminded the youngsters that she and John would love them the same whether or not they became Christians, but that Jesus was inviting them to take his hand and walk with him.
On the Sunday afternoon many were baptised in the swimming pool. They left the retreat centre with every young person reluctant to get on the bus after having had such a special time and each life touched powerfully by God.
‘Jesus will take your hand, walk with you and never let you go’
This is the promise that Natalie, John, Gillian and Joel hang onto as Natalie graduates from High School and prepares to go away to college in the US.
Gillian writes, ‘One of the hardest things about being missionaries is to have your daughters on the other side of the world and see them so little’.
‘Jesus will take your hand, walk with you and never let you go’
…..Is a promise for us all as we partner John & Gillian in their work in Bangkok, and as we too face life with all its challenges and pressures.
Finally John and Gillian write,
’Thank you so very much for your individual prayers for us,
for Place of Grace and for the precious children and young people who we see having their lives transformed by God’s grace.
Thank you for investing with us in the kingdom of God here in Bangkok’.
John and Gillian can be contacted through;
…. Crosslinks, 251 Lewisham Way, London, SE4
…. Abbi McClure at amcclure@crosslinks.org
Or Online at www.crosslinks.org or at placofgracebangkok.org
News from the Robinsons
February 2016
‘God loves you very, very much, you are precious to him.’
John and Gillian’s latest news letter was a reminder of the challenge of living in a different culture.
They wrote,
‘ Christmas is always a difficult time to be in Thailand as it is not celebrated at all but we had many Christmas parties this year which is always incredibly special as we see each child receive a present that we have chosen for them’.
What is Christmas really all about? An incident with three sisters reminded John and Gillian why they in Thailand and that God reaches out, in love, to each of us.
The sisters live with their Grandfather because their parents are separated. The middle child is beaten because Grandfather says she eats too much. There is a word in Thai that is used for the throwing away of unwanted things, its ‘ting’. You would say it about rubbish to put in the bin, ‘ting’.
Gillian went to chat to Pen, the eldest girl, and asked her how things were at home, she said, ‘our mum is gone, we no longer see her: she ‘tinged’ us’.
Gillian bent down, looked Pen in the eye, and said to her, ‘God loves you very, very much, you are precious to him, and he will never, ever leave you or ‘ting’ you, and I love you very much too’.
Pen’s face lit up, she beamed and gave Gillian the biggest hug. Then she rushed off to get her friend. She ran back with her and excitedly said, ‘Dangmai, tell Khun Gillian how your dad ‘tinged’ you. And Khun Gillian, tell Dangmai too how God will never’ ting’ her, and never ever leave her.’
Pen and her sisters can’t see God. They can’t touch him, so how can they feel God’s love? They feel God’s love through all the respect, the love, the acceptance that John and his family give to them.
John and Gillian’s work is costly in emotional commitment but also financially.
They ask for our help to support the ministry of Place of Grace and write,’
Last year was a challenging one as we moved mission agencies. One of the consequences of that was losing just a couple of supporting churches, as well as a large monthly donation from a trust, which has left our budget short. We cannot be here without being fully funded in our budget and we find that really stressful, as we want to focus our time and energy on running such a busy ministry. If you know of any other churches or individuals who are looking to support missionaries, or know of any trusts that could help, that would be a huge blessing to us and enable us to go back to focusing on the ministry God has called us to do, as we were able to over the last few years.
John and Gillian can be contacted through;
…. Crosslinks, 251 Lewisham Way, London, SE4
…. Abbi McClure at amcclure@crosslinks.org
Or Online at www.crosslinks.org
Update August 2015
Thank You from John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
In July we were privileged to host an evening with John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel. It was a memorable time when we were able to put faces to names and to hear more of their heart-warming work among slum children in Bangkok.
They were encouraged by their visit to us, by the warmth of the welcome they received; and valued immensely the opportunity to meet with friends from John’s days in Tadcaster.
The Robinsons are moving from the Mission umbrella of CMS to that of Crosslinks; a sister Missionary organisation which is a closer fit with their work in Bangkok.
You can find more information, and link with them personally through
www.placeofgracebangkok.org or www.crosslinks.org
They are always delighted to receive Emails and letters. Three years is a long time to be away from family and friends. Their work is often lonely and challenging.
John reminded us when he came to Tadcaster that ‘they are a very ordinary family.’ Indeed they are, but by the Grace of God, this ‘ordinary family’ do an ‘extraordinary work’ in sharing God’s love with very vulnerable families.
Please continue to give them your support and prayer.
Thank You from John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
In July we were privileged to host an evening with John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel. It was a memorable time when we were able to put faces to names and to hear more of their heart-warming work among slum children in Bangkok.
They were encouraged by their visit to us, by the warmth of the welcome they received; and valued immensely the opportunity to meet with friends from John’s days in Tadcaster.
The Robinsons are moving from the Mission umbrella of CMS to that of Crosslinks; a sister Missionary organisation which is a closer fit with their work in Bangkok.
You can find more information, and link with them personally through
www.placeofgracebangkok.org or www.crosslinks.org
They are always delighted to receive Emails and letters. Three years is a long time to be away from family and friends. Their work is often lonely and challenging.
John reminded us when he came to Tadcaster that ‘they are a very ordinary family.’ Indeed they are, but by the Grace of God, this ‘ordinary family’ do an ‘extraordinary work’ in sharing God’s love with very vulnerable families.
Please continue to give them your support and prayer.
Update: December 2014
News from the Robinsons; John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
In September Leah started college in America. She writes, ’Living away from your family is hard, living right the other side of the world from them , alone can be almost impossible, living so far away in a cold strange country…having to start at the beginning just as I did in Thailand’.
It has been a tough few months for Leah. She has faced them with real determination and asks that we will pray for strength in the coming winter months, for perseverance in her studies and for courage to make new friends.
It has been tough too for John, Gillian, Natalie and Joel as they adjust to her absence. She is missed by Natalie, finishing her years at school without Leah’s support, by Joel (just 5years old) and by the many children who have grown to love her at Place of Grace.
John and Gillian have carried the emotional upheaval of Leah’s move as well as everyday pressures of life in Bangkok; the tropical downpours and storms that keep them awake at night; the visas, the work permits, and the ‘sad stories that come our way every week’
It has been a tough few months for Leah. She has faced them with real determination and asks that we will pray for strength in the coming winter months, for perseverance in her studies and for courage to make new friends.
It has been tough too for John, Gillian, Natalie and Joel as they adjust to her absence. She is missed by Natalie, finishing her years at school without Leah’s support, by Joel (just 5years old) and by the many children who have grown to love her at Place of Grace.
John and Gillian have carried the emotional upheaval of Leah’s move as well as everyday pressures of life in Bangkok; the tropical downpours and storms that keep them awake at night; the visas, the work permits, and the ‘sad stories that come our way every week’
Place of Grace continues to offer much needed love and security drawing in more children than they have room for; ‘This week we had a number of new kids who were really keen; there was no space on the floor, on the tables, or the sofas! All the toys were being played with we had so many children’.
Each child at Place of Grace is loved as an individual. The Robinsons and their team listen to them, share their problems; children like Fai and Formod whose Mum has recently been released from prison for drug addiction.
Nervous of returning to the same area of drug dealers the husband has decided to move north; hard for their Grandmother who has been looking after them, hard for the children who have found such love at Place of Grace and hard for the Robinsons who have formed a strong bond with them all.
….. And Ten (aged10!) moved around the country from Grandfather to step mother with no-one really to care for him ‘No one loves me, nobody has ever wanted me’
Please pray for them all.
‘Thank you again; we so value your support for our work. We know your prayers sustain us in the often stressful work we do, and your kind donations keep us here in Thailand as well as enabling us to keep Place of Grace running. We are so thankful to God for each of you.
Please keep praying for us as we need the prayers and need you. Please do visit our new website which you can read in English or in Thai: www.placeofgracebangkok.org’
John & Gillian Robinson
Each child at Place of Grace is loved as an individual. The Robinsons and their team listen to them, share their problems; children like Fai and Formod whose Mum has recently been released from prison for drug addiction.
Nervous of returning to the same area of drug dealers the husband has decided to move north; hard for their Grandmother who has been looking after them, hard for the children who have found such love at Place of Grace and hard for the Robinsons who have formed a strong bond with them all.
….. And Ten (aged10!) moved around the country from Grandfather to step mother with no-one really to care for him ‘No one loves me, nobody has ever wanted me’
Please pray for them all.
‘Thank you again; we so value your support for our work. We know your prayers sustain us in the often stressful work we do, and your kind donations keep us here in Thailand as well as enabling us to keep Place of Grace running. We are so thankful to God for each of you.
Please keep praying for us as we need the prayers and need you. Please do visit our new website which you can read in English or in Thai: www.placeofgracebangkok.org’
John & Gillian Robinson
LATEST NEWS FROM OUR MISSION PARTNERS: JOHN, GILLIAN, LEAH, NATALIE AND JOEL
June 2014
“We know their name and they matter, because they matter to God”
John and Gillian are working in the second largest slum community in Bangkok where lives are fragile. They write…..
’ A good number of the children we work with have parents who have died, usually from drug or alcohol abuse, and many are in situations where the care for them is inadequate for various reasons. We have had a spate of new children recently, each one just as needy, and thrilled to be coming to a place where we know their name and they matter, because they matter to God.’……
’ A good number of the children we work with have parents who have died, usually from drug or alcohol abuse, and many are in situations where the care for them is inadequate for various reasons. We have had a spate of new children recently, each one just as needy, and thrilled to be coming to a place where we know their name and they matter, because they matter to God.’……
Fai and Formod
Meet Fai and Formod.........
The delightful photo hides a sad reality; their mum is in prison for drug addiction. John recently went with the girls and their dad to visit their mum in prison. She was in a desperate state and the girls were devastated to see their mum in such appalling conditions.
The delightful photo hides a sad reality; their mum is in prison for drug addiction. John recently went with the girls and their dad to visit their mum in prison. She was in a desperate state and the girls were devastated to see their mum in such appalling conditions.
Food bank news...
A month ago John and Gillian opened a food bank. They work closely with community leaders who give out vouchers to those who are genuinely in need.
John and Gillian tell us that, ‘Recently we gave out a food pack for three days to one of the grandmas whose children come to our clubs.
We were pleased because we had noticed how thin the grandchildren she looks after were getting, and this week one of the staff noticed one of them trying to hide how many of the leftover cookies he was eating from the children’s club in the afternoon.
When we put the bags of food before him (he is 12 so had come to help his grandma carry the food), his face lit up and he opened his mouth wide in pure pleasure to see food’.
Please continue to support and pray for the Robinsons.
A military coup has occurred in Thailand and the situation is volatile. Place of Grace has remained open throughout. John and Gillian’s faithfulness speaks volumes about the reality of God’s love in the midst of chaos.
They continue to battle with the everyday pressures of termites in the house, toilets which block about every day, air con issues and violent thunderstorms. This is a costly and lonely challenge for the whole family, not least as they face Leah leaving Thailand in the autumn to go to college in America.
A military coup has occurred in Thailand and the situation is volatile. Place of Grace has remained open throughout. John and Gillian’s faithfulness speaks volumes about the reality of God’s love in the midst of chaos.
They continue to battle with the everyday pressures of termites in the house, toilets which block about every day, air con issues and violent thunderstorms. This is a costly and lonely challenge for the whole family, not least as they face Leah leaving Thailand in the autumn to go to college in America.
They ask for prayer:
The Robinsons enormously value your letters, cards and Emails. Knowing they are being remembered and prayed for enables them to cope with the isolation and daily challenge of life in Bangkok.
For more photos and news of the Robinsons visit their web page at www.tearstoyoureyes.com
- For the political situation in Thailand, for safety and resolution.
- For the whole family as they adjust to Leah’s move to America.
- For financial provision as Leah she starts her college course. CMS are unable to provide fees for further education and Leah will take a cleaning job to cover some of this expense.
The Robinsons enormously value your letters, cards and Emails. Knowing they are being remembered and prayed for enables them to cope with the isolation and daily challenge of life in Bangkok.
For more photos and news of the Robinsons visit their web page at www.tearstoyoureyes.com
LATEST NEWS FROM OUR MISSION PARTNERS: JOHN, GILLIAN, LEAH, NATALIE AND JOEL
March 2014
“Place of Grace: transforming lives by the grace of God”
Written in Thai, together with a logo, these words emblazon the side of the Robinsons new bright yellow van; thanks to the generosity of supporters in the UK
John, logo & van!
John and Gillian use the van to transport children safely to and from ‘Place of Grace’. During a season of political turmoil in Bangkok, with street protests and shootings, the sanctuary proved by Place of Grace has become a haven for vulnerable children.
John and Gillian use the van to transport children safely to and from ‘Place of Grace’. During a season of political turmoil in Bangkok, with street protests and shootings, the sanctuary proved by Place of Grace has become a haven for vulnerable children.
Children like Guam; who John tells us is ‘an immigrant from the border lands. She lives in a temporary hut without adequate walls amongst rubbish, “wildlife” and bad smells. Guam wears the same clothes and looks unwashed with matted hair but is always so excited to come to Place of Grace; she runs down the road with her arms open wide when she sees us. She doesn’t go to school and is unlikely to do so. Every week we have to go and check with her mother that she can come, because if it is not absolutely clear, she is beaten for coming. Children like her are particularly vulnerable in Thailand: official statistics say two children go missing every week across Thailand.
One day Guam came with a huge slash mark across her face, and when asked how it had happened, she said “my Dad did it to me”. The other children don’t mix with her. There is nothing we can do for her, except provide a safe place for her to come and play, love her, and teach her about a God who loves her.
Please pray for her. There are no systems in place to help her, but we believe that God transforms lives’.
One day Guam came with a huge slash mark across her face, and when asked how it had happened, she said “my Dad did it to me”. The other children don’t mix with her. There is nothing we can do for her, except provide a safe place for her to come and play, love her, and teach her about a God who loves her.
Please pray for her. There are no systems in place to help her, but we believe that God transforms lives’.
Creating a safe place for girls
Please continue to support and pray for the Robinsons.
Working at the fringe of society, with children from desperate backgrounds is an immensely costly and lonely challenge for the whole family, requiring huge reserves of hope and faith in a God who redeems and transforms.
The Robinsons are ordinary Christians facing extraordinary challenges daily and their need for our active support and friendship is tangible. They enormously value your letters, cards and Emails.
They ask for prayer for:
· For the children, teenagers and families.
· For the foodbank, due to open this month.
· For the new discipleship class.
· For helpers, who come from different cultures that they are able to work together.
· For the political situation in Thailand, for safety and resolution.
· For us a family, for health and some good time together, in Leah’s last year before college.
Working at the fringe of society, with children from desperate backgrounds is an immensely costly and lonely challenge for the whole family, requiring huge reserves of hope and faith in a God who redeems and transforms.
The Robinsons are ordinary Christians facing extraordinary challenges daily and their need for our active support and friendship is tangible. They enormously value your letters, cards and Emails.
They ask for prayer for:
· For the children, teenagers and families.
· For the foodbank, due to open this month.
· For the new discipleship class.
· For helpers, who come from different cultures that they are able to work together.
· For the political situation in Thailand, for safety and resolution.
· For us a family, for health and some good time together, in Leah’s last year before college.
CHRISTMAS NEWS
John & Gillian write....
Dear friends,
Thankyou so much for your prayers and support over this last year. We have had an amazing time with Christmas parties for the children and teenagers over this last week, and many of the families came along which was a real encouragement. The children were so excited it was nearly impossible to keep them sitting down. The children's faces as they received their Christmas gifts were priceless, and they enjoyed the story of the wise men at their Christmas parties finding Jesus, the Son of God, in the poorest place.
We thought you would enjoy seeing a few photos of the parties, and seeing the joy on the children's faces. There are some photos of the children at the Tuesday and Thursday parties as well as the teenagers from both days.Their joy at getting even toiletries was immense as they so appreciate being able to have shampoo etc. Thankfully now we are able to get the jobs done we had to put on hold for the parties so that we can have a break over Christmas.
So we wanted to say thankyou, thankyou for working with us in impacting these children and teenager's lives, thankyou for all of your prayers and support. We so appreciate it, every word of encouragement lifts us in what is often a very hard and emotional ministry to run, and every donation helps us so much. And every prayer you pray for us supports us in ways we may not see but know we need so much.
It still remains very odd to be celebrating Christmas in a country where Christmas day is a normal work day for Thai people, and yet we celebrate with joy in our hearts.
We pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas.
With love from us all, John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
NEWS FROM BANGKOK, AUTUMN 2013
So much to do and so many exciting opportunities!
A child playing at the Place of Grace
Summer for the Robinsons has involved moving house, battling with cockroaches, broken bones,
operations, flooding in the house and working at Place of Grace through it all!
Place of Grace continues to attract children from the surrounding slums who value a safe place to play and the love they receive from the Robinsons.
John and Gillian have been enormously encouraged by the support of local community leaders.
They write,
‘When we set up Place of Grace we wanted to create a safe place for the children to play, and last week the community leaders were begging us to open the Place of Grace for more children just to be able to do their homework here because they know they are safe.
Last week we had a meeting with the leaders of four of the local slum communities, and they nearly had us in tears when they thanked us so
much for coming here to help the Thai people.
What a privilege when they can see God’s heart through the work of the Place of Grace!’
They write,
‘When we set up Place of Grace we wanted to create a safe place for the children to play, and last week the community leaders were begging us to open the Place of Grace for more children just to be able to do their homework here because they know they are safe.
Last week we had a meeting with the leaders of four of the local slum communities, and they nearly had us in tears when they thanked us so
much for coming here to help the Thai people.
What a privilege when they can see God’s heart through the work of the Place of Grace!’
Leah & Natalie in the under 19 girls' football team
For Leah this will be her last year at school and she is determined to make the most of every opportunity.
She has taken up the challenge of participating in the under 19 girls’
football team with her sister Natalie.
Leah, as the oldest member of the team is working to create a sense of trust and determination in a team with varying ages, abilities and motives.
It is a steep learning curve and wonderful leadership training!
She has taken up the challenge of participating in the under 19 girls’
football team with her sister Natalie.
Leah, as the oldest member of the team is working to create a sense of trust and determination in a team with varying ages, abilities and motives.
It is a steep learning curve and wonderful leadership training!
Do continue to pray for the Robinsons as they cope with the challenges of life in Bangkok.
- For Leah and Natalie as they balance the demands of school with their involvement at the Place of Grace.
- For the many children at Place of Grace who benefit from their ministry.
- For administrative help as they work to establish Place of Grace as an Government Endorsed Foundation.
Children and helpers at the Place of Grace
Sarah with Lung and Faing.
Sarah, who is from St. Mary's Tadcaster, went to help at the Place of Grace during the summer.
Lung is about 5, not much older than Joel. Lung is missing the digits on one hand and one foot, making it very hard for him to grasp anything in his left palm.
A young lad who can't yet read or write.
Latest News From John, Gillian, Leah, Natalie and Joel
March 2013
They write,
' For the one and the one...God has been challenging us recently how much He cares for the one, for each precious
child, for each struggling adult, for each person in prison.
We have faced a lot of stress as a family over the last few months, including getting our motorbike stolen (again), and needing to move house, again. And yet, God has been constantly reminding us of the difference He is making to the
one.
Jane, the teenager who became a Christian, is now a different person, her face lit with the difference God has made in her life and the hope He has given her in her situation.
Recently we gave out clothes to the children again, but we were considering whether we should stop doing this because of the many hours we have to spend sorting through the donated items, and getting rid of the broken shoes, odd shoes, ripped clothing etc. However, one little girl called Mink (she always wears the same clothes), who has started coming to the Place of Grace since the last time we gave out clothes, saw that we were giving out pretty clothes and started jumping up and down clapping her hands in joy. For the one…
At Christmas we were able to make 65 gift bags comprised of toothbrushes,toothpaste, pens, notepads, sweets,and a small gift, as well as a toy car for the boys and hair things and
make up for the girls. We have some cars we purchased for the children to play with at the Place of Grace but they have tried to steal them as they are so keen to have one.
To see the joy on these children’s faces in receiving the gifts... they could not believe it, and the teenage girls rushed out of the door to have space to show each other their make up with unbelief and joy.
It brought a tear to our eyes. The children all hugged the bags, not wanting to put them down for a second, and yet the
little boys sat in a row to race their cars.
We gave the teenage boys a cheap rechargeable torch each, and one of them spent the rest of the evening on the road outside watching his torch light things up.
We actually invited the relatives and carers of the children to the Place of Grace to see them receive their gifts, because we were thinking they would want to share in their joy. We were shocked though that very few adults seemed to be watching or concerned, people with difficult lives themselves.
And yet, God was there with us that day, and He was watching – sharing in the joy of these children, giving joy to the one and the one...
March 2013
They write,
' For the one and the one...God has been challenging us recently how much He cares for the one, for each precious
child, for each struggling adult, for each person in prison.
We have faced a lot of stress as a family over the last few months, including getting our motorbike stolen (again), and needing to move house, again. And yet, God has been constantly reminding us of the difference He is making to the
one.
Jane, the teenager who became a Christian, is now a different person, her face lit with the difference God has made in her life and the hope He has given her in her situation.
Recently we gave out clothes to the children again, but we were considering whether we should stop doing this because of the many hours we have to spend sorting through the donated items, and getting rid of the broken shoes, odd shoes, ripped clothing etc. However, one little girl called Mink (she always wears the same clothes), who has started coming to the Place of Grace since the last time we gave out clothes, saw that we were giving out pretty clothes and started jumping up and down clapping her hands in joy. For the one…
At Christmas we were able to make 65 gift bags comprised of toothbrushes,toothpaste, pens, notepads, sweets,and a small gift, as well as a toy car for the boys and hair things and
make up for the girls. We have some cars we purchased for the children to play with at the Place of Grace but they have tried to steal them as they are so keen to have one.
To see the joy on these children’s faces in receiving the gifts... they could not believe it, and the teenage girls rushed out of the door to have space to show each other their make up with unbelief and joy.
It brought a tear to our eyes. The children all hugged the bags, not wanting to put them down for a second, and yet the
little boys sat in a row to race their cars.
We gave the teenage boys a cheap rechargeable torch each, and one of them spent the rest of the evening on the road outside watching his torch light things up.
We actually invited the relatives and carers of the children to the Place of Grace to see them receive their gifts, because we were thinking they would want to share in their joy. We were shocked though that very few adults seemed to be watching or concerned, people with difficult lives themselves.
And yet, God was there with us that day, and He was watching – sharing in the joy of these children, giving joy to the one and the one...
One of the many children loved and supported at the Place of Grace
John has changed his work permit to enable him to have more time to cope with the masses of work at the Place of Grace, but continues to work in Klong Prem prison, otherwise known as the ‘Bangkok Hilton’.
Last month John was able to share in the time when 15 of the inmates were baptised in front of many Buddhist prison officers. Imprisoned and yet free. Every one of them came up from the water glowing from the presence of God. Setting free the one and the one…
Last month John was able to share in the time when 15 of the inmates were baptised in front of many Buddhist prison officers. Imprisoned and yet free. Every one of them came up from the water glowing from the presence of God. Setting free the one and the one…
THANK YOU!
The Robinsons wish to say a big THANK YOU for your support,
not least for the gifts of knitted toys and craft materials that Celia and Bill were able to take to them in January.
Do continue to pray for them:
not least for the gifts of knitted toys and craft materials that Celia and Bill were able to take to them in January.
Do continue to pray for them:
- For their health and the health of the children that they work with. They have been struggling with ill health over the past few months.
- For Leah and Natalie with their busy school expectations as well as giving so much time to the Place of Grace.
- For their upcoming house move.
- ...and especially important .... For new Thai staff to come on board, that God would bring the right people for the job.
- And for us all to remember the one and the one… as our God does.
For more photos and news of the Robinsons visit their web page at www.tearstoyoureyes.com
