The Abundant Life Story
The story begins with one little girl named Karen. She was born in Canada and adopted by a Mennonite family. Adoption is a core part of Karen's story, and when she was 8 years old and felt God call her to open an orphanage someday, she said yes even without knowing what it would look like! At the age of 15 Karen first felt God call her to move overseas to become a missionary. Fast forward to 1992, during an outreach trip with her husband Ricky through YWAM, she met a baby who had been abandoned in a Thai hospital. They named her 'Baby Joy'. They worked and investigated to find a family member of baby Joy's to care for her. Baby Joy was reunited with a living relative who agreed to adopt and take care of her, and they were aided with financial support to raise her.
In 1993, Karen and Ricky moved to Thailand. A few years later, Karen was visiting a Thai friend in the hospital and she met another abandoned baby. This tiny baby had been abused and mistreated. She was alone, afraid, suffering, and hungry. Karen picked up baby 'Jinthanna' and asked God how she could help this child. It was clear that Jinthanna could be better cared for, but what could Karen do? The hospital staff informed Karen that the baby was in the last stages of AIDs and was going to die soon. They said there was nothing more they could do for her.
Karen and her friend, Stephanie, started visiting baby Jinthanna every day at the hospital, trying to give her the love, care, and hope that the hospital staff was unable to provide. As Karen searched for a solution for baby Jinthanna, she found an orphanage in northern Thailand that would take her. After a long process of getting Jinthanna ready to be discharged from the hospital, finally at 15 months old she left the hospital sick, weak, and developmentally delayed. Even at this young age, being without a loving and caring environment showed its toll.
The orphanage that took Jinthanna in was unsure if she would make it. They did promise that if it came to that, she would pass away in loving arms. Miraculously, after 6 months at the orphanage, Jinthanna suddenly decided she wanted to live and started to thrive. Currently, she is 20 years old, attending college, and thriving as a smart, strong young woman in Thailand.
A year after Jinthanna was taken into the orphanage, Karen started researching social problems, felt needs, and how to open an orphanage in the Chon Buri province of Thailand. In her research, she found that children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS were prevalent due to the Thai sex trade. In 2006, Karen and Ricky opened the Abundant Life Foundation, starting with five ten year old boys and two young baby boys. Miraculously, both of these first babies who came through the orphanage tested HIV negative through much prayer and medical help.
A Since then, Karen and Ricky have seen God do uncountable miracles for the kids that have been a part of the Abundant Life Foundation. Now, over 17 years later, they continue the mandate to take in orphans who are affected by HIV/AIDs and have no relatives to care for them. With every child brought into the orphanage, their goal is to raise them in loving families, giving them a home and a bright future. They trust and pray that as they grow, they will learn to love and serve God. And in turn be a blessing to Thai churches and society as faithful employees, steadfast family members, and live out the destiny and calling God has prepared for them.
Abundant Life Foundation has now cared for over 100 kids in the Abundant Life Home, and 36 women in their various programs including: Project Standing Strong, Babies are Precious, and Families Belong Together.
This history is only how it all started. To learn more about how it all works together, please read more about our loving Staff, Board Members, and Council of Advisors.
In 1993, Karen and Ricky moved to Thailand. A few years later, Karen was visiting a Thai friend in the hospital and she met another abandoned baby. This tiny baby had been abused and mistreated. She was alone, afraid, suffering, and hungry. Karen picked up baby 'Jinthanna' and asked God how she could help this child. It was clear that Jinthanna could be better cared for, but what could Karen do? The hospital staff informed Karen that the baby was in the last stages of AIDs and was going to die soon. They said there was nothing more they could do for her.
Karen and her friend, Stephanie, started visiting baby Jinthanna every day at the hospital, trying to give her the love, care, and hope that the hospital staff was unable to provide. As Karen searched for a solution for baby Jinthanna, she found an orphanage in northern Thailand that would take her. After a long process of getting Jinthanna ready to be discharged from the hospital, finally at 15 months old she left the hospital sick, weak, and developmentally delayed. Even at this young age, being without a loving and caring environment showed its toll.
The orphanage that took Jinthanna in was unsure if she would make it. They did promise that if it came to that, she would pass away in loving arms. Miraculously, after 6 months at the orphanage, Jinthanna suddenly decided she wanted to live and started to thrive. Currently, she is 20 years old, attending college, and thriving as a smart, strong young woman in Thailand.
A year after Jinthanna was taken into the orphanage, Karen started researching social problems, felt needs, and how to open an orphanage in the Chon Buri province of Thailand. In her research, she found that children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS were prevalent due to the Thai sex trade. In 2006, Karen and Ricky opened the Abundant Life Foundation, starting with five ten year old boys and two young baby boys. Miraculously, both of these first babies who came through the orphanage tested HIV negative through much prayer and medical help.
A Since then, Karen and Ricky have seen God do uncountable miracles for the kids that have been a part of the Abundant Life Foundation. Now, over 17 years later, they continue the mandate to take in orphans who are affected by HIV/AIDs and have no relatives to care for them. With every child brought into the orphanage, their goal is to raise them in loving families, giving them a home and a bright future. They trust and pray that as they grow, they will learn to love and serve God. And in turn be a blessing to Thai churches and society as faithful employees, steadfast family members, and live out the destiny and calling God has prepared for them.
Abundant Life Foundation has now cared for over 100 kids in the Abundant Life Home, and 36 women in their various programs including: Project Standing Strong, Babies are Precious, and Families Belong Together.
This history is only how it all started. To learn more about how it all works together, please read more about our loving Staff, Board Members, and Council of Advisors.
