Our Original Girls

 Cherry
Cherry is from the Karen tribe.  Sadly it is her people group that is being persecuted by the government of Burma. She was born last of seven to Christian parents.  When she was fifteen years old she gave her life to the Lord. She first went to Payup technology, and then to Payup University where she graduated in accounting.  After graduation she was supported by Hannah House to serve with Zaida in a refugee camp among her people group.  After teaching the children the Thai language for a year, she came back to Chiang Mai where she serves at a children’s home. At the children’s home she does the books as well as teaches the children the Gospel. 

 Sa
Sa went to a children’s home in Chaing Rai where she learned about God.  Later she moved to Chiang Mai to go to a Bible school and was supported for some time.  However, she lost her support.  Her parents said we support you in whatever you do but we are not going to give you any money if you go to a Bible school.  Sa said, “I don’t know what God will do but I know He has a good plan for me.”  I knew her at this time and told her we would provide for her.  She said, “Thank God that He touched someone’s heart to help me.”  She graduated from Hannah House in 2014 and now works at a children’s home. At the children’s home she takes care of the girls and teaches them about Jesus.

NaNa
NaNa grew up in a Lahu village with her father.  Her mother sadly died when she was young from a blood transfusion that was infected with HIV aids.  He remarried but his new wife was unfaithful ending in a divorce.  Her father was then left with seven kids to raise alone.  Mary went to different schools growing up.  At 16 God did a work in her heart and she gave her life to the Lord.  It was in her heart to go to Bible College so she attended a free Bible school until it closed down.  She wanted to go to school but her father couldn’t support.  He decided that she should marry someone so she would be financially taken care of.  However, neither of them loved each other.  Sangla heard about her situation and asked if she would like to come to Hannah house.  She told her father that she didn’t want to get married but wanted to go to the Bible School and stay at Hannah House.  He supported her in her decision.  It is her desire to be a Bible teacher and serve the Lord.  She graduated from Hannah House in 2014. Shortly after she married the man she loves, Moses. They both now work at a church in Chiang Mai.

DaDa
Thanida Jayaw (Da Da) is an amazing graduate from a Black Lahu tribe.  Da Da was raised in a poor Christian family in the same village as Sangla.  She studied in a village until 9th grade.  Since her village doesn’t have a high school she moved to a children's home where she learned more about God and began a personal relationship with Him.  She later went to Meathang to their free Bible school until it closed down.  Because her parents didn't have the money she couldn’t continue her education.  We heard of her situation and brought her into Hannah House and enabled her to continue her schooling.  She graduated Hannah House in 2014 and  served with us as our Disciple Thailand missionary and then later lived in Hannah House as a temporary house mom until we could find a suitable replacement.  Now she is serving in a Christian organization in Australia.  

Ged
Ged is a Lahu girl from a wonderful Christian family whom I have known for the last few years.  She has two younger brothers and is Sangla’s niece.  Her family lives up in the mountains north of Chiang Mai.  Ged’s father had an unfortunate accident and lost his arm when he got it caught in some machinery.  Thankfully he is still able to work on the farm.  Most in her village believe in God so she knew of God from a young age.  Yet it wasn’t until 15 years of age that she started her personal relationship with God.  She moved to Chiang Mai a few years ago and studied near Sangla’s house.  Because of difficulties with finances Sangla had supported her niece from her own salary.  When we told Ged about coming to Hannah house she accepted our invitation.  She told me that she was thankful to be at Hannah house because it was a place to grow spiritually.  She also loved the fellowship that she received from many of the other girls.  She went to Payup University and is studied to be an accountant.  She graduated in 2014 and is now an accountant! Ged is married her boyfriend of five years on March 27th of 2015 and now lives in her parent's village.

Cream
Cream came to Hannah House in 2009. Cream was raised in an animistic village.  She went to live in a Christian children’s home where she was saved and then baptized.  She later moved to another children’s home in Chiang Mai where she lived for seven years and learned more about God.  She told me all her travels made her feel like the children of Israel in the wilderness!  God had been doing a great work in Creams life by this time.  She had been getting support to go to a Bible school but then it stopped.  She didn’t know what to do.  When she went home and told her mother.  Her mother told her to go to college because Bible school wasn’t good for her.  Her Mother said, “If you go to Bible school I won’t help you financially.”  Cream came and talked to Sangla and we brought her into the Home.  It is her desire to go to Cambodia as a missionary. Currently she is working at a Chinese restaurant in Chiang Mai as she pursues God in trying to figure out what’s next for her in life.

NeaNea 
​NeaNea (Born April 30, 1992) came into Hannah House and a young and timid woman and after four years of studying elementary education and serving one year as an intern, she finally finished her studies and graduated.  We praise the Lord that we had an opportunity to see her grow in to such an mighty leader and woman of God.  Her background story is this.  She grew up with her grandparents because her parents divorced when she was in the second grade. Then she moved into a government dormitory to continue her education. In the 7th grade she felt lonely and began to cry out for God. God met her and comforted her during this time. After she graduated from high school she wanted to continue her education in a university. Friends discouraged her in going and her parents also made it clear that they would not support her financially due to them both remarrying. Even though many were against her, NeaNea went ahead and applied to the university and was accepted! However, because she still didn’t  have money, she was in a bind. It was during that time that she discovered Hannah House and was accepted in. To her Hannah House is a place to mature spiritually in the Lord and pursue the dreams God has given her. Now that she has graduated she has moved to the village to serve with Supakit and Sangla in order to help teach the children in the mountains Thai.