At Christmas, driving home on pitch-black nights will feel easier when festive lights illuminate the way. No matter how dark somewhere might feel, the presence of light creates an immediate shift – what was once difficult to see or understand becomes clear.
Around the world, SIM workers are bringing the light of Jesus to areas of oppression and spiritual darkness where they live and serve…
Chiang Mai, Thailand, is known for its picturesque rice fields, misty mountains, and vibrant culture.
It’s a place where Buddhism is central to everyday life and culture and temples and chanting monks are a normal sight. It’s a place full of smiling faces, yet it’s also a place of deep spiritual darkness, broken families, and difficult life circumstances.
Of the nation’s 71.6 million people, only about 1.2% are Christians, while approximately 95% follow Buddhism. It’s in this spiritual landscape where Steph, part of Hope for Life Thailand first met Mali*.
Mali is from a broken home; her parents are separated and her mum has a new family, so Mali currently lives with her grandmother.
After connecting with Hope for Life (HFL) when she attended an English and life skills programme at her school, Mali then joined English classes held at the HFL community hub, Shalom House.
Over time, the team’s built a relationship with Mali and had opportunities to share and live out the love and hope of Christ with her.
One evening recently, the team began to see the fruit of this relationship.
As two of them drove Mali home, she began to ask questions about Christianity. She was especially curious about how Give, one of our Thai team members, came to know Jesus after growing up Buddhist. Give was able to share how God had transformed her life and how he’s helped her become kinder and more patient. Mali acknowledged that she could see that patience reflected in her interactions with Give.
“We’re excited to see this spark of light in Mali’s darkness,” shares Steph. “Please pray Mali will continue to ask questions and grow in her understanding of the hope found in Jesus, and that she will come to know him personally.”
Find out more about Hope for Life Thailand on Facebook and Instagram.
In South Africa, Sarah delivers trauma therapy to women who live in townships where every day, they face gang violence, crime, and poverty.
In 2024, South Africa recorded 26,232 deaths – more than in Gaza, an active war zone, in the same year.
With this, comes deep trauma, affecting every part of how the women live: ‘I’m late because the gangs were shooting again today and I didn’t want to leave my house until it was over‘ is a frequent comment at the weekly group sessions Sarah runs.
Sarah uses different therapeutic methods such as dance, play, and art, to help shine a ray of light and hope into the women’s lives.
“The aims of the group are to help the women find a purpose and meaning in their lives; to learn how to deal with the stresses they face; to navigate their life better; to build up resilience; and to find support among each other,” she explains.
Sarah starts each session by asking the group to pick a different picture card that demonstrates how they’re feeling and helps them relate to each other’s experiences.
“I feel like I’m taken advantage of all the time too,” says Lilly*. “It frustrates me endlessly when the gang members are running in and out of the house taking whatever food I’ve made and expecting me to feed them. … I wish I could have my own space for my family to live in.”
Sarah then invites the women to think about where and from whom they can find support and it’s clear their idea of support is through isolated activities like watching TV and comfort eating.
“I don’t have anyone I can speak to,” admits Courtney*. “I feel so isolated and alone.”
When another lady responds by inviting Courtney round for coffee, Sarah smiles. These ladies haven’t known each other long, yet they’re already forming strong bonds…
When during the following week’s check-in, Lilly chooses a picture card with two people standing with their arms around each other, Sarah’s over the moon as Lily shares: “Geraldine* and I went to the beach for a walk together. It was so nice.
“We chatted and chatted and chatted. I didn’t realise how much we had in common. We didn’t stop talking for hours and we’ve arranged to do it again tomorrow.”
Not only are the support sessions helping the women learn how to connect and support one another outside the group, as they meet each week, they’re also finding hope away from the gang-filled and traumatised communities they live in.
Sarah ends the session as she usually does with a Bible study that helps the women begin to see how Christ can bring them light amidst the darkness.
Read more about Sarah’s work in South Africa in her book: Life and Hope Out of Darkness
In South Asia, Oliver invests his time into discipling young people, walking alongside them in faith, and equipping them to live out the gospel in a place where Christians face many difficulties.
During the summer, Oliver joined a group headed to the hills for a youth camp. This camp was all about our faith and what it means to pass it on to the next generation.
In one session, one of the ministers leading the camp gave the young people a candle and told them to go away, to light it somewhere and to take a picture of it.
One evening soon after, two university student girls came to Oliver, asking for some help. For the past few nights they’d been praying together for the guards, who were at the gate of their accommodation. They were convicted to light the candle in the guard hut and to share the good news, but they didn’t know where to start.
Together, Oliver and the students brainstormed a few ideas of how they could ease into a spiritual conversation with questions like, “Do you think there is darkness in the world? What gives you light or hope in the darkness? Can I tell you where I’ve found light in the darkness?” And with that, off the girls went into the dark…
In the guards’ hut, the girls lit the candle and as the flame fluttered in the darkness, they began to share, even though it wasn’t easy for them.
In this culture, there were many power dynamics working against them: they were young, the guards were older; they were girls, the guards were men; and they were unarmed, while the guards were carrying guns.
Almost 30 minutes later, they returned trembling. They shared that one of the guards was interested in this spiritual conversation, but another was strongly opposed. They knew that these men were in spiritual darkness and blind to one who made them.
“But we don’t despair. We have faith that the true light has came the world. We have faith that this true light that gives light to those in darkness. We have faith that those who follow him will never again walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” shares Oliver.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14
This Christmas, amidst all the presents, carol singing, mince pies and festive cheer, remember those who don’t yet know Jesus as the Saviour of the world and please pray for those living in places of darkness – that the light of Christ will shine through our workers as they carry his hope.
*Names changed for privacy