From Bucharest to Mae Sot: Pastor Eric’s Reflections from the Field
- Children to Love International
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
This June, Pastor Eric Van Scharrel of St. John's Lutheran Church joined CTL President John Penrose on a visit to Children to Love's ministry partners in Romania and Thailand. Along the way, Eric shared daily reflections about the people he met, the ministries he witnessed and the moments that left a lasting impression on him.
Romania
June 4
"Today I engaged in countless staring contests, arm wrestling bouts, and one game of chess. I was perfectly in the moment during both our time with special needs orphans and an after school program, which means no photos were taken.
But afterward, we got to see old town Bucharest, ate some traditional Romanian food, and watched some authentic Romanian folk dancing."
June 5
"Today we traveled to the town of Oltenita on the Bulgarian border (separated by the Danube). We spent the day with 50 kids, some of whom we picked up from the Gypsy neighborhood and packed about 20 in a Volkswagen van (there’s a punchline in here somewhere). These were great kids and just a really fun day. The living conditions in the Gypsy neighborhood were a lot of two-room houses with no plumbing, damp walls, and marginal electricity."
June 6
"Another fantastic and full day at CTL Romania. In the morning, we hosted the smaller kids and fed them lunch (and yes, Dutch Blitz is inescapable for me even internationally). In the afternoon we hosted the Home of Hope teenagers and others from the area. We also had a chance to visit their apartments, and we took some food to one of the family’s apartments in one of the VERY poor parts of town. These are some really amazing kids! I’ll definitely be leaving a piece of my heart with Children To Love in Bucharest, Romania."
June 7
"Sunday was a full day of worship. We started at the church in Bucharest where many CTL staff attend. They translated the sermon into English so we could listen. The music they didn’t translate, because music translates well whatever the culture. Then we went back to Oltenita for 5 pm worship.
To get to share the eternal truths of God’s Word across cultures and distance is a phenomenal blessing and honor. All in all, a really good day; faith in Jesus is such a special bond."
June 8
"Our final morning staff devotion and final afternoon, spent with kids from Homes of Hope and Pinocchio orphanage. These are unbelievable kids: funny, goofy and engaging. Over and over, John and I remark how similar kids are around the world. And I’ll never tire of hearing familiar songs I’ve known for years sung in a different language. [On my morning run], I saw The Peoples’ Palace: the 2nd largest government building in the world after the Pentagon. A monument to excess by a fallen regime. They can’t afford to keep all the lights on, and the building is impossible to keep warm in the winter. But it really is quite a sight to see."
Thailand
June 10
"27 travel hours later, we are in Mae Sot, Thailand! We had dinner out before meeting the Grace Boarding House kids. Sour soup was mouth-watering and made me sweat just a little. Fried frogs were big and delicious. I’ve been told I need to eat the crocodile before I leave. No morning run-- too many stray dogs!"
June 11
"We started the day by the garbage dump, where refugees have built homes there, as they can’t own land or officially work because they lack the money to have papers. Since they also can’t go to church in the city, the church comes to us. This worship/Bible study had about 40+ mostly women, a couple men and a few children. It was an honor to share God’s Word with these amazing people.
We went from there to a farm where families work for a place to live and a little food, no wages since they are undocumented. They used their lunch break from working in the fields to spend with us in Bible study. Again, a true blessing to share God’s Word. John reminds everyone we are one family in Christ, and that’s a message that resonates with every group.
That evening, we went to the Myanmar border. On the other side of the river, you can see the Chinese built casinos and buildings from which scammers fleece people around the world of billions of dollars. The scammers are often people who have been human trafficked from around the world to this place. Have you ever felt the presence of evil? I have. We joined hands and I prayed that God would dismantle this evil place to rubble, in the name of Jesus.
Shine Lin took us to a little waterfall and hilltop to take in the beautiful countryside. Then, we met with a home group for about 2.5 hours, with prayer and song, and I got to share God’s Word and promise: 'Nothing is impossible with God.' Truly a blessed day."
June 12
"One minute you laugh in a moment of fun at an elephant who dances and plays the harmonica. The next you weep and pray over a nation with the highest mortality rate for those under 50 in the world, as a nation kills its own.
I now carry a rock with me from Myanmar, with the prayer and promise to our friends that one day God will allow His people to return to their land and I will come to preach the Gospel with them.
God hears the cries of His people. God remembers His promises. God knows.
This is Grace Boarding House, home to 55 beautiful children. I asked in my chapel talk what a 'house' is, and they answered, 'it is a place where family live together.' Yes! This is family. I loved to hear the beautiful voices of children praising Jesus. What a blessing to be with them; this is what it’s all about.
One quick story-- this young man was conscripted into the Myanmar military. This is a nightmare, because you are trained and forced to kill the people in your own country. After 5 months, he made his escape. First they were shooting at him, then as he hid, they sent a drone after him. There was no escaping the drone. It would take a miracle. So that’s what God did; God sent a rainstorm so the drone was not able to fly, and he was able to get away. When he crossed the border, he crossed paths with someone from the church here, who showed him compassion. Ultimately, this great escape put him in contact with this community of faith that was caring for refugees and feeding them, whether they were Christian or Buddhist or Muslim. But what God was doing was moving him into position to hear the Gospel. And the Gospel brought him from death to life. Some would call all of this a series of luck and coincidences. But with God there are no accidents, and no one crosses your path without God putting them there. And for every miracle along the way, all these were a means to an end: for one of God’s people to plant seeds of the Gospel in his life, and for him to have open ears to hear it. This young man couldn’t stop smiling. Life had been and probably is very hard, but God is with him, is leading him, and is watching over him.
June 13
"Today, we went to Saturday outreach in 3 spots, starting at the garbage dump.
There were about 75 kids at the 'Sunday school,' where we sang and did actions like anywhere else in the world. I made friends with 4 little guys before we left, who thought it was fun when I lifted them sky high with one arm. The team continued on to communities along the border and nearby farms.
At all places, different elders and others from the church were there serving, as they do every Saturday, as a 4th group fasts and prays at church while they serve. It is right off the pages of the book of Acts.
All of these groups are unable to come to church because they are undocumented, lack the ability to travel, or work 7 days a week. So the church goes to them, cares for them and brings Jesus to them.
And, of course, there was food.
Things I didn’t eat today: the snails, fish and crabs they caught at the creek, and also not anything from the insect/grub table at the night market.
Things I DID eat today: samosas, naan, goat curry, quail eggs, fish balls with chili sauce, octopus on a stick, and a blackberry slushie."
June 14
"We got to worship today, then lunch and men’s and women’s Bible study. Out of 350-400 in church, there were about 100 kids. It was their celebration of International Children’s Day, so the kids sang in church and it was super cute. The worship overall was very special."
June 15
"Jesus says 'always pray and never give up' in impossible situations. Paul says, 'Pray without ceasing.' Hine Pai told me to remind people about the answered prayers.
The prayer warriors I know are not useless; they’re the tip of the spear. They’re the Special Forces in the Lord’s army, as Jesus storms the gates of hell to save souls.
It’s a reminder to pray for impossible things today: God-sized problems no one else can solve. God is on the move, I promise. More importantly, God keeps every promise.
This amazing 14-year-old young lady is the newest resident of Grace Boarding House. She had to watch as soldiers in Myanmar shot her parents, killing her father. Although her mother miraculously survived, the theory is maybe her trauma led her to leave her daughter behind. You wouldn’t know any of this as she engages in delightful conversation, smiles and plays UNO.
That’s why Grace Boarding House exists: there are 55 stories like this. GBH provides for 2 needs: GRACE that is the only thing that can heal a wound like this, and a HOUSE: as the children defined it, 'a place for family to live.'"
June 16
"Last morning in Thailand, we spent time with the GBH house parents; they are an amazing group of young men and women.
They took us to the market where they do their grocery shopping. It was huge and busy, and fantastic. They have to buy a lot of food to feed 55 mostly teenagers, and they feed them well on a budget."
Then on a flight back to Bangkok where we got picked up by Shine Lin's friend; he and his wife are planting a church near the garbage dump in Bangkok, whose community of refugees is considerably larger than Mae Sot's dump population.
June 17
“Off to the airport for the 18-hour flight home.
‘The world looks away. Our only hope is God.’
That’s the sentiment, and that sort of sentiment drives you to your knees: either in despair, or in hopeful, expectant, submissive yet bold prayer. The resurrection of Jesus means we are people of hope.
Thailand and all who we love in this place, God be with you till we meet again. And I will pray with hope that someday I can join in preaching the Gospel back in Myanmar.”
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