20 March 2024 marked a significant new chapter for the Little Candles School in Phrao, Thailand, as it held its dedication and opening ceremony. Located in a fertile valley surrounded by forested mountains and with a population of about 50,000, Phrao is a small and tranquil village situated 100 km north of Chiang Mai city.
The opening of the Little Candles School was graced by the Wesley Methodist Church team, comprising two pastors Rev Raymond Fong and Rev Adrian Ng, church missions staff member Michael Chan and myself from the Missions Committee. Wesley Methodist Church is a significant supporter of the school, which can now provide education for up to 270 to 300 children ages seven to 12.
Among the hundreds of guests at this dedication ceremony were the Governor and Deputy Provincial Education Officer of Chiang Mai, Phrao District Chief, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore Rev Dr Gordon Wong, pastors and church leaders from Singapore and Thailand. Coming together as a community of local officials, students, parents, teachers, school staff members, board members, alumni and alumni parents, overseas guests and supporters and friends of the school, we were there to celebrate the cause of imparting godly values to and investing in the lives of our young people for generations to come.
The day before the dedication ceremony, the Lord had even cleared the haze with rain, granting us clear weather during the dedication service. As we toured the Little Candles grounds, which housed the kindergarten, primary school, students’ dormitory and church, our hearts were filled with gratitude.
(L-R): Mrs Jinda Kamlangprasit (Deputy Provincial Education Officer of Chiang Mai), Rev Dr Gordon Wong (Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore), Mr H E Chatchawarl Panya (Vice Governor of Chiang Mai), and Mr Suchad Chiaranussati (Chairperson of the Muangthai Mettakij Foundation, subsidiary of MMS)
Little Candles School was started in 2012 by missionaries Pastor Daniel Loo and his wife Sharon, who have been missionaries with the Methodist Missions Society of Singapore since 2019. Alongside Ms Viranpatchara Kannit and Ta Jirapon, the current Principal and Vice-Principal of the school, the vision of the founders was to give the children of Phrao the opportunity to hear the Word of God and to experience His great love. The name ‘Little Candles’ depicts the light of God’s love in the hearts of each child, shining in the darkness to lead others to Christ. The school began modestly as a nursery in 2010, operating from a rented shop lot, and expanded to include a kindergarten in 2012. Little Candles Primary School was built to allow children from Little Candles Kindergarten to continue studying in and staying connected with the Little Candles family.
Little Candles Methodist Church (LCMC) has been playing a vital role in the development of the school. As the “heartbeat” of the school, church leaders run the children’s Christian programme and provide pastoral care to the school staff. A testament to their positive and good experiences, many former students have returned to LCMC years after their graduation to connect with the Little Candles community and find respite and refreshment for their souls.
While there, the Singaporean team had the opportunity to visit a church planting outreach point at Longkord village, an hour’s drive away from Phrao. We reached out to the children who lived near the outreach centre by sharing the truth and love of God through Bible stories, Christian songs, interactive games and craft activities with the local team. We thanked God that these children are willing to know more about Him and gather fortnightly at the preaching point. We were privileged to witness a significant milestone in the dedication of the Little Candles Primary School, a testament to God’s faithfulness to His people.
Pastor Daniel Loo and his team have laboured wholeheartedly in Phrao for the past 13 years. The Lord has blessed their effort with impacted lives and the multiplication of their ministry. Wesley Methodist Church is honoured and gives glory to God for the opportunity to support and partner with Little Candles School.
Rev Raymond Fong, pastor-in-charge of Wesley Methodist Church, said he was glad that Wesley could play a part to help establish the school: “What a delight to witness the dedication of Little Candles for God’s purposes in Phrao. May God’s light of love and hope shine forth and bring many to Christ!”
(Photos courtesy of Wesley Missions Ministry)
About Wesley Missions Ministry
Do you have a heart for overseas missions? Wesley Missions Ministry is organising more trips to reach out to the Phrao community in the northern part Thailand through various efforts. For example, the Wesley Missions team had previously conducted Alpha ministry training for the pastors and leaders in September 2023 and followed up with Alpha Ministry for the women in March 2024 (combined with a Floral Arrangement Workshop). There are many needs in Phrao, including the need for teachers and Christian ministry workers. Will you avail yourself in joining us for a mission’s trip to Phrao? Will you consider going on a short-term missionary stint (three months to a year) to serve the needs in Phrao? We invite you to connect with us at missions@wesleymc.org to explore opportunities to serve in missions.
Read also: ‘Jesus Really Loves You’: Missions Trip to Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand
