Illumin8 Community Center

08/05/2026

We’ve been praying to reach more women. Turnover is pretty high in this industry, and we are in a crazy low season. We think it’s a combination of things: the bars haven’t truly recovered from Covid, the war and cost of fuel has deterred people from coming, typical low season for tourists, and people aren’t traveling the way they used to.

That being said, we understand that while we don’t want to see these women trapped, we also don’t want them to have zero source of income.

We typically walk around and hand out invitations to our office or events, but God placed it on our hearts to do something differently.

We split up into two teams and went and found a bar where we could sit, order a drink to give them some business, and actually talk with the women. This provides its own set of challenges for us farangs. We have to get uncomfy trying to speak Thai. But this is encouraging us to learn more conversational Thai because let’s be honest, if we can’t speak, how do we build relationships?

Luckily, Ashley and I had Pii Nan, and Ryan and Leroy had Pii Mint and Pii Saeng to help fill in the blanks where we lacked vocabulary.

We also had the blessing of Sharon and Leroy joining us. They are a wonderful husband and wife from the States who come to Thailand twice a year to minister to people and join ministries in their work. We love getting to see them year after year! We are always encouraged by them.

Prayers were answered as we had so much fun stepping out and meeting new women who want to come get food and join English class- I’m still trying to convince women to workout with me, but that’s proving to be tough haha.

We saw our good friend and bar owner, AJ, and his bar was full of people on a dead Thursday night. He is an amazing man who doesn’t have women freelancing for him. He said his mom and sisters are women, therefore all women deserve dignity. I see him at the gym from time to time, and he never fails to put a smile on my face.

What an amazing night, so fruitful, so encouraging as we felt doors opening in the red light. We love these women so much, we don’t have enough words.

ขอบคุณพระเจ้านะคะ

17/04/2026

It is a happy new year, indeed!💦🌺🌞

We had the best time celebrating Songkran with our ladies at Illumin8.

The normal custom of Songkran is to wash the hands of others with water, to wash off the old year and welcome new blessings! We wanted to keep that custom, but also show the ladies how much value they have. We wash every pair of feet before we start our party. It’s such a humbling and intimate experience we love. To look our ladies in the eyes and tell them how deeply they are loved.

We had too much fun singing karaoke, sharing meals, dancing around and winning prizes.

We are so blessed to have a team that works so well together, and for our Thai staff who do the absolute most to put on this event. They are seriously the best!

We pray that this year will be full of blessings for our ladies, we feel so blessed to be here to serve them and do life alongside them!

สุขสันต์ปีใหม่นะค่ะ🫰🏻🩵

27/03/2026

We are gearing up for our annual Songkran celebration here at Illumin8! 💦🔫

If you don’t know, Songkran is the Thai New Year. It’s a time that symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and new beginnings. Water is used as a way of washing away the past year and stepping into the new one fresh.

☀️ It also happens during the hottest time of year in Thailand, so the water celebrations are very welcome!

🙏 At Illumin8, we combine the celebration of the new year with a tradition of our own. Before the women come in, we wash their feet as a way to honor and serve them.

Just as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, we want to serve these women with humility, love, and dignity. It’s always one of the most powerful and humbling moments of the day.

We’re so excited for this event and can’t wait to celebrate together!

🗓 Save the date:
April 9 | 11:00–3:00 pm

Happy Songkran, ka! ❤️☀️🫰🏻💦🔫

06/11/2025

15/10/2025

Laughter fills the room as meals are shared and friendships grow. In the middle of these everyday moments, women are beginning to ask deeper questions—about faith, baptism, and what it means to follow Jesus. Pray with us that their hearts continue to open to the hope found in Christ.

03/10/2025

Huge shout out to Ryan!

He brings so much personality to the center—whether it’s his contagious laugh, his enthusiastic Thai that always makes the volunteers giggle, or his generous heart. He’s constantly thinking and dreaming up new ideas for the center, even outside of work hours. illumin8 simply wouldn’t be the same without him! 🌟👏

26/09/2025

Say hello to Courtney, our amazing long-term volunteer who just returned from the States after six months! She’s jumped right back in as if she never left—taking over English teaching and tackling the sales and promotions of Pure Whey Bars, which benefit our center with every purchase.

The girls are absolutely thrilled to have her back—our days have been filled with laughter and giggles ever since.

✨ Welcome back, Courtney! ✨

17/09/2025

A few months ago, we met one of these moms on the street 8 months pregnant.

Today, she is caring for a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old with almost nothing.

We had the opportunity to step in and offer help—providing food, diapers, and a sleeping mat so they don’t have to sleep on bare concrete.

This is the heart of our mission at illumin8–We have the honor of coming alongside women in vulnerable seasons, meeting their practical needs, and walking with them as they grow and establish stability in their lives.

Please pray for these sweet women—that their immediate needs will be met and that they will find lasting hope and strength as they care for their families. ❤️

“and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭10‬ ‭

05/09/2025

Their joy and laughter are priceless. 💛

Just as Jesus said in John 13:35, love is what makes us known — and we see that love shining here every week.

02/09/2025

Another week filled with learning, laughter, and shared meals 😍