In the mission field of Khon Khaen, Thailand, the Little Sheep Childcare Centre founded by Methodist Missions Society, faced their own struggles to accommodate a child with special needs.
Everyone loves a comfortable and pleasant environment. A quiet classroom can quickly become unsettling when disrupted by shouting or running. Rushing to an appointment, only to be delayed because the bus driver waits patiently for a person in a wheelchair to board, can cause frustration. A joyful gathering interrupted by a meltdown can create discomfort. Many of us have found ourselves in situations where we feel uneasy or inconvenienced due to the disabilities of others. Disabilities can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental or related to chronic illnesses. These moments often challenge us to respond with patience, understanding and compassion.
When Methodist Missions Society (MMS) founded Little Sheep Childcare Centre in Khon Kaen, Thailand, we were thrilled to teach children and instil godly values in them. Daily challenges like crying, disobedience and delayed learning were normal situations which we handled every day. However, one day, we encountered a situation that tested us in new ways—a child began exhibiting signs of autism. This child struggled to interact with others, often screamed during classes, and disrupted nap times with loud singing and outbursts.
The teachers grew physically and mentally exhausted. They were also concerned about the impact on the other children’s learning if this situation continued. During our discussions, we faced a difficult decision; either gently ask the parents to find another school better suited to their child’s needs or take on the responsibility of teaching and nurturing the child to the best of our abilities.
During our discussions, we faced a difficult decision; either gently ask the parents to find another school better suited to their child’s needs or take on the responsibility of teaching and nurturing the child to the best of our abilities.
As we prayed, we asked ourselves: How does Jesus view this child? What would he do? The answer was clear. Jesus loved this child deeply and would not have turned him away. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
Jesus did not exclude children with special needs, and neither should we. It felt like a battle between doing what was right versus doing what was easy.
We chose the right path, even though it was the more difficult one. When we told the child’s mother that we would work together to support her child, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. With tears in her eyes, she said, “We’ve been asked to withdraw from previous schools before. The teachers couldn’t handle my child. I didn’t know what I would do if your centre turned us away too.”
Disabilities and special needs often leave children and their families feeling abandoned by society. By choosing to embrace this child, we offered them acceptance and love. Yet, what we did pales in comparison to the surpassing love of God, who demonstrated his love for us in this: “… while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus did not let the inconvenience of coming to earth stop him from redeeming us from our spiritual brokenness. During his time on earth, he reached out to the marginalised, the disabled and the excluded, showing us how to love them unconditionally. Likewise, the disabilities of others should never stop us from loving, caring for and accepting them for who they are.
Rev Vincent Lim is a Diaconal Minister in The Methodist Church in Singapore and serves as the Regional Director (Lao & Thailand) for Methodist Missions Society. / Photos courtesy of Methodist Missions Society