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In a bustling neighborhood of SamYan, Thailand, where Buddhist temples and street markets fill the streets, Graysen has spent seven years quietly building something remarkable: an after-school program called SamYan NewGen (“New Generation”).

What began as Graysen tutoring one overlooked child on a street corner has blossomed into a lifeline for dozens of at-risk kids—children from low-income families and young people falling behind in school. Today, Graysen’s team offers classes in Thai, English, and math, but the real work goes deeper: restoring hope, dignity, and belonging.

How was it even possible to find a home for a gospel-centered after-school program in a nation where Buddhism is the cultural norm for most? In late 2024, it happened. After years of closed doors and unmet pleas, a church—once thought the least likely to help—opened both its building and its heart to the ministry. The church not only agreed to host the program but has begun building relationships with these students and families. Pastors now collaborate on community projects and are seeking ways to formally partner in the work. “It was an answer to countless prayers,” Graysen says.

This program is recognized by the community and various universities in the city, all of which promote it as a place to volunteer because of its contribution to their society and recognition on a resume! Some of Graysen’s earliest students, who were not expected to graduate high school, are now in college—and coming back as volunteers to mentor the next generation. As one team member described, “The difference you see in these kids? The light reaches their eyes.”

In a spiritually heavy place, SamYan NewGen is a powerful witness to the hope of Christ. “God is doing something extraordinary here,” writes Graysen.