The grand opening and dedication of a new training facility on Jan. 28, 2026, was a joyous day at Thai Village in Chiang Mai, Thailand. More than two hundred friends, artisans, donors, and partners came together to support Thai Village’s mission to train and employ low-income people; support Christian outreach and education; and create opportunities to share God’s love in the community.

Thai Village, an independent nonprofit organization, is a WELS-affiliated ministry that works closely with the WELS Asia-Oceania Team. It grew from an idea that Liz Meister, a missionary’s daughter and current executive director, had in 2005 to use local art forms to create jobs for local Bible students. “We design products and train local people who are in need of jobs to make them,” shares Katie Lehman, director of operations. “The need for income is what typically brings people to our door, but artisans are also invited into the wider community of opportunities, including relationships, activities, and hope.”

The new facility includes training and meeting rooms, a showroom, and a large covered outdoor pavilion. Previously, the organization had been renting a small building that was shared with Promise Lutheran Church, a congregation in fellowship with WELS. “Anyone who visited or worked there would say we were using every inch of the space. For outreach events, we would host the community in our parking lot and spill into the street,” shares Lehman. “As more and more people came to our door looking for work, we saw the need and opportunity to expand serving in practical and spiritual ways.”

Thai Village now has 15 full-time local staff and 2 full-time US staff (Lehman and Meister). “Local managers work together to come up with marketable designs for handmade crafts such as embroidery, tin, leather, sewing, wood, and jewelry using local materials and matching them to local needs,” explains Lehman. “Artisans (60 to 100 per year) are referred by word of mouth or by other local organizations for training, and priority is given to those with the most need—those most at risk. The artisans come to Thai Village for training and are able to work from home once their samples pass quality control, then return to be paid upfront for their work, making the facility a bustling community workspace. A community artisan liaison coordinates weekly home visits to different artisan’s homes and follows up with needs in the community.”

As a registered foundation in Thailand, Thai Village offers other programs that run throughout the year, including a financial matched savings program, debt relief, weekly Bible studies, English classes, home visitation, educational scholarships, relief programs partnered with the local municipality, mental health seminars, and individual support. In partnership with Promise Lutheran Church, they host community outreach events like vacation Bible school camps, Christmas and Valentine’s Day parties, Mother’s Day events, healthy teenager camps, and family-strengthening camps. Ideas are being discussed for renting out an apartment and seminar room in the new facility and starting a coffee shop.

Funding for the facility came from individuals, customers, granting organizations, and a portion of craft sales for the past three years. WELS Christian Aid and Relief helped fund the outreach pavilion—the place most used by the community. Daniel Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, attended the dedication and shares, “We support this mission wholeheartedly! It was a joy to meet their artisans and hear their testimonies about how Thai Village and the gospel shared there changed their lives.”

Laura Schaefer

Learn more about Thai Village and the products made there.

Volume 113, Number 04
Issue: April 2026