No Retirement in God's Kingdom
In 2016, William and Karen Lenn established Beacon Hall, a hostel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It has been a fruitful time for the faithful couple as they witnessed how God provides and works in their midst. They share how it all started and their prayer for this endeavour.
Beacon Hall is a hostel for ethnic minority (e.g. Hmong) university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was established by William and Karen Lenn in 2016 and had its first intake of students in April 2017. The Lenns were in their 70s when they started to put the idea into action, prospecting the land in Chiang Mai in January 2015 (right photo) following one of GBC's quarterly trips to Kathy's Home in Pua, Thailand.
How did it all start
We asked Karen how it all started and what led them to missions at a later age, when it's quite counter-cultural and the prevailing norm is to retire and enjoy retirement life. She responded matter of factly, "How did we land up in Chiang Mai? As the saying goes, 'You make your bed, you lie on it.' Build the hostel, go look after it! Like that lor!" As simple as it might sound, God has been preparing the Lenns for this endeavour for close to two decades when they sought Him in prayers on how they can use their God-given gifts and abilities to serve Him.
Karen elaborated, "Actually even before we retired we were praying that God would show us how we can use our skill, training and experience to serve Him. We wanted our retirement to be meaningful and purposeful. In our early years of retirement, He opened the window of opportunity through New Tribes Missions for us to serve in the newly established mission school in Chiang Mai—Grace International School (GIS). Contacts were made and in obedience we arrived in GIS in 2001 and served till 2003. One thing led to another, many friendships were made which opened up even more opportunities for us and that's how Beacon Hall was finally built."
She went on to say, "We did not angst in prayer for clear directions. We felt that we were still healthy and able and didn't want to waste the years of learning God has given us. It was all very logical for us, we didn't want to hibernate in our retirement or reinvent the wheel as time was not on our side now. Once the idea took root we just committed it to prayer and actively researched and spoke to different people involved in missions. We knew God would redirect us if our thoughts were not in line with His."
As they went in obedience, William shared how God provided generously over and above their expectations when they were raising fund for the land and building, testifying to His faithfulness and bountiful grace.
"The funds for the building came through the generosity of our care group members and some GBC members who knew about our plans. Many of my ex-students and swimming trainees donated a total of six rooms. Former rugby players from ACJC came together and provided the funds for furnishing all the rooms and another sponsored the water tank and pump. Dr Lee Li Eng, our sponsor, donated the study room. A Thai student whom we housed when he was a student in Singapore managed to locate me after 32 years. He asked about us and when told that we were building a hostel in Chiang Mai, he was spontaneous and donated two rooms. The amazing part during the fundraising was that there was no pre-arranged appointments to raise funds. We met the donors at informal events or dinners who asked about our retirement plans. Indeed, our Lord’s perfect timing was such a testimony of His faithfulness and we were greatly encouraged. We trusted God, who already knew our needs and He provided generously over and above our expectations with architect, engineers and builder as well."
What’s the purpose of Beacon Hall?
William explained that there was a need to provide affordable lodging for the ethnic minorities in Thailand who make it to the universities in Chiang Mai, which would help to reduce their cost of living and university education. They also want to provide a Christian environment where biblical principles regarding the four dimensions of man—body, mind, soul and strength—are given due attention as they interact with the youths staying in the hostel. In addition, they also aim to emphasise social graces at birthday dinners and festivals which also give them time to bond with the youths and introduce them to city life.
For the new academic year in 2022, Beacon Hall will have seven boys (full occupancy) and four girls (it can accommodate four more girls). The students come from different homes, villages and hostels with a few from Kathy’s Home. As an outreach, the Lenns try to take in one or two non-believers as most of the prophesying Christians are very young in their faith or nominal. Their first intake of students was in April 2017 and you can read more about the students Beacon Hall ministered to here.
What’s Beacon Hall like?
Beacon Hall is a double storey building of 16 rooms. It is divided into two sections, one for students and another for guests. The student’s wing has four ensuite twin sharing rooms for boys with a laundry area on the ground floor. The second floor has four similar facilities for girls. The guest wing has five air-conditioned, ensuite rooms for guests, an office and rooms for two house parents with a pantry. There is also an air-conditioned study room. On the ground floor there is space for meeting, indoor and outdoor kitchens with refrigerators and filtered water dispensers. WiFi is also available.
Beacon Hall is financially independent with monthly contributions from students costing about slightly more than S$1/diem. They have received unsolicited gifts from friends, care group members and some GBC members who have visited them, and also from mission groups from Grace Methodist Church, Singapore. Beacon Hall also regularly receives the Christmas love gift from GBC. All these funds go into maintenance, A&A (additions & alterations) and a sinking fund. To save cost, cleanliness and gardening is maintained by all at Beacon Hall. No hired personnel are appointed.
(Beacon Hall held its dedication service in 2018, you can read about it here.)
How can we pray for you?
When asked about their prayer requests, William and Karen shared that they have been praying for God to prepare another couple for this ministry. In particular, they are praying for a couple who has the background to provide spiritual counsel, help the youths grow in their faith and other aspects of social well-being.
They also seek prayers for God’s protection, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance to watch over Beacon Hall and the occupants, that it will be a real home away from home. Above all, pray that they will always be conscious of His abiding presence and be an example worthy of a believer.
Finally, they desire that Beacon Hall exists for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom, and for the development of youths who stay here.
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. (Deut 28:2)
We thank God for William and Karen who through their faithfulness, have been such an encouragement to us. Seeing how they trusted and obeyed God well into their 70s (William turned 80 in 2021!), how they abide in Him and are bearing much fruit encourages us to also stand fast in our faith, to obey the voice of the LORD and be used by Him and be a beacon of truth and light to those around us.