Throughout 2025, a group of enquirers journeyed with our sisters at Good Shepherd Place, Singapore, through a year-long program of formation, deepening their understanding of the congregation’s history, spirituality, mission, and charisms. This journey culminated in an immersion-cum-mission trip to Chiang Rai, Thailand, from 7 to 12 November 2025, led by Sr. Fiona Mary Yeo with on-site support from Sr. Suphatra Anantachat and Sr Anurak Chaiyaphuek. Beyond supporting the Good Shepherd Youth Centre through practical initiatives and grant preparation, the experience offered each participant a personal encounter with sisters and partners-in-mission in different cultural contexts. What follows are reflections from two enquirers, Ada Koh and Shivaun Goh, sharing how the mission trip shaped their hearts and illuminated God’s call in distinct and meaningful ways.

Ada’s Reflection

When I first received the invitation to join this mission trip, I felt an immediate sense of excitement. It was something I had long hoped to experience—an opportunity to encounter the Good Shepherd Sisters’ ministry beyond Singapore and to better understand their mission and charisms in a different part of the world.

Throughout the trip, I was struck by the simple joys of human connection. From the moment we arrived in Chiang Rai, the sisters received us with warmth and generosity that never wavered. Despite their many responsibilities, they made themselves fully present to us, ensuring that we felt welcomed and cared for.

In their attentiveness, I witnessed the Good Shepherd Sisters’ vision lived out in a very real way: “One person is of more value than the world.” This phrase, attributed to St Mary Euphrasia, took on flesh through their actions.

The sisters’ vow of zeal was especially evident in their ministry. I worked closely with Sr Anurak on grant proposals for the youth center—what we initially thought would be a simple task that soon revealed itself to be far more complex. With no guaranteed donors, she approached the work with hope, creativity, and determination. Even as her deteriorating vision posed challenges, her zeal far outweighed any limitation.

One of the most profound moments of the trip came during our visit to villages belonging to the Hmong tribe. Though the homes were simple, sometimes without proper flooring, the hospitality we received was overwhelming. Families welcomed us with home-cooked meals, and one mother proudly shared the traditional costumes she had hand-sewn as an expression of cultural pride. Witnessing program participants leave their villages in search of safety, education, and a better future allowed me to see more clearly the impact of the Good Shepherd mission.

Early in the trip, I became aware of my resistance to attempting the Thai language, relying instead on English and hesitating to engage fully. Yet these moments of discomfort became spaces of grace, inviting me to see how vast God’s created world truly is and how we are loved endlessly. Through the lives of the Good Shepherd Sisters, I was reminded that no one is forgotten or unloved.

This journey has given new depth to a simple phrase we often say without much thought: “Jesus loves you.” Far from being a casual greeting, it holds a truth that calls us to share this good news not only in words, but through concrete acts of love.

Shivaun’s Reflection

I began this journey with hesitation. A new job, the responsibilities of planning activities, and a sense of emotional distance from the team weighed heavily on me. Yet it was precisely in this uncertainty that God met me, transforming my reluctant “yes” into a deeply grace-filled experience that touched my heart in ways I did not know I needed.

From the moment we arrived in Chiang Rai, we were welcomed with open arms by the sisters and staff. Their warmth made us feel less like visitors and more like long-awaited friends. This sense of belonging deepened when we discovered that a waitress at a nearby restaurant was a former program participant from the Good Shepherd Youth Centre, now a student at Chiang Rai University. Her joy and gratitude revealed the far-reaching impact of the Good Shepherd mission to girls at risk of forced migration and human trafficking.

Beyond offering safety and education, the sisters empower program participants through practical and vocational skills. Older participants take on meaningful responsibilities—from cooking and running a small café to producing handmade goods. What struck me was not just their competence, but their confidence and hope for the future.

One activity we organized was tote bag painting. Initially hesitant, the participants slowly embraced the opportunity to create something uniquely their own. Many continued working on their bags in their free time, and one even stayed up all night sewing a personalized design as a gift for her younger sister. Her love for her family made me reflect on how easily I take my own loved ones for granted.

Braiding friendship bracelets proved unexpectedly challenging. Language barriers and intricate designs led to frustration for both of us. Yet in struggling alongside them and guiding them through simpler patterns, I realized that to be a shepherd, one must first know what it means to be a sheep. This gave new depth to Jesus’ words, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

Equally meaningful were the moments of sharing with my fellow enquirers, which offered me a glimpse into community life within religious vocation. Through this mission trip, the Good Shepherd opened my heart to receive far more than I could ever give, inviting me to hold simplicity and complexity together and to trust that, indeed, God alone is enough.

Discover more about the Good Shepherd mission in Thailand here