How Did It Begin?
The Juniper Tree, Hua Hin was founded in 1977 by Ruth Wilson, a missionary who had been working in Vietnam and Thailand for many years. She realized the need for an independent place of rest and refreshment for Christian workers in South East Asia and began to pray about such a possibility. God clearly confirmed to her that not only should such a place come into being, but also that she would be instrumental in setting it up.
Step by Step
When the first house was rented on the beach at Hua Hin, south of Bangkok, it was a step of faith and ever since that time, the ministry of The Juniper Tree has been one step of faith after another. The name of The Juniper Tree was given by Ruth Wilson after reading of Elijah's experiences in 1 Kings 19:4-8. The prophet was given good rest and restoration, both physically and spiritually, to enable him to resume the ministry to which God had called him.
Consolidation
Ruth Wilson retired from the work in 1992 but the vision is now carried on through the formation of The Juniper Tree Charitable Foundation, a U.K Registered Charity.
As The Juniper Tree Charitable Foundation is not recognized as a legal entity in Thailand, it operates as a project of the Covenant Foundation, a Thai Christian Foundation of likeminded objectives and beliefs. The Covenant Foundation takes care of all legal matters in Thailand.
Branching out
Over the years, as the number of guests staying at Hua Hin increased, the need for a second Juniper Tree became apparent. Chiang Mai was identified as a potential site for a second location and in November 2000 a former resort-style guesthouse was purchased and the second Juniper Tree established.
A new era
Due to a number of reasons, the original Juniper Tree, which was a rented property, closed in March 2006. After a long search, the Lord led the Trustees to purchase a piece of land at Dolphin Bay, to the south of Hua Hin and construction on the new Juniper Tree, Dolphin began.
Ruth S. Wilson, Founder of The Juniper Tree, is now with her Lord
Ruth S. Wilson, age 86, of Warm Beach Senior Community; Bournemouth, England; and Thailand, passed away on Sunday, January 27,2008. She was born in Bellingham,WA, U.S.A and was the first daughter of Rebecca Laura and L.G. Stanbra. She graduated from Friday Harbor High School after moving with her family to San Juan Island. She married Gene Wilson in 1942. After barely surviving a terrible boat fire, which resulted in the untimely death of her young husband, Ruth went on to graduate from Seattle Pacific College and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Seattle. She then went on to do mission support work in Asia with Wycliffe Bible Translators and Overseas Missionary Fellowship. Ruth also founded The Juniper Tree, a holiday home for Christian workers in Hua Hin, Thailand, where she resided for many years. Ruth's ministry was appreciated by thousands of Christian workers from all over Asia. Hebrews 10v6 is so applicable to Ruth's life and ministry. If anyone would like to give a donation in memory of Ruth, please click here. The gifts will be used for further construction and furnishing of the new Juniper Tree in Dolphin Bay Thailand – as she would have wished.
Donations for The Juniper Tree Dolphin Bay
Gifts from the USA can be made out to the address shown on the right below. The Thai Christian Foundation will kindly facilitate gifts for The Juniper Tree to be channelled through them. They act as our servicing Charitable Organization in the USA.
For gifts from the UK/Europe, please send to The Juniper Tree Charitable Foundation’s Treasurer at the address shown on the left.
Gifts from the UK or Europe
Mr. David Sinclair (Treasurer)
The Juniper Tree Charitable Foundation
34 Arnewood Road
Southbourne
Bournemouth
BH6 5DH
UK
(davidandhelensinclair@ntlworld.com)
(UK tax payers can Gift Aid which increases the value of a gift by 28%.
Tax rebate forms available on request).
Gifts from the USA- mark for ‘Juniper Tree’
Ms. Gail Seward (Treasurer)
Thai Christian Foundation
6116 North Central Expressway
Suite 518, L.B.45
Dallas
Texas 75206
USA
(ggseward@msn.com)
(This charity is able to facilitate tax-deductible gifts).