Our heart is to nuture children who need a very special kind of love - whose lives have been broken through abuse, trauma, and neglect.  The basis of our heart is our relationship with Jesus, and a promise that comes from Isaiah 49:24-25.

Baan Itsara Family Home  

We, the Cornelius family, first arrived in Thailand in July 2005.  Baan Itsara Family home opened in June 2008 when the first two children were taken into emergency care.  Presently four children live with us in our home.  As our goal is to become a real family, we are mum and dad to our kids.  

Meet Our Family  

Dan –  Born on a farm near Dargaville, I lived in Auckland, New Zealand, until our family moved to Thailand.  An ‘enthusiastic atheist’ (quoting Angela) for twenty years, I accepted Jesus as my Saviour in the year 2000.   After 22 years in the optical industry in various roles, I became a full-time student in 2004, graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Theology from Carey Baptist College, New Zealand, in 2008.  In my spare time I like reading non-fiction, writing, photography and watching movies.   

Angela – Born in Auckland,  I grew up in a non-Christian family but embraced the love of Christ in the year 2000 also.  I have been working my way through a Bachelor of Applied Theology degree at Carey Baptist College but have yet to complete this.  I'm a devoted cat-lover and have been 'owned' by many cats over the last 25 years!  I'm also interested in permaculture  and am slowly developing this interest in various ways in our present location.  Life is pretty busy, but I enjoy snatching pieces of time to read books for personal growth in my faith.  I also enjoy getting together with other women for fellowship.

Andre –  At the age of 15 I joined my mum, dad, and sister in relocating to Thailand in obedience to God’s calling.  I'm currently attending Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand, two years into a degree, studying International Business Management and the Thai language.  I enjoy most sports, but I really love  cricket and soccer.

Gabrielle –  After finishing high school in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2009, and completing a five-month YWAM DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Bangkok, I now am studying psychology at a New Zealand university as a online student.  Married to Seth Porter in January 2010, I currently reside in Bangkok. God seems to have given me the ability to learn the Thai language very quickly, and I enjoy getting together with my Thai friends and practicing my Thai .  I'm also passionate about art.     
                                                                                                                              
Air - Aged 20, from the Akha Hill Tribe, the former sponsor daughter of the Cornelius family, and now our first helper at Baan Itsara Family Home.  She is great with the kids, helps with cooking, caring, cleaning, and usually supplies us with great practical advice about just about everything!
                                                                                                                  
                
                                 Air