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 five 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 animal lover and have been 'owned' by many animals 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, four years into a degree studying International Business Management and 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 am now studying psychology at a New Zealand university as an 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 22, from the Akha Hill Tribe, the former sponsor daughter of the Cornelius family, and was our first helper at Baan Itsara Family Home.  Her duties included helping with the kids, cooking, cleaning and she supplied us with great practical advice about just about everything.  Air moved on in July 2011, but while no longer in our employ, remains in our hearts as our daughter.