Paul Calvert spoke with Tarya Sonivita

Tarya: Yes, the agency in Thailand paints a beautiful picture about Israel, about how much money they can earn, but they don't get according to the law. Their expectation is too high and they are very disappointed when they come here and don't get as much as they wanted. When they come here they pay about $10,000 in order to come and they borrow the money because no one has that sort of money themselves and they pay very high interest 3-5% a month. When they are paid less than minimum wage, the money is not enough to pay back the loan.

Paul: Do many of them get into difficulties because of this?

Tarya: Yes they are very desperate some of them. They are men and when they call me, they cry. It's very hard for me to help them, but there is a non-governmental organisation that is helping the people in their work when they are not paid according to the law, or the living conditions are bad, or safety is not taken into consideration.

Paul: Are Thai people very important to the economy of Israel, especially in the farming community?

Tarya: I think they are, because they are almost the only ones who are patient enough to work in the fields and green houses which are very hot and hard work. They work 10-14 hours a day.

Paul: You do prison ministry, why is that?

Tarya: The Thai workers are in prison firstly because the employer may not extend the visa, which should be done every year during these 5 years. Secondly the Thai worker has left the employer to go and work for someone else who may not have the permission from the Israeli government to receive the foreign workers. They're not in prison because they have done anything wrong; they've just got caught in a loophole. I try to help through the non-governmental organisations here in Israel so that they can get a new employer and mainly we can help those who have been 4 years or less in the country.

Paul: When you go into the prisons what sort of things do you do there and what is life like in prison in Israel?

Tarya: Foreigners are separated from the criminals. Even though it is the same prison area they live in different buildings, so its prison it's not a hotel. They survive there. For Thai's the food is really bad and some of them really suffer because they can't eat bread or raw vegetables because they aren't used to it. It is hard for them and they don't get a salary when they are in prison, so there is a lot of pressure on them. Then they get phone calls from home saying, "when are you sending money to us, we don't have any money here?" So they get a lot of pressure there and it is very depressing. That's why I try to go there once a week or once every two weeks.

Paul: Are you able to speak to them about Christ?

Tarya: Yes, I always tell about what I do, that I am Christian and why I am here and that God loves them. If there is an opportunity I pray for them and usually Thai people are happy to be prayed for.

Paul: Are there many Thai churches and believers in Israel?

Tarya: There are not many Christians here, perhaps 200, but wherever I go I give out the New Testament and Christian CD's with Christian songs on them in Thai which they love. I also give out films and other booklets which they can read. Some of them have become believers in this country while being here and it is important to encourage those who are Christians.

Paul: Do you find many people from Thailand finding Yeshua as their Lord and Saviour here in Israel?