James survived a traumatic childhood in eastern Shan State, Myanmar, thanks to a local Adventist missionary, Mrs. Pasaw Htee. But the trouble started soon after her sudden passing. James argued and fought with the other children in the family that took him in. Worse yet, their oldest son was a drunkard who taught James to steal. Soon James was branded as a little thief and marginalized by his adopted family and the community. No one wanted him.