You Too Can Help

The sex trade is an international problem that can be found right here in our own cities.  Atlanta is one of the worst places for trafficking in the Western world.  You don't have to go overseas to help.  If you would like to find ways to connect or contribute I have listed some sources below:

NightLight International

Visit NightLight International's store to purchase jewelry by women rescued from the sex trade.  The proceeds of the purchases go back to help the ministry of rescuing women and children from the sex trade.

You can also host a jewelry party and invite friends.  Proceeds of the party will also go back to fighting those trapped in the sex trade. To schedule a party you can contact NightLight directly at jewelry@nightlightinternational.com.



Volunteer With NightLight In Atlanta

If you want to become more active in the fight against trafficking and the sex trade industry here in Atlanta, you can visit the link above to find out more about the opportunities with NightLight here in the city.


Purchase Effect

Photo By Connie Rock

Purchase Effect provides a portion of the proceeds for each item back to the country where purchase to elevate human rights.  It has a diverse product line and notes the cause and country each item will benefit.
















Buy A T-shirt

Place an order for one of these shirts I had created just for the trip to Thailand.  They are Nike Dri-fit so they run a bit small.  The shirts are a $50 donation and more than $30 of each purchase will go back to help either NightLight or Rahab in their work they are doing in Thailand.  To order a shirt either visit the link below to make your donation.  Make sure that I have the size you are looking for.

Click Here To Purchase

The Playground Project By Libby Spears

Take a few moments to watch this trailer for Libby Spear's Playground Project.  This documentary takes a look at the problem of trafficking in the US.  An estimated 7,200 men purchase sex from minors each month in the metro Atlanta area alone.

Why go?

You may be asking yourself, "why go to Thailand?" It was a question that I had to answer a lot from people who heard that I was still planning to go to Thailand in the midst of a military coup.  I have to give my mom and dad credit for their faith in God. Not once did they question me going or suggest otherwise.  After returning from a country where the family structure is so different you appreciate having 2 godly parents who support you and your dreams.

I also have to brag on God. There were protests almost daily until the day our team arrived. Once the team joined together there were no protests during the rest of our visit. The lack of tourists in the red light district opened more doors for conversations with the women. Had it been busier we many not have gotten to connect with so many.

I went to Thailand because I have a burden for those who have been or are being sexually abused. Before you tell me, I realize that there are plenty of women in the US that need help and I plan to be more active with those women as well.

You don't have to go to a foreign country to serve, but other countries don't have the resources that are afforded to people in the US. There are all sorts of non - profits in the US. There are government agencies that help fight people's problems. While we do not have a perfect system we do have a lot of systems in place.

You don't go to be a hero. You go with an open heart to help the people of the country with whatever needs physically, spiritually and mentally that they might have. You want to empower the people in the country to help. If we only focus on what we can do its a flash in the pan and has no lasting impact. However, if we focus on forming relationships and meeting needs we can make changes that affect future generations.

If you are interested in doing a trip I would highly recommend checking out Adventures In Missions.  They are a Christian based group that does trips all over the world. I happened upon them by Google. They are based in Gainesville, GA and have been around since the 80s.

Ladies at our pizza party/Bible study.  Five women gave their lives to Christ. Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Three of the Touts from one of the bars.  Ed and Tom welcomed us each night.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

From a Transaction to a Transformation

Safari is a bar in the Patpong district. It's not one of the ones that really stands out. The women are much older on average. There are women there in their 60s. Thanks to your donations we made a visible impact on the ladies at Safari.

Because of your willingness to help, we had additional money that allowed us to do a pizza party for women in the red light district on Thursday afternoon.  We hosted them at Rahab. 6 or 7 women from Safari attended.

In total we had about 20 women from bars attend. To start out we went around the room to do introductions. One by one they had to stand and sing a little jingle and do a silly dance move. Here are women who seem to have no sense of shame, who dance on stages each night and get completely vulnerable in front of strange men - nervous about standing up, saying their name and doing a silly dance move. Anytime you remind them of their humanity they become a person again with all of the same emotions that any of us would have. 

Our team did a skit that showed that regardless what you have done God loves you and is there for you.  It was a quick skit but powerful for several of the ladies because they could relate to the emotions. Then one of the ladies from our team shared her story. She had worked in a strip club when she was younger and God had drastically changed her life. You could see the connection as she talked about how she felt working in that environment. 

5 of the women gave their lives to God at the party and most of them were from Safari. Rahab will continue to work with these ladies and others on a transition plan out of the sex trade. 

Tonight when we walked by Safari we were greeted by a host of smiling and excited ladies. I know I've said it over and over, but I can't express enough how much love can change an environment.  There is a reason God gave the great commandment. The Golden Rule is golden for a reason. A few friendship bracelets, some neon plastic crosses and a smile can tear down walls that are hard to comprehend even when you are doing it.

Two of the ladies who came to our pizza party. We will continue to pray for them.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Try Love

We spent one night in the Nana District. Nana and Patpong have different styles. Patpong has a market down the middle of the street, which draws in people of all ages to shop. This bit of honey attracts people that may not have intended to go into the red light bars, but now they are there and the curiosity kills the cat. The worst thing about the market being in Patpong in my opinion is that both vendors and shoppers bring their children through the district.  This is obviously not a healthy environment for a child to grow up in.

Nana is different.  You don't end up in Nana by accident.  There is nothing there that makes you think it's anything other than a red light district.

In Patpong many of the women are there because of financial pressure from their families. The oldest female has the responsibility of providing for the family in the traditional, rural Thai culture. Isaan is where most of the women we met were from. Their families send them to Bangkok to make money to be able to provide. They often will not see any of their family members because they can't afford to travel back and forth. They work 29-30 days a month and ship money back home.

The ladies are paid a salary from the bars and then receive tips on top of that. They are fined for any infraction such as being late. They have quotas that they have to reach each month. The quotas vary from drink sales to specific menu options. If they do not meet these quotas they are fined. They are paid at the end of the month so the need for tips keeps them financially indebted to the bar. The Mama San is the den mother and makes sure things run smoothly.

The Nana District is where much more of the trafficking of women from outside of the country happens. There is a hotel there that is sort of a hub.  You will find women from Africa, Eastern Europe and other parts of Asia. Most of the time Thailand isn't their first stop.  These women have no means of getting away.

Although the other women aren't trafficked to the district by people they don't know, it's almost worse that the ones that are there "voluntarily," respond the same way when asked "why are you working here?" They almost universally respond that they are working to support their families and send money back home for their mom and dad. I can't imagine being in a place that I would ask my eldest daughter to go 5 hours away to a place she knows no one and sell herself so that we could have more. While saying that, I realize that it's more complex than that. Some families have no idea that their daughters are making money this way.  While others do, they didn't grow up with the same value system for children or family that I had as a Westerner growing up in a Christian home with two parents who wanted better for their children than they had. The most important thing in their culture is the financial well being of the mother and father. I can't pass judgment on either side because I haven't walked in their shoes. What I can do is pray for and encourage them that they are worth more and there are people who care about them and their future.

We spent most of our time working in Patpong.  By the end of the week I felt a sense of community and saw the individuals, regardless of their role, as people that need to be loved and most importantly these are people that Jesus gave his life for. It was no longer a red light district.  It was a place people worked. People with needs, hurts, ambitions and pressures. For them this was life.

Saturday night in Nana was very different.  "Same. Same. But different." Because there is no market to hide behind. The touts know that if you are in the district you are there to go into the bars.    

The approach is much more vulgar and the women are much more fearful of the management. We walked around the area and tried giving a few of the girls bracelets and they would first make eye contact with the person working the door to seek approval and many declined. They didn't want to make eye contact with us.  They were shells of people.  

We split into 3 different groups. 1 stayed at a karaoke bar where you can get the same services but the women are fully clothed in dresses. The other 2 groups went into the Go Go bars.

The entire vibe of the area was darker and more depressing. My group went into a bar on the second level. We walked into the bar and there was only one customer. The 10 or so girls on the stage could have been robots. One of them was incredibly young. We sat down in front of the ladies. They didn't want to look at us. They didn't want to look at anyone. They were so focused on the mirror.

The mirror is their best friend and their worst enemy. It allows them to focus on themselves and not the people. They can drift off to wherever it is they wish to be. However, it also serves as a giant magnifying glass for their imperfections. They constantly mess with their stomachs. Adjusting to hide any hint of being "overweight."

These were beautiful young women, but when they are on stage and in their bar role they try to be as robotic as possible.  I had brought my bag of things to give away. Since it was our last night I really wanted to give out as much as possible.  However, this bar didn't look like anyone was going to be willing to have a conversation.

We use the items as a way to start a conversation.  A simple gift of a free friendship bracelet with no ask in return removes a lot of barriers. It immediately puts a soul back into the body that just seconds earlier seemed like a statue.

I reached in my bag to get a couple of my colorful plastic cross necklaces. I thought maybe one of the girls would come over. After getting my crosses out I started thinking maybe this place was too dark to hand out these bright neon crosses. I wanted to put them back in my bag. I was immediately reminded of the whole point to this trip. If they don't need a cross, who does? Jesus didn't die for the perfect.

At that moment one of the older ladies came over, we will call her 426 because of the large red button she was wearing. See if she is known as 426 she is an item with a skew. She isn't a woman with 2 little boys at home with her mother. Boys ages 6 and 3 that will grow up knowing that the sex trade paid for their survival. They will never know a difference.

426 was immediately drawn to the necklaces.  When I brought the first one out of my bag she reached for it. It was again a reminder that people value love. She began helping untangle the stands of necklaces. 426 and the four of us on the team started hustling to untangle the necklaces. We were going to give them to the ladies and leave. Well once T.C. and Andy started passing out the necklaces it was like a light switch of humanity was turned on in the place. They started smiling, laughing, talking to one another and coming over to the 4 of us. They were girls again.

When the necklaces came out so did more girls. I'm not sure where they were hiding but they all wanted one. About that same time 5 or 6 men came in who were celebrating one of the guys 50th birthday.  They were a little confused as to what was going on. They were here to have a good time and it looked like a Stella and Dot party had broken out. Girls were putting on braclets, tieing on orange bandanas. They had all but forgotten the environment they were in. The men made me a little nervous because they were obviously not Christian and here we are handing out cross necklaces to the women they are looking to for entertainment.

They sat right in front of me. One immediately called over a girl. One sat right in front of the stage on a stool. In just a few seconds the guy in front turned around to say something to me and I just knew it was going to get awkward.
 

No, he reached out his hand and said he wanted a necklace.  By this time we had probably given out 20 or more necklaces. Their bright colors glowed in the blacklights. 

The man on the stool turned and waved at me. Not sure what he wanted I waved back and continued to pass out the items and talk with the girls. A lot of them had only been working in this bar a couple of months. A few minutes later the man came up to where I was sitting and squeezed in between one of the girls and me. He said he couldn't "see very well from the stool." These men came to the bar looking for time with these women but now they were huddled around our team trying to understand why we were here trying to form relationships with these women.

I explained that we are here to show God's love by loving these women.  Our conversation was cut short because we had to meet up with the other teams to return to Patpong. It was just another of the many times that we went into minister to the women but find that you can't isolate any one person in the picture.

People love to go on mission trips and complete a project and see immediate results. You create a construction project or provide a medical clinic. This work in the red light has a very long growing season. However, it has far exceeded my expectations.

A team from AIM goes every 6 months. They follow up on the relationships that was started or watered by the previous team. They also partner with other organizations who have members there year round. These organizations ultimately connect the women with other Thai women who better understand their struggle.  It's an incredible work that is happening there and one that I won't soon forget.

This trip more than anything has taught me to love. Few people regardless of background, affiliation, life experiences will shy away from genuine love.  The next time you are tempted to judge, try love. The results are beautiful. 

Nana Plaza at night.

You often find small children with their families in the Patpong district.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Some of our favorite guys at Superstar.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Ping Pong Show

Forrest Gump isn't the only person fond of ping pong balls. I think those were the 2 most repetitive English words I heard this week. As a marketer I can respect leading with a catchy hook. The moment you approach Patpong you are aggressively sought out by mostly men waving sex menus in your face. The most popular is the Ping Pong Show.

The first day you go into the district it is all a bit overwhelming.  You are annoyed by the persistence.  Disgusted by the thought. But curious. The Ping Pong Show approach is the Ripleys Believe It Or Not approach to moving the needle in the sex trade.

There were a lot of business practices I saw during my time that I questioned the effectiveness, but not this one. The Ping Pong Show is a hook that works. It's fun to say. It's memorable.  It's intriguing.  It's safe...I mean no one is asking you to do anything.  You aren't buying a girl. Just watching a show. You might as well check it out, what's the harm? They are going to be doing it anyway, right?

They know this is the mentality behind "Ping Pong Show?" However, they too know that if they can just get you in the door on their turf, get you to have a few drinks and surround you with beautiful women who "love" you that's it's statistically pretty likely that you will try more than the Ping Pong Show.

If Tom, a local tout, stood out on the stoop and asked do you want to buy a girl or yelled a simple "sex for sale" fewer people would participate.  People can enter the door telling themselves and the people around them that they are just here for a couple drinks and entertainment.  That all works until you get inside.

Women it's much like going to a nail salon and getting up-sold on an extra 10 minutes for the foot massage or adding the hot towel. You went in with every intention of sticking to a certain budget, but only 10 minutes in and you are already thinking of how you can keep this from ending. They are making you feel good. You aren't focused on your other problems.  What's a few more dollars? I mean, you are on vacation, don't you deserve it? This person is making you feel relaxed and you are willing to pay more than you would have been to keep it going. 

It's the same experience for the men and the bars know this. (Regardless of their offerings they are all called bars.) As much as men are physical beings most of the men we encountered this week were also seeking something more. They were often hurting and lonely.  It's this mix that has many men saying yes to a Ping Pong Show and walking away having bought a girl. The Ping Pong Show is Patpong's gateway drug if you will.

Talking with the touts.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Broken

She pulls on the few clothes she's provided.
Applies her make up to cover all she is hiding.
Like Cinderella in her fancy glass slippers.
Adorned to attract a man who she hopes will tip her.

She walks out of her dressing room into the dark.
Hoping for some man she will ignite a spark.
She puts one foot in front of the other as she climbs on the stage.
Praying tonight she doesn't get a man with rage.

As she enters the light and the music is bumping,
She knows she's alive only because her heart is thumping.
She grabs the pole and looks empty into the mirror.
She stares off looking for the little girl that was once in her.

She sways with the music from side to side.
Here on this stage her past and future collide.
Her innocence was taken when she was small.
There are now no boundaries to her at all.

Why should there be and who would care?
Would anyone really know if she wasn't there?
She's been touched and grabbed in every way it seemed.
This was not the life she had so often dreamed.

Her mom and dad were supposed to love and protect.
But all they provided was fear and neglect.
If she had a child she would never send it away.
If she had a child I love you she would say.

The ends justify the means is her life's song.
If this was done to me, how could I be wrong?
A heavy man in red waves her over.
She gives him a smile and caresses his shoulder.

He pays the bar her asking price.
Tells her he will give her more if she'll be nice.
Her body is a transaction that is numb to the core.
He grabs her hand and proudly walks out the door.

She does all of this in her mind to survive,
But it is a life that allows no one to thrive.
She puts herself in danger every night.
Just to buy food and turn on the lights.

She longs for security in a place so scary
She was just abused by a man who's married.
The self worth and addiction is at an all time low.
She doesn't know how much farther she can go.

She walks away from any safe harbor she had,
Off into the darkness with someone's dad.
If she could only know this one thing:
God heals the broken and allows them to sing.

A Hook and a Knot

We had a busy day yesterday. We started the day off by visiting Rahab's Ministry.  Rahab's is one of the partner organizations that we work with here in Bangkok.

The organization has been helping the women of Patpong for 25 years. On any given night there are 4,000 women working the 2 Patpong districts. Rahab's serves as an oasis for these ladies to seek safety and a new beginning. 

We went to Rahab to spend time with the ladies who currently work at Rahab and learn more about what they do. One of the job skills they learn there is the art of jewelry making. They then are able to sell the jewelry that they make to Westerners to support themselves and the ministry. The wages made at Rahab are not what they would have been making in the red light district, but Rahab realizes that many of these women are forced into the sex trade by financial needs. Typically they are sending funding back home to support their families in an area called Iassa. It's nearly impossible to get women out of the sex trade without providing them the life skills necessary to provide for themselves and their families.  Rahab has a transition house which allows women to focus on entering the workforce and further develop their life skills.

Another craft they work on is crocheting. After lunch I planned to spend some time with 3 ladies watching them make animals with a crochet needle. Well they took this as a coaching opportunity.  Two of the ladies thought it was now God's mission for them to teach me to crochet. For those of you who know me well, you know that I could never be a surgeon because my hands shake. Well they thought it was hilarious that I was so bad at this skill they had mastered and not only was I terrible, my hands shook while trying to hold the hook and make simple knots in a circle.  The only animal I think I could have created was a worm. Every time I would make a little progress they would pull the string, laugh and say "start over."

We had a great time laughing and sharing some life experiences.  We are going to go back in a couple of days for a party with more women who currently work in the bars. We hope this will allow us an opportunity to showcase the organization and make them aware that there are resources available to them and they can have a different life. Again, realizing this is a slow work that requires a lot of seed sowing.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to go to the other side of the city to check out one of the markets. I bought several pair of fisherman pants because the humidity has the heat index at between 105-110 each day. The wardrobe has definitely been challenging.  I have drank more water on this trip than you can imagine and I still feel dehydrated. 

We went back to the red light district last night. Business had picked up a bit. Few Americans are in the area because of the concern over the instability.  Once you begin to see the people behind the problem here it becomes altogether more complex. You are grateful the demand has decreased because that means less abuse will take place. However,  it also means that their livelihood has been impacted. That means less food for them and their children. The possibility of not paying rent. The need to do more and go further to get the same dollar. 

We pray for a transformation of the area and people there. Without a transformation they will leave Patpong and end up in a similar situation elsewhere.  Regardless which side of the industry the individual is on, it typically takes a transformation to get them removed from the sex trade altogether. We don't want them going from the sex trade to the drug trade for example.  We realize that there is pain and voids in these men and women's lives. Without addressing that you are band aiding a problem that will reveal itself again and again.

One really sad encounter we had last night was with a tiny little 2 year old. She had her hair done in little braids. We were set up outside of one of the bars to create a safe environment for children in the district. The kids can come over and color and play with other toys. Because of business being down there are not as many kids in the area. However, you would be surprised how many people do not have a problem walking with their children through the district.

Many kids grow up in the environment. The little 2 year old that I mentioned before will likely be one of those children. While most 2 year olds are learning to point to their nose and ears and say "nose" and "ear" this little girl was already being groomed for a life on the catwalk.  She had already been taught facial expressions.  How to smile when greeted. Waves that one would do to entice a customer. She is 2. Much like seeing one of our players so proud that their son could throw a football and might follow in dad's steps, these women were so excited that they could be raising a future star of Patpong.  You don't want to think about what age that future could begin. 

Sleep has been a challenge because our time zones are so off but it has been a life changing couple of days and I continue to look forward to what is in store. As always, thank you for your prayers.

My friend Goy and I trying to make something.  I never really got the hang of it.  

Goy wanted me to get on her back...notice my feet are still on the ground.

Connie and I are both a bit large in the land of the Thai.

 

Cute little girl in the Patpong district. Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

Being taught how to smile with her hand at the face.  Photo by Kristen Torres-Toro

First night in Pat Pong

Tonight was the first night we visited the red light district of Pat Pong. I had a very different scene imagined in my head. In some ways it wasn't unlike some places in the US.

When we first arrived we walked through Pat Pong 1 and 2. This allowed for time to pray for the people that we were going to come in contact with as well as for strength for the team.

I was a bit anxious when signing up for this trip about the awkwardness that would take place in the red light district. I have seen places where Christians went in with a spirit of condemnation and therefore weren't received well and ended up looking like self righteous hypocrites. This group has been amazing. Everything is approached with a spirit of love.

It makes no sense to the outside world that this team from AIM over the years has built such great relationships with bar owners and vendors that they love seeing our team walk into the district. Literally our leader is like a celebrity as we walk through certain areas. What makes her so great? That she sees these people as God sees them...people who need someone to love them.

Like any problem there is more than one side. There are the bar owners, who in many cases have a sort of ownership over the women. There are the touts. Touts are the marketers of the district. Their sole job is to get you into the bar and get you to buy more and more. Then there are street vendors. The district doubles as a bazaar. Many people come there just to shop at night and see the spectacle that is famous. The obvious is the talent. The talent range in age, but it has high turn over from trip to trip because of the demands of the job. One of the ladies last night told us they get one night off a month. All of these people have children and many of them roam the streets at night, as well as other children who seem to be waiting for next. Lastly, there are what we refer to in the US as the Johns.

It may seem crazy to think that to fix a problem this big that you have to be willing to love all sides of the issue. When you are face to face with it it may seem unfair. However, to ignore one side is to have a broken link in a chain. You will never be complete in your approach.

It's amazing the response you get when you show someone you love them. Language is a really tough barrier in many cases we have to work through. We were asked to bring things like friendship bracelets that we could give to the girls and children each night. These would be conduits for conversation.  I brought several items with me not sure how the process would all work.

We met for prayer before going out into the district and we're given our assigned teams for the evening. I was on the first team that would actually go into the bars. I had no visions of what this would look like, but knew I would walk through the doors as they were opened. 

To provide a little detail of what the bars are the main area that we enter looks like a stage with several women in small swimsuits dancing on a catwalk.  They are clothed top and bottom. The dancing is more of a sexual sway by a girl who stares with empty eyes off into a mirror to see anything but what's in front of her. The bars increase in vulgarity as you go up in floors. Often men will come and just hang for the entertainment on the first floor while they drink. It's the girls job to up sale them. Their version of "would you like fries with that" could be anything from the man paying to take them for the evening to any assortment of fetishes.  

To spend time with the ladies we have a very deliberate approach.  Hopefully AIM has had a positive relationship with the owner/management.  We want to be invited in by a Tout. Then once inside we must buy time with the ladies to be able to talk to them. Time with us means positive relational time and time they aren't "on stage" with a John.

Tonight's mission went better than planned. The leadership at the bars had changed and we weren't sure what doors would be opened.  However, God used a tout by the name of *Sookie to introduce us to many people. Sookie, not her real name, has a huge personality and had remembered the team from past visits. She invited our leader in and introduced us to the new management.  They were so excited to see us and everyone immediately wanted a bracelet.  So in my head I had rehearsed how awkward it might be handing out the braclets, but God had other ideas. I had rainbow Jesus Loves Me snap bracelets that I had brought for the children. I began pulling them out and a couple of male touts wanted one. So picture these two guys that are trying to sell a sex menu wearing rainbow Jesus Loves Me braclets. As crazy as that visual might be, if you are familiar with scripture you know it's true. Jesus loves all of them regardless of the role they play and that's something you have to be able to get your head around if you are going to be successful in this out reach. 

I also brought some plastic colorful cross necklaces.  They looked cool so I brought a handful into the bar. The same little tout wanted one of my necklaces. I searched in the bag and found a more masculine blue one and attached it for him. He was so excited.  He came back a few minutes later saying that the large drunk man who had just been dancing on the bar would also like a necklace. Again, so many thoughts go through your mind at once. "I dont want to give one to him" "why on Earth would he want one?" being a natural ones. I came here thinking I might be cursed by people in these environments, especially the men, but my first 2 interactions in the bar were with men who wanted to in some way be associated with us.  It was a simple piece of plastic, but it represented so much more than that.  To bring the story full circle, later that night during our debrief one of the ladies who was working on the children's team told about a drunk man coming out of a bar and being so impressed by our group working with the children in the district that he came over and gave one of the little girls a blue cross necklace.  I had seen that little girl wearing one of my necklaces but couldn't figure out the connection. God wanted that man to have my necklace so he could represent humanity to that little girl. He can use anyone.

We also got to spend time with the queen bee of the dancers at the bar for the first time ever. She is one of the few people in the district who has lasted from year to year. She is 44 and very fit. She picks and chooses who she wants to spend time with. In years and visits past she has avoided the team. Tonight she came over and spent 15 or more minutes with us. We laughed and talked about as many life details as we could. They love to know that someone is praying for them and cares about them as a person and not a commodity.  They don't understand it all but seeds are planted that ultimately we hope that Rahab and Nightlight are able to harvest after we are gone.

That's a long but brief summary of my first night in the district. It touched me. I can never see these women and men as their roles again. I see them as people with needs, hurts, and desires that have a job to do. Tomorrow we will work with ladies who are ready to find a new job.  It's a slow harvest, but one with great rewards.

Morning From Bangkok

Morning from Thailand! I get one night of luxury before meeting up with the team and moving into a guest house. This sweet ride picked me up from the airport last night. I felt really important, but it was midnight during a curfew so my level of cool wasn't really noticed by anyone. It's 6:30 am here and I'm dying for some breakfast.  My people at the Oriental Residence Bangkok have been amazing. If ever looking for a place in Bangkok they have my full endorsement.  #hospitalityatitsbest

Last Weekend to Prep

My last weekend before the trip was a great one! I was very productive Friday night paying in advance any bills that would come due while I am gone and making sure all my personal things are ready for the trip. Saturday I went for a much needed haircut and purchased some supplies. I bought some of the most trendy pants you will see in Thailand.  I figured why not? :-) Trust me, you will know them when you see them. I got to spend some much needed time relaxing with friends and family Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It was a great way to spend my Memorial Day weekend and get ready for the trip.

An email came in tonight from our trip leader saying all was a go. We were continuing on, but would do so with caution.  That is an answer to prayer. Now I pray for God to keep us safe and let us make a difference. 

Three more work days and then I'm off!

Shirts Arrived!!

I'm very excited that my shirts finally arrived. I am a little disappointed in the process that it took so long but they turned out great! I have already had requests from others that would like a shirt.

As for the Thailand update, the US Embassy is recommending for a reevaluation of travel plans. I am praying that things settle quickly in Thailand so that our ministry is not interrupted. 

God opened so many doors so quickly for me to go on this trip I am praying that the door is not shut for us to go.

BBQ Fundraiser

Big thanks to Charles and Cami Gregg for coming up with the idea of supporting my trip by doing a fundraiser BBQ. They went above and beyond to supply the food, and donate an ipad mini to be auctioned off for the cause. Tony and Becky Philo also brought several items to use in the raffle including autographed jerseys.

It was so touching to have so many friends and friends of friends come out to support the cause. We raised over $1055 at the BBQ.

Praying for Stability in Thailand

While I was in NYC this weekend for the NFL Draft my friend pointed out a scrolling news alert in Times Square.  The Prime Minister of Thailand was no longer in office.  I did a little research and government websites are advising against going into areas where protests are taking place.

I know God wants me to go to Thailand.  I don't know what He has in store for me there. I pray that He will provide stability and allow our time there to be the most beneficial.  I am not afraid because I know I am ultimately in His hands.

Be Strong and Courageous

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged,  for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Today I checked the mail to find my packet from AIM with my t-shirt that I am to wear to be identified at the airport by the driver that will be picking us up.  Because of the Delta flight schedule out of Atlanta, I will actually arrive to Bangkok 24 hours before the team is scheduled. I get into the country around midnight on Saturday.  I will then need to get transportation to a hotel and meet the team the following day.  Of all the things I will face on this trip this is the one piece I find most uncomfortable.  Yes, I'm sure it sounds a bit crazy that this is the one thing. Once I get my bearings and meet a few people I will be much more comfortable. 

See I signed up for this trip without knowing anyone on it and I found the organization through Google. I have had a passion for those trapped in human trafficking and have wanted to do something to actively help them.  Few organizations (I couldn't find any other) allow you to get this close to the problem during a short term trip.  Most want a commitment of 3-6 months, so I was very grateful to find AIM.  

The package also included a journal that started with the verse Joshua 1:9, which I entered above.  Several people have been concerned about my safety and I appreciate the concern and ask for their prayers before and during the trip. A couple years ago I came down with bacterial pneumonia, which led to a blood infection.  God used this time to cause me to evaluate my life and it's purpose.  I had gotten a bit off track. When I die I want to leave a legacy. I want my funeral to be a celebration of a life lived to impact others and the future.  There is danger in our everyday life. We just have to trust God to get us through it.  The safest place you can be on Earth is where God has a purpose for you. 

The Beginning

It's Saturday night.  I just read my first emails from our trip leader.  The reality is starting to set in and I am getting excited.    

As I sit here I reflect on each of the people who have contributed to my trip.  Thanks to so many donors we will be able to make a greater impact than anticipated during our time in Thailand and thereafter.  When I first created my fundraising site I remember it said I had 53 days until my trip.  I was about 15 days away from the deadline to have the minimum amount raised.  I was a little stressed, but I told God "this is what you wanted me to do and therefore I know you will make a way, even if that means me having to figure it out on my own."  

The next morning I woke up and someone had already donated.  I was surprised and delighted when I looked down at my phone and saw "Anonymous - $1,000."  It was like God giving me a sign that it's going to be okay.  Within the first 24 hours of posting my fundraising site, you had helped me raise enough money to cover my portion of the minimum to go to Thailand.  

Since then so many people have stepped up and been a blessing of encouragement.  Donnie Johnston and his wife Jennifer wanted their t-shirts early so that they could wear to a trafficking awareness event they were attending in Gainesville.  Ross Myers made me aware of another organization that is purchasing children and arresting those who are selling them.  The stories could go on and on.

I have to give a big thanks to Cami and Charles Gregg.  They are hosting a BBQ fundraiser for my trip on May 17th and donating an iPad Mini for a raffle item.  They are such an amazing couple with an incredible heart.  I am so thankful they came into my life back in 2006.  

I will try to update the blog regularly leading up to my trip and while I am in Thailand.  Thank you for joining me on this journey.  

Be Blessed.

Tameka