After spending 40 hours in airports and planes I could not have been more thankful for a shower and a nice warm bed last night. Thank you to all who supported us with prayers and financially as we took this journey of faith. It was awesome to see God work out every detail. I was in awe of the connections that we made, and how God orchestrated every aspect of this trip. To see God connect us with incredible people in Thailand and ask us to support and bless them in their work. The time and energy that these people are giving out daily for the fight against human trafficking is incredible. Our team just gave 10 days of our lives, but these people live it every day. May God give them strength, provide them with finances and bless them as families as they unselfishly give day after day.
I could write for days about all that transpired on this journey. And the journey started over a year ago, when a group of us, some hesitantly said, "yes, I will go to Thailand." We had no idea that stepping foot on Thailand ground wouldn't happen for another year. But the wait was worth it. The details of all that we did, all those we connected with could not have happened had we not waited a year. So, whatever journey God has asked you to say yes to, know that He has the perfect timing in mind. He knows when it needs to take place. I still don't believe this journey is over. Our Thailand story and adventure will continue. Now, it's time to share all of our stories, all that took place. I could write forever about what we saw, who we touched, and the life changing experiences that we encountered. The stories of the girls who are trapped in a world of darkness break my heart as their faces are forever etched in my mind. The joy that was on children's faces as they played in their dusty streets, not knowing if their future would be bright, or send them into a world of hurt and pain. We as a group had the privilege of seeing the journey of human trafficking. Starting in a small village of children who don't have a lot of hope in their future, then journeying into the lives of girls who have been abused and can't go "home" because those who are to care for them are the very ones who have hurt them and sent them away. And then onto the streets of the Red Light district, where selling themselves seems to be the only way to survive. Although our 10 day trip is over, this journey into helping end this cycle will never end. We had the incredible opportunity to end our trip with two beautiful ladies, Angel & Yo Yo. They are in the process of going back to Angel's home village which lies in the Issan villages and are helping to educate the children there. This is where it all starts, many of the girls come out of the Issan villages without hope. They think that selling themselves will bring some income to their families and get them out of poverty, yet, instead a cycle begins of hurt and bondage. To be able to educate and stop this cycle within the villages is where my heart lies. To stop it before the hurt begins, the abuse is ongoing, and their sense of worth is shattered.
This journey for us is just beginning, it didn't stop with us touching down on a plane back in the states. I don't know what God has in store next, but I'm willing to say yes. If I can save just one child from the life of abuse it will all be worth it. The stories that are going through my head I could probably write about for months, and yet to put on paper all that transpired seems impossible; the smells, sounds and emotions can never quite be captured. Yet, the journey must be shared. The stories of the people we encountered must be told. I think all of the group would be willing to say - please let me come and share with you all that happened. So please, ask us to tell you a story. To tell you all about this incredible journey. To share individually, in groups or in congregations, we'd love to give you a small taste of all that God has done.
Thank you so much for taking this journey with us. To feel the support of so many back home has been incredible. To watch the details of this trip come together makes me stand in awe. I hope your life has been touched as you have shared this trip with us, and I hope that you'll be excited to hear that the journey is not over, that maybe a chapter has ended, but the whole story is not complete. We hope that many of you will be a part of the next chapters, whatever they may hold.
God Bless,
Sherry
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