Christmas parties, new years fun and kids day!

There are a few details from the Christmas season that I have not had the chance mention yet, but I wanted to share them anyways. Although, I being 25 years old have not had the chance to be in a Christmas program for many years, my "dream" of being a wise man in the Christmas story finally came true this Christmas! About five minutes before the start of the program I was given a job and told to follow Maria, a wonderful volunteer from Denmark, out on stage because I was needed as a wise man. It consisted of me following Maria on stage, following her off stage and repeating this parade three times, oh how I love Thailand! We are pictured to the left in out seriously awesome handmade costumes. The program was beyond precious. The kids and staff have been working hard for months preparing for the big day. There was dancing, singing and of course, the play. Before the show the kids were served a beautiful Christmas meal and then after the show they were all showered with gifts from supporters of the Garden of Hope... one of my favorite things about this organization is how direct the support is in getting to those that need it. My major contribution to the show was in the form of angel wings... 13 sets to be exact, all handmade! The kids looked so great singing "angels we have heard on high" (in Thai of course) with their shiny new wings. One of the things preparing for the Christmas program taught me was the importance of being "fussed" over in relation to child development. Kids need to feel cared about, simple as that. Our kids don't always have the luxury of feeling this way in their home life. When their parents are out breaking their backs to put food on the table, doing all they can with a 3rd grade education and a food cart, their children don't always experience the feeling of being worried over or fussed over on a special day. Their parents do not have time to make angel wings, and I am sure many of you could relate to that. So, this year, it was my blessing to fuss and stress about my 13 little angels, and trust me they looked good!

This New Year I was able to spend with some me very dear friends, the Drabkins and their wonderful traveling companions. Jules and Joanie were on holiday visiting Jules' brother who lives in Chiang Mai and I got to spend some time with them while they were here. I can't tell you how nice it was to see even more friend from home. I had just seen Meghan the week before and seeing the Drabkins was a continuation of the taste from home, which I was sothankful for especially during the holidays. They were very keen to see what my life here was like and we were able to do just that the Sunday they were here.

A group of us went to the Garden of Hope guesthouse to check out our program there, then we headed to Brianna's House of Joy to make bracelets

with the girls there. David, one of the Drabkin's close friends took his beautiful violin out and played some songs for the girls, which was so fun, and then we got to work on the bracelets. They loved making them and as always were so creative with the supplies we brought! The girls are truly a joy to be around and

I am so blessed by them every time. Something so simple as plastic beads and elastic make for a beautiful gift and some great memories. Everyone really enjoyed the orphanage and I hope to be back there

soon. Later that day I took everyone to my favorite Sunday night market and then to dinner at a friends restaurant. A very local place, run by an amazing Thai woman who is one of my best friends here, Wee. She cooks some of the best food around and the best prices, we enjoyed a really nice meal, Thanks P'Wee!

In most other countries they celebrate Kid's Day, much like mother or father's day, kid's day is where you simply celebrate kids! My friends and I think that kids day gives you permission to act like a kid for the day, not that we need the excuse but nonetheless it's a great holiday. I wanted to do something special for the kids at the garden so I asked the staff what we should do. Ning, the head of the

Children's Program, suggested that we buy the kids something nice to wear for church and other special events. Most of the kids do not have new clothes and definitely not "nice" clothes. Looking clean and polished is very important in Thai society, Thai people are remarkably clean and appearance is everything. Our kids would benefit greatly from the new clothes and the sense of pride they could take in themselves in knowing they had a new outfit to wear So, Dtom, another Thai staff member, and I went off to the market to shop for our 32

kids! We found really cute outfits for the little girls (3-9yrs) and the boys (4-11yrs). We presented the gifts to the kid's last Friday and had a blast doing it. I felt a bit like Santa Claus, and now I understand why he is so jolly, giving so freely like that fills you up in the most beautiful ways. The kids, did not expect any presents that day, so when they opened their gifts they were immediately and ridiculously excited. Once everyone had their gift they all started helping each other try on their new clothes, the joy was incredible. That day we did not give presents to the older girls because as we started to look for clothes for 9 teenage girls, I quickly realized the task was way to difficult. Picking out clothes for teenage girls and them actually liking what we choose would be a miracle in and of itself. So instead of buying clothes for

them, I decided to have a shopping day with 9 teenage Thai girls, so they could have the liberty to pick and choose the clothes they like! They picked styles of dresses and shirts I would have never chosen, so I am really glad we were able to take them shopping! While we were there, Maria, Sara (two other volunteers) and I wondered if it was the first time for some of the girls to have their own money to go shopping with. No guilt, no sense of responsibility to spend the money on their families, but simply to buy something pretty for themselves... At first some of the girls looked a little uncomfortable, but in the end they all found something they really liked and proudly walked home with their shopping bags.

As always none of these stories would be possible without your love and support. As we gave the bracelets and clothes out to the children, we told them that far away there are people who care and want the best for them. Thank you for being to generous, your love is making a difference. Blessings and peace.

Christmas in Cambodia!eable

Last year's Christmas adventure feels a world a part from where I am today. A season marked by it's extremely long Church services, rockets sounding off every five minutes to celebrate the Virgin Birth, pinatas, ponche and lots of love... from Nochixtlan, Mexico to Phnom Phen, Cambodia the contrast could not be stronger. It has been such an incredible blessing to be with Meghan, an old dear friend, this Christmas.

Her special handmade presents and smiling face have made making it through the holidays, far away from family, all the more bearable. Meghan is doing the Peace Corps and has been here for five months. She has also become quite the little seamstress and made us all Christmas stockings! She also made other little goodies that I will cherish for a long time to come, but the stockings were so much fun! I was able to visit her site and see her new home, it is so great to see the place I have heard of for so long. We stayed Christmas Eve night at her place and then headed to the big city Christmas Morning.

I literally felt like entering Cambodia was like going back in time. It is so different from Thailand, which I expected, but how extreme those difference truly are has been shocking. This nation has huge wounds to heal from and a complicated presence to

sort out. Meghan's stories about the kids in her class are fascinating, as they reflect the status of the Khmai people. This is a beautiful country and I think coming back in 2-3 years things will be very different. This is a Christmas I will never forget. If I had not been with Meghan it probably would not have even felt like Christmas at all... it is so HOT here! I head back to Chiang Mai in a few days and will look forward to spending New Years with some more friends from home!

Meghan and I have been able to do some much needed (more so for her) retail therapy. But this is not your typical after Christmas sale shopping, but rather Russian Market in Cam

bodia style... which basically equates to rummaging through piles of clothes that have liter

ally "fallen of trucks" and some how did not make the cut to be exported, well, to you! There is every name brand you could think of and the prices largely depend on your negotiating skills. It is hot and sweaty and a whole lot of fun! We have had a really great time finding treasures together. It will be hard to leave Meghan because of how wonderful it is to see her and close she makes home feel, but I know that will all come very soon. I truly hope everyone had a wonderful Chris

tmas, that you were able to reflect on the birth of Jesus and all that means, able to connect with family, friends and to eat lots of delicious American holiday food! No calorie regrets! On towards the New Years resolutions! Again thank you for your continues support and prayers of everything God has brought into my life! Blessings to all!!! and a Happy Merry New Year!

Life in Chiang Mai

Any one who has lived in SE Asia for any period of time will tell you that at some point this strange cloud forms over your brain, influencing the way you think and the decisions you make. You start to think a bit more slowly and speaking becomes chaotic and very difficult at times. For example, when talking to a friend I would normally ask him or her, "hey do you want to go grab some coffee with me?".... after two months in SE Asia it comes out something like this: "um so eating, me, food you? So, as you can imagine, there have been some funny moments over the past month, a few things I would have done differently, some things I hope remember forever and others that I hope to forget entirely.

There are so many things to update I don’t even know where to begin. I have now been working at The Garden of Hope for about a month, I teach English to 9 Thai children who will NOT be trafficked, I help lead a program for all of the 35 children at the garden, I help with administrative work and I network all over Chiang Mai connecting people. There are moments every day that overwhelm me to the point of frustration and yet are eventually balanced with the hope that lies all around me. My kids are such a joy, they all come from very poor and often times abusive homes. Their lives are far from my childhood experience and I am still trying to comprehend how they can smile as big as they do. This entry I will telltwo stories the first I shall call Café Pandau:

As much as I love all things organic and natural, sometimes they are hard to come by in this part of the world. Although most people in Thailand generally live a bit more naturally than those at home, people who believe, like I do, in organics are not as common, or so I thought until I met Café Pandau. A great little café owned by a beautiful Japanese woman who moved here after burning out on the intense winters of Amsterdam. Noriko immediately became one of my favorite people when she invited me to her Tango class later that week. Eventually we started talking about our backgrounds, how I ended up in Chiang Mai at The Garden of Hope and how she came to be a film maker/café owner. Noriko has the goal to not just be another café, but a place that gives back and cares for those around them.

One morning when I was eating a delicious breakfast at the café, Noriko cam bounding up to talk with me. She quickly explained how she had been asked by a friend to take over another café in her apartment building that was having problems and she desperately needed staff. So after many conversations with staff and possible candidates for her we finally found a girl the Garden of Hope has been working with for a while. A former bar girl with a dream of owning her own café is now secure in her income without having to prostitute herself. How long the position will last is uncertain, but it has been a blessing to be a bridge for two people in need.

Gingerbread:

Part of the equipping program at the Garden of Hope has been to train the women we work with in all things pertaining to hospitality and business development. So this holiday season the team has made hundreds of gingerbread house kits and cookie decorating kits. So I had the idea to buy a bunch of these kits and take them to an orphanage that I had visited with Lacie a month earlier. 42 girls, 7 gingerbread houses, 8dz cookies, huge smiles and many kids with a sugar high! A few of

my friends tagged along and we had a blast blessing the garden and the girls at Briana’s House of Joy. The girls were amazing and the event would not have been possible with out all of you. Thank you for your continued support of the work God is doing through me, it is truly incredible to be a part of.

Please continue to pray for the children and staff, funding for the programs, and clarity for myself as to what I should continue to do here… there are many possibilities but I want to be selective and purposeful with how I spend my time.

God Bless you all!

The Garden of Hope

Synopsis: I am moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand to work with Garden of Hope, teaching English. But this is how I got there...
Things have taken another turn in my life here in SE Asia and everything has confirmed that the steps I am taking are truly taken in faith. After finishing up with Love 146 a couple of weeks ago in Palawan, I headed north to Angeles City, PH with Lacie, where she will be an interning therapist for the RENEW Foundation, the only non-profit working to support the over 15,000 sexually exploited women. My time with RENEW, the girls that live in the shelter, and the staff that work to support them has left a mark on my life forever. While there the staff from an

other NGO, Samaritana, held a training on outreach to the girls working in the bars. It was truly a privilege to take part in the training and prayer walk we did on fields avenue that evening. There could be as many as 3,000 girls working in a single club. It felt sort of like I imagine Las Vegas to be, but way more out in the open. The streets were lined with girls in their "uniforms" bidding for the attention of every passerby. Some wore elaborate costumes representing the theme of the club. Most of the girls looked no older than 20. We walked down one street called "blow job alley," it was dark and dingy, it had random cell like structures where unimaginable acts go on nightly. While walking down the alley, we passed a club where one girl who I locked eyes with told me I was pretty. I still don't know how to process that. These are women, flesh and blood no different than my own who sell their bodies nightly for the sake of a dollar. It is not glamorous. It does exist and it is our responsibility. That night I cried and prayed and then prayed some more. The only redeeming factor of the evening was the Videoke (a portable karaoke machine) which was rented to celebrate one of the girls' 18th birthday, they sang their hearts out until the wee hours of the morning, the songs of redemption to the tune of Celine Dion classics... Knowing the girls of RENEW made me ache for those still trapped inside the insanity of prostitution, but thankful there is hope.

After our night on fields ave (the most concentrated area of bars and sex clubs in the world), we headed out to catch a flight to Bangkok. The airport is basically supported by the sex tourism traffic. It is a former US military base but is known by most as a stop off for their sex tour of SE Asia. We knew it was going to be rough rubbing elbows in the airplane isles with the men who prostitute women, but the blatancy of the conversations we heard was truly grotesque. While checking in for the flight we stood in front of two American men who held nothing back about the details of their experiences and the overwhelming disappointment t

hey had with Filipina women. One man said he regretted tipping one girl 20 pesos (.42cents), while the other commented that some acted like they didn't even want to be there, later he expressed his hope to find a "real" relationship in Thailand with someone who shared his interests. I am giving the PG version of what we heard, but Lacie and I both wanted to scream, punch, kick, cry and run away, but were mostly paralyzed with the emotions of the past 24hrs. We were obviously American and yet there was no shred of consciousness or regard for the presence of two women who could understand them. These men often feel a sense of pride having taken pity on those who would be otherwise destitute, completely disregarding their humanity or long term affects prostitution has, not realizing their actions are illegal and demonic. They are blind to reality, that is the only way I can explain it. After getting through customs and buying some comfort food, we found the only empty seats that faced a sign advertising the beaches of Cebu, so we didn't have to look at the waiting room full of white male sex tourists. Soon we boarded the plane, which wasn't too full, but I was seated directly in front of the two Americans who were not shy about their business in SE Asia... so what did I do? Popped in my iPod, and started to cry. My heart is so broken, I am helpless, the lyrics of the Phil Wickham song "Grace" came to life, "I need eyes to be my guide, I need a voice that's louder than mine, I need hope and I need you, because I can't do this alone..." And then Jesus met me. The simple words that came were, My Love Wins. My love and God's love is so much stronger than the sex industry. Love will win, one child, one day at a time. I know this now more than ever.

Once we arrived in Bangkok we felt the fresh air of the rest of the world. We saw white men that were not sex tourist and wanted to hug every single one! It felt really good to be around other tourists and a truly international crowd. We quickly grabbed our bags and headed to the train station, where we ended up taking a 8hr bus ride to Chiangmai, northwest Thailand. Our trip was multi-purposed. I wanted to look into volunteer opportunities and also visit Lacie's family friend's orhpanage, Briana's House of Joy and be tourist in an amazing country. I had no idea what was going to happen that week but was practicing "living in the moment" all the while really hoping for some answers. The Garden of Hope staff were on fall break and I thought there was not going to be anyone around, until I got an email from the Director, Mark Crawford. He had some free time and wanted to meet! So obviously I did and it was a really good meeting, but he wanted me to chat with Hannah, the volunteer coordinator also. So, that night I did and I was offered a volunteer position teaching English to children at risk of trafficking and being prostituted in their drop-in program. I was absolutely stoked at the offer and joyfully accepted. There are a lot of possibilities within this position including developing a therapeutic English curriculum and helping with the hospitality training program. I am incredibly stoked on everything that I will be learning and that I get to help these children in such a crucial way, giving them love and practical skills. I am incredibly excited and will start my volunteer position early next month. I was able to find a really cute little place, that is above a knit shop of all things, and will settle in there for the next four months, returning sometime in early March... there will be lots more details to come, but my weary mind is slipping away so that shall be all for now, bless you!

Philippines: With the wind...

The journey of the past year of my life has been full of unexpected challenges and changes. From enduring engine failure while in the midst of a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea to waiting out two separate typhoons in the Philippines, things have stayed interesting to say the least. As storm systems move in and out, they serve to remind me that life also can change in an instant, with the strong winds of typhoon Parma blowing over the Philippine islands, so have they blown over the flow of my life and directed its course towards new horizons. After officially completing Module Two of the DTPA with Love 146, I had to do some serious evaluating of my current circumstances. Although the program is uniquely designed to create high quality aftercare workers and researchers, for me it is very much an introductory course. And so, after much prayer and seeking advice from family and friends, I have decided not to continue with the program.

The professors and Love 146 staff are some of the most incredible and beautiful people I have ever met, and I will always look back on my time living and studying within their care with great fondness. Further, it is because of the Love 146 programs that I am so inspired and driven to work directly in an aftercare setting. Love 146 has set the bar very high, and I hope to work with them again in the future. However, it is time for me to learn by doing and to put myself in a position to do so. One of the things that I have learned about where I fit in this huge multi-dimensional issue that is the commercial sexual exploitation of children, and their restoration, is that I have a lot to offer in the areas of personal and career development. For many survivors of CSEC one the basic and most insane issue they face is finding another way to make money besides prostitution. Prostitution is not the only option, but after years of being made to feel your value is merely based on how well you can sell yourself, it is hard for these women and children to see any hope. That is where I would like to step in by working with organizations that will provide practical skills and education that will enable survivors to thrive in new ways, living healthy lives and earning an income that they can feel proud of. I have experience teaching English and have applied for a few volunteer positions with organizations in Thailand. I am very hopeful about finding the right fit and know God is moving me every step of the way. Teaching English has been something I have fought for a long time, I really did not want to do it, and some how I had convinced myself that it feels like settling. However, being here, where the issue of CSEC is so prevalent and undeniable, English could be the lifesaver for so many individuals and a way for them to build confidence in themselves and a healthy future. Being a mentor, friend and teacher will be an honor and I would very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the right opportunity. Again I am so thankful for Love 146, who they are as an organization and how they have invested in me and now I finally feel ready to step out and find opportunities where I can serve. I will keep you posted as things develop and will need your prayers, love and support every step of the way.

Adventures in the Philippines....Round One

After a long, long time on

many airplanes I woke up in a sleepy haze and peeked out my window to reveal the most intense sunrise (I think) I have ever seen... which was my first confirmation that I was indeed not in Oregon anymore...

Landing in Hong Kong was a daze and I was only there for a few hours and kept thinking to myself, "hmmm, this is what China looks like" and the empower

sense of feeling very tall was quite entertaining

I arrived in Manila around 11am and was very thankful to see both of my bags very shortly after my arrival! I then

hopped in a metered taxi and got my first glimpse of the urban sprawl that is Manila. The tax

i dri

ver was very polite and loved introducing the most essential forum of Philippine culture... the Mall. The Philippines has 3 of the 10 largest malls in the world, which is hilarious to me considering I do everything I c

an to avoid them at all cost. Oh well, when in Manila, do as puyos (Philippinos)! The driver took me directly to my hotel and I was warmly greeted by pretty much everyone at the hotel. Then shortly after, Lacie arrived (She is the other student in the DTPA and I feel so blessed to know her and to be g

oing through this experience wtih her! More on that later...) we went to eat. We tried to get reccomendations for a restaurant but somehow, we ended up at... a mall.

I was exhauste

d and actually very entertained by the whole concept of the Asian mall. So like a typical tourist, I took a picture, in an Asian mall! So funny! We stayed as long as we could so I could try to

sleep through the night. It has taken me a while but I am feeling a little bit better after almost a week. The Philippines is 15hrs ahead of West Coast time, so that has taken some getting use to.

The next day, Friday, we went to the office at about 8am, which was only about two blocks from my hotel. We dropped our bags off and then got coffee at Starbucks! There are two within a block of the office, so crazy, but really nice, considering everywhere else serves Nestcafe! That day I consumed a fair bit of coffee, considering I had class all day which was really fascinating, but challenging to be researching such a heavy subject while having really intense jet-lag. Oh well!

That night we boarded a bus and went to the lovely safe haven of the RoundHome. I am still trying to put to words what it means to me to be at a place that has the sole intention of restoring the lives of very young girls that have been serverly abused by the insanities that exist in this world. It is a huge privilege to see it and I will have more reflections very soon.

One very entertaining thing about living at the staff house is the way our meals are presented to us. The food has been really good over all, nothing too scary, but lots of delicious things to savour.

But each meal looks a lot like the picture to the left when it first arrives.

Then we get to do a very exciting reveal of what i under-neath!

Ta-dah!!!

This time it was rice, then a fish soup! So fun!

This week we started Module Two of the program (I will do Module One later on). Much of what we have done so far has been developing a research base and cultural perspectives on CSEC around the world. Very fascinating and neccessary for a complete understanding of the issue. I am learning lots and very excited about what's head. I will write more soon, thanks so much to everyone that has been praying! It's working, thank you!!! Love and Blessings!