Great news, Google just gave $11.5 million dollars to help fight human trafficking.
Read about it here: ARTICLE
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Moving Forward
a quick update, I spoke with Joel (the principal of the school we'll be volunteering with) last night via Skype and--I am very excited :) We talked a bit about what Mackenzie and I will be doing and just practical things. And the hot weather. And we met his two cute little kids! Turns out there is *a lot* that needs to be done, and once we get there we can fill the roles that we feel fit us the best. There are also some really cool graphic design projects that they are in the process of doing right now. One is a documentary ! about how kids are growing up in the area--how things really are. Another is helping with the layout of a new Social Studies textbook that is coming from a Christian perspective. !! Wow.
a few prayer requests:
1. Joel mentioned they are currently using Microsoft Publisher for the textbook project -- any designers with me here are allowed to gasp. He said other software would be a Godsend.
2. Joel and family are currently in the states. Pray for safe travel for them and a blessed time with family under the circumstances (a funeral).
3. Mackenzie turns 21 on Jan. 7th, which means her license expires. She will be issued a paper license but will not receive her hard copy until a week after we've already left. I'm not sure how this will work regarding getting back into the U.S. or logistics in that, because I'm sure the paper one will expire. We could mail the hard copy, but what if it never arrives? Anyway, prayers for that appreciated. I'm a little fuzzy on rules for this.
4. Of course, pray for the trafficking situation in the world and specifically Chiang Mai Thailand. Pray for the kids enrolled at the school, that it is an opportunity for them to receive an education they otherwise would not have. Pray for the school and the teachers to be fruitful.
We're moving forward, mostly because time keeps ticking :) We're excited.
-MERRY CHRISTMAS-
God Bless you.
a few prayer requests:
1. Joel mentioned they are currently using Microsoft Publisher for the textbook project -- any designers with me here are allowed to gasp. He said other software would be a Godsend.
2. Joel and family are currently in the states. Pray for safe travel for them and a blessed time with family under the circumstances (a funeral).
3. Mackenzie turns 21 on Jan. 7th, which means her license expires. She will be issued a paper license but will not receive her hard copy until a week after we've already left. I'm not sure how this will work regarding getting back into the U.S. or logistics in that, because I'm sure the paper one will expire. We could mail the hard copy, but what if it never arrives? Anyway, prayers for that appreciated. I'm a little fuzzy on rules for this.
4. Of course, pray for the trafficking situation in the world and specifically Chiang Mai Thailand. Pray for the kids enrolled at the school, that it is an opportunity for them to receive an education they otherwise would not have. Pray for the school and the teachers to be fruitful.
We're moving forward, mostly because time keeps ticking :) We're excited.
-MERRY CHRISTMAS-
God Bless you.
All things
I am constantly at awe in the ways that God works through our lives / my life. Right now I can look back on my life of even just a year ago and see vast differences in the way that I process information and I sit back and feel like this old, silver-haired oracle of a woman who says to herself "ah, yes, God works all things toward good".
God is preparing me whether I know it or not, and I'm not just talking about this trip to Thailand, I am talking about life.
God is preparing me whether I know it or not, and I'm not just talking about this trip to Thailand, I am talking about life.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Human Trafficking in Nebraska -- Interim Study Hearing
Today there was a hearing held at the Nebraska Capitol. It was an interim study that was being conducted in order for the senators in the judiciary committee to find out exactly how big of a problem human trafficking is in our state.
There were two bills that were regarding human trafficking in Nebraska last legislative session. One was about escort services (which are essentially underground prostitution and human trafficking rings), the other was about strengthening our human trafficking laws. When presented to the committee, the senators were very surprised, they did not realize--like many of us--that human trafficking was a problem in Nebraska. They decided, rather than move the bills on, to study the topic in order to craft another bill that would be more encompassing. Hopefully the bill will address concerns such as: strengthening our human trafficking laws, regulate escort services, make the punishment higher for men soliciting sex with minors (currently it is a misdemeanor), give more education to law enforcement and provide safe homes/beds for women who want to escape/have escaped with no place to go.
----LINK--->HERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY!!
It is accurate and I recommend that you read it--there were many informed people who presented at the hearing today.
The notes I took at the hearing were rather scattered, but here are some thoughts/things that I wrote down.
One thing I was astounded by was that men (primarily, but also women) who are engaging in sex with a minor are usually charged with "pandering" which is a class 4 felony--the lowest class to be charged. This means that they are essentially charged with a misdemeanor and given a fine (this year a man was charged $350, as quoted by Casady in the article). When the fine is paid, the misdemeanor goes off your record--a slap on the hand! Your wife, boss, friends don't find out--it's easy. This is why we need to strengthen our laws.
Here is another quote by Casady, directly from the article:
My question is what are we doing to help these girls *before* this happens? It is a breakdown in the family. We need to stand together and be watchmen for the children--we live in such a broken society, but we cannot give up! As Christians, we are carriers of LIGHT and are called to bring light to the world through Jesus Christ because of his sacrifice.
I am reading a book called Mending the Soul: understanding and healing abuse. I am not very far, so I am wary of recommending it, but I'll let you know my thoughts once I finish (not that you should take my opinion..). Here are few questions to ask (pg 22):
Tough questions. I've been wrestling with them ever since I read that page.
One last quote:
Please continue to pray for Nebraska to be SLAVE FREE. Pray for the victims AND the perpetrators AND the Senators involved in drafting the bills (specifically Senator McGill). Pray that the Holy Spirit would help them to draft a bill that will confront the issues of human trafficking in Nebraska head on.
One big concern that was brought up at the hearing is nobody seems to know how big or widespread the problem is. We suspect this is simply the tip of the iceberg. It is difficult to draft a bill with out having empirical data. Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead and reveal information.
Let me add here that it has been a huge learning experience for me to have been involved this past year in following the human trafficking bills in Nebraska. A year ago I would've read that first paragraph and said "huh??" Here's an easy to understand graph of how a bill becomes a law. If you've looked that over, what it DOESN'T say is what an interim study is. An interim study takes place if the bill does *not* move out of the committee (picture #3). (There are many committees with different topics, such as education, agriculture, revenue, etc.)If the committee deems the problem is important they will study the issue in between sessions. See, the senators in the Legislature are in session from January-February of each year, in between times they have other full time jobs and study the bills. They have a hearing regarding the topic, and the human trafficking one occurred today! Following? If not, maybe just call me, it would be easier to understand if I talked you through it. Also, I do have a limited knowledge, I may've misstated something above, just for the record :)
There were two bills that were regarding human trafficking in Nebraska last legislative session. One was about escort services (which are essentially underground prostitution and human trafficking rings), the other was about strengthening our human trafficking laws. When presented to the committee, the senators were very surprised, they did not realize--like many of us--that human trafficking was a problem in Nebraska. They decided, rather than move the bills on, to study the topic in order to craft another bill that would be more encompassing. Hopefully the bill will address concerns such as: strengthening our human trafficking laws, regulate escort services, make the punishment higher for men soliciting sex with minors (currently it is a misdemeanor), give more education to law enforcement and provide safe homes/beds for women who want to escape/have escaped with no place to go.
----LINK--->HERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY!!
It is accurate and I recommend that you read it--there were many informed people who presented at the hearing today.
The notes I took at the hearing were rather scattered, but here are some thoughts/things that I wrote down.
One thing I was astounded by was that men (primarily, but also women) who are engaging in sex with a minor are usually charged with "pandering" which is a class 4 felony--the lowest class to be charged. This means that they are essentially charged with a misdemeanor and given a fine (this year a man was charged $350, as quoted by Casady in the article). When the fine is paid, the misdemeanor goes off your record--a slap on the hand! Your wife, boss, friends don't find out--it's easy. This is why we need to strengthen our laws.
Here is another quote by Casady, directly from the article:
Lincoln Public Safety Director Tom Casady said most people who are trafficked are exploited because they have mental illness, are poor or drug addicted. A couple of years ago, he examined the histories of 10 prostitutes and found they had a combined record of 105 runaways, 44 child abuse reports and 35 sex assaults all before age 19.
My question is what are we doing to help these girls *before* this happens? It is a breakdown in the family. We need to stand together and be watchmen for the children--we live in such a broken society, but we cannot give up! As Christians, we are carriers of LIGHT and are called to bring light to the world through Jesus Christ because of his sacrifice.
I am reading a book called Mending the Soul: understanding and healing abuse. I am not very far, so I am wary of recommending it, but I'll let you know my thoughts once I finish (not that you should take my opinion..). Here are few questions to ask (pg 22):
-Why are adult female prostitutes three to four times more likely than nonprostitutes to have been physically or sexually abused in childhood?
-Why is it that women who have been abused during childhood are significantly more likely to be revictimized in adulthood?
-Why is it that 50 to 70 percent of psychiatric inpatients and 70 percent of all psychiatric emergency room patients report a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse?
Tough questions. I've been wrestling with them ever since I read that page.
One last quote:
Nebraska and Iowa are among 41 states and the District of Columbia that lack strong laws to punish the perpetrators and protect the victims of child sex trafficking, according to a new national report.
The report, released last week by the advocacy group Shared Hope International, gave Nebraska a grade of F and Iowa a D. Ten states received higher grades, including four that received B's: Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Washington. No state received an A. http://www.omaha.com/article/20111204/NEWS97/712049881
Please continue to pray for Nebraska to be SLAVE FREE. Pray for the victims AND the perpetrators AND the Senators involved in drafting the bills (specifically Senator McGill). Pray that the Holy Spirit would help them to draft a bill that will confront the issues of human trafficking in Nebraska head on.
One big concern that was brought up at the hearing is nobody seems to know how big or widespread the problem is. We suspect this is simply the tip of the iceberg. It is difficult to draft a bill with out having empirical data. Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead and reveal information.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Innocence Lost
I'm having a hard time just jumping into human trafficking, so I'm going to attempt to break it into peices. It's a huge issue, but here is some relevant info regarding human trafficking in the Nebraska/Omaha metro area.
---------------------------
The FBI started a project in 2003 called "Innocence Lost" in order to find out and address the growing problems of the sex trafficking in the United States. Starting with 14 task forces in cities with the most reports of child prostitution, it has grown to currently 39.
There is now one in Omaha.
The Omaha FBI Innocence Lost Task Force has been in operation for about a year. It investigates sex trafficking in the area.
THERE IS TRAFFICKING HAPPENING IN NEBRASKA.
Here's one true story. Feb 2011 -- COUNCIL BLUFFS! A brothel was busted. The FBI was handling the case. The brothel was a *house* in a *residential area*. They targeted girls as young as 15. The pimp (or madam) was a woman. Her husband was there also, and their nephew played the part of the charming, good looking guy who would prowl around at high school football games in order to get vulnerable girls to come hang out at his house 'for fun' before being forced against their will to be sex slaves.
I heard an FBI agent talk about this case last month. The agent shared about many other things that they are doing in the area--it was very eyeopening and they are really doing everything they can to rescue these girls, but we as Nebraskan citizens and Americans need to become educated on this topic in order to be aware of what is going on! Being aware of the issues is a very obvious and beneficial way that we can help our local law enforcement and America as a whole, no matter what issue we are talking about here [I say this being also conscious of that fact that there are many issues I am not informed about. We all need to start somewhere. Let us not be apathetic!]. It's easy to point fingers at the traffickers, or to the prostitutes, or the men soliciting sex. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse. We are all broken people and the root of our sin is boiled down to our separation from God. Because of His grace, we need to stand up and stand in the gap for the children of God who need help.
-----As of Dec. 31, 2010, there were 85,820 active missing persons in America.
-----38,505 (44.9%) are minors.
-----289 of them were from Lincoln alone
---------->Where are these people??
source
-----
Please pray for the Innocence Lost task force in Nebraska, for the safety of the agents and their families, as well as the girls they are trying to rescue. Also pray for justice to be served to the traffickers.
-----
Here are a few more articles about that case:
http://www.kcci.com/r/26788047/detail.html
http://www.ketv.com/mostpopular/26773902/detail.html
http://www.ketv.com/news/26781693/detail.html
---------------------------
The FBI started a project in 2003 called "Innocence Lost" in order to find out and address the growing problems of the sex trafficking in the United States. Starting with 14 task forces in cities with the most reports of child prostitution, it has grown to currently 39.
There is now one in Omaha.
The Omaha FBI Innocence Lost Task Force has been in operation for about a year. It investigates sex trafficking in the area.
Weysan Dun, Special Agent of the FBI for the Innocence Lost Project in Nebraska said, “Since its establishment in January 2010, the FBI in Nebraska has recovered six underage children in twelve months. Some of the Nebraska children were found as far as the east coast”.
Tom Casady, Lincoln Public Safety Director noted that, “Half of female run a ways in Lincoln end up in the sex industry. Lincoln had 298 missing persons reported in 2010 -http://nebraskafamilycouncil.org/media/IPN.10-11.2011.HumanTrafficking.pdf
THERE IS TRAFFICKING HAPPENING IN NEBRASKA.
Here's one true story. Feb 2011 -- COUNCIL BLUFFS! A brothel was busted. The FBI was handling the case. The brothel was a *house* in a *residential area*. They targeted girls as young as 15. The pimp (or madam) was a woman. Her husband was there also, and their nephew played the part of the charming, good looking guy who would prowl around at high school football games in order to get vulnerable girls to come hang out at his house 'for fun' before being forced against their will to be sex slaves.
I heard an FBI agent talk about this case last month. The agent shared about many other things that they are doing in the area--it was very eyeopening and they are really doing everything they can to rescue these girls, but we as Nebraskan citizens and Americans need to become educated on this topic in order to be aware of what is going on! Being aware of the issues is a very obvious and beneficial way that we can help our local law enforcement and America as a whole, no matter what issue we are talking about here [I say this being also conscious of that fact that there are many issues I am not informed about. We all need to start somewhere. Let us not be apathetic!]. It's easy to point fingers at the traffickers, or to the prostitutes, or the men soliciting sex. Ignoring the problem only makes it worse. We are all broken people and the root of our sin is boiled down to our separation from God. Because of His grace, we need to stand up and stand in the gap for the children of God who need help.
-----As of Dec. 31, 2010, there were 85,820 active missing persons in America.
-----38,505 (44.9%) are minors.
-----289 of them were from Lincoln alone
---------->Where are these people??
source
-----
Please pray for the Innocence Lost task force in Nebraska, for the safety of the agents and their families, as well as the girls they are trying to rescue. Also pray for justice to be served to the traffickers.
-----
Here are a few more articles about that case:
http://www.kcci.com/r/26788047/detail.html
http://www.ketv.com/mostpopular/26773902/detail.html
http://www.ketv.com/news/26781693/detail.html
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Prayers Needed!
My jubilation in having official plans has been dampened by further news about the flood situation.
Please pray for all of those without homes!!!
Things are very bad in Bangkok right now. My Aunt's sister, Kiel, is from Bangkok--her entire home is underwater. She could take nothing with her. She lost everything she has and is currently living at a safe home. Please pray for her. I have other relatives farther North who are very worried, but I don't know details on their situation. I will update you if I hear...
Also, I would ask for prayers for a friend of mine, his name is John (he has been my Thai tutor--and what a blessing he has been!). His family is currently unaffected, they have moved all of their things upstairs and are prepared to evacuate if needed, but the water is still moving. Pray for them!
And pray for the strengthening and further unification of the Thai Christians--that through this crisis, the Christian Church would be a place of safety, refuge and peace. That they would point many to Christ.
Thanks.
Please pray for all of those without homes!!!
Things are very bad in Bangkok right now. My Aunt's sister, Kiel, is from Bangkok--her entire home is underwater. She could take nothing with her. She lost everything she has and is currently living at a safe home. Please pray for her. I have other relatives farther North who are very worried, but I don't know details on their situation. I will update you if I hear...
Also, I would ask for prayers for a friend of mine, his name is John (he has been my Thai tutor--and what a blessing he has been!). His family is currently unaffected, they have moved all of their things upstairs and are prepared to evacuate if needed, but the water is still moving. Pray for them!
And pray for the strengthening and further unification of the Thai Christians--that through this crisis, the Christian Church would be a place of safety, refuge and peace. That they would point many to Christ.
Thanks.
Let us live by faith
Yesterday my sister and I bought our tickets :) :) :)
AND today we sent out our Visa applications!!
It is so great to finally be able to answer people's questions "Do you know where you will be living?" "Do you know what you will be doing?" "Do you know...?"
I have no idea what life would've been like in the Old Testament. Before the Israelites had a King, during the time when God appointed Judges to deliver them from their oppressors, what a spectacular thing that would've been! Putting myself in their shoes I can't help but be excited. Imagine this conversation:
A worried Israelite--
"Who is going to be our next judge?" "God is!"
"Who is going to save us from our enemies?" "God is!"
"Who is going to rule our nation?" "GOD IS!"
If you are familiar with Judges, you know that the real conversation probably went like this:
"Who is going to be our next judge?" "We don't know...!"
"Who is going to save us from our enemies?" "We don't know, someone save us!"
"Who is going to rule our nation?" "We don't know, let's pick the best candidate..."
It's easy for us to think now-a-days, "those unbelieving Israelites! Can't they SEE God working?!?!" Of course, if somebody were to write the stories of our lives, I'm sure our paths would be wrought with unbelief, and the negligence in seeing what God has done for us. (Let us live by faith)
That being said. It is nice to have some answers. I can see why the Israelites were so worried about not having the answers--but they were just looking in the wrong place. I am glad to say the only thing that matters is that Jesus is my King.
So, I'm going to Thailand.
I'm going for 5 months!
That is just 5 months. A drop in the ocean.
Haha-sometimes I think I'm blowing this out of proportion.
Thanks for bearing with me--I'm so grateful for your loving support.
I'm excited to see what God does.
AND today we sent out our Visa applications!!
It is so great to finally be able to answer people's questions "Do you know where you will be living?" "Do you know what you will be doing?" "Do you know...?"
I have no idea what life would've been like in the Old Testament. Before the Israelites had a King, during the time when God appointed Judges to deliver them from their oppressors, what a spectacular thing that would've been! Putting myself in their shoes I can't help but be excited. Imagine this conversation:
A worried Israelite--
"Who is going to be our next judge?" "God is!"
"Who is going to save us from our enemies?" "God is!"
"Who is going to rule our nation?" "GOD IS!"
If you are familiar with Judges, you know that the real conversation probably went like this:
"Who is going to be our next judge?" "We don't know...!"
"Who is going to save us from our enemies?" "We don't know, someone save us!"
"Who is going to rule our nation?" "We don't know, let's pick the best candidate..."
It's easy for us to think now-a-days, "those unbelieving Israelites! Can't they SEE God working?!?!" Of course, if somebody were to write the stories of our lives, I'm sure our paths would be wrought with unbelief, and the negligence in seeing what God has done for us. (Let us live by faith)
That being said. It is nice to have some answers. I can see why the Israelites were so worried about not having the answers--but they were just looking in the wrong place. I am glad to say the only thing that matters is that Jesus is my King.
So, I'm going to Thailand.
I'm going for 5 months!
That is just 5 months. A drop in the ocean.
Haha-sometimes I think I'm blowing this out of proportion.
Thanks for bearing with me--I'm so grateful for your loving support.
I'm excited to see what God does.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Answered Prayers!
Wow, it has been quite a crazy past two weeks. For those of you who are skimmers and appreciate quick information (I understand), here is a brief: God holds my life in His hands, and I am glad. After a teeth pulling week of thinking my departure date to Thailand needed to change, I am still planning on going to Thailand in January and will be volunteering with this school: Hope International Schools (HIS)
Now for the details!
Two weeks ago I received two very discouraging emails, on the same day. The first was a rejection from an organization I had submitted my application to. The second was a very short email from a relative that I love. It said "you may want to Google the flooding that is going on there right now, it's crazy. It's been flooding for the past few weeks but got real bad yesterday. In addition to flooding, I just read an article about Crocodile, Snake, Scorpion and Tiger dangers since they have been flushed from their normal habitats. If you have not bought your tickets yet, you may want to consider going at a different time."
This is absolutely not what I wanted to hear! That day for me felt like the world was crashing. Not because I am afraid of scorpions or tigers (okay there is a healthy fear...) or of a flood (afterall, helping victims in a flood aftermath is a very practical reason to go to Thailand) but because it seemed like God was closing a door that I have been hoping to cross for years. In retrospect, obviously the world was not ending, it was just a hard day. And if the world was truly ending it would be because Jesus was returning (wahoooo!). So that day I focused on seeking God's will for my life (a topic that is in my thoughts often). I prayed for peace in the situation and sent out prayer requests to praying friends.
That night, I was reading through the Psalms, and this jumped out at me and has stayed with me:
-->WHOAH.
It became my meditation, and has gone deep. I even wrote a song about it. This verse has also ministered to me about some other personal issues--I am so amazed at how God works on us. Praise the Lord, for he is SO GOOD!
Haha, then, the next morning, I read this:
It is taken out of context. Don't be fooled.
But it brought me comfort.
A couple of weeks ago a very dear friend of mine asked me who I knew in Thailand, and I remembered an acquaintance whom I had done some design work for but hadn't contacted. The next day I sent out some emails to some different leads I had, including this acquaintance and heard back from him within a couple of days--
:D :D :D :D :D
It's a go.
He said "We have plenty of things that we could use you and your sister's help with." Those words were like music to my ears! He and his wife run a school in Chiang Mai and we'll be there during the summer break. We'll be able to just help them out with practical things while learning the language and getting a feel for Thailand. If you have a chance, check out the website and their newsletter: Hope International Schools (HIS)
Hope International Schools (HIS) mission statement:
And something I found on their newsletter:
:D I feel elated about this. I am still praying--see, there is this thing about my character where I am always ready to jump on the boat without exactly thinking things all the way through. I'm praying for discernment. But I am moving forward and am confident that the Lord will take me where He wants me to go.
That was a long story, so I'm going to let this simmer.
I have a lot I want to tell you about the current situations in Chiang Mai/Thailand, but also I have a lot I want to tell you regarding human trafficking in the United States. I feel amiss for not having not mentioned this yet; it lays heavy on my heart. I am trying not to overload you with information. That'll be next to come.
Please pray for Mackenzie and I as we seek God in planning our next steps.
Thank you.
God Bless!
-Amber
Now for the details!
Two weeks ago I received two very discouraging emails, on the same day. The first was a rejection from an organization I had submitted my application to. The second was a very short email from a relative that I love. It said "you may want to Google the flooding that is going on there right now, it's crazy. It's been flooding for the past few weeks but got real bad yesterday. In addition to flooding, I just read an article about Crocodile, Snake, Scorpion and Tiger dangers since they have been flushed from their normal habitats. If you have not bought your tickets yet, you may want to consider going at a different time."
This is absolutely not what I wanted to hear! That day for me felt like the world was crashing. Not because I am afraid of scorpions or tigers (okay there is a healthy fear...) or of a flood (afterall, helping victims in a flood aftermath is a very practical reason to go to Thailand) but because it seemed like God was closing a door that I have been hoping to cross for years. In retrospect, obviously the world was not ending, it was just a hard day. And if the world was truly ending it would be because Jesus was returning (wahoooo!). So that day I focused on seeking God's will for my life (a topic that is in my thoughts often). I prayed for peace in the situation and sent out prayer requests to praying friends.
That night, I was reading through the Psalms, and this jumped out at me and has stayed with me:
Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love
for I have put my trust in You.
Show me the way that I should go
for to you lift up my soul.
-->WHOAH.
It became my meditation, and has gone deep. I even wrote a song about it. This verse has also ministered to me about some other personal issues--I am so amazed at how God works on us. Praise the Lord, for he is SO GOOD!
Haha, then, the next morning, I read this:
Proverbs 3:25-26
Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
It is taken out of context. Don't be fooled.
But it brought me comfort.
A couple of weeks ago a very dear friend of mine asked me who I knew in Thailand, and I remembered an acquaintance whom I had done some design work for but hadn't contacted. The next day I sent out some emails to some different leads I had, including this acquaintance and heard back from him within a couple of days--
:D :D :D :D :D
It's a go.
He said "We have plenty of things that we could use you and your sister's help with." Those words were like music to my ears! He and his wife run a school in Chiang Mai and we'll be there during the summer break. We'll be able to just help them out with practical things while learning the language and getting a feel for Thailand. If you have a chance, check out the website and their newsletter: Hope International Schools (HIS)
Hope International Schools (HIS) mission statement:
HIS provides hope and a future to students and families in the developing world by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, providing excellent education, and breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression.
And something I found on their newsletter:
All but one student receives a scholarship. Many of our new students are at-risk for poverty, trafficking, or other
forms of oppression, and many are from Buddhist families. Several of the older students have come to us with little to no knowledge of reading or writing Thai, so teachers are working extra hard to help them catch up.
:D I feel elated about this. I am still praying--see, there is this thing about my character where I am always ready to jump on the boat without exactly thinking things all the way through. I'm praying for discernment. But I am moving forward and am confident that the Lord will take me where He wants me to go.
That was a long story, so I'm going to let this simmer.
I have a lot I want to tell you about the current situations in Chiang Mai/Thailand, but also I have a lot I want to tell you regarding human trafficking in the United States. I feel amiss for not having not mentioned this yet; it lays heavy on my heart. I am trying not to overload you with information. That'll be next to come.
Please pray for Mackenzie and I as we seek God in planning our next steps.
Thank you.
God Bless!
-Amber
Monday, October 10, 2011
Big Questions, God's Will
SO I am quite humbled by the response of people who are interested in what the Lord has in store for this trip to Thailand.
Here are some things I know:
1. God is good
2. Jesus is the Savior of the world
3. God has my life planned out for me
What God has placed on my heart:
1. To be zealous after him
2. To help spread the good news of Jesus Christ
3. To be a light to the lost--we are all children of God.
4. He has placed a desire in my heart to help women and children caught in sex slavery, and I feel this calling for Thailand.
Here are the things I don't know:
1. Where I will staying
2. What I will be doing
3. Pretty much all of the details, thus far.
I know it sounds...really unplanned. But I trust in the Lord.
I hope to leave in January and come back in June, and then, God willing, leave again in the fall. We'll see what He does. Thanks for taking the journey with me. Please pray!
God Bless,
-Amber
Here are some things I know:
1. God is good
2. Jesus is the Savior of the world
3. God has my life planned out for me
What God has placed on my heart:
1. To be zealous after him
2. To help spread the good news of Jesus Christ
3. To be a light to the lost--we are all children of God.
4. He has placed a desire in my heart to help women and children caught in sex slavery, and I feel this calling for Thailand.
Here are the things I don't know:
1. Where I will staying
2. What I will be doing
3. Pretty much all of the details, thus far.
I know it sounds...really unplanned. But I trust in the Lord.
I hope to leave in January and come back in June, and then, God willing, leave again in the fall. We'll see what He does. Thanks for taking the journey with me. Please pray!
God Bless,
-Amber
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
On my way
Hi everyone!
I am thankful for each one of you.
This blog is supposed to document my trip to and from Thailand and the process that I go through. It is a way for me to share what the Lord has done. And I want you to be in the loop!
I'm going to try to post once a week or so. Also, please feel free to share this with others. I don't know exactly what form this is going to take, but I have a lot to tell you and a lot to share.
God Bless,
Amber
I am thankful for each one of you.
This blog is supposed to document my trip to and from Thailand and the process that I go through. It is a way for me to share what the Lord has done. And I want you to be in the loop!
I'm going to try to post once a week or so. Also, please feel free to share this with others. I don't know exactly what form this is going to take, but I have a lot to tell you and a lot to share.
God Bless,
Amber
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)