Final Thoughts
Even though her face fades from my mind, I will never forget the look in the eyes of the first girl that we met at the bars in Thailand. We talked for a while; she was very sweet. But as we left, there was such a look of saddness to see us go that I almost broke out in tears on the street after we turned our backs. Just imagine the feeling of doing something you absolutely hate, something where you are violated and dehumanized every night. And to have a few moments where all someone wants to do with you is buy you a coke and ask you about your life. And then they are gone, and you have to return to the sweaty old foreign man waiting for you. And you have to smile about it.
My time in Thailand has for sure broadened my understanding of the world. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to experience the things I did while I was there. But I am so thankful it is over. I hestitate to tell you all this, I don't want to admit it, but Thailand was by far the worst month on the race for me. I let my own mind, the atmosphere and the enemy drag me down. Some of it was my fault, some of it was just the journey that God has been bringing me through. So while most people loved their month, I find I am still trying to recover from it.
To get a better impression of the work that is going on in Chiang Mai, Thailand against the sex industry I would recommend these blogs by some of my squadmates.
Bethany Bernard – Thailand Human Trafficking With Pictures
Helena Jordao – You Are Not a Prostitute
Bethany Stanbrough – Dating Thai Women
First Impressions
I love Cambodia.
I don't know if it is because of the change of atmosphere, having air conditioning for the first time in 4 months after 2 months of 100+ degree weather, debrief, getting to visit Angkor Wat, the ministry here or the work that God is doing in my life, but I really like Cambodia. I guess it's all of those things.
This month we are living in the capitol city of Phnom Penh. In the afternoons we teach conversational English to local young adults at a Christian English center and help out with Bible studies and church services that are held there. In the evening we walk to the house of a Christian couple. They live in a house near one of the universities and let about 10 young men that come from very poor families live there for free. There as well we help them learn English and talk about Jesus.
I am really enjoying this ministry. Our contacts are great. It is a very rewarding ministry because not only are we able to teach something that is helping these young people in a tangible way, we have an open forum to share the Gospel. While most of the students are not Christians, they know that we are and that they are in a Christian establishment. And the students who are Christians are eager to ask questions and to see their peers come to know the Lord.
I still need $3,257 before I am fully funded. My deadline is July 1st (50 days). That number continually astounds me! Just take a moment to see how faithfully God has provided through all of you to have already raised $12,243. Wow. Thank you!!
