July Racer, Marissa Pratt, is currently in Chiang Mai, Thailand right now being awesome for the Kingdom.  Here’s a blog about some of the work they’re doing up north in regards to human trafficking.  And check out the Eden House!
 
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We are currently in Chiang Rai, Thailand, where we are staying with Vern and Audrey McCauley at the Eden House.
 
Created in 1997, Eden House is a non-profit Christian based home, situated 30 miles south from the Burmese border. Eden House is dedicated to extracting young girls from extreme “at risk” situations. Most of the girls are Ahka, which is a hill tribe group in the north of Thailand. This group is considered to be of the lowest “caste” by many of the people in Thailand.”

Currently, they have 33 girls between the ages of 5-18.

“Hill tribe girls are sometimes sold by a parent or village member into prostitution or slave labour to help support their drug and/or alcohol addictions. AIDS is taking its toll on villagers, creating more orphans every year – some with the virus themselves. Girls in situations like these can’t fight for themselves and are offered little chance of hope or escape. Many of the girls that come to Eden House experience real love for the first time in our family oriented environment. Food, clothing, love, emotional support and education (through to college) are supplied for the girls. Through this, they are shown how to value themselves as they really are and not just “saleable” items. Eden House provides a good home for the girls who would otherwise have none.” –http://www.ywamthai.org/chiangrai/edenhouse.htm

Construction of their third house is now complete, housing up to 12 girls in each house. Each house has one or two Thai or hill tribe staff who act as the house “parents”. We have had the pleasure of meeting all the staff, who are all absolutely over-flowing with compassion and love for the children.
 
They are currently working on construction for a fourth building that will provide apartment housing for staff. Some staff are able to stay in the houses, but most have to commute each morning to meet the girls before they head off to school.