As I continue this journey on the World Race, I learn more and more of rights that are taken away from humans. These range from human trafficking, roles of women, cycles of poverty, I have seen children of God cast out, young people getting trapped into gangs, and the truth of life beyond our lives in America. Before leaving on the Race I had heard of these things but I had never experienced them first hand. It all began in month 1 while in the red light district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Every night we would see women and ladyboys come to the streets and bars and sell themselves to strangers. In Cambodia I worked in a village and saw the effects of poverty first-hand. I have heard that generation after generation fall into these vicious lifestyles of not being able to provide for themselves and their children. It was here that I met a woman named Som who was completely neglected by her family and left to die to sell her small hut in exchange for her life. In Vietnam I learned that disabled people are viewed as worthless and incapable of life. Here I met a man plagued with polio and spends his days helping educate disabled Vietnamese. He is teaching them they are not worthless, they can be self-supporting, and most importantly about sweet Jesus. My time in Cape Town, South Africa, I worked with young adults who fell into the hands of various gangs because it’s what you do when reach a certain age. Due to this many of them became addicted to drugs and have lost large chunks of their lives. I spent the month living life with them in a rehabilitation center with a 6 week inpatient program. Ministry in Nsoko, Swaziland, has proven to be my favorite so far and very fruitful. It was here I witnessed a mother die leaving her two children orphaned. This is very normal and by the year 2050 Swaziland is estimated to be nonexistent due to AIDS and HIV. My time in India showed me that women are viewed very differently than in other cultures. Their interaction with men is very different and women don’t touch or even make eye contact with men. As I spend month 8 in Kathmandu, Nepal, I am learning how prevalent human trafficking is with young girls being sold for sex. There are many scenarios but most revolve around being bought from families and taken into India to be sold to brothels. Here their life’s are taken away from them and men are forced on them daily. Most are told they are working off a debt but the debt never is paid off. Many have devoted their lives to working to help these girls and go in undercover to these brothels. Then return with local authorities to be rescued, but only if the girls have the courage to say they are trapped. These girls are told no one can help them, to trust no one, and if rescued they will be no better life on the outside. God has completely broken my heart for each situation the last 8 months and continues to remind me He is in control. Even among these realities the light of God has been evident to me. Amongst it all He is faithful and reigns over His earth. I challenge each of you to take a few minutes to Google a subject I mentioned to learn more ways to improve human rights around the globe. Although all these things happen in America, it is worst beyond the land of the free. Many are left undefended and without any hope of help from anyone. Who knows, God may plan to use you to better this world and offer His hope in a way you never expected. Allow God to use your life to better His Kingdom and take His name to His children!
Sunsets from Chitwan, Nepal
Kiddos in Chitwan, Nepal and it you notice me and little lady on the left basically have on the same dress.
