So, a couple of weeks ago I asked a couple squadmates to collaborate and make a video on top of a rooftop in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was mostly just a fun way to give my supporters an update on what’s been happening on the field. But, to be honest, it was VERY vulnerable. I love to sing and I love to play guitar but I don’t necessarily feel the urge to be the center of attention with it. I’m no professional, I just enjoy it. But I’ve been feeling God nudging me to step not only more fully into creativity, but also outwards to share it with others and bring them in with me. Seriously– VUL.NER.ABLE. For me. Doing uncomfortable and vulnerable things is part of the pursuit of doing this whole Race thing, though.
To say I was blown away by everyone’s response is an understatement. Not only that, but within the past three weeks after sharing with you guys where I was at with fundraising, $1,830 in donations came in! WHAT??
It’s hard to put into words the feeling of having people pour out support. Overwhelming, but in the best way possible. A little undeserving. Very humbling. And really, it’s not about the money. It’s seeing that people care, whether sharing a post, sending a dm here or there, or even a text message (which I still get!). It all means so much. Thank you. Those words don’t do justice to how I feel, but thank you. If you haven’t seen the video and would like to, I’ve included it at the bottom of this post :).
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As for what’s happening now, the guys and the girls have split up for the month. The guys are doing crazy things over in India, and us girls are having a blast here in Bangkok, Thailand! We’re camped out in a beautiful house that was a total unexpected gift from Jesus. It’s actually been a month focused on rest and healing so that we can have the strength to pursue the journey ahead. I’ll have another update soon on the ways God has been working in my heart.
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But I also want to highlight one of the organizations we’ve volunteered with here in Bangkok. The picture above is a picture of the Nana red light district. It’s just one of the many red light districts in Bangkok where the sex-trade industry runs openly rampant. Then there’s NightLight, an incredible organization doing some special work close to my heart (http://www.nightlightinternational.com/bangkok/). They’re reaching out and empowering women out of the sex-trade industry using different avenues including through bar ministry, a weekly “beauty shop”, along with programs and jobs in their coffee shop, jewelry-making business, and other enterprises.
It might be easy to assume what goes on in this whole sex trade industry, along with the causes and the fixes. But to put it simply, Thailand and its culture are different. In western culture, it’s assumed and accepted that at least one parent will work a job and provide for the family. Here in Thailand, and they’re not nearly as individualistic. The men bare the spiritual repsonsibility, being required to serve as a monk for a period of time. Afterwhich, they are released and the financial responsibility to provide for the family falls on the daughter. And there is nothing inherintly wrong with this, except that girls are sent out at a young age, often times before they have finished school at around 16 years old. They logically head to the big cities, because that’s where all the money is. Without any real job skills, there is practically no hope of finding a work that can support a whole family. They’re vulnerable and so easily exploitable, and prostitution is good money. Like I said, this is put simply and I’ve left out so many contributing factors; the problem is systemic and thus demands a multi-faceted approach. Yet, I’ve blown away by the people at NightLight. Their ingenuity intertwined with passion for the mission, actually bringing women to freedom, is unlike anything I’ve seen. They know what they’re doing and they are making a difference!
As for our involvement…we’ve had to walk a three mile commute both ways in 90-something degrees to get there, and good Lord I’m being serious when I say I have never sweat so much in my LIFE. But, working with NightLight has been WORTH it. We’ve been able to spend time with the people in ministry, and their stories are all inspiring. We’ve “helped” in the bead shop along side of some of the women, chipping away a wopping total of about 150 bracelets between 9 of us, leaving them with, mmmm… only about 58,000 left to go. I know, we’re suuuper helpful. But it’s moving, to come face to face with a person whose past experiences I can hardly begin to tangibly grasp, and yet see the smile in their eyes as they say, “I love Jesus, He has saved me.” How beautiful and sweet beyond words. And how convicting. It’s forced me to beg the question…how much have I held back from the transformational power our sweet Savior? How much have I underestimated Him in both my life and in the context of bigger issues facing our societies? His grace, His healing, His restoration is not a concept; Jesus is that real.
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Thank you, again, to those who have donated! Thank you to all of you who continually follow my updates, like and comment on my posts, and reaching out! If I have not been able to respond to to you, know that you matter to me and your communication means SO. MUCH. I love and miss you all!
