No Longer Sold

I could feel the heat from the paper lantern on my hands as I struggled to hold it up and take pictures at the same time. My sweet little companions gathered around me as we crouched close to the ground to count down. One. Two. Three. We let go of the glowing lantern and watched as it soared into the dark night sky. My gaze was fixed on the thirteen lanterns we had set loose in the sky that night, one for each of my teammates. As I watched them soar higher and higher all I heard around me was laughter. Laughter of the little girls dancing around us with delight. Pointing up into the sky with little fingers. Pulling on our shirts to take photos with them. Smiles were everywhere. 

 

                                      

 

                                     

 

                                     

 

As happens so many times in moments like these, I forget that every single one of those girls would have been sold if not for Remember Nhu, our ministry partner this month in Thailand. But because of the work of this ministry there are whole village tribes who no longer sell their children. 

 

Our host parents told us many of the hill tribes sell their children out of desperation or to pay back debts. When visiting one of these hill tribes, one would find hardly any young girls because they had all been sold. 

 

We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit a hill tribe high in the mountains this month. There were not a lot of girls there, not because they had been sold, but because many now live at Remember Nhu. The chief has a great relationship with the ministry and tells them when there is a child in danger of being sold. 

 

                                  

 

While walking through the village, we came upon one house that stood out in the collection of huts. This house was extremely ornate. It was decorated with beautiful carvings and it was obvious the family was wealthy. We found out this is the house of the last family who sold their daughter into the sex trade. 

 

                                          

 

Imagine waking up every day and seeing the wealth of your neighbors knowing that you struggle to feed your own children. But instead of giving into the temptation of selling their son or daughter, which would certainly bring wealth to the family, the village now chooses to keep their children or send them to live at Remember Nhu. 

 

I learned so much this month about human trafficking and the hopelessness it can bring. But I also learned about the hope that is created in the prevention of trafficking. I could see the love of God in every single one of those kids’ smiles. 

 

                                

 

This month my team was so blessed. We had the opportunity to love on beautiful sweet kids every day and we were able to help with the foundation on the new boys home for the ministry. I don’t have a lot of construction experience, but I loved the feeling of being tired after a hard days work. We were able to literally lay the foundation of this new home and cover the ground with prayers for the boys who will live there. 

 

                                   

 

 

When I think about Thailand I will remember the beautiful mountains surrounding our town. I will remember the glowing lights hanging from the brothels we passed every night, a constant reminder of the darkness. 

I will remember every smiling face and sweet hug from boys and girls who are no longer at risk of being sold. I will remember that even in situations that look the darkest, God is there working in the lives of people and calling them to more.