It has been almost three weeks since I have returned from my Vision Trip to Thailand. A lot has happened since I left 2 days after Thanksgiving. I had World Race traveling days; meaning, 32 hours spent in airplans and airports plus taxis, and 10 hour bus rides. At day 3 of traveling, we finally made it to our destination. Then there was the bar hopping every other night in an effort to build relationships with those working there. Teaching English to the women of these bars. Loving on children who live in the slums. Christmas at an orphanage in a Burma Refugee Camp . Hanging out at a Center for BURMA REFUGEE STREET CHILDREN. Having the cutest boy cannonball in my lap, showering me with love. Building relationships with a ministry called the OutPour Movement.
.Q SquaD LoVe. drESSed to imPRess.
ChrIStmas with my high school loves
Getting off the plane and leaving the next day for a squadmates wedding festivities. Let's not forget another World Race Alumni wedding. Some rest and then Christmas with family and friends back in America. Different, weird, but wonderful to be around loved ones.
God has done a lot. I mean a MAGNITUDE!
He has moved in more ways than I can even comprehend. I am still attempting to process, put to words the depths of what I have seen, heard and experienced. From loving on street kids who work the bridge between Thailand and Burma to sitting face to face with a child soldier, my heart broke. It broke on a whole new, deeper level.
photo taken by one of the bridge street kids
One day we got to celebrate Christmas in an orphanage at a Refugee Camp upon which the OutPour Movement partners with. Words cannot begin to express the joy, heartache, and hope that I encountered. Story after story of kids wanting to return to a genocide ravaged Burma to better it–to stop the madness. At such a young age, these kids have seen their villages burnt down, mothers raped, family members murdered before their own eyes. Yet in the midst of all this evil, a monumental love for their country, their people reside deep within. They know a Father's love.
It was in these precious moments, surrounded by Refugee street children, that God solidified the next season of my life. On January 16th, I will be joining, for the next 2 years, up with 2 other Alumni Racers and 1 Alumni Passporter (college age) to form The Thailand Initiative via Adventure In Missions. We will be spending roughly 6 months in Gainesville, GA, under their Apprenticeship program, casting our visions, planning, fundraising and building team dynamics. Then living 1.5 years in Chiang Mai, Thailand partnering with the OutPour Movement.
passing out food at the border
The overall vision is to build a self-sustaining children's home, via eco-tourism, for the AT-RISK BURMA REFUGEE STREET CHILDREN. By "at risk", I mean those who are overcome by genocide, homelessness, vulnerable to using/selling drugs, impoverished, becoming a sex slave or even forced into becoming a child soldier.
We will be the foundation layers, building relationships , making the impossible possible. This has become my heart. It does not make sense, trust me, but that is how God works. I am finding He is in it so much more wehn I do not understand.
With all things, support is needed from prayers to finances. My greatest need is for people to come alongside me who believe in what I am doing and that are wiling to support me monthly. I am in need of about $1500/month, but before I begin on January 16, I must have the first 2 months of support in my account plus $500 for the Apprenticship program–$3500. If you would like to give financially, you can click on the "sharing His love" link on my blog or mail a check to Adventure In Missions labled AmyDuncan Thai INitiative to PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353.
Will you prayerfully consider partnering with me financially to continue on this journey of bringing Kingdom to Thailand, to Burma? I mean we are the body 🙂
ThANk yOu…KoP kHUn KA!!
