As I look at my comfy double seat on an air-conditioned bus with bright lights and a foot rest, I think to myself—this is rare comfort. RARE. This is perhaps my most comfortable bus ride on the entire race, to the point it had everything a flight does- the travel pillow, blanket, snacks, a meal and a bathroom. wHOA.
that'd be my legs sprawled out reppin' the Qatar airways eyemask, travel day necessity
This month—I feel like I’m on one of those adventures that I’d only dreamed. Last year, I was finishing presenting My Senior Thesis on "Bringing the Dark to Light: Sex Trafficking of Women and Children in Asia and the United States" at SLAM at Mars Hill. And this month I have the sweet privilege of putting all the knowledge I have into play and setting captives free.
This month I’m in Phuket, Thailand working with SHE, Self-Help & Empowerment.
This is a month I have a privilege of working with a ministry that seeks to set captives free and offer them a refuge and empowers them to work in ways that support their families outside of working as a prostitute. So this month, we're going into the bars at night and developing relationships with the women.
I had the the blessing of spending Easter here. Here's a photo for Mom of my Easter dress my $3 purchase in a Bangkok market. Doesn't exactly follow the rules of spring colors but I do what I want.
Being at SHE is truly an answer to prayer. As soon as I found out I was doing the World Race, I told Autumn that Thailand was on our route. Autumn is a mutual friend of mine and Samantha Waters', a sweet friend of mine back in Asheville, NC. Autumn lives at SHE and has a 2 year commitment to this place, its livelihood and walking out in what God has commanded of her. Both her and I prayed that I would be at SHE when I came to Thailand, and of the various ministry sites I could be this month, I'm at SHE! Praise the Lord!
Today she and I painted
this is some of my artwork.
We went to a hideaway coffee shop in Phuket Town in the afternoon and had yummy iced banana mochas and talked about life and Jesus and the what we're learning and growing in. This lady has truly been a blessing during my time at SHE already. She's an overflow of God's love and pours out so many truths and has such deep thoughts and words. You should probably check out her blog here to see just what I'm talking about!
After a bus ride we got off at the end of our road. and what to my wondering eyes should appear… a rainbow
it was beautiful and stretched across the sky with a smaller rainbow to its left.
This is such a simple and beautiful reminder of the promises of God.
I discovered nothing but yummy-ness at the market– see with your own eyes!
This was a good portion of my lunch today. I was satisfied.
______________________________________________________________
They switched up our teams this month while our men have a month of "manistry" in Chaing Mai. I’m with 10 other ladies, including our squad leader, Rachel.
Vanessa, Emily, Emily, Stephanie, Marissa, Ruth our Team Leader, Krystle, Daniela and Angela.
Angela is still in NEED of $3,700 in the next few days to stay on the World Race. You can read more about her here & help support her here.
_____________________________________________________________
This past week was Ruth's Birthday! She loves Elephants so we decided to surprise her and ride Elephants for her birthday!
This is a photo of Daniela and I on the Elephant!
For our off day we went to Nai Hang Beach. It is INCREDIBLY beautiful there! Its SO dreamy! We went swimming way above our heads and could still see to the ocean floor.
I was extremely happy.
It was an intense first week of ministry and super sweet to have the Lord answer SO many prayers of ours. I will have a follow up blog explaining my encounters and perception of life in Patong, the Red Light District here in Phuket.
Until then, please watch this video! Pray for us as we develop relationships with these women and men.
