I still have not found time to write it all down, but here's the next best thing, maybe better. PICTURES!
Just click on the link and it should take you to my facebook albums, even if you don't have facebook! And I'm forwarding the NightLight Newsletter to all on my email list, this letter is amazing--- many of the things I've directly experienced and witnessed are written beautifully in this letter.
BLESSINGS
GRACE AND PEACE
PRAJAEW RAK KHUN! (GOD LOVES YOU!)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011652&l=3f6bf&id=176000428
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011505&l=2c434&id=176000428
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011649&l=543de&id=176000428
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011650&l=d8ab5&id=176000428
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
the journey has only begun
i'm going to dive right in and tell you that GOD does CRAZY CRAZY THINGS! (just in case you didn't know that) ;)
this morning, i overslept and had to hurry and was worried on the way the airport, then something was messed up at check in and i just had to chill and pray that the anxiety would leave. i did just that, but of course the butterflies were there and i didn't want to leave my family on that rushed note. long story short, i made it on the plane and magically made it to chicago! thank goodness i had multiple hours to wander around that airport and try to find my way! however, on the plane i took out my bible to read a couple verses i love in isaiah.... my eye caught a devotional that I've had in my bible for almost a year. i have a tendency to not follow the dates on devotionals and just flip through and read whatever my heart desires... well, this devotional was from 2007 but i also have this weird thing where I will turn to the date that it currently is, just to see what it said a year ago and see if it hits me now as well. Sooo, i turned to OCTOBER 29th, 2007........................... I immediately began to cry. I date everything I read and make little notes about how it hit me that day and what it means to me. I had read this devotional last November--right after I was "forced" to move back to Sioux Falls from the cities because I had mono, shot my adrenal gland and low functioning kidneys... ugh. Well, i read this devotional entry and was blown away by it. I read it everyday for months after that, shared it with my mom, meditated on it. I had written this all down in the margins and all the memories flooded back about how this devotional had given me hope and peace about my dreams. The crazy thing now however, is that TODAY IS OCT. 29th, 2008! THE DAY I'M FLYING TO THAILAND, THE DAY I HAVE DREAMED ABOUT FOR MONTHS, THE DAY THAT I DISTINCTLY HEARD GOD TELL ME TO GO!!! GOD is so freakin cool... he had given me a little piece of paper, almost a year ago, with words that hit my heart, i had put it away and forgotten about it months later and then on the day that i leave for the next step in his will for my life, he reveals it again to me! Isn't God amazing!?!?! I mean honestly, the date is exact! God knows how to reach each one of us and affirm that we are on the right path...for me, God knows and often allows me to be slapped in the face with blunt affirmation. He appeases me sometimes! ;)
I'm gonna type this devotional below, so you can get a glimpse into these amazing words and maybe get a glimpse into this crazy beautiful moment i had today with GOD!
"THOUGH [THE VISION] TARRY, WAIT FOR IT...IT WILL SURELY COME." HABUKKUK 2:3
Whether you're in a prison cell like joseph, a soup kitchen in an inner city, or at home with small children, God hasn't abandoned the dream he placed in your heart. You may not know how to get from where you are to where your dream would take you, but God knows! Simply ask Him to reveal the next step. The more you envision yourself leading in the boardroom, launching your own business, serving a ministry, writing your first book or helping others through your unique gifts, the sooner it'll become a reality. Before our vision becomes clear God gives us glimpses of it--like a picture developing from a soft hue into a sharp resolution.
Take your God-given vision and run with it. Allow it to fuel your motivation to perform to the best of your ability in your present position, while always remaining in communication with Him who knows and loves you best. Today pray: "Lord, I thank you for all You've given me--even those things that seem unfair and unjust, even the scars that have been inflicted by those intending evil against me. Empower me to do my best, to remain Christ-like and positive, because I know that where I am right now is not where You're taking me. Grant me glimpses of YOUR vision for my future so that my understanding may grow in accordance with YOUR timing. Give me patience along the way, and faith to trust that you are working for my good every moment of the day. Amen."
I am just blown away right now. God gave me this promise almost a year ago, he gave me patience(sorta, i tried), he gave me his vision, he has poured out Grace and Mercy on me, empowered me, protected me from evil, and gave me peace that where i was at that time was not where he was taking me. I needed to learn and function where i was at---he gave me glimpses all year of his vision for me and NOW, it's coming into sharp resolution. How did I, a flawed sinner, become so blessed to be his daughter that he has risen up for this mission? wow.
All this happened in the first few hours---the rest of the day was spent in contemplation and staring out my window of the plane. Oh, I saw the most amazing sights today! Mountains, oceans, clouds, undiscovered territory, sunshine.... I was literally in awe of the beauty God has created!
Inside the plane, I was observing how calm, peaceful and considerate Asian people are. I was officially one of two blondes on the plain of hundreds. ;) and I was the only American in my cabin. I watched Asian children sit patiently and never complain. First Class is not the only people treated well in Asia. We had little socks, eye masks, hot towels, endless drinks, all the movies and music we could enjoy at our disposal, good food...peace. This is why i love asia. peace in the midst of chaos.
I've got to board my plane to bangkok now, but this day was fantastic. more to come. love you all.
this morning, i overslept and had to hurry and was worried on the way the airport, then something was messed up at check in and i just had to chill and pray that the anxiety would leave. i did just that, but of course the butterflies were there and i didn't want to leave my family on that rushed note. long story short, i made it on the plane and magically made it to chicago! thank goodness i had multiple hours to wander around that airport and try to find my way! however, on the plane i took out my bible to read a couple verses i love in isaiah.... my eye caught a devotional that I've had in my bible for almost a year. i have a tendency to not follow the dates on devotionals and just flip through and read whatever my heart desires... well, this devotional was from 2007 but i also have this weird thing where I will turn to the date that it currently is, just to see what it said a year ago and see if it hits me now as well. Sooo, i turned to OCTOBER 29th, 2007........................... I immediately began to cry. I date everything I read and make little notes about how it hit me that day and what it means to me. I had read this devotional last November--right after I was "forced" to move back to Sioux Falls from the cities because I had mono, shot my adrenal gland and low functioning kidneys... ugh. Well, i read this devotional entry and was blown away by it. I read it everyday for months after that, shared it with my mom, meditated on it. I had written this all down in the margins and all the memories flooded back about how this devotional had given me hope and peace about my dreams. The crazy thing now however, is that TODAY IS OCT. 29th, 2008! THE DAY I'M FLYING TO THAILAND, THE DAY I HAVE DREAMED ABOUT FOR MONTHS, THE DAY THAT I DISTINCTLY HEARD GOD TELL ME TO GO!!! GOD is so freakin cool... he had given me a little piece of paper, almost a year ago, with words that hit my heart, i had put it away and forgotten about it months later and then on the day that i leave for the next step in his will for my life, he reveals it again to me! Isn't God amazing!?!?! I mean honestly, the date is exact! God knows how to reach each one of us and affirm that we are on the right path...for me, God knows and often allows me to be slapped in the face with blunt affirmation. He appeases me sometimes! ;)
I'm gonna type this devotional below, so you can get a glimpse into these amazing words and maybe get a glimpse into this crazy beautiful moment i had today with GOD!
"THOUGH [THE VISION] TARRY, WAIT FOR IT...IT WILL SURELY COME." HABUKKUK 2:3
Whether you're in a prison cell like joseph, a soup kitchen in an inner city, or at home with small children, God hasn't abandoned the dream he placed in your heart. You may not know how to get from where you are to where your dream would take you, but God knows! Simply ask Him to reveal the next step. The more you envision yourself leading in the boardroom, launching your own business, serving a ministry, writing your first book or helping others through your unique gifts, the sooner it'll become a reality. Before our vision becomes clear God gives us glimpses of it--like a picture developing from a soft hue into a sharp resolution.
Take your God-given vision and run with it. Allow it to fuel your motivation to perform to the best of your ability in your present position, while always remaining in communication with Him who knows and loves you best. Today pray: "Lord, I thank you for all You've given me--even those things that seem unfair and unjust, even the scars that have been inflicted by those intending evil against me. Empower me to do my best, to remain Christ-like and positive, because I know that where I am right now is not where You're taking me. Grant me glimpses of YOUR vision for my future so that my understanding may grow in accordance with YOUR timing. Give me patience along the way, and faith to trust that you are working for my good every moment of the day. Amen."
I am just blown away right now. God gave me this promise almost a year ago, he gave me patience(sorta, i tried), he gave me his vision, he has poured out Grace and Mercy on me, empowered me, protected me from evil, and gave me peace that where i was at that time was not where he was taking me. I needed to learn and function where i was at---he gave me glimpses all year of his vision for me and NOW, it's coming into sharp resolution. How did I, a flawed sinner, become so blessed to be his daughter that he has risen up for this mission? wow.
All this happened in the first few hours---the rest of the day was spent in contemplation and staring out my window of the plane. Oh, I saw the most amazing sights today! Mountains, oceans, clouds, undiscovered territory, sunshine.... I was literally in awe of the beauty God has created!
Inside the plane, I was observing how calm, peaceful and considerate Asian people are. I was officially one of two blondes on the plain of hundreds. ;) and I was the only American in my cabin. I watched Asian children sit patiently and never complain. First Class is not the only people treated well in Asia. We had little socks, eye masks, hot towels, endless drinks, all the movies and music we could enjoy at our disposal, good food...peace. This is why i love asia. peace in the midst of chaos.
I've got to board my plane to bangkok now, but this day was fantastic. more to come. love you all.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Recieving Donations
If you would like to make a donation to support me working with NightLight, you can go to:
www.paypal.com
click on the 'send money' tab at the top of the page, under the HOME section
on the right hand side of the screen there is a box entitled 'send money'
enter my email address in the 'To' section (hopedrivenljc@gmail.com)
enter your email address in the 'From' section
enter the amount you would like to send in the 'amount' section
and hit continue
it will prompt you from there!
I am hosted by The Point is to Serve church as well. If you prefer, you can send a check written to The Point is to Serve and put my name in memo section.
The Point is to Serve
PO Box 91416
Sioux Falls, SD 57109-1416
Thank you all for your support! It would be impossible without you! I am honored that you have joined me in this covenant!
If you would like to make a donation to support me working with NightLight, you can go to:
www.paypal.com
click on the 'send money' tab at the top of the page, under the HOME section
on the right hand side of the screen there is a box entitled 'send money'
enter my email address in the 'To' section (hopedrivenljc@gmail.com)
enter your email address in the 'From' section
enter the amount you would like to send in the 'amount' section
and hit continue
it will prompt you from there!
I am hosted by The Point is to Serve church as well. If you prefer, you can send a check written to The Point is to Serve and put my name in memo section.
The Point is to Serve
PO Box 91416
Sioux Falls, SD 57109-1416
Thank you all for your support! It would be impossible without you! I am honored that you have joined me in this covenant!
19 days!
Sawatdee Kah!
I leave in 19 days for Bangkok, Thailand! As you all know, I am going to be joining with NightLight ministries (www.nightlightbangkok.com)--NightLight is an international faith-based organization committed to giving women and children an escape from sexual exploitation, to enable them to discover their dignity, and to provide a program of holistic transformation, empowering them to live and work in their community (thanks Charity for the eloquent description).
I am planning on being in Thailand for the next 6 months! I have raised support for the first 3 months so far and I have a visa for 3 months! Please pray that God will provide a way for me to stay and continue to help at NL! Funds are needed and visa finagling is required!
I fell in love with Thailand and the Thai people almost 5 years ago! The only way that I can describe why I went to Thailand the first time is simply is because God told me to. I knew beyond a doubt that I was supposed to go. I had never ever thought of Thailand before, I had to look it up on a map to even know where it was! I went with no expectations--needless to say, it changed my entire life! My worldview was changed forever; my heart and soul went under a crazy transformation. From the first day back on US soil, I knew I wanted to be back in Thailand. I lived with a Thai family, who are still very much a part of my life. I taught English at a Buddhist University to 4th year English student Monks, travelled the country, lived in remote villages, met amazing indigenous people, attended Chiang Mai University, strolled through markets, ate amazing food made by street vendors, hiked in the jungles, rode elephants, got my first tattoo, wore traditional Karen clothing, sat with 80 year old women on the floor of a bamboo hut and drank tea (made of sticks, leaves and dirt in water), went back into the jungle quarters of monks to spend a day in their life, visited temples and ruins, swam/played/sang/ate homemade coconut ice cream with orphaned karen children, took a train-then bus-then ferry to Ko Sumui island for a two week spring break in paradise....I could go on for days. In fact, many of you have endured my years of reminiscing and i love you for that. I fell in love and I have never been the same. I now have the amazing privilege to look back and realize that God was preparing me. He wanted me to have all of those amazing, unimaginable experiences with the Thai people and culture, so I could intimately understand them. So i could fall in love with them, value them and now desire their freedom!!!
I had no idea that 4 years later, Susan Omanson would introduce me the disgusting reality of human-trafficking. She told me of the existence of Modern-Day Slavery. I learned of the revolting injustice that exists for women and children today! I learned of the constant abuse endured, sexual exploitation, oppression and literal enslavement! Last January, I returned with Susan to Bangkok, Thailand. I met Annie and Jeff Dieselberg and visited NightLight. I was able to get an intimate glimpse into NightLight and immediately my heart was broken. I went on outreach in the streets of the redlight district---- no words can describe what I saw. All I knew, was that I was forever---forever---- committed to ending this epidemic! The sex industry in Thailand is a dark, evil, oppressed place---but in this place are thousands of beautiful, precious lives. Souls that are crying out in the darkness...begging to be free! Annie has worked for years in her ministry with the women and she lives a life worthy of her calling each and every day! I look up to her and knew that God was raising me up to join her and many others in the battle.
Patience does not come easily for me. I have waited a long time to be able to fullfill this dream of returning to Thailand. I can look back and see that God's time is perfect---I love that I can see that the days I spent in "wilderness" were preparing me. I love that I can see back into my childhood, teen and young adult years and realize that the way God made me---that I may have not appreciated at the time--that caused me to be "different" than others---the emotional, analytical, discerning me--- is a perfect me. A 'me' that I can thank God for making me. A 'me' that I am honored to be trusted to be. A 'me' that I am diving deeper into and conditioning. I praise God for my gifts now and I see how they need to be used! I am humbled that I've been entrusted with this life and I am committed to radiating the Holy Spirit and his love.
Friends and Family, please cover me in prayer. I'm headed to the frontlines and I covet your prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me in this journey! I love you, very much!
I leave in 19 days for Bangkok, Thailand! As you all know, I am going to be joining with NightLight ministries (www.nightlightbangkok.com)--NightLight is an international faith-based organization committed to giving women and children an escape from sexual exploitation, to enable them to discover their dignity, and to provide a program of holistic transformation, empowering them to live and work in their community (thanks Charity for the eloquent description).
I am planning on being in Thailand for the next 6 months! I have raised support for the first 3 months so far and I have a visa for 3 months! Please pray that God will provide a way for me to stay and continue to help at NL! Funds are needed and visa finagling is required!
I fell in love with Thailand and the Thai people almost 5 years ago! The only way that I can describe why I went to Thailand the first time is simply is because God told me to. I knew beyond a doubt that I was supposed to go. I had never ever thought of Thailand before, I had to look it up on a map to even know where it was! I went with no expectations--needless to say, it changed my entire life! My worldview was changed forever; my heart and soul went under a crazy transformation. From the first day back on US soil, I knew I wanted to be back in Thailand. I lived with a Thai family, who are still very much a part of my life. I taught English at a Buddhist University to 4th year English student Monks, travelled the country, lived in remote villages, met amazing indigenous people, attended Chiang Mai University, strolled through markets, ate amazing food made by street vendors, hiked in the jungles, rode elephants, got my first tattoo, wore traditional Karen clothing, sat with 80 year old women on the floor of a bamboo hut and drank tea (made of sticks, leaves and dirt in water), went back into the jungle quarters of monks to spend a day in their life, visited temples and ruins, swam/played/sang/ate homemade coconut ice cream with orphaned karen children, took a train-then bus-then ferry to Ko Sumui island for a two week spring break in paradise....I could go on for days. In fact, many of you have endured my years of reminiscing and i love you for that. I fell in love and I have never been the same. I now have the amazing privilege to look back and realize that God was preparing me. He wanted me to have all of those amazing, unimaginable experiences with the Thai people and culture, so I could intimately understand them. So i could fall in love with them, value them and now desire their freedom!!!
I had no idea that 4 years later, Susan Omanson would introduce me the disgusting reality of human-trafficking. She told me of the existence of Modern-Day Slavery. I learned of the revolting injustice that exists for women and children today! I learned of the constant abuse endured, sexual exploitation, oppression and literal enslavement! Last January, I returned with Susan to Bangkok, Thailand. I met Annie and Jeff Dieselberg and visited NightLight. I was able to get an intimate glimpse into NightLight and immediately my heart was broken. I went on outreach in the streets of the redlight district---- no words can describe what I saw. All I knew, was that I was forever---forever---- committed to ending this epidemic! The sex industry in Thailand is a dark, evil, oppressed place---but in this place are thousands of beautiful, precious lives. Souls that are crying out in the darkness...begging to be free! Annie has worked for years in her ministry with the women and she lives a life worthy of her calling each and every day! I look up to her and knew that God was raising me up to join her and many others in the battle.
Patience does not come easily for me. I have waited a long time to be able to fullfill this dream of returning to Thailand. I can look back and see that God's time is perfect---I love that I can see that the days I spent in "wilderness" were preparing me. I love that I can see back into my childhood, teen and young adult years and realize that the way God made me---that I may have not appreciated at the time--that caused me to be "different" than others---the emotional, analytical, discerning me--- is a perfect me. A 'me' that I can thank God for making me. A 'me' that I am honored to be trusted to be. A 'me' that I am diving deeper into and conditioning. I praise God for my gifts now and I see how they need to be used! I am humbled that I've been entrusted with this life and I am committed to radiating the Holy Spirit and his love.
Friends and Family, please cover me in prayer. I'm headed to the frontlines and I covet your prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me in this journey! I love you, very much!
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