Final Thoughts on Bangkok

Dear Friends,

It has been several weeks since the end of our adventure in Thailand. Most of us are through the jet lag (thankfully!) and are now process and sifting through all of the experiences, faces, stories and heart deposits made during our time there. It was a life changing time for us all.

Two things have been rolling around in my mind and spirit since coming home, very simple words yet deep in meaning. The first is the idea of "the one". We saw time and time again the power of connecting to one woman at a time, investing in each relationship one by one by one. I'm reminded in the Bible of the many times that Jesus fought through crowds of people to get to the one person who needed his love and grace. Relationship is surely one of God's favorite places to hang out, and a place where much healing and transformation happens.

The second is the concept of "go". We spent so much of our time during those two weeks going into massage parlors and bars, going into the streets to where our friends were. Go is an action word, it requires something of each of us. I was reminded over and over again about the importance of going....to find the lost, to invite to the banqueting table, to bring to the party, to welcome home.

I received an email from our friend Bonita, the director of Home for New Beginnings, and she shared some reflections about the "fruit" of our time in Bangkok, and affirmed again the power of "going" to "the one".......

'You really can't know how significant your time here with us was. Two major things: 1) We have continued to have girls register for English that are a result of your "blitz". We have even opened an afternoon class for five girls from one bar! We have had eleven girls register -- just this week! While some of these are massage girls, some are beer bar and go-go bar girls and we have not had anyone from the bars register for a long time. The word spreads more easily through the massage parlors and it is easier for them to come in the morning but it is thrilling to have the others there as well. 2) Probably even more significant than that is the comfort with which Pu, Si and Jeed now go to the bars with us. Pu. Nit and Si are particularly comfortable and they weren't before. They made some friends and are always interested to go back and see them. They are beginning to see the value of relationship as well. While they wanted to go before - they wanted to help and they knew that others should be at Beginnings, they felt awkward about making contact and making conversation and all of that is gone. When they go to 7-11 to buy a phone card, they will now stop in a few minutes and talk with the girls they began a relationship with. It is AMAZING!! That would have taken us months to accomplish - if then - with only a one night a week experience. You can't know how significant this is!! and what it means to me - and to all concerned.'

What an awesome privilege it was to be "go-ers" for such a time as this. Thank you to each one of you for equipping and supporting us financially and prayerfully to be part of this incredible experience.

Blessings on you,

Sue Todd