Let's Get it Started!

I am starting this blog to keep family and friends up to date with my upcoming Thailand trip with Women At Risk (http://www.warinternational.org/) February 12-22, 2009.

We are going to a VERY dark place. A place where women and children are sold into sexual slavery. The women who work in brothels are numbered. As they work "customers" "order" the women they want by their number as if they are casually placing an order for the day's lunch special at a restaurant. It's unbelievably cruel and sick. We will be able to go to the brothels and try to "recruit" these women to work in jewelry shops. If they choose to come with us they will be able to live in a safe house, get an education and earn a living by learning a new trade (sewing, baking, jewelry making, etc....) They get paid as much doing these trades as a college graduate earns which is very appealing to them since many of them do not even have a G.E.D. Most importantly they will be presented with the word of God. They will learn how they can become spiritually freed from the slave of sin just as they were freed from their earthly life of slavery. It is my prayer that we can show them how beautiful they are!

"In one of her moments of greatest weakness God chose to reveal Himself through her. The Holy Spirit whispered, "Speak what you see."
I see beauty.
She leans against her Savior, and she finds grace. Knowing that only GOD can sustain her, she stands in the face of fear and resolves not to give up. She recognizes that the things of God are the only things that matter. Seeking after the things of Christ, she lives a life of integrity. She is a fighter, a survivor, a women of strength.
She is beauty!" (Regina Franklin)

I am blessed beyond words to even be able to go on this trip. There are several proposes of this trip:
1. For my heart to be broken by our precious Father and put back together by Him in only a way He can put it back together. By this I pray Christ will shine through even more! I want to be in His will.
2. I will be getting exposure to the plight of women/programs in hopes of bringing more women & women ministries to us.
3. I will be able to meet national women and experience a whole new world! I pray I can be a part of making a difference in these women's lives but I know they will impact me more than I can even prepare myself for.
4. I will meet a new circle of protection and like minded women.
5. I will become a Prayer Warrior. And I pray that I will be able to keep the passion long after coming home.

I am not a "blogger" so this is solely for the purpose of the trip. I will be limited to Internet access so I will update when I can. (Probably more in the next few weeks before the trip & MAYBE a couple times after the trip.)

Isaiah 61:1-3 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."

Our team will need your constant prayer . Several team members have already felt Satan's attack. He will continue to attack us as we are going into his territory. We are crossing the line into total darkness in hopes of bringing a blinding LIGHT!

Please feel free to leave comments/questions and I will be updating with more specific details of the trip later.