My favorite moment in Thailand yet.....

The last few days have been full of exciting times...everything from riding and feeding elephants, going to a fabulous dinner at the cultural center where we experienced great food and entertainment, to trying to solve a massive lice outbreak crisis at the homes. :)

However, Sunday is the day that has made the most impact on me, by far. As a child, I grew up going to a small church in Bremerton, Washington. There were probably about 30 of us who met in this small, old room. Each week we would sing old hymns. Sometimes we would use an overhead projector and a simple keyboard, and everybody would sing loudly even if they were entirely off-key. This last Sunday I felt like I traveled back in time when I went to church with my new Thai friends. When the music began, and the people started singing, I couldn't not hold back my tears. My tears fell quickly as I listened to the familiar tune of "How Great Thou Art" and and "Old Rugged Cross" and looked around at the beautiful children from the homes of Remember Nhu singing the same songs I did at their age. I was so impacted witnessing it...knowing what these children would have faced, had they not been rescued from being at risk of being put into the sex trade. This last Sunday I was so touch by the fact that these children are now provided with the opportunity to experience childhood a little more similar to the one I had...a childhood where I had felt love, peace, and safety. Sitting there in the service I was reminded how amazing it is that the same Spirit who has impacted my life, is the same one who has moved in these girls as well.

Among these girls were two sisters, Kia and Ea (pronouced "Gee-ah" age 10, and "Ee-ah" age 8). There are from the Hmong hilltribe of Thailand. Their father died, and so they had quit school to help their mother. When Remember Nhu offered to take in one of the nine children of their family, their mother asked them to take in the two of them. They are always together, and smile and laugh all the time. By looking at them, you would never guess they have only been in the home for two months...they are so well adjusted. These two girls are now in a place of safety. And I loved sitting with them at church.

Following the service, was hands down THE most moving experience of the trip to this point...a baptism of a Thai couple, Ton and Maam. They became Christians through their friendship with Carl and Laurie. They gave their testimonies about how they were raised in the Buddist religion, but through experiencing the love of Christ's through friendship, they now know Jesus Himself. Ton's Buddist parents were even there witnessing the entire thing! Words cannot even descibe that day and the celebration we had!

So now it is after 11:00pm...I just got home for a second attempt of killing this lice that is rampant at the homes (pray us leaders don't get it too!). THANK YOU all for praying. I definitely feel them. All my love you each of you.... :)

Lessons from Chiang Mai

Hello from Chiang Mai! What a whirlwind of days it has been...there are so many thing I want to share with you all! My mind and my heart don't know if I can fully articulate what we have seen, heard, and experienced. But, being on a time restriction this morning, I will do my best to highlight the key things...

As I sit here my heart rushes to Psalm 10. While we were boarding the plane in Seattle, my good friend Tiffany texted it to me...and Barbara and I have started memorizing the whole passage because it so clearly describes what we ourselves have now seen.

"Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'...He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his liar; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. He crouches, he bows down, And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. He says to himself,..."God will never see it."...Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted...You have seen it...You have been the helper of the orphan...O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

Walking along the streets of Patpong was numbing. It was about two long blocks of store after resturant that, when evening comes, solicate countless children. It is said that over 10,000 people a night visit this stretch of the city. As we walked along the streets, during the day when there weren't any children out, it was as though they were setting up for a carnival...vendors, food, excitement, etc. And all the time, the children are locked in the rooms on the floors above the main levels. It is quite hard to put into words really. Numbing is the only thing that comes to mind. But I was telling Barbara that I can only imagine how numb the girls themselves feel. I can only imagine that these children probably have no strength to cry out for themselves anymore, so it is our responsibility to cry out to God on their behalf.

Hours later we boarded a train to travel, for 18 hours, to Chiang Mai...8 hours longer than expected. That was so much fun and exhausting all at the same time! Barbara is saying it was mostly exhausting...haha! And I will spare you the details of the bathroom! Oh my.... There were times that we rested well to the hum of the engine...until the lunging began...we would be riding and then every five seconds the train would jerk forward and almost stop. There was no sleeping... ha!

After deboarding the train we went to the large temple at the top of the mountain outside of the city. Before going, Laurie (she and her husband founded Remember Nhu) shared with us a passage from Hosea 4:11-14(NLT)that could have literally been describing what we witnessed with our own eyes. "Alcohol and prostitution have robbed my people of their brains. They are asking for a piece of wood to tell them what to do! They think a stick can tell them the future! Longing after idols has made them foolish. They have played the prostitute, serving other gods and deserting their God. They offer sacrifices to idols on the tops of mountains. They go up into the hills to burn incense in the pleasant shade of oaks, poplars and other trees. That is why your daughter turn to prositution, and your daughters in law commit adultry. Wy should I punish them? For you men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You will be destroyed, for you refuse to understand." Seeing the people at the temple gave us an even deeper look into how religion has played a huge part into the societal issues of their country.

Today we got to sleep in finally. And we are getting prepared to go to the homes in the countryside. Last night we got to briefly meet the girls who live there...what treasures they are and so full of love and smiles!! Today will be a day full of hugs, crafts, and fun times!! These girls are the inspiration of what the ministry is doing. We definitely have a fresh insight of what these girls have been rescued from. So, for now, we are off....our arms are ready and our hearts are big to love on them!

Greeting from Bangkok!!!

After weeks of planning, we are finally here! I just got back from a nice Thai breakfast with Barbara and Carl. He explained to us that today we are going into the heart of Bangkok, to see the culture of this city, before heading up to Chaing Mai by overnight train.

Before Barbara and Carl joined me in the restaurant this morning, I read my Bible and wrote in my prayer journal some of the things that she and I had been discussing in our travels yesterday. I wrote: "As I sit back and observe the people around me, I am more aware that there are so many people here, beautiful Thai people, who You love. There are so many things going on in their lives and hearts and I feel there is no way I can even ask them to know. All of my usual methods of loving people by encouraging them through words seems impossible, Lord. So give me eyes to see these people as You do, and to read their eyes and body language, and to learn to love without a spoken word. That is hard for a verbally expressive person like me. Please give me the eyes to see it and the heart, grave, strength, and gentleness to do it."

So our journey has truly begun! And we are eager to serve and love. We will need God's Spirit so much to help us on this journey. We want to be people who watch and listen and respond in compassion and service. Please pray that for us! And please pray that God helps us in processing the things we are going to see. For instance, today we may be traveling into the brothel district of Bangkok. We are so thankful that God is going with us.

What an adventure ahead...and we are only at the beginning. But we are both so humbled and thankful for the amazing privilege of being here! Today we are clinging to 1 Thessalonians 5:24: "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."

And our hearts resinate with verse 25, as well: "Brethren, pray for us."

As We Leave......To Thailand & Cambodia

To say that the last couple of weeks have flown by is quite the understatement. I have been scrambling to get everything done...from squeezing all my clients in, to getting my vaccines, and running an innumerable amount of errands. But now, the day of departure is almost here, and I finally feel as though I am able to take a moment and consider the journey that I am going to be on in the next few weeks.

As I sit here, my mind rushes back to a conversation I had over lunch, with one of my most special friends. It is very rare in life that one finds somebody who is a true kindred spirit, who you are able to just sit and “speak each other's language”...even in the the things that are left unsaid, but are still understood. Roxy is one of these treasures in my life, a gift from God really. The amazing thing for me is that she is a kindred spirit, who happens to be twice my age. So I have been given the privilege to glean from all she has learned throughout her life. The other day, at lunch, was no exception.

We sat talking over Panera Bread, and she asked a lot of questions. As I spoke, she just listened. But finally her response was a story from her own life. And it has become an illustration that portrays what I am praying for, as my friend Barbara and I leave for Thailand and Cambodia.

Roxy's parents were 35 when they picked up and moved to be missionaries to a village in Alaska, called Chitina. This village consisted of a small group of indigenous people, who for years were terrified by what you or I would consider unreal spiritism or often think of as a made up horror story. But for these people it was very much real. The “shaman” was a bewitching, ugly figure that would come in and scare the people every night. Parents were paralyzed with fear, scrambling each night to get their children indoors. That is, until the missionaries arrived. The day that this couple, Roxy's parents, came to this village, the shaman never returned again. Before any words were even spoken by the missionaries, God's power was displayed. Christ's presence in them was power enough to disarm Satan's fear method. The shaman did not come back again to scare the village. Instead, Roxy's parents came in and spoke of the hope of Jesus. The generations that have followed, the kids and great grandkids of these village people, now speak of the way Jesus changed their lives!

After Roxy shared this story with me the other day, I have considered it a lot, and prayed it for myself and Barbara. I have been praying that we will be so full of Christ's Spirit, that those around us are touched by Him through us, and His presence in us.

However, in an email yesterday, Roxy built upon that story and added more for me to consider and pray over for our trip. She wrote: “Just walk into a room and you know God is walking in also, and the whole environment changes. Of course the battle is stronger, for the enemy will fight his way through and try to fill you with discouragement and despair and feelings of powerlessness and inadequacy. Don't heed them! They are not from your Chief! So....be aware that you are definitely in a battle! Keep your armor buckled on tightly and hold fast to the shield of trust - faith - and enjoy who you are in Christ! You are seated with Him in the Heavenlies! No one can harm you without HIS permission. And He wills that you accomplish the mission he is sending you on (it's a lifetime mission - not one of just 3 weeks!!!!!)....YOUR LIFE is the message! Let it speak loud and clear! Remember who you represent and who is IN you and empowers you...even if you "feel" powerless....don't heed the "feelings." I've been there, done that and do know where my weaknesses are and those are the first darts Satan throws at us....into our weaknesses. Ouch! ….You are going to a "hot spot" in this world...Satan's territory, and he will be mad! Stand firm...face him head on! Armor on...helmet, shield, and don't forget the shoes....of peace! the gospel of Christ who is the Savior of the world!”

What a mission to pray toward! Please join us, by praying these things for us. We so desperately need our friends, family, and loved ones to serve with us, from here, as we go there. Thank you all for your support as we take off...thank you for partnering with us by your prayers. Love you all so very much!

Remember Nhu

I have watched the documentary numerous times...sometimes three times in one day. I have observed the landscape and culture. I have listened to the voices. I have memorized the stated vision. But most importantly I have studied her eyes. They are eyes that are full of joy and victory. What is unseen, behind the chocolate color, is the story of her broken past and the terror that those same eyes must have expressed. I don't even like to think about it; I would rather pretend that nothing ever touched or harmed this beautiful young girl. But the truth is that it did, and there is no denying it. As I stare at her eyes, as I watch the video, tears fall from mine. I wonder...What expression will be on her face the first time I see her?

I cannot wait to meet Nhu, a young woman from Southeast Asia, and look into her eyes that speak of God's rescuing love and restoration. She gave her life to Jesus at a young age, was baptized, and became outspoken about her faith. However, at the age of twelve, a family member sold her virginity, partly as an act of disapproval of Nhu’s commitment to Christ. Since then, God has been active in rescuing and restoring this young woman from the devastation of the sex trade.

In many ways I do not feel like I have much to offer this lovely young woman. Sure, I have been asked to teach her all I have learned and whatever knowledge I have acquired over the years, but the reality is she has so much to teach me. It is just a privilege to play a part in making her dreams come true...dreams of building salons to keep women, like herself, from being trafficked.

At this point in my career, I go to work each day not really thinking much about the practical and technical side of my job. I can pretty much do the hairstyling in my sleep. It is the transparent conversations and the emotional discussion that I sometimes just feel so humbled and vulnerable by. At the end of the day my hope is that I not only made each client feel beautiful, but that they feel known and accepted, shown grace, told truth, and experienced Jesus' love through me. That is my measure of success.

Similarly, as I leave for Thailand and Cambodia to work with an organization called “Remember Nhu,” I have one goal. I simply want to love Nhu. If I am able to do anything else in the process, then I will be even more thankful. But the one and only measure of success in this trip is to allow Nhu to experience Jesus through me. Oh, I am so unworthy of such a task......

http://www.remembernhu.org/media/motion/videos/

Loving People From Behind The Chair: Galatians 5:6

Galatians 5:6 "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

As I grew up, I didn't necessarily ever see myself being a hairstylist. Yet, I remember attempting to lift my little sister up on the bathroom counter as I brushed a wet comb through her bangs. I was determined to make her hairstyle look fabulous with merely water, since I wasn't allowed to use my mom's hairspray. There were hours spent playing with my doll's hair as well. I chuckle as I think back to those years. I was a simple, young girl...and I had simple, yet big, dreams.

More than anything I wanted to be a wife and mother. However, I didn't just play house. I remember playing “Sunday school teacher” as well. When I had nobody else to play with, I would get out all of my stuff animals and place them all in front of me. Then I would proceed to lead them in worship songs, using a hair barrette as a “pick” and a cookie cooling rack as a “guitar.” I would then get out my Bible and teach my stuffed animals all the stories I knew about God. To be honest, my eyes get a little teary thinking about those times, when life seemed so simple. I feel so blessed that God's hand was on my life then, preparing me for where He has me today.

Little did I know then how complex life would get in a handful of years. Little did I know how much the diagnosis of Mom's cancer would effect all of my life. Little did I know the pain that would follow. Little did I know that God's hand was working in my life so that I would come to the place where I would truly come to know Jesus, instead of just knowing about him. It was during this time in my youth, when I was experiencing brokenness, uncertainty, loneliness, and fear, that I came to want to serve Him because I loved him, instead of the fact that I wanted to be like Mom or Grandma.

When people ask me today if I am still broken over Mom's death, sometimes I don't know how to answer. Yes, in some ways I will never “get over” the fact that she is gone and I still miss her so much. But as the years have gone by, I am okay, and I am thankful. What I find interesting is that I often find myself crying more for the little girl that I was, who had to experience so much confusion and pain. And I cry for that same girl about the process of heartbreak she needed to go through, in order to get to the point of receiving the joy from knowing Jesus. My fragile heart is what spurs me on to connect with my clients in what they are going through, because I myself have experienced sadness so intensely. It is the brokenness that I have experienced that makes me enjoy, and thrive in, the career that God has placed me in.

The first lesson I have learned at the salon: we all have brokenness and pain. When somebody is vulnerable enough with me to share theirs, I know the place where I can begin loving them to Jesus.

When Mom was sick, and I gave my heart to Jesus, I immediately started serving in ministry. But years later, God would take me out of formal ministry, to place me in a hair salon of all places. There my job wasn't to teach formally all the deep theological lessons I had acquired over the years of studying the Bible. My job was to simply love. I never knew then how profound of an experience that would be.

So now, I have one goal each day, as I go to work. My goal: that every person who sits in my chair at the salon will know Jesus a little more after being in my presence. No matter if they have known Jesus twice as long as I have, or have never heard about Him before, I want to share with them who He is.

Everyday it is my hope that I was able to love and direct my clients to Jesus. There are many days, however, that I feel that they have taught me more than I have taught them. Their trust in me, by sharing their stories, in such a vulnerable way, have impacted my life and given me such a broader prospective on life and who God is. I always say that we are all figuring out life as we go. I am just the blessed one to be able to live life with so many wonderful people that God brings to me, who sit in my chair at the salon.

My prayer is that I will be able to speak God's truth into their lives and that I will serve them in the most unselfish way. And I pray that I will be able to understand who they really are and love them deeply to Jesus Himself. If I have done that, then I can say that I finished a day well spent, from behind the chair, at the salon.