Our every two-year family vacation...

Since our family is scattered across the U.S. we decided a few years ago that we would be intentional about getting together for a family vacation. Two years ago in May we all met up in California and headed to Yosemite National Park for some great hiking and family time.

Last week we met up in California once again (since 4 family members live there, it keeps the cost down for flights :) and drove across the border (only 45 min. away from San Diego) to Rosarita Beach, Mexico. We basically hung out at the beach or played lots of Dutch Blitz, along with an occasional game of Catch Phrase or Up and Down the River. It was a relaxing, no-agenda, get-away. Lots of snackin' and laughter, with some competitiveness when it came to Dutch Blitz.

Pictures capture our time better than words...

Every two year family photo

Playing catch on the beach

Sisters

Enjoying the waves

Someone's getting a lot of attention

Papa took Evee for a morning stroller walk each day,
while the rest of us slept in :)

Some things don't change...

Our little Evee loved the beach and
wouldn't let go of her sand bucket

Final Thoughts...

Outside of the heart-wrenching realities of human-trafficking that we saw in Phnom Penh, probably the most impacting was the common thread that became very apparent throughout our time - the collaborative effort put forth by non-government organizations (NGO's), many faith-based, working together to solve the dilemma of human trafficking. Chab Dai Coalition (side picture), meaning "Helping Hands," involves 41 faith-based NGO's that work with child protection. This is critical to the success of eradicating this injustice at every level. It isn't enough to raid brothels and rescue victims, giving long-term aftercare. It is just as important to promote community awareness and work with the government in making changes to pass laws that more thoroughly define trafficking crimes, so that meaningful arrests and prosecution stop the crime from moving forward. There was an encouraging sense of hopefulness from faith-based leaders to government officials.

Due to security reasons, we were not allowed to take pictures of any of the girls housed in aftercare centers. I hope the pictures below give you a glimpse into our time in Cambodia with a few additional pictures of my time in Thailand.

Our team of five - (L to R) Wendy, Aidan, Julie, Me, Arlie

Our team with Kristin, WHI Director of Anti-trafficking

Riverkids Ministries reaches out to the vulnerable
children that live along the river.

The river in the background.

Children living in the poor conditions.

The river rises each year during the rainy season.
The boards to the right are used to build a makeshift
bridge as a pathway over the water.

Rahab's House - a formal brothel shut down by

the Int. Justice Mission in 1994 - now used as
a community center to minister to the young girls in the area.

Two little girls outside Rahab's House - young
girls just like these are often sold into sex slavery.


When Agape Ministries Int. renovated the former brothel
they kept one room to show it's former use... this room
was one of 20 on the main floor.


Looking out from the entrance of Rahab's House,
a garbage heap across the dirt street.


Getting foot massages and a manicure from girls at
an aftercare center (they allowed us to take pics here).
They are taught skills that will later
produce an income for them.

We were told that the biggest present that can be given to these young girls is Jesus. To withhold them of that in their brokenness would be wrong. A verse used at WH's Assessment Center to help with their literacy is Jeremiah 29:11 "for I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future" - for 99% of the girls it is the first time they hear of a God that loves and values them.

To those who thought of us, prayed for us, and supported us.... thank you!! Many of the places we saw and the things we heard were so thought-provoking, but all necessary to truly understand all the dynamics of this evil violation to young girls. I am thankful to see organizations such as World Hope International be an agent of God's goodness and grace to a broken world.

UBON RATCHATHANI, THAILAND
Wendy and I detoured on the trip home to visit the
Bergman's, missionaries from SLWC. We enjoyed three
full days discovering their world.
The Bergman's - Owen, Bryce, Evy, and Joelle

Picking up Owen from preschool

We helped plant rice in the rice fields with the
gooey mud seeping between our toes :).

Feeding an elephant that happen to be walking in the street!

Thirty-six hours of flights on the trip home. I had three days to get adjusted to the time change and turn around to get ready to go again. Dennis and I leave tomorrow for CA meeting up with all our kids for a family vacation. Bon voyage!!

A White Cloth...

Men are like gold.
Women are like a white cloth.

This is the mindset of the Cambodian people. A white cloth, once soiled, can never be clean again.

Such is the life of the young girls sold into the sex trade. Their fate is set. Their destiny... to live a lonely life in the cycle of abuse, shame and disdain. A white cloth, some as young as five years old, turned into a dirty rag way before they should have lost their childhood innocence.

In a community center, called Rahab House, once a brothel for girls too young for such a thing, these quotes were found on the lightly pink walls of the small rooms where they would wait for the next client, anywhere from 10 to as high as 30 a day:

The men tell us we are pretty, but they are liars.

We put on makeup and tell ourselves we are pretty, but it's not true.

We are like flowers with the petals falling one by one.

Our life has no meaning.

Only Jesus can take a dirty rag and turn it into a bright white cloth once again. This is their only hope.

For I have plans for you, says the Lord, not to harm you, but to give a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Off to Cambodia

Opportunity. Dignity. Hope.

These are the three words that describe World Hope International's mission. WHI is a faith-based relief and development organization that sets out to alleviate suffering and injustices through education, enterprise and community health... the foundation of their work grounded in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.

As many of you know, I am joining a team (including my daughter, Julie) headed to Cambodia where we will join World Hope staff who work first-hand with the human-trafficking dilemma in this country - a very horrific and sad crime! Thanks to many of you who have committed to praying for Julie and me during this time.

• We hope to gain new insights into God's character as we encounter the Cambodian culture.
  
• We desire to simply be obedient and faithful to carry out God's presence and purposes in the culture as agents of healing, liberating grace.
• We pray that we would discern what God might be calling us to be and do as a result of this experience.

Flying out today! I will give updates if time and access allows.