Fight for Freedom

Hello Everyone!

Ok, I said I would share some information on sex trafficking in the US, so I am here to share what I have learned with you today.  I have gathered my information from various sources and will mention them as I go.  The one thing I can tell you at my first glance of these statistics and information I have in front of me is that it is a quickly growing crime here in the US as it is globally.  We are a country about FREEDOM which means there is no room for slavery here.  Let's stop it.

The NHTRC (National Human Trafficking Resource Center) has a HOTLINE (1-888-373-7888). The calls are typically CRISIS CALLS or TIPS. They are able to form some statistics from the information gathered at the HOTLINE.  The number of calls jumped from 7,637 in 2009 to 11,874 in 2010.  I have not found any #'s estimating this year's totals yet, but I will share them with you when I find out.

If you are like me, you are thinking 3 things about this happening here:

1.  Where could this be happening?

2.  What is the difference between trafficking and prostitution?

3. How can we stop it?

• One of the big answers to the "WHERE" question is TRUCK STOPS!  

The Polaris Project reports that the trafficking happens in 2 forms at truck stops across the US:

                 1. Many massage parlors in or near the truck stops are basically brothels.  This is where victims are forced to have sex 6 to 10 times per day.

                 2. Pimps moving the victims from city to city (stop to stop) is the other form.  These girls are sent to knock on truck doors.  The pimps get requests for business from the truckers by special light flashes from trucks, CB signals, and stickers on their trucks indicating they are interested in a girl.

I appreciate this quote:
"If you see a young person at a truck stop, think twice.  Children generally don't go to truck stops, if it seems wrong, it probably is.  Don't be afraid to speak up about what you see." ~ Krista Hoffman, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

• To answer question #2..................It is trafficking and not prostitution when the victim is a minor, or when a controller uses force, fraud, and/or coercion to maintain control over the victim as it relates to commercial sex.  The controllers use things like debts owed, substance abuse, threats against family members, and many other forms of mental and physical abuse.  

• Let's stop it.  

          I think that awareness is the first step in stopping this from happening to these vulnerable women and children.  If you are reading this, you are beginning the process of stopping things. When we understand the problem, we watch for suspicious activity, educate others, and become a voice for the victims and those vulnerable and could become victims.

         

          Another key thing is to build a strong family yourself and be an advocate for the benefits of a God abiding family unit.  Creating strong, confident, educated, God-seeking children will help limit the number of victims these criminals can pull from, but it will also create fewer criminals (both pimps and johns).  With divorce and nontraditional lifestyles becoming so prevalent in our world and country, it is so easy for people to say, "whatever you want to do with your life and your children is OK as long as it makes you happy".  But the truth is, the way we live our lives has immediate and eternal ramifications!!!  Let's take raising our kids and creating our families seriously.    

        With all of that being said, the biggest way to stop trafficking is to stop the demand!!!  According to the ADVOCATE for HUMAN RIGHTS, "Demand fuels the purchase of human beings for sex. Demand is comprised of a culture that tolerates or promotes sexual exploitation; men who buy commercial sex; exploiters who make up the sex industry; and states that are complicit in providing safe haven for pimps and traffickers either as source or destination countries."

         I would just like to close this post by saying that I still view the United States as a country that values HUMAN LIFE. Our lives have value.  The biggest shock to me about Cambodia, after visiting there, is that there is little to no value for their own people ESPECIALLY children.  The first born daughter is expected to provide for her family.  Children are sold every day there.  We were even asked to buy children while there!  When a baby dies, he/she has no burial and is often thrown into the river.  As times get tougher here in America, we must hang onto what we should value most!  OUR GOD and OUR PEOPLE!

Here are some sites I used for sources:

www.polarisproject.org

www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org

There is also a great website to check out called:

www.truckersagainsttrafficking.com

Homesick for Cambodia

Hi everyone.  I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post something new.  I guess I am out of my post-trip fog and have found my way back to wife and mommy life again.  I will never quite see things the same after meeting the RAPHA HOUSE girls and staff, but I can incorporate my experiences and changed heart into my daily life by being sensitive and in-tune with what is really happening in the world around us.

My heart literally ACHES when I think about Cambodia and the people I met there.  I do feel homesick for them which is something I never would have predicted.  I very much thought I would feel a sense of, "check, been there - done that, now what?".  That just hasn't been the case at all.  Cambodia has a lasting grip.
 
Chad and I really do hope to go back together within the coming years.  He needs to relate to this "grip" and see what it really has to do with us. When you visit such a dark place, you notice God's light even more.  It made me want to shine my light there.  It is distinct, effective, and noticeable there.  I haven't been able to figure out how to work that out here yet.  We will wait for God to guide us in the way we should go.

The truth is, the darkness is world wide.

I thought I would share some shocking facts about the modern day form of slavery called HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

1. Trafficking is the world's 3rd largest business.  It comes after DRUGS and GUNS.  It is currently a $7 BILLION dollar business.

2. The UN estimates that 700,000 to 4 million women and children are trafficked around the world for purposes of forced prostitution and labor.

3. Victims of trafficking are subject to gross human rights violations such as torture, rape, forced abortions, starvation, diseases, threat of murder and torture to their family members.


4. Currently Cambodia's illegal sex trade is a $500 million a year business.


5 There are statistics for the USA alone that are mind blowing.  I will save those for next time.


For more facts:
www.raphahouse.org

Reflections: Part 2

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry that I am just now getting another post out.  It has been a bumpy landing back into my life as a mother, wife, daughter, and children's director.  However, I THINK I am back now.  God didn't just teach me a quick lesson in trusting, faith, and obedience then leave me to go handle someone else.  These lessons continue, and I am thankful since I am a very slow learner in these areas!

 I have been asked so many questions since I have returned, so I thought I would make this entry a little Q&A!  Feel free to comment with questions I didn't hit on too.

Q:  How has it been coming back here after seeing what you saw there?

A:  That is DEFINITELY part of the "bumpy landing" I mentioned.  Before I went, I knew coming back to my gluttonous world would be a challenge, and it is.  I keep comparing it to the death of my brother.  (I lost my brother, who was just 21 months younger than me, in a car accident 10 years ago.)  After he died, I was mystified and angry that the world seemed to be going on as usual.  I was mortified at how so many people seemed to act crazy about such small & unimportant issues.  I do feel a little frustrated at seeing people sweat the small stuff, but overall, it is different.  The fact is,  I couldn't do anything about his death.  He was gone, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.  In contrast, coming back from a culture that puts little value in human life and believes in a ridiculous religion has me frustrated, focused, and motivated.  I CAN do something about this.  My GOD is real, and I see how HE is the salt and the light in such a real way.  I want to be His salt and light, hands and feet, and love wherever I can.  These are my thoughts now that I am back.  While flying out of Cambodia, I watched in tears while half of my busted open heart stayed there.

Q: How do the girls end up in the SEX TRADE there?

A:  Desperate people do desperate things, and it is a HUGE problem in this region.  The girls are beautiful, and more than that, their families are living in poverty.  In their culture, the oldest daughter provides for the family.  NO PRESSURE.  So, the selling of a daughter with a promise of some of her wages, is very prevalent.  In some cases daughters choose to go willingly being promised a job description completely different. Selling children to child labor rings is prevalent in general.  See what I mean about the loss of value on human life?? When this trade first started booming it was mostly brothel situations; according to Stephanie Freed (US RAPHA DIRECTOR), it has all become more underground now which makes it harder to rescue the girls and prosecute the perpetrators.

Q: How do the girls get to RAPHA HOUSE?

A:  The government and organized freedom fighters have connections to RAPHA HOUSE and use them as one of their placements options.  They call and bring them girls as they are rescued.

Q: What do the girls do while at RAPHA HOUSE?

A:  At the safe houses the focus is on the girls healing.  Each individual girl requires different things, but they all receive counseling, schooling, and medical attention.  They also have justice fought for them if their case has those options.  After they get settled into their healing process, they begin to learn skills that can one day help them maintain their freedom and provide them an income.  They learn things like sewing, cosmetology, silk weaving, and jewelry making.  Once they are ready and old enough, they move to the Freedom Center where they hone in on these types of skills they need for their independent reintegrated futures.

I have to go now as it is time for me to pick up my kids, make dinner, and come back here to church to lead Wednesday night programming for the children.

I want you all to know that RAPHA HOUSE also works hard on the prevention side of this horrible issue as well!  I hope to share more about that soon.

Please pray for the girls and the STAFF.  The staff in Cambodia are Christians living in a 95% Buddhist country.  Meeting these heroes of my faith has definitely changed my life!!

LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

   

Reflections ~ Part 1

Hi Everyone! We made it back to this amazing country where we have so much to be thankful for late Saturday night. Most of us cried our eyes out as we left Cambodia. As much as we were anxious to see our loved ones back home, leaving a place in such need AND the amazing friends we made, like Theara Sath, was like tearing our heart out!

I was super intentional on making notes of culutral differences in Cambodia with the plan to share with you all. I love learning about other cultures and maybe some of you do too:

1) In the rainy season, it pretty much rains every evening. It rained every evening while we were there. There was one night that it didn't rain until after we were in bed.

2)Very warm and very humid every day. The girls at the FREEDOM CENTER (Halfway House) did an Asian straighening thing on my hair, but it only lasted an hour in this humid climate! BUMMER!

3) It is beautiful. There were banana trees, coconut trees, palm trees, rice fields, and exotic fruits and flowers everwhere. The people live in such sad conditions that there is such irony in what we saw with extreme natural beauty and extreme poverty and filth.

4) Their potties are typically "squatties" with no toliet paper, trash cans, soap, or towels. To flush, you simply scoop up some water and pour into the toilet bowl that is inset into the ground. Voila! Needless to say, we used LOTS of germX. We were fortunate enough to have western toilets most places we visited. We only met a few squatties.

5) Their "napkins" for eating were basically sectioned toilet paper squares and I am not talking Charmin either.

6) There is very little sanitation in this country. There was trash on the ground everywhere. Trash cans were very difficult to find anywhere with the exception of the hotel rooms and airport.

7) They fish by getting into the water with nets. We saw lots of people up to their necks in flood water fishing away.

8) Most Cambodians seem to make their livings by selling something either from their shanties or in a market. Children are expected to work and sell things as well. The first born daughter is supposed to support her family.

9) The roads: There is no order to their driving. Most folks drive MOTOS which are a cross between a motorcycle and a moped. I think I saw ONE stop sign the entire trip. If you want to turn, you just honk and go for it. I am pretty sure that my attemp at driving in Cambodia should be considered a suicide attempt.

10) The food was ok. They eat a lot of rice, fish, and chicken. Pineapples, mangos, dragon fruit, fruits that I don't know the name of that we called eyeballs and hairballs, papaya, passionfruit, etc. My favorite things I ate that was Khmer was banana chips, passionfriut juice, and a very crisp pancake.

11) The coffee was not good. It tasted instant almost everywhere. I had a lot of hot tea! I also loved lime juice drinks. Fruit smoothies are everywhere and many team members loved them!

12) The electricity was pretty sketchy. It was not uncommon for the power to go off and on at any given time.

13) The government owns most of the land in the country. To own property, you have to be wealthy. Most families squat somewhere.

14) The water has a very different smell to it. After we got our clothing washed there, our clothes smelled just like their water. I don't even know how to describe it. It wasn't overtly offensive, but it was very strange. The smell of their cooking had a very unique smell as well. I am not sure if was the cooking oil or the gas they used to heat with that created the smell, but it take a lot of getting used to.

15) The inside of any building (business or otherwise) was very bare basic. The people really seem to appreciate very intricate and fancy details when it comes to furniture and sculptures, but that is it with decor. Walls in the evenings were usually decorated with live GEKOS! Gekos are everywhere there!

16) The country is 95% Buddhist. No matter the sad state of their homes, they all had these large decorative structures called SPIRIT HOUSES sitting out front. They would put food, flowers, incense and other offerings on these. Inside many business, they had a fancy set-up with a Budda on the floor where the same type of offerings are given.

17) In the towns, there was constant chanting and dingly music.

18) Throughout the country there was all poverty with a big fancy PAGODA (Buddhist Chapel) every so many miles.

17) There didn't seem to be any health codes when it came to restaurant cooking. We saw pots being washed with hoses in the back allies and thousands of things that would be instant violations here in the states. Because of God's grace, we only had a few instances of tummy problems.

18) Clothing for children is optional. We saw lots of naked babies and children. It's not like they need it to stay warm.

19) It is their custom to remove your shoes before entering any structure.

20) When you greet a Khmer, you put your hands together and bow your head.

21) The people loved having their pictures taken.

22) When you shop, bartering is customary.

23) The cows and chickens are a sign that your family is making it ok. They are the skinniest chickens and cows I have ever seen.

24) A fun thing for kids seemed to be riding water buffaloes which are everywhere!

25) They siesta in the afternoons. Most of them had a hammock for that.

26) Cobras are revered in the country. Almost every town has a huge cobra structure with either 5, 7, or 9 heads.

27) Many girls were wearing long sleeves, sweat suites or even turtle necks! I think this was all in the name of fashion. Girls will be girls everywhere. The children loved to wear pajama sets as daily outfits. They think they are quite cute and fashionable!

28) After struggles with my feet not fitting on the stairs many places, bonking my head mulitple times multiple places, and being rejected at a shoe market, I realized Cambodia is not designed for tall people!

29) You can get an amazing massage for $5!! I ended 3 days of ministry with one. I will have massage withdraws! The Thai massage was the best.

30) HUMAN LABOR and SEX TRAFFICKING is everywhere, on every corner, affecting nearly every family. It is rampant and a problem we should all be aware of as it is happening here in the USA more and more everyday. Men from all over the world fly into Cambodia just to have sex with young girls. Children as young as 3 are selling wears everywhere in Cambodia. These children are obviously slaves working for some labor-lord. Several of us were asked to purchase children by mothers! Things are desperate in Cambodia which causes the slave laborers to be continually successful.

Before I wrap up, I want to say personal thank yous to:
Chad Burghart (you are the husband God designed for me. Thank you so much for your support and being the best daddy ever.),

My mom and dad (Thanks for spoiling the family while I was gone and for not laying down in front of the airplane during take-off. I know you worried, but it was a trip meant to be.)

My in-laws (thanks for all the support and all the help while I was away. I am sorry I missed the birthday celebration.),

Susan Roberts (I know you serve the kids because you love them and it is one of your talents and gifts, but I whole-heartedly say prayers of thanks for you daily.)

Joshua Foster and Tyler Copp (You are very good boys. You make every Sunday bright and your willingness to teach these kids about Jesus is beyond impressive. I love you both!)

Jennifer Siebert and anyone else who likely stepped in and covered gapping holes I likely left behind! LOVE YOU!

Last Day in Cambodia

Hi Everyone! Today is our last day here in Cambodia. We fly out of Phnom Pehn at 6 tonight. We will need the long journey home to begin our processing of all that we have witnessed and experienced. Not only did we get to see what RAPHA HOUSE does in its amazing efforts in prevention, healing, and reintegration for girls that have been sexually exploited, but we have also soaked in how the people of this country live. It is so vastly different from the place that I live that I can't go back and view the world the same. It simply CAN'T happen. I will share many of the differences we have observed in a later blog. We have been compiling a list.

I want to say thank you to those who supported this journey for me financially. Because of what you gave, I was able to:

* Help purchase bedding, storage, and supplies for the FREEDOM CENTER in Phnom Pehn. Your dollar goes a long way here and can cover a lot of needs!

* Give money to the RAPHA bride and her new husband to help start their life together. She gets to be pure once again thanks to her healing in God. AMEN? The wedding was so touching. (And Randy, your pictures are coming when I get home.)

* Give $150 towards one of the rescued girls medical needs. Her eyes were damaged while in slavery, and she needs surgery. She loves to sing and has the most beautiful voice.

*Give money to the Kids Club which provides needs for the street kids in Phnom Phen.

* We were also able to purchase things that the RAPHA girls made such as purses and jewelry. Each girl gets paid some money for each item that she makes and sales which teaches her empowerment, confidence, and opens the door to learn money management. The rest goes to support the SAFE HOUSE.

* I am most thankful for the opportunity I was given to come here. I needed to be here. I am honored to be a voice for these girls who do not have one themselves. I will forever support RAPHA HOUSE and their efforts to fight for these girls every step of the way. They have lived nightmare childhoods and deserve a chance. They need to know there is hope in this dark world. My hope is that you all will feel compelled to support this cause. Meeting these girls solidifies how worth it they are.

It will take many of us from this team time to re-adapt to things when we get home. Likewise, it may take time for us to be ready to fully share our hearts and stories with you. Please be patient with us. We will share and probably not shut-up once we are ready.

LOVE to you all one last time from Cambodia.

Wedding Day in Cambodia

We have done SO much since my last post that I might miss telling you some things. Yesterday morning we did our last staff devotions in Battambang. A couple of us went into the ugly cry. These people are so amazing. The love Jesus and they love helping these girls AND fighting for justice. There is no way to describe our love and appreciation for them. They will forever be in my heart and prayers.

After that, we headed up to Siem Reap which was a 3 hr trip via bus. Siem Reap was best described by Pastor Ron when he said it is like a Cambodian Branson. It is the most "touristy" place in Cambodia. They are best known for their NIGHT MARKET. There is a smaller safe house here. They did secure some land where they can build larger facilities soon. Praise GOD for the funding that they have received for that so far.

We went to RAPHA after making it into town and did devotions with them. It was wonderful. The girls here were all around 14 and over, and many of them could speak some English. I enjoyed them very much. We didn't get a lot of time with them this time. But, we will get more time with them at the wedding and several different times over the next few days. This staff seems just as amazing! One memory is our GRAND entrance we made. We had wade through diseased water for quite a distance to get to the house. I was not in my happy place. But, it was worth every step to get to these precious girls!!

After that, we went to the NIGHT MARKET where we practiced our bartering skills. It was such an adventure and experience. We will go back again late tonight. It was sort of like our craft fairs at home. There were some artists, but you never have to pay full price. It is fun to see what bargains we can come up with.

We are currently back at the hotel between the wedding ceremony and reception. To experience the wedding of one of these girls makes us all very emotional once again. The bride and groom are just precious!! They really go all out for weddings here. In fact they usually last 3 days. This one felt American in a lot of ways, but I was reminded that it isn't American, it is Christian. So, off to the reception I go where we will mix with the RAPHA girls and celebrate ultimate healing in Jesus.

LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

Cambodia ~ Day 7

Good morning from a rainy Battambang. Pray for the rain to stop!! They DO NOT need anymore rain anywere in SE Asia. Levees are breaking, people are drowning, water is unsafe to drink in many parts, and of course DISEASE is breaking out. We are seeing adults and children walking around in waiste deep water like it is business as usual.

We are packing up and getting ready to head over to Siem Reap which is a big tourist city because of the Angkor Watt Temple that was built around 1200 AC. There is a smaller safe house there, so we will once again meet some precious RAPHA girls and staff and spend some time with them. We will be attending a wedding tomorrow. A former RAPHA girl is getting married. What a thing to celebrate. Our entire team is so excited to be a part of this amazing experience. She has healed so much that she is going on to live a rich full life. And, to have a Kmher (Cambodian) husband that is willing to let her share her story and love her even after her nightmare life, is a wonderful thing to celebrate. In this culture, these girls are damaged goods. I think we get to take pictures!!

Yesterday was a difficult day. We had to say goodbye to the girls here in Battambang. The way it works when we are at RAPHA is that the girls pick one of us and attach themselves to us, so we each end up bonded with several girls. They know we are leaving, and it is difficult on them to let us go and even more difficult on us to leave them. The best thing is knowing that RAPHA is the best place for them right now. My girls were so beautiful. I cannot share their names for their protection. They definitely have part of my heart, and I pray that they realize their hopes and dreams and understand that having them is ok!

One of our team members got sick last night. We aren't sure if it is food related or a bug she picked up. Pray that she feels better quickly and that no one else gets sick. We have been so blessed with safety and health up to this point, so pray that continues!

I want to share with you all what Cambodia is like very soon. I am making notes, so I share as much as I can think of for you.

If you see my family, hug them for me.

Dancing in Cambodia

Yesterday was a day of worship, more cultural understanding, and a night of devotions and fun with the girls.

We start out the day in worship at the church at RAPHA HOUSE. It was one of the most amazing experiences. I wish you all could have been there to hear these beautiful people worship and praise God in their own language. I could barely hold myself together. Ron did a great job of sharing a message about King David, Abigail, and Nable. It was a wonderful morning of worship in a true house of God, and I will think of them and their worship every time I am singing praises.

We took at TUK TUK tour after lunch. It was a great way to truly see how people live and some of their cultural ways. We stopped and watched a lady peal bamboo to put in sticky rice to sell. It was very good. Sticky rice is rice with coconut, coconut milk, and black beans. It was very good. You can buy your bamboo full of sticky rice for $.60. Then we stopped to see a family making rice papers that are used to make spring and summer rolls. It was like SILVER DOLLAR CITY's arts and crafts festival except this is their livelihoods. The TUK TUK took us through a monk community, and we stopped at a KILLING FIELD from the Khmer Rouge. This country did not go through a civil war. It went through a genocide.

Last night we taught the girls to dance to the Hillsong song OUR GOD IS LOVE.
Angela, Heather, and I have been in charge of doing devotions with the girls for the last 2 nights. Angela lead the teaching and did an amazing job explaining that GOD is LOVE and that he loves them unconditionally. She did it simply and beautifully. Last night was a blast when we taught them the dance. They LOVED it! They love to dance and caught on SO quickly. Heather and I are jealous of that ability!

The biggest thing on my heart right now, besides the overt oppression in this country by their religion AND their government, is how the people that work for RAPHA here and at home are such hard working, focused, determined, and passionate people. THEY are bringing light into this DARK place. It is hard work!!! Daunting even. One by one is what they think, and I need to learn to think this way. I need to get my faith in gear. I am soaking in as much from them as I can. I am so honored to be with them and learn from them anything I can to live a real life for Jesus. Thanks to everyone who has supported me in support and prayer. I will forever be grateful.

I want to write more about the country itself soon. Let's just say it would be easy to do my dream job as a weather forecaster here! NO TRAINING NECESSARY! Today's weather will be 85 degrees, partly cloudy with a 100% and 100% chance of rain! ; )

Sunday in Cambodia

We are getting ready to head to Church at the Rapha House here in Battambang. I am really excited. Ron is going to preach and all the RAPHA girls and staff will be there as well as a few folks from the community. It should be a morning of worship to remember!



The Director of the RAPHA Houses over here is Soom (sp?). He has 2 goals. One is to rehabilitate these girls for a safe reintegration into their villages but also to plant churches in Cambodia and Thailand. He already has 7 planted. He sees the girls as being a part of that process one day. This country is 95% Buddhist and 3% Muslim. Soom is an amazing Cambodian!





Yesterday we were able to tour all of the Battambang RAPHA HOUSE facilties including the FREEDOM CENTER. The FC is their HALFWAY HOUSE. It is heartwarming to see what is being done for these girls. At the RH, they are treated with lots of counseling and work with social workers as part of their recovery. They also have the opportunity to seek JUSTICE for their particular situation. Many of the girls have court dates to fight for justice and work against sex trafficking in their country. When RH feels the girls are getting close enough for reintegration, they go to the FREEDOM center to fully develope their lifeskills and to develope a trade. The trades for women in this country that can produce a sustainable living are hairstyling and sewing. So, these girls start with that. They learn both. However, if there are girls that have a specific interest in something else like accounting or social work, this RAPHA team helps them get started with that too. Basically, RAPHA HOUSE does anything and everything you can think of in the recovery process and future success for these beautiful young ladies.



While visiting the FC yesterday, we let them practice their skills on us. Some of us got our nails done. Others got their hair colored, cut, or straightened. It was precious to watch the girls work and learn. They were so sweet. The girl that straightened my hair was SO PROUD of her work that it made me cry to watch her. I LOVE ALL OF THESE GIRLS! It has to be so rewarding to watch them come in so traumatized all leave to start a life of healing and success.



Due to pending court cases and the UBER need for protection for these girls, we cannot take and post pictures of the facilities or the girls.



As for our group, we are all doing well. God has blessed a group of this size greatly. We are all jumping in with both feet. I am so proud of each and every person on this team. We are all in it for HIS glory!!!



I hope you all have a blessed Sunday in worship tomorrow. God is love! That is the devotion we taught the girls last night. AND, pray for us....We are going on a TUK TUK ride this afternoon. If you knew what these roads were like, you would know why we need prayer for that one! YIKES!!!

Cambodia ~The Journey Continues

There is so much to share and say. I am sure I will miss somethings to tell you but will catch you up over time. Let me start with Kids Club back in Phnom Phen. There is a Christian family that offers their home up as a safe place to play, hang-out, and get some basic needs met. They sing songs with them about God. There are so many kids that they don't have an accurate count of how many they see. It is somewhere around 400, and this is a small neighborhood. Though Cambodia is primarily Buddist they live in a muslim neighborhood. The best way to describe Kids Club is that it is like Adventure Club at home with many exceptions. Some of these kids go to school but many do not. When we arrived they MOBBED us. They wanted hugs and kisses and to play games and practice English words. They got very jealous if they weren't getting as much attention as another child. They were STARVED for love. Then, we sang songs with them. They sang songs to us. Also, we fed them a box lunch. This ministry is amazing. The Cambodian family that does this are giants of the Christian faith and are walking the walk every minute of everyday. I look forward to telling you more about them.

Yesterday we left Phnom Pehn and headed here to Battambang. It was a 6hr bus ride through many flooded roadways. We all got a kick out of our driver stopping before a flooded road. He rolled his sleeves up and hopped out. He got back in with the air conditioning unit. Then we proceeded through the deep murky mess. ANY ROAD like this in the States would have been CLOSED. Thankfully he stopped and put the AC BACK in the bus. Cambodia is HOT and HUMID all of the time. I am sweating as I type.

We FINALLY made it to RAPHA HOUSE which is the safe house in Battambang. We were RECEIVED by these girls. They gave us flowers and greeted us literally like royalty. We thought that was WAY backwards. This place is hard to describe. It feels like a safe place for sure. We didn't get the tour. That will happen today. What did we do? WE DANCED!!! It was so wonderful to see these girls (brace yourself) ages 2 - 18 experience joy as they danced. First, they danced BEAUTIFUL cultural dances for us. Then, they wanted to party. We all danced even Pastor Ron! It was a wonderful night of getting our first picture of the most amazing mission of RAPHA HOUSE. Stephanie Freed is my hero. I want to grow up and be like her. And, my roomie has fancy feet! It was really great. Stay TUNED...........

Hello from CAMBODIA!

Well, this is my first blog from Cambodia. I am so excited to FINALLY be here. The trip over was a grueling 2 FULL days. However, we were SO blessed to have had only a few minor bumps. There are 14 of us total on this trip. To not have any big issues arrise on such a long journey with that many people is because our God is blessing us.

CAMBODIA ~ Yesterday we went to the Teul Seung genocide museum and prison. It was so horrific and sad to see in person. I BEG all of you to read about what Cambodia went through under the Khmer Rouge. Actually, the people here beg that of you. The Cambodian friend that is with us for these 2 weeks says that the people here felt like no one knew or cared that all of their people were being slaughtered for no apparent reason. I would love to say that the government is completely reformed and in top democratic form, but I think it is still far from it.



We went to the market in Phnom Pehn. It was such a crazy experience to have when we hadn't slept in 2 days! The sights and smells were overwhelming. We didn't buy much this time. We just experienced it first.



The biggest things that have impacted me so far. Is the shear sadness. I saw 4 year olds sitting alone by buckets begging. I saw adults with all kinds of deformaties approaching me begging. There were lots of small slave labored children out selling their "wears" making us promise to buy something. They spoke ENGLISH. One of our team members, Heather, was a big target of these kids yesterday. And, it was more than she could bear. To get an insight on what is happening to these kids please watch the movie SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. I am glad that I saw that and the Teul Seung documentary before coming as well as reading Terrify No More.



The streets are dirty. The people have their street "shops"and many of them live there at their "shop" where there is no shelter. And, they eat snake! There really aren't words for that kind of problem! I guess my big observation is that I didn't notice any type of middle class society. They are all in the struggle for survival together.



Today we are going to Women's Island to see the women and children there. Women's Island was a killing field during the genocide but is now being used for healing. There is a church and a christian ministry happening there. I will understand it more after going. We will also go to the Kids Club. We will feed them lunch, sing songs, give them gifts of dresses, stickers, and american candy. Some of the people on our team have sponsored a child from here. These are street/slum kids. They can't afford to go to school or eat enough each day. So the ones that sponsored a child, are going to get to MEET their kiddo. That, to me, is the COOLEST of the cool. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these kids at some point, let me know. It is done through RAPHA, and I can hook you up! We will also go to the RAPHA SALON. This is where some of the rescued girls are learning to be stylists. Katie, one of our team members from Prairie Grove, is a stylist and will be filmed with the girls there for a RAPHA HOUSE documentary. It will be fun to meet these girls and let them play with our hair. We may come back much altered in apperance. STAY TUNED!



Please continue to pray for us. There is massive flooding here. There is diseased water EVERYWHERE. (thank you to the inventor of CROCS) We are taking our universal percautions with things, but the chances of one or more of us getting ill are somewhat high. Mostly, pray for the people HERE. Seeing it is more impactful than I could have imagined and that was just after day ONE.



Much love to you all from Cambodia! I hope to get more opportunities to blog soon.

I'm READY!

I am finishing my packing and today is my youngest girl's birthday. Haylie Elizabeth is 7, so of course we had to celebrate with a sleepover last night. There were 6 delightful young princesses here. Watching them made me wonder about the parallels of our children and the children I will be seeing over the next 2 weeks in Cambodia. Maybe Haylie will one day go somewhere to minister to girls too.

Some of the Rapha House team went over to Cambodia last week, and we will be joining them on Wednesday. I think it is so cool. because they are blogging and facebooking pictures and experiences from the places and with the people that we are headed to! I have a visual picture of where we are going and now it is time to smell, touch, and breath it all in.

Tomorrow we will go to church. It will be a busy morning with my usual work schedule, plus Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes campaign begins, and we have special prayer time in service. I will have lunch with my family, and we leave from BVCC at 3:30 for Tulsa. We will fly out of Tulsa early Monday morning. I know many will be praying and many have been already. Thanks so much. I hope to post on this blog and on facebook along the way. We should have WIFI capabilities in our hotel rooms.

Ok, back to packing...............

SO THANKFUL!!

As I finalize things at work, I keep thinking over and over again how God has taught me so much through so many friends, family, and neighbors. The financial giving from so many has taught me how important it is to support others that are obeying God's call. I think it is important to validate one another's obedience as a means of encouragement. I feel encouraged and want to encourage others more than ever before.

Also, if it weren't for key people staying here and covering my work at home and at church, I would not be doing this. So, THEY are very much a real part of this mission trip just like those who gave financially. I am so thankful for my parents, my husband, and my children's teachers for being the safety net for my little munchkins while I am away.

I can not say THANK YOU enough to SUSAN ROBERTS for her willingness to facilitate Wednesday Night programming here at BVCC and to supervise the elementary area on Sunday mornings. Not only do I know things will be taken care of, but I know they will be taken care of at a top notch level.

This is not only my JOURNEY of FAITH now but a JOURNEY of GRATITUDE! I can't wait to see what I learn next!!! Thanks be to my creator. And to all of you supporting in holding down the forts, financially, or in prayer, I am praying for you and thanking God for your hearts.

I will leave Arkansas in 63 hours and counting.

ONE WEEK

We leave in ONE WEEK. I can't believe it. I am feeling really excited. I feel like God's protection will be the ultimate thing to lean on.

I am hopeful that I will be reminded of what is truly important and what isn't and can somehow come home and convey that in a real way to my kids. We live in a place of such gluttony and excess. It is a battle I fight in my own spirit every day. To give is better than to receive, so then why do we have such WANTS? It is amazing how we influence one another and how the surface and shallow things influence others more than the real heart issues do.

I am just going to learn a tiny bit about this country and these precious girls that were thrown into an unimaginable existence either out of desperation or ignorance. I want to hear what is on their hearts and minds. What are their desires? Are they healing from such horrific events in their lives? I want to show them that they are LOVED. That their is human kindness, love, and compassion available to them.

I think I am ready to go. I love the team that is going. I feel a peace about how God is going to guide and protect us. I am leaving notes and treats for the kids. I will miss them, chad, and my parents very much.

My plan is to blog from our hotel rooms which appear to have WIFI!!! So, please check in to see how things are going and what we are experiencing.

There is flooding happening there. This is the end of their rainy season, so for it to be flooding, seems a little strange. I guess it is an extra rainy, rainy season? But, the bottom line is that it means that many homes and businesses are flooded and hurting a country that was hurting to begin with. So, we will get a unique experience with this happening while we are there. I am sure the country could use prayers for the rains to end.

Trip Itinerary

I thought that I would post an overview of our trip, so that you all could know where we are each day and pray for specifics.

Monday October 10th:
Fly out of TULSA 7:55 AM to Houston. We don't fly out of Houston to MOSCOW until 5 that evening. So we have a day of waiting in Houston.

Tuesday OCTOBER 11:
Fly across Asia and lose a day due to time zones and such. Too much math for me to really understand!

Wednesday October 12th:
Spend the day in Phnom Phen. We will visit the Tuol Sleng prison and museum to help us grasp an understanding of what the Cambodian people have very recently been through because of POL POT and the Khmer Rouge. http://www.tuolsleng.com/

Thursday October 13th:
We will go to Women's Island, Feed and serve the Kids Club (slum kids) with the Christian family that does this under the RAPHA HOUSE umbrella. These are the boys and girls that the children here at Bella Vista Christian have raised $ for! We will possibly go to the RAPHA HOUSE Salon this day too.

Friday October 14th:
Leave for Battambang to the Rapha Safe House there. Spend time with the girls and Leadership!!

Saturday October 15th:
Get a tour RAPHA HOUSE facilities in Battambang. Devos with RH staff & devos with girls.

Sunday October 16th:
Attend Church Spend time with and do devos with girls.

Monday October 17th:
devos with staff & girls Visit the FREEDOM CENTER (halfway house) Here we will get to see the skills they are obtaining in hopes to be self-sufficient when they leave the rehabilitation program (RH).

Tuesday October 18th:
Leave for Siem Reap get tour of Siem Reap Visit the girls at the Safe House at Siem Reap and do a devotion with them there.

Thursday October 19th:
Sunrise Angkor Wat see the temples. There will be some time for shopping and rest on this day.

Friday October 20th:
Head back to Phnom Phen Defrag. with team

Saturday October 21st:
Fly back home should be back in TULSA by 8:30 P.M

Countdown Time

It is now time to pack bags and make sure everything at work and home are squared away enough for my departure which is October 10th out of TULSA. I can't express enough gratitude for all of the support and prayers my team and I have received from you. I know this journey is just beginning, but I have already been blessed beyond comprehension through the graciousness of my friends and family. I think back to children dumping their purses into our Kidtown for Cambodia offering bucket at church expecting NOTHING in return and am reminded that God is still going to reign in this future generation. I think about my 15 year old neighbor spending an entire afternoon helping a mom with special needs children and in turn coming home and giving me the $20 she had earned. I think God will be sending her into a mission field one day with a heart like that. Then there is my old friend from college Meredith. I simply got my BA while she went on to be a pediatrician. In a simple ask to her about where I could go for affordable international vaccinations, she said, "I'll do it". Not only did she give me the shots and the malaria RX, but she covered the costs and is praying for me! I could go on and on. There are so many friends I haven't been in touch with in 10 or more years that were my biggest supporters. Thanks for sending me. Most of all, thanks for supporting the mission of RAPHA HOUSE and their commitment to heal and rehabilitate these rescued girls. THEY are worth it. For them, Jesus paid it all. I hope you all will continue in prayer, and the biggest things are yet to come!!! ......................

Somebody PRAYED

Thanks for all of the prayers that y'all said! Jessica successfully updated her passport, and she is a go for travel! YAY! One of our team members, Pam, went to the RAPHA HOUSE office in Joplin on Tuesday to figure out where we all were with our fundraising and payments. She said she would call us from there to tell us what $ we need to send in ASAP to finish our payments due tot he mis-communication about the domestic flight. So, when I saw her number pop up as she called in to me, my heart sank. I was sure that meant I did indeed have to come up with the extra money. But, she called with good news!!! Over and over I am shown that I am really supposed to be in Cambodia in October as well as the rest of our team. I know your prayers are making all the difference in how things are playing out. Please keep lifting this whole thing up. Our prayers put His plans into action. He needs that relationship with us, and that is yet another thing I am learning more about through this amazing JOURNEY OF FAITH. LOVE to ALL!

Please PRAY

I would love some prayers today. 1. One of our team members Jessica JUST found out last Friday that her passport expires too soon after returning to be accepted into Cambodia. She is headed to Hot Springs, AR right now in hopes to get an expedited passport. She fears that she does not have enough PROOF OF TRAVEL to get it. PRAY! I will keep you posted. 2. Today we find out if we will owe an extra $280 for our domestic flight! There was some mis-communication early on between us and RAPHA HOUSE who handles our trip arrangements. If this is indeed the case, I may have to figure out a way to QUICKLY raise the extra money. God is faithful to the end and always needs to remind me to lean on Him, b/c I forget and forget often. I really hope you all will pray for these things, for our upcoming trip, and most importantly for these children who are still in slavery and the rescued ones as well. LOVE to you all! And THANK YOU!

More of My Story and My Journey

Missions has never been my biggest gift. Asking people to trust me enough to send me somewhere with their money NO THANK YOU. Why would I want to open myself up for that kind of rejection? God whispered to me, "if you can't have enough faith in me to know that I will provide for you when I am asking you to do something, then you are not being obedient and will miss the fullest of blessings I have in store for you". OUCH!

After I finally understood God's call and knew I had to start making the financial ASK, the only other obstacle was understanding why I have always said that the abroad missions field was NOT for me. I discovered it was because of my first experience. The only other missions trip I took out of the country was on spring break during my freshman year of college to Pedras Negras, Mexico which is just south of the boarder. I did manual labor such as white washing a school, digging ditches and holes for palm trees, and mixing and pouring cement. I didn't get much of an opportunity to work with and meet with the people. Though I know our work showed Jesus' love and met many big needs of the people, it left me feeling like I wasn't cut out for missions work. I actually got physically ill while I was there and left wondering why God had not gifted me for missions. After all, I loved Him so much and wanted to share that. It was all work and no relationships; I was missing the relationships. It has taken me several years to realize that though there are those particular missions trips where the labor is the main piece that is not what all of these journeys are like or about. In fact, I am just now realizing that the Mexico experience is why I have said many times that mission trips abroad are not for me!

I am praising God that I am approaching a new experience that will change my view of His kingdom and what the Apostle Paul showed us forever. The stories of these girls who are being so bravely rescued from the cruelest reality one can't begin to imagine has grabbed my heart. I won't be going to Cambodia to dig, paint, and pour cement as I did in Mexico, but I will be going to share Jesus' love to anyone who will watch and listen. In a land of broken hearts which Cambodia most certainly is, I know we can be some salt and light with your prayers and God's abundant blessings. I am listening and walking in my JOURNEY OF FAITH.

So far, God's provision has taught me more about trusting Him than any sermon I have heard or any conference I have attended. Experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences in terms of God's provision and answered prayer is what I think so many of us go through life missing. I hope that I won't miss anymore of His abundant love and shaping of me.

Here are WEEKLY POINTS OF PRAYER from RAPHA HOUSE:

Monday: Rescue! Millions of children are still trapped in slavery -- pray for their RESCUE!

Tuesday: Safety! Pray that our girls will feel secure at Rapha House, and that God will keep our safe homes safe.

Wednesday: Healing! "Rapha" means healing. Pray that Rapha House would be true to its name and that God would continue to heal our girls.

Thursday: Demand ~ Sex trafficking would not take place if there were no demand for girls. -- pray the hearts of men and women to change and for the demand to end.

Friday: Justice! Pray for justice on behalf of every person who has had their freedom stripped from them.

Saturday: Growth and Stability ~ As Rapha House continues to grow, pray that God would direct our growth and keep our programs running smoothly.

Sunday: Future Freedom Fighters!
Ask God how you can get involved and that He would continue to raise up Freedom Fighters around the world.

HAPPENINGS!

I am sorry it has been so long for an update. I haven't raised anything more in the last several weeks, so things are slow in the fundraising area. But, I feel comfortable where I am because of so many of you who gave early on. THANK YOU! I am still amazed by how much my faith has grown through this little part of my journey so far.

The big things happening now are:

1. SILENT AUCTION is THIS SUNDAY at Bella Vista Christian Church from 3 - 6. We are having a BLOCK PARTY and the auction is the outreach aspect of the party. I am hopeful that it will be a huge success!

2. THINGS to take. I have had a LOT of you ask what, if anything, can I take over for the girls and Kids Club kids. We did get a needs list this week! YAY!!

* STICKERS (fun ones for Kids Club)
* Small treasure box items for the RAPHA girls such as: nail polish,
candy (that won't melt in transport), hair ties, pens.

If you would like to donate any of these small items for me to take over, just let me know. THANKS!

3. PRAY FOR OUR TEAM and PRAY FOR THE RAPHA HOUSES and girls!!!

HUGS and LOVES!!!!!

Team Meeting

Chad and I had a GREAT time bonding with the Cambodia Team at the Eubanks' home Friday night. We got to meet the 3 ladies from the Prairie Grove church that will be traveling with us. I loved that everyone shared what this journey means to them and what their hopes are for the trip. All of us are shaped differently and have something unique to offer the children and the leadership at the Rapha Houses in Cambodia. Our evening together definitely made me even more excited about what God has in store for us.

Now it is time to read up on the Cambodian History, namely the genocide by the Khmer Rouge which lasted until 1991!!!!

Team Building

We are having dinner as a team tonight, and I am super excited. The group that is going includes 9 people from the church I attend (Bella Vista Christian) and 3 ladies from Prairie Grove Christian. We will be traveling with Stephanie Freed who is the director for RAPHA HOUSE. I can't believe we leave in 73 days!!! It is becoming more and more a reality. I can't wait to watch the whole experience unfold. I am sure it has already started to alter the way I think and there is so much more adventure and JOURNEY OF FAITH ahead. Thanks so much for your support both finacially and in prayer. You are making this all happen. LOVE to all of you.

Checking-in

Things have been slow since the garage sale. As soon as I know exactly what my home church's support is, I will know exactly where I am on the fundraising. I should be right at my $2600 which covers the travel! God is great and so are my friends and family!!!

The 31 Party wasn't a huge success, but my momentum had been so good up to that point that I needed that reality check. I really appreciate my friend Sheri for offering me her entire take on the party. It turns out that not everyone needs a cute bag no matter how great the cause. WHO KNEW! We did get 7 or 8 orders, so it wasn't a complete wash.

It is time for hard and earnest prayer. It is time to spend fervent time praying for the girls and leadership at RAPHA and for the travel. Others are still a ways from reaching their funding goal, so prayer for that is key as well.

Also, it is time to start team building. I don't know the team we are going with very well with a few exceptions. My friend Shannon says that we will come back feeling like family, so I am excited to get to know everyone better.

We did add a new member to our team last week. I am SO excited about HEATHER WALTRIP joining us!

THANKS AND LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Garage Sale

Wellllllllllllllll........... despite the candle-melting temps, we made $450 at the garage sale. I am pleased with that. That is enough funds to complete the funds needed to cover the $2600 for the plane tickets and lodging while I am there!

I am in awe of how God has worked through so many people to make this goal a reality. My faith is definitely growing in leaps and bounds!!!

My next steps are to
* finish this 31 FUNDRAISER (if you need a bag, message me! They are WAY CUTE!).
* go to thrift stores in search of clothes to wear while I am there. I will leave my clothing there for anyone who might need it!!!
* Help the others on my team to raise their funds. SILENT AUCTION ON AUGUST 28th!
* Solicit lots of PRAYER

Thanks so much everyone for following this journey. I will fly away to Cambodia in 92 DAYS!

Next Event

I am having a YARD SALE this weekend! Thanks to all those that have donated their "treasures" to the cause. I am super excited to see what happens. The prayer request is for lots of shoppers and no rain! The kids will also have a Lemonade Stand for the cause. They are pumped about that. I will let you know what we net. We may just reach $3000 sooner rather than later. God is good and I am thankful. Ok, now I am off to organize and price stuff. =)

Lessons being learned

I have raised $2000 so far. I have learned more than I ever realized I would.

1) Sometimes your own sisters in Christ aren't the most understanding and supportive as you thought they might be.

2) Some people are way more generous than you ever would have imagined!

3) The biggest lesson so far............ I want to be more giving and generous in the future, because of what so many of you have taught me!!!!

4) Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
I LOVE seeing his providence in action in such a measurable and concrete way! Our God is an awesome God!

SIDE NOTE: I am so excited to be celebrating 15 years of marriage this week! I am really in love with a wonderful man. That is something worth celebrating in my book! =)

UPDATE

So far, I have made $1600. I just have $1400 more to go! We are going to have a Yard Sale here at my home on July 8th & 9th. Also, I am having a Thirty-one party and ALL profits go to the mission, as well, thanks to my dear friend Sheri!!! You can shop the party by going to http://www.mythirtyone.com/sheri31/ Their stuff is WAY CUTE!

After that, we are hoping to have a big fundraiser at the church in August, but the details for that are still being worked out.

Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers. It is SO AMAZING to see this God appointed journey unfold. AMAZING!

GOAL #1 ....... CHECK

Thanks to the amazing generosity from some of the most surprising friends and family, I have met my 1st GOAL that I needed obtained by July 1st!!! I am starting to really start to see myself in Cambodia with the girls and leadership of RAPHA HOUSE. Here are the things that God has made happen so far:

1. $ to cover passport renewal
2. Vaccinations and malaria script
3. widespread awareness of RAPHA HOUSE and the girls in Cambodia
4. HALF of the $ needed for my mission ($1500)
5. DONATIONS given for an upcoming YARD SALE ~ This will kick off meeting goal #2!

Thank you to all of you who have given to this mission so sacrificially. You are a FREEDOM FIGHTER, and I will be better at giving in the future because of your example!!! YAY!!!!!!

RAPHA HOUSE FACTS

I thought it might be wise to share some RAPHA HOUSE facts today. There are 4 SAFE HOUSES in Southeast Asia. While there each girl gets her own bed, social services and assistance with justice issues, an education, specialized counseling.

I will be at 2 of these houses when I go!

from the Safe Houses they go to HALFWAY HOMES called FREEDOM CENTERS:
~ vocational training
~ supervised living
~ preparation for independent living
~ options for her future

RAPHA also has Reintegration Programs:
~ job placement
~ start-up loans and grants
~ social services
~ family counseling
~ income generation projects

It is amazing to me to see this program in action and working. WOW!!!!!

Roller Coaster Ride

It is quiet around here this week on the TEAM CAMBODIA front which feels sort of scary since last week was SO hopping and exciting. I am guessing this is how the summer will be, fast and furious or quiet as night.

Let me tell you about how God blessed my journey last week. My pediatrician friend Meredith did give me my tetnus and HepA shots and also wrote my malaria script for me. She was so sweet to me that I hardly know how to take it. She researched Cambodia and made sure that I got exactly what I needed for that particular area. She also inspired me with her stories of her recent medical mission to Africa. She is amazing. If you need a pediatrician in Fayetteville, go to Dr.Denton.

As for the fundraising, last week was huge in this area as well. I really felt like God was reconfirming my decision to go which was so cool. After posting this blog on FB, I had a sweet friend that I grew up with give generously and had a few checks come back from some of my support letters I sent. SO, I am almost 1/3 of the way there!! The only way to make myself comfortable with this is to take myself out of the equation and remember that it is for those kids and RAPHA.


To have all of that momentum last week, it has been hard to see the brakes slammed on everything this week. I know God is telling me to trust Him and His timing. It is all one big lesson. You all have NO IDEA how badly I need this lesson of faith.......this JOURNEY OF FAITH. LOVE to you all!

Answered Prayer

After getting so stressed about the vaccinations, to the point of tears even, I get a wonderful message from my friend Meredith who is not only a fellow missions minded sister in Christ but also a doctor. She said she would personally give me the shots I need which has been approved by her clinic. Having prayer answered so directly like that makes me want to cry for days. Loving and supporting one another as part of one body of believers is more powerful than I ever realized. Dear enemy, you aren't going to get to me yet!

Please LIKE Rapha House on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/RaphaHouse

obstacle #1

I am really upset and discouraged this morning! But, I am determined to conquer the problem!!! Apparently, it is very expensive to get all your medical shots and meds for travel to Cambodia. A minimum of $200! And I thought the $130 for my passport renewal was a lot. I just keep seeing the $ needs rise which is the biggest obstacle of course. I know the enemy is after me! Ok, no more tears. I am off to find the solution .......... or to sell my kidney. Stay tuned. ; )

anxiety

Whenever I get so anxious about asking for funding, which is daily and hourly, God pops a picture of the children in Cambodia in my head. Then I remember that they are worth the ask! My "uncomfortable" is not quite the same as theirs.

On another note, asking for help for our neighbors in Joplin that are hurting and in so much rubble is easy. Chad and I have helped by going up and by asking for and sorting donations over the last few days. My prayer is that the help there continues LONG after the news coverage moves on. He will be faithful to complete it!

More on the Journey

I added a video to give more insight into RAPHA HOUSE. I also failed to mention that you can make a tax deductible donation by writing your check to RAPHA HOUSE and sending it to me. They will send you a receipt! Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Journey of Faith ~ I'm going to Cambodia!

Today I begin my journey to Cambodia. I will go there Oct. 10th 2011, but the process to get there is a journey itself! I have discovered that somehow I am supposed to go there to meet some little girls that have had their freedom, honor, and dignity stripped away and are now in a safe place in desperate need of love, hope, and healing. God has grabbed my heart and told me to go. What can I do while I am there? Honestly, there is very little LIFE CHANGING I can do in 10 short days. What I will be able to do is to help catch them up on all the love and compassion they have missed out on. My pastor calls it the ministry of presence. I think that is a perfect way to put it as I have little skills to share during the limited time I am there. In order for me to make this long and important journey, I have to raise support. In fact, I must rely on support. This is my journey of faith! If you read about RAPHA HOUSE (www.raphahouse.org)and believe in sending me, please consider clicking the DONATE button here on my blog and give what ever you feel led to give. I have to raise $3,000 quickly in order for me to make the trip. This is a HUGE step of faith for me. I hope to use this blog as a way for you to follow my journey to Cambodia!!

ABOUT RAPHA:
Rapha House exists to love, rescue, and heal children who have been rescued out of slavery and sexual exploitation. Operating as a 501(c)3, Rapha House began in 2003 to permeate cultures with love that heals and leads to restoration. Rapha House does this by providing safehomes and aftercare programs for young girls who have been rescued out of slavery and exploitative situations. All Rapha House homes are currently located in Southeast Asia, with the goal of expanding globally.

Slavery still exists in every culture. Rapha House is constantly partnering with advocates in an effort to build communities that extend unconditional love, physical rescue, and transformational healing.
www.freedomforgirls.org