I felt all kinds of emotions as I planned my mission trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I am a human rights activist and was extremely grateful to get back into the work I love to do. Behind Thailand’s beautiful beaches, the Thai people’s ever-smiling faces, and the lush tropical jungles lies a terrible secret: modern day slavery.
As the Thai economy strengthens and the natural beauty draws visitors, tourism of a different sort also flourishes. Human trafficking and sexual tourism continue to grow. I was preparing for a mission trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand to help aide in the fight against human trafficking and show the true love of God.
My FAITH was tested! Two days before I flew out of the country, my bank account got broken into and 800 dollars got stolen out of my account. I went from 1,000 dollars to 200 dollars that I had to go on my trip. The bank had to investigate which took over a week, so I flew to Thailand with 200 dollars! As I landed in the airport and met my mission team, I was waiting for my luggage and it never came out. The airline lost my luggage! So I landed in Thailand with little money and no clothes or toiletries. I had to borrow clothes and toiletries from my mission team: that I just met! I loved my mission team, 17 women came together from all over the world to minister and spread the love of Jesus. God Provided the whole trip and I never wanted for a thing.
For the 1st time, I walked into the Red Light District of Thailand. It was the most exhilarating and powerful thing I’ve ever done, thus far. I prayed to God that he would order my steps to one girl that needed his love. I stopped at this bar and was instantly drawn to this woman. I approached her and we sat and talked for two hours. I was just there to listen to her, to be present with her. While I was in the bar talking to her, her “boss” kept tabs on us. I wasn’t afraid though, because I knew God designed this appointment. She gave me her phone number and face book information before she was ordered to go to “work.” As I left, I went on her Facebook Page and her last status was “lonely, lonely, lonely, please God send someone to help me.” I was AMAZED! God did send someone to help you, he sent Me! I’m still in contact with her today. This is why God sent me all the way to Thailand and this is the reason it was a great battle for me to go to Thailand. In the middle of oppression and darkness, an overwhelming peace came over me ad I knew with almost frightening certainty, I was on the right path. I found apart of my purpose in Thailand. God is so faithful.
All in all, Thailand was a life changing experience. The country is BEAUTIFUL. I will never forget riding an elephant in the middle of the Thailand jungle with indigenous people. I talked to the elephant as he stopped to get water and I said please don’t spray me and as he was drinking from the fountain, he turned his trunk to me and sprayed water all over me! Ha. Funny Elephant. I also had an amazing time meeting and talking with a Monk. I had to stay 5 feet away from him because he never touched a woman before. I had my “ketut” experience. My Thailand trip taught me that LOVE is a universal language and act.
