Where did all the time go???

Hello Again!

It is so hard to believe that this journey of mine is nearing a close. I have a little over 2 weeks until I am on a plane heading back to Maui for a week of debriefing. I am definitely still keeping my focus here where it needs to be -- but I can't help but feel a pang of anticipation, especially because my sweet parents are coming out to celebrate my graduation with me, along with spending a week in Maui!!! YAYYY!
Since the last update, I have been in Pattaya, Thailand since January 23rd. My team and I have been teaching in an english class to prostitutes and bar girls. We have also been going out 3 nights a week into the bars to talk to the girls, to tell them why we are in Pattaya, to offer them the hope found in Jesus and to invite them to our english classes (Which are staffed by Christians). The girls are so sweet, they definitely do not belong in these bars. Some of them are just terribly desperate for money and they have families dependant upon their provision - at any cost. Many of the girls come from North Thailand - from villages where there are no jobs or money. Some of them are instructed by their very own parents to go to Pattaya to get an "easy" job in the bars to provide for the rest of the family. I have heard so many heartbreaking stories, some so unheard of that my mind just can't even wrap itself around the very words they tell me. All I can do is show them that I care, love them with the love that Christ has shown me and lead them in the direction of the Tamar Center - a Christian outlet that could provide them with a job in which they can finally rediscover their value, dignity and worth. (Things that are stripped away when they are taken by these men as nothing more than objects of sick, selfish pleasure. -- Leaving these women full of hope when they make false promises.. This is what makes me the most upset -- hearing some of the stories in which the men promise the women that they will come back and take care of them or intentionally making promises they know they will not keep. There have been so many girls that I could see the pain and the fear in their eyes, and in the eyes of other girls, they were just numb and empty. Another sad thing was that several that girls that I talked with were my age and younger.. many have just started working and I could see they were on the verge of tears when I asked them if they liked their job or if they were ever afraid. My heart absolutely breaks for these grils and I talk God with all that is within me that He chose to spare me from being born into this kind of life. It is truly only by His grace that I was born in a Christian family in America and not in the position of these girls in Thailand. It puts it into such a better perspective for me - to challenge me even more to put my all into this, to pour my heart into these girls and try to show them that there is a way out - Jesus is the way!! The Lord has been so good to me, I wish I could do so much more -- but the Lord is sooo full of grace and mercy.. His Holy Spirit is the one who will draw people to Him and extend salvation!!!
My hope is in Him that He will work in the hearts of thes women and reveal himself to them! It's hard not being able to see the fruit of my labor... but I've found peace and encouragement in the Lord. He is so compassionate and merciful and he constantly reminds me that though my heart breaks wanting to see these women come to know Him, His feelings are sooo much deeper and stronger! However, I have been encouraged this past week at church -- 2 women that have been coming to the Tamar Center received the Lord's salvation!!! :)
Switching gears now -- As part of the Maui DTS program - during the outreach portion, the team leader(s) leave for an undisclosed amount of time, providing the team with only an 8 hour notice that they are leaving. They do this in order for us to capitalize on our time here on outreach, making it truly our own. This allows us not to depend on our leader to motivate us or push us along. My leader Sarah met with me and another girl Ashlee (Texas) on the 30th and informed us that she was leaving in the morning and that we were the ones she chose to lead the team while she was gone! Sarah was gone for 6 days and leading was a positive experience overall.. The Lord has taught me so much through it. that I do have leadership skills and that He wants me to walk out in confidence, speaking truth into the lives of others. He has shown me the importance of depending on Him, seeking Him in every situation/decision, staying in constant communication with Him daily! I definitely respect my leader a lot more for the responsibilities that she has. It is so hard to fill everyone with passion and excitement...although it really should be up to the individuals to make the most of it themselves!
We are leaving Pattaya late Tuesday night (Feb. 12th) to take a van for 15 hours down to the very South of Thailand. We will be working with a new church down there, doing a lot of children's ministry. We will be leaving there on the 18th to make a Visa run to.. CAMBODIA!!! (they expire on the 19th!) That will be another VERY long day of traveling, but I'm excited to say that I got to visit this country! haha. Then, that same day, we will be traveling back to Bangkok for a few days of debriefing before we fly out on the 23rd to Maui!!
So... wow. That is the rundown of my life currently - in a nutshell. I can't believe I will be seeing all of your beautiful faces so soon! God Bless (Pra Jow way pon) haha. and take care!!!

Love,
Jessica