First, a big Thank you! Your emails, notes, and messages over the last week have been so encouraging! It has been absolutely amazing to discuss the Thailand trip with my friends, family, and co-workers! It has already opened up so many conversations.
I have been blessed with several notes of donations that have been made for the trip. It is just another sign that God is with us on this trip :)
Going through the notes and messages has also encouraged Colin, and in our discussions he let me know he is feeling a lot better about the trip.
We are both still watching the area in regards to safety. One of the websites we monitor is the US Embassy in Bangkok. Another one is http://travel.state.gov/.
Neither is indicating any current issues in Thailand, and the Adventures in Missions staff won't ok the trip if anything dangerous is happening. (That won't happen until May.)
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In other news, I spent a lot of time this last week thinking about the women in Thailand. Part of this was because I was with many of my company's traveling force. As I discussed the trip to Thailand with them, they talked about the sights, the sounds, and the food. When I reminded them why I was going, they would often get quiet. I don't know how much of that was lack of comfort with the topic - after all it isn't a pretty one, and how much was shock.
I did hear several stories of how men from my company have been approached while in Thailand. That there are different parts of the main hotels, where a visitor can expect to find women waiting for them.
I also thought about the fact that I was "taken care of" by the men in my company. They would ensure that I didn't have to worry about walking alone at night, they would make sure I had eaten, and one even asked to make sure my credit card would cover the hotel bill.
Then I thought about the way I might be "taken care of" if I was one of the women in Thailand. I'm not saying that all women in Thailand are treated the same, I know that they aren't. But, I would like to be able to let the ones who aren't protected the way I am know that they are worthy, that they are loved, that there is one who gave everything just to protect them.
My prayers for this trip are three fold. 1st, for the women from our church that are traveling with me. 2nd, for the leader we will have and for the women who will be meeting us in Thailand. Finally, I pray for the women and children that we will meet in Thailand. I pray that their hearts will be softened between now and them. I pray that we will get opportunities to share God's love with them. I pray that after we leave, these women will be able to continue to learn, and will remember that love.
Thank you again for your encouragement and support!
Karla
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