Stepping on to Thai soil, there was an air of optimism and hope. Hope that we could bring our work ethic and faith in God to a country that is crying out for salvation, and see fruit in our actions – however big or small.
For some context, Thailand faces a significant problem with sex tourism, where the availability of commercial sex sadly attracts many foreign visitors each year. This culture is intertwined with issues of human trafficking, forced prostitution, and the sexual exploitation of both adults and children. Stepping on to the mission field knowing this, really stirred my heart and opened my eyes to the realities of peoples lives we would be encountering during our time there.
My ministry team of 4 amazing girls worked for an empowering women’s project called ‘The Whispering Willows’. The project is linked to a non-profit organisation called ‘Rise Foundation’. Here’s a little bit about the charity: Rise Foundation Asia (RFA) is a leading humanitarian organisation dedicated to addressing exploitation, gender-based violence, human trafficking, and crisis response. They provide comprehensive, survivor-centred care and urgent humanitarian relief to those impacted by some of the most severe human rights abuses. Rise is based in Chiang Mai, Thailand and other projects they have delivered to date include a wellness and trauma counselling programme, and an education programme to provide opportunities for women to break free from emotional and physical bondage.
During our time working at the charity, the Asia Region Anti-Trafficking conference was taking place…and this year Chiang Mai was the host city! We were super fortunate to help the foundation organise and plan the event as they were hosting the conference. We were on hand to help them in any way we could over the next few weeks, from preparing 300 goodie bags for the delegates, to re-organising the shop and café where they sell products made by survivors, to getting our crafting skills out the closest and hand binding 300 notebooks. 
We definitely weren’t stuck for things to do! We also welcomed guest speakers as they arrived at the airport. God had given us an abundance of opportunities to serve at such an important and impactful event and we felt very honoured…
We also served in other ways too. They had a church service every Friday morning for women working in the red light district and those working for the foundation – many who have escaped abuse and trauma themselves. We helped lead worship whilst we were there which was amazing…listening to Holy Forever sung in both English and Thai felt so divine, like a glimpse of what heaven sounds like when all tongues of all nations are glorifying God together 
One night, we helped the team host a soup kitchen in the neighbourhood. This was a social event for the local elderly women, and it was the most joyous and fun night of the trip so far! The language barrier isn’t a problem when people communicate through laughter and smiles. Games were played, pad Thai was shared and the women gave us a run for their money with their dance moves when that Thai music started. Joy was abundant and cultural differences potentially creating a divide was gone – it was a truly beautiful night.
We also prepared and hosted an identity workshop for the staff during our time at the charity. Many were Christian and we tailored it towards our identity in Christ. A few of us shared our testimonies using a translator. It was a safe space for many of us and to see the women respond and appreciate our honesty and openness really created an environment for all to share without judgement. We learnt so much from each other, despite the language and cultural barriers, creating an empowering sense of togetherness and sisterhood that is so greatly diluted in the world today. Working with these women has been an inspiration in my own life, which was not a thought when I committed my time to serve and give back…but I see now that’s the beauty in serving others, you receive so much back in return without realising it. God is so good.
…I will miss serving this ministry so much!
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