First Days in Chiang Rai!

On Wednesday we arrived safely in Chiang Rai (just a short hop on a plane from central Thailand to Northern Thailand near the Myanmar Border). As we got off the plane we were greeted by an entourage of the extremely hospitable folks that run the Child and Family Prison Ministries in Chiang Rai which cares for children whose parents are in the Thai Prison System and don't have relatives that can adequately care for them. Ryan Roe, who is the deputy director of the ministry, is our point contact person, he already feels like a brother to us and has accomodated us so well. Ryan's parents, Judy and Steve, are also visiting from the states and are a wonderful encouragement! Then there is the wonderful Amy who cares for the girls in the girls house and being a native Thai is who we go to to ask about certain foods, learn to cook from, and enjoy laughs with. Arlang and Jinda are the married couple who provide care for all the children and even have a biological son of their own named Prame. It has been a wonderful blessing to experience authentic Thai life and see the beauty of a diverse family, with few biological connections, come together to share life. It has truly touched us to the core. So, now that you know everyone, let me tell you what we have been up to and why this blog post is a little late!
Wednesday, our first afternoon in Chiang Rai, we experienced the Thai Megamarket, moved our big ol' backpacks into Ryan's room(he graciously gave us for the week) and then got to go pick up the children from school. After the first afternoon we fell in love with these kids! Honestly the most well behaved and sweet children, there are 5 in the ministry family ranging in age from 5 yrs to 12 yrs. We spent the first night seeing the houses and enjoying a delicious homemade Thai meal together. We also visited the night market and a Thai Swensen's (so much better than in America).

Yesterday, Thursday, we visited Big C (which is like a walmart) and got supplies for Braam's First Birthday! Amy taught Christina and I how to cook a few thai things in preparation for the celebration. Then last night we had a party, ate good thai pork and green tea ice cream and helped little Braam blow out his candles! This was such a beautiful picture of what the Kingdom looks like: the diversity of God's children pulled into one big family to celebrate, love and laugh together!

And finally, today, we travelled to another country! Well just across the border to Burma (or Myanmar if you wish). We stocked up on inexpensive dvds and looked around the stalls. A quick note on Burma: Many of you have heard of the political upheaval taking place there currently, although we didn't experience any turmoil, the oppression of the Burmese people is extremely tangible. The beggars are rampant and their pleas heartbreaking, it has a much different feel from Thailand in the sense that the people's plight is quite evident. After getting back from Burma we journeyed to see the monkeys (which are actually scary little creatures, especially when wanting the peanuts from your feeding bucket). We also hiked up to a beautiful lookout and awesome caves. After that we headed home to freshen up for the 3rd of July celebration(we know a day early ;) Rachel, a friend of Ryan's, and also very connected to the kids, teaches English at the local university so she had some of her students over for Thai BBQ and American S'Mores! We played with the kids and spoke with the Thai students and had a wonderful independence day celebration!

So yes, we have experienced so much in the past few days and gotten to understand more and more about the ministry and how this beautiful family works together. On a side note: Along with trying the strange new fruits, learning more thai words and practicing our wai(bow) christina got her first motorcycle ride in, in fact, she drove Ryan's motorcycle home from the kid's house (a heart attack also almost took place, until of course we realized she made it home safe ;) Don't worry Mama Louie, the motorcycles are more like scooters here anyway. Okay, so blessings to all back home reading this! I need some sleep: tomorrow we are taking the children to go ride Ostriches and Elephants, should be an awesome day!

Love you all a lot,
Kaitlyn and Christina

Pattaya

Yesterday morning we hopped on a bus and took a two-hour ride to Pattaya. Since we knew it probably wasn't the best for us to travel there at night, we took a daytrip because we wanted to see the place that we hear so much about, as it is infamous for its abundant sex industry and as the location where sex tourism in Thailand originated. When we first began walking along the coast, around 10 am, our first reaction was that we saw the most Westerners that we had seen since coming to Thailand. The second reaction, was that they were all men. We continued strolling along the coast, seeing some men hand in hand with Thai women, but not wanting to assume that they were johns. At one p0int, we stopped to just observe our surroundings, and one couple caught our eye. The man was openly feeling her chest while they faced the main road. Angered, we realized that we were seeing what we had come to see, and it simultaneously broke our hearts and angered us. While we sat there observing, a man walked by us and gave us a look that I hope we never experience again. I felt like a piece of meat being graded the way he looked at us and took a seat nearby us- our cue to get up and continue on our way. As we walked along the beach pathway, we noticed women sitting around who seemed to be waiting for something- to be approached by a man, or for nightfall to come. It seemed that there wasn't much else for them to be doing and there was a stillness and sadness in the air.







We made our way to Walking St, the main hub of the night scene. After 9pm, this road is closed off to vehicles and becomes one large party full of neon signs, bright lights, go-go bars, beer bars, and nightclubs. As we walked through this street, though it was only about 11am, we could picture the change it would take later that evening as activity picked up. It's amazing the difference that nightfall brings.







From this experience, in the little that we saw, we recognize the need to minister to the men. They are, of course, the driving force behind this industry as they search to fulfill innate desires and fill holes. We realized that there are so many organizations driven towards rescuing women and preventing girls from entering this atrocious trade, but there are significantly less targeting the johns, the men who are fueling this industry. We would not be on the mission that we are on without the men, and these women would not be in the position they are.

We ask that you would be praying for these women whose worth has become objectified, and for these men who feed the industry. That these men would be able to fill the holes and satisfy the root of what brings them to these places instead of searching to fufill them by physical means. That this ministry would be available for both to find their worth in Him.

First Day in Thailand!

Late Saturday Night we arrived safely in Bangkok with our outrageous, oversized backpacks. We took a cab to our hotel in the main part of Bangkok and hit the sack immediately! Yesterday we spent our time adapting to the humdity and getting a feel for the vibrant, noisy city of Bangkok. We decided to engage in a few touristy oppurtunities while we had the chance. We spent our morning idling through the stalls of Chatuchak Market, one of the largest markets in the world, There you could find anyhing for sale: puppies, houseware, flying squirrels, glass artwork and endless amounts of Thai purses and vibrant cloth. We enjoyed breakfast at one of the stalls in Chatuchak Market : Chile rice with chicken and pad thai with shrimp! hmm... we know:intersting choices for breakfast.

After our morning at the Market we went to the Grand Palace which houses the Royal Reisidence and Throne Halls as well as government offices. The buldings are the most intricate and incredible structures I have ever seen, every rhine stone adds to the sparkle of these buildings. We spent the rest of the day strolling through markets and running some errands before we head off to Chiang Rai. Christina now has a cellphone so communicaton should be a bit easier while here in Thailand. We also experienced out first Tuk-Tuk ride (basically a motorcycle with a backbench and two backwheels), which we overpaid for, but enjoyed nonetheless. After coming back to the hotel, planning to just freshen up, we crashed on our beds and woke up at 5 this morning. Yes, what night owls we are...not ;) Sowe get to begin today early and explore Bangkok a little bit more before heading to Pattaya and Chiang Rai mid week! Sending lots of Love to you all back home!

-Kaitlyn and Christina

We're going to Thailand!

We bought our tickets, we're going to Thailand!.... 

Now, we are working on finalizing our itinerary with room for unexpected turns, of course.  So far, things have been falling into place, and we can't wait to see what God's plan is for us this summer and how He will use us.   We are so excited to be taking tangible steps towards our summer journey.  Unfortunately, at the moment we must also keep our minds on school and not get too antsy about the summer.  We will be updating this blog as we get closer to our trip, and throughout our time in Thailand.  Thanks for coming along side us as we prepare for our trip, we appreciate your support and prayer and can't wait to share what we learn and experience!