I'm making progress

I know He who "began a good work in me...will complete it". That is a promise form God. I will rejoice in His goodness and love towards me.


Hard to believe this is Sunny California? Notice I'm wearing a warm j-a-c-k-e-t in San Diego. Pretty CRAZY! The people who live here year-round aren't very happy with this unusual weather, but I'm really enjoying the misty mornings and cool drizzly days. We've even had rain!

The beach is my favorite place to go when I want to clear my head. The odd weather, seems to be keeping the sun loving tourists in their cozy hotels. In the evenings the beaches are quiet, a perfect place for long walks, to pray and listen to God. I'm appreciating this gift of time while my hand heals. Not sure how long it will last. My heart yearns to move forward, but God says, be patient and heal.....so I will patiently wait until He reveals my "Next Steps".

10-10-10-10

It's October 10, 2010 at 10:10 pm. Hey that's pretty cool! Seems like I should mark the occasion somehow...let's see, do I have anything profound to say or write...no, not really.

Just returned from a very long walk along the ocean tonight. It was really quite lovely, a warm night, bright moon and calm sea. I prayed for my kids and sang to the Lord, which seemed to relieve my melancholy attitude. Worship always has a way of refocusing my attention and affections.

"Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name" II Sam.22:50

"I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High" Psalm 9:2

It's happening right under our noses!

Human Trafficking is NOT just an issue in some far away land. It's happening right here in our country, in our cities, in our neighborhoods. Victims of sex trafficking are often found working in establishments that offer commercial sex acts, i.e. brothels, strip clubs, pornography production houses. Such establishments may operate under the guise of

• Massage parlor

• Gentlemen Clubs

• Escort services

• Adult bookstores

• Modeling studios

Flesh: Bought and Sold in the U.S. - Trailer

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women.

After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal industry in the world today.

If you suspect someone has been trafficked, call the:
Department of Health and Human Services

Toll-free, 24 hour
NATIONAL HOTLINE:
+1-888-3737-888
+1-888-428-7581

Physically I may not be in Thailand right now, but my heart is there. Please continue to pray for the ministry of NightLight and for those missionaries and volunteers serving there. The power of God is transforming lives, women are being set free and experiencing hope for the first time in their lives! Women who were previously exploited through the sex industry of Bangkok Thailand are now being taught to make beautiful jewelery which is sold all over the world!

100 percent of all jewelry proceeds go to pay salaries of those women. You can visit the NightLight website for current stories of these women, facts concerning human trafficking and of course to shop for jewelry!

NightLight Home | Contact Us

My mom...
She loves people, good food and fun shoes!

My mom came to love and trust Jesus as her Savior in her late thirties. This was after many years of living life "her way", which resulted in brokenness and a lack of true peace and purpose in her life. We were never a religious family, but we were a significantly dysfunctional one! My parents divorced when my brother and I were young and they both remarried other partners, always seeking to find true contentment, or their significance in other relationships, their jobs, alcohol and drugs.

It was during those painful years that followed the divorce that God's love caught up with me....and then my younger brother. Our mother was next to begin a relationship with the living God, then our father. Prior to this, there were no other Christians in our family. Our family tree was barren. None of our relatives knew of ANY other family members whom had experienced the life changing power of Jesus Christ....no great grandparents, grandmothers, uncles, cousins....no one.

After many, many generations, God was birthing something new in our family. We are the first generation to celebration God's mercy, power and forgiveness for a very long time! My mom is not perfect, but she is forgiven. She has the assurance of eternal life through Jesus. She has hope, loves others and God. She is quick to befriend the lonely, help others or share an encouraging word with a stranger. Yesterday, she and I spent almost two hours together praying, crying out to God on behalf of our friends, other family members, kids and grandchildren. "GOD continue to heal our friends and family. Show them your great love, show them your mercy!" AMEN

Fall 2010 Newsletter-Update

Click on image to ENLARGE and READ

Did not have a phone or internet immediately upon my arrival to San Diego, so THANK YOU for patience and continuous prayers as I traveled! Arrived back to States, safely, no mishaps and with no "jet-lag". In Bangkok dear friends carried luggage and accompanied me all the way to the ticketing area. At LAX there was no trouble managing my suitcases, computer bag and push cart. Although there was a 2-3 hour wait through customs (special security measures in LAX) I was randomly ushered through the process in less than one hour! FAVOR.

Along the way I was unable to send messages. Internet café in Taipei was down and the only "hot spot" in my transfer area was jammed with wall to wall people. Instead of being able to share an update with all of you, I was able to share the Gospel, the story of God's power and love for us with a few passengers.

My brother drove from San Diego to pick me up at the LA airport, and he was right THERE as soon as I stepped beyond the exiting corridor. No hunting around for each other in the crowds! Made it back to his home by 1:30 in the morning. 23 hours of traveling- done!

Before my arrival to San Diego, my brother, his wife and my mother, read chapter 7 in the book Serving as Senders. This is an excellent book that addresses many of the emotions, needs and processes that happen when a missionary must return to their home culture unexpectedly! He and his family made special efforts to make my arrival back to USA welcoming and smooth! This included setting up my own private space in a cozy and comfortable RV in their gigantic back yard. So it feels very much like I'm camping at the coast, which I absolutely love. In addition, in a few days they set up wireless internet so I could communicate more easily. I am so blessed to have such great family and dear friends.

Prayers for Healing

In May I suffered a break to my arm. I was quickly ushered to one of the best hospitals in South East Asia and told by the orthopedic specialist; this would be “An easy surgery, a piece of cake to repair.” It wasn’t long before complications set in and then the prognosis shifted to “Sorry, but I don’t expect much more improvement in your hand”

Three months after surgery, and 6 weeks of Physical Therapy,including dipping in hot wax, I still had significant swelling and pain.

My wrist remained frozen, ZERO ability to flex or rotate, about 10% ability to supinate. Range of motion to fingers is roughly 15% and the color of my hand was abnormal, odd purplish-gray tint, looked like my hand was dying?

I was strongly advised by another professional in the US to leave immediately, unless I wanted to lose the use of my hand permanently. With in a few days I left Bangkok to meet with a hand specialist in San Diego.

I tried to zoom in on this photo that was taken the night before I left Bangkok. The flash doesn't give to an accurate idea of the odd color (grayish white) but you can see how swollen the left wrist, hand and fingers are as I hug a good friend "good bye"

Prior to my leaving, I was called forward for a special farewell prayer after the worship service by the leaders in NightLight. For many of the 80 women whom we employ through this ministry, this was the first they knew of the urgent need to leave. They had watched and prayed faithfully for months, wondering when would there be improvement to my hand. I knelt down on the floor and they surrounded me, laying hands on me, praying for God’s will to be accomplished in my life….then sudden, my hand began to spasm, twitching wildly, uncontrollably! It was like electric shock waves were being shot through my arm and out my fingers.

It didn’t hurt, is was just very bizarre! Annie asked, “What’s going on, what are you doing!!?” I told her nothing! I’m not doing anything, my hand was acting spontaneously! I don’t know what is going on, but the power of God was doing something!

This condition lasted more than an hour, as specific prayer for healing continued. Most of the time I was overwhelmed by God’s Spirit and needed others to prop me up or I would topple over. We began to notice the color of my hand was changing right before our eyes. The swelling was going down! You could begin to see the tendons and veins in my hand clearly. My watch which was originally fitting normally was now was loosely dangling on my wrist due to the shrinking tissues, My puffed smooth hand was looking more contoured. I’ve never been so happy to see my crinkly “older than I'd like to admit" skin! It was happening right before our eyes. We kept saying to each other, do you see that, do you see that??!! Confirming with one another that this was not our imagination!

It was amazing. God was definitely doing something, but why now? Why an hour or so before time to leave for the airport? I still don’t know and I may never know, but I’m excited. Like a child who has just been given present from their daddy, I wanted everybody to see this gift! Look! Look! Can you see the difference! God does not being a good thing and then not finish it. So although my hand is SIGNIFICANTLY better, looks alive and healthier, less swollen, can move more freely, I will continue to trust Him for COMPLETE healing!

Reading for meaning? That's almost funny!

Language class is challenging, but very important if I'm ever going to communicate in a meaningful way! I've been in school for three months learning to speak Thai. Class is 5 days a week, four hours a day....then I spend many more hours each day trying to memorizing and practicing language!

Last month we started reading and writing. I still haven't figured out why my Thai teacher insists on us writing sooooooo small. To get an idea of how small, I put my watch next to the Thai characters. Notice the size comparison next to the date and the pin on my watch?

There is only one person I know who enjoys writing this tiny...my friend Dr. Jones! CHUCK, where are you when I need you! HELP.

Cultural adjustments

It's hard NOT to notice that Thai people don't seem to be the slightest bit bashful about primping in public. Frequent adjustments of their make-up, hair or clothing in front of mirrors or any object that might reflect, is standard. They are also very comfortable telling OTHERS what they think about your appearance. A good morning greeting could be followed by, "You look very BEAUTIFUL today" or they could just as easily tell you, "You look much FATTER today"

How is it that the topic of a person's appearance has become the favorite conversational pass time for these people? In my home culture these types of spoken comments would be considered quite rude. Why are the Thai so preoccupied with aesthetics?

Then I came to my senses!

Thai people aren't any more preoccupied with appearances than Westerners, they're just more HONEST about it! My Western culture (especially in the US) rates people according to their beauty, wealth, age.... even their education. Sometimes we might be more subtle about these unspoken standards and other times we are very obvious!

We are to thrive!

I have a few plants that seem determined to commit suicide! Today I was giving them a pep-talk (yes, I know...but that's suppose to help them...right?) I reminded them, "I'm trying to help keep you alive! If you wanted to grow and thrive you need to cooperate with me a little."

As I headed back inside my room, I was still thinking, don't these crazy plants want to live? Then, just as quickly as I said these words, I could hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart. "Now you know how I feel..."

Everyday our Heavenly Father asks us, "Hey, don't you want to grow and thrive? I'm trying to help you, but you need to cooperate with me a little."

Rainy Season- Ruduu FonTok!

I'm learning about Thailand's seasons in my language class. The rainy season is on it's way! We've already had some huge storms with thunder and lightning like I've NEVER experienced! I've been told we'll be getting lots MORE rain soon..... and on a DAILY basis.

That should be an adventure since every time it rains outside, it also rains inside! Our house is still a work in progress and there are many repairs being worked on, including our roof.



Last week I came home to 3 inches of standing water covering the whole kitchen floor. The plastic water bottles and our flip-flop sandals were floating around in the water like little boats! There was standing water to some degree on all five floors. How could that be? Easy, our flat roof is a GIANT basin that collects water. I's like a big swimming pool, when it can't hold anymore water, it spills INTO the house, down the stairs and into each floor. It makes a waterfall that pours all the way through the house. Hopefully we have someone coming soon to make repairs!

A Taste of Americana?

I was in one of the larger markets this last weekend and noticed they were having a special event! America style foods and treats were being promoted and the store was decorated with US flags and logos. That's fun, I thought....let's see what food item they are featuring!

Yea, Pringles Potato Chips, those are yummy treats.....oops I spoke too soon. When was the last time you dashed out to your local store for some junk food in these tempting flavors?

Lemon Sesame Seed, Grilled Shrimp, Seaweed or BLUEBERRY Hazelnut! How is that last flavor even possible? I don't know, but you might want to pick up a few cans for your next big backyard BBQ.

An unexpected ENCOUNTER!

1:48 in the morning – Woke up to many unpleasant sounds from the neighboring building. I’m now sitting on the floor in the dark, up against my wall. This is as close as I can get to the female on the other side who is now weeping. From the sound of her voice she is Thai, although I have no idea how old. She is enduring a VERY rough sexual encounter with at least one other person. There was a struggle, some desperate pleading, then lots whimpering throughout the ordeal. Only a small amount of plaster separates us. I feel so helpless. She's still weeping. I continue to press my cheek, ear and hands against the plaster wall and call out to Father God on her behalf. Help! Jesus come, Holy Spirit come, you are the Great Comforter…please come to her aide!

2:21 in the morning- As I continue to call out to the Comforter, I hear peaceful singing and gentle strumming like that of a guitar. Where is it coming from? It sounds very close, but definitely not coming from the neighboring building. Perhaps the commotion woke my two roommates down the hall? Maybe they are awake and interceding too. I head down the hall toward their room, but the light is off and the their door is shut. The peaceful melodies continue and although I can’t make out any of the words it sounds familiar. Not wanting to disturb mt roommates I return to my room to continue praying.

2:35 in the morning - Still praying, asking God to reveal himself to the woman on the other side of my wall. Also asking for God's mercy on the hundreds of others in my neighborhood who may be experiencing similar situations. The weeping has quieted some. The soothing tones of worship continue and I am thinking- “Wow, Sandy is really improving with her guitar skills, how is she able to play those chords in the dark?”

2:45 in the morning- Now, I’m feeling inspired. Maybe I should play my favorite Thai worship CD and aim it towards the wall, towards where I heard the woman weeping. If I can hear her, she should be able to hear these words of love. My computer is now aimed at the wall. I fall asleep some time after 3: 10am.

7:30 in the morning- Asked my two roommates how long they stayed awake worshiping last night? They looked quite puzzled at my question. They were sound asleep all night! I asked again, this time recalling how I could clearly hear worshiping, gentle singing and strumming of an instrument until I fell asleep. No other people live in our building! I ask again, "Are you absolutely SURE you didn't leave your computer, radio or CD playing last night?" Janie and Sandy both answered, " No, we left nothing on, no music was playing. Then Janie smiled with excitement and said, “This morning I read these verses in my bible, Zephaniah 3:17." Here are the verses:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he
will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Do you still think God can't hear your prayers?

Do you still think you are alone?

God is mighty to save and He is also our comforter. He wants to quiet our anxious spirit with His melodies of love in the night. WOW!!

Living in a War Zone (Part 2)

Just when you think things are beginning to settle down after an intense week of living in a war zone....more happens! Currently I am recovering from a broken arm which required surgery (two pins placed inside) This injury happened early morning, 6:30am Sunday. The day we celebrate Pentecost.

Since things appeared to be settling down a little, I was headed out to do another prayer walk in my neighborhood, the Nana Plaza area. This is where we live, in the heart of the red light district. It's like living in a spiritual war zone! Customers are lured in to view or (for a price) participate in just about any form of twisted sexual fantasy or indulgence they can imagine in these bars.

Whenever we talk to the men hanging around our area, they usually say, "Hey...we're just out to have a few drinks and some fun with our buddies!" I wonder if they would be so eager to go into some of these bars if they knew; Most women are considered property of the bar, it is very common for bar owners to perform sorcery, witchcraft and covenant with demonic powers INSIDE the bars and ON the women BEFORE these "happy go lucky" men arrive. By inviting these spirits in and worshiped them, bar owners hope to have a lucrative night. These dark forces are INVISIBLE, but very real!

Anyway, with all the recent violence in Bangkok, the bars and everything else are on a mandatory curfew. That means for a short period of time everyday, the Nana Plaza is completely empty. This is very unusual, as the Plaza is always open! It seemed like a perfect time for intercession! If I could get into the main plaza area before 8:00am, it would be quiet enough to prayerfully walk through each corridor and declare God's promises from the scriptures without drawing to much attention.

Worshiping, declaring and speaking God's words of hope, life and freedom to the captives, doesn't usually sit well with the spiritual forces of darkness! You should never do such things casually, as it is like entering a war zone without any protection or weapons! It is necessary to be well prepared and well covered by the Spirit of God.

Well, I only made it a few steps out my door that morning before I was sabotaged. I fell VERY hard onto the white marble flooring, catching all my weight on one arm. But what did I fall on? I could see nothing!

Although I was INSIDE the apartment building, clear water had pooled the entire length of our entrance. It was a completely INVISIBLE water slick right outside my door! As my friends helped me to the hospital, they were VERY careful not to step into ANOTHER water slick along the way, but there were no others- Just the one in front of our door!

So, what do you make of that? I'm not exactly sure. There is STILL much to learn about spiritual warfare. This broken arm is only a minor set back!

Living in a war zone (Part 1)

Much has happened in the past week, there is no way to replay it all, to explain the intensity, or describe our emotions. So I'll give you a quick recap.

FIRST- My house mates and I relocated three times due to the threat of violence in our neighborhood and the unpredictability of a raging civil war in close proximity. We evacuated our building in the Nana, then became somewhat stranded on the 22 floor of a friend's condo. Since we were without power, water, Internet communications, we temporarily relocated again. (Quite an adventure hiking up and down 22 flights of stairs during a power-outage, in the Bangkok heat, while breathing in all the fumes from burning tires and buildings!)


Shortly after we resettled an announcement came on our cell phones (via our news update system). The Red Shirt leader had surrendered! REALLY? This was Wednesday the 19th. The odd things was that within an hour or so of that announcement, we witnessed Many more acts of violence in our city. Multiple explosions were set off and fires were started. Banks were set a blaze, world class shopping malls burnt to the ground, utility buildings, public and private property, transportation stations were all targeted. From our view point, black clouds of smoke filling our sky and from our windows we could see a large building totally engulfed in flames.


During this up evil, Annie made contact with one of our NightLight girls. Her family members were able to escape the riot area and take refuge at our NightLight building. We also had another NightLight girl bring some of her family members to our home. It was nice to be a "safe oasis" to this young mother, her 6 month old baby and a 4 year old boy.

We are glad we stayed and didn't evacuate the Bangkok area during the rioting. Although it was pretty stressful, we wanted to remain close to our neighborhood and the NightLight girls just in case they needed help.

We are all safe and things have settled down some. Thank you for your prayers and financial provisions. Those resources allowed me to help to others, especially since all major banks were closed for a period and many ATM's were empty. Most of the local people live one day at a time, with little to no savings. Now that many businesses have been destroyed, there is little work available. At this time a mandatory curfew for all people in Bangkok is still in effect.

Things aren't always Black and White

It’s deeply disturbing, I thought as we approached a child dancing on top of a battered plastic red stool in front of the Nana Plaza.

As we came closer, it was easier now to see, this was not a young girl, but a young boy. He appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old? His brown skinny legs and lanky arms moved slow, but awkwardly in the nightlights as he tried to mimic the rhythmic sensual moves of the women who work this area.

His bare, grimy feet managed to keep balanced on his 10 inch, make-shift stage. He wore a short, sheer “nightie” styled dress and his childlike face was smudged with too much makeup. It was a sight hard to describe, warped and full of disparity.

As my team mates began to engage this young boy in a conversation, he slowly climbed down and sat on his small plastic stool. He was hungry. In his troubled, young mind, I’m sure this seemed like the solution. There were no parents there to help him. He had no one to cook him a hot meal, draw him a bath or read him a story before climbing into a soft bed. Who did he belong to? For a small fee, apparently anyone!

Did all those sitting, watching from the crowded bars across the way, think this was just one more “bizarre” form of nightly entertainment in Nana Plaza?

The work we do here in Bangkok isn’t glamorous; there are times we struggle with how to handle these heart breaking situations. Everyday, women and young children are exploited on the streets in our neighborhood.

How do we keep from becoming callused to the frightful things we see daily? How would Jesus respond to these situations? What are the best long term solutions to such problems? The answers are not always black and white.

Sometimes ministry is simply loving the one, showing compassion to a confused, frightened little boy, offering some kindness and a few grilled meat-kabobs.

It seems like so little… how we long to do so much more.

Love, Kathy

Staking a Claim?

Who will influence the children of the next generation?


Is it possible that while the Christian community quietly relaxes in a comfortable recliner reading the latest article on how to "Be a Christian and not Create Waves", the Islam community is aggressively establishing Muslim prayer rooms in our favorite Department Stores?

Don't be fooled. There are millions of Muslims willing to go after those "unreached people" all around the world, including Thailand! There are billions of Buddhist who still have no clear understanding of who Jesus is, or that they were created by the loving and powerful God of the universe. These unreached people aren't going to magically hear about Jesus Christ if the Christian community remains silent or cloistered away from them. Have we become too concerned with being proper, non-intrusive, or politically correct to be of any significant impact on the world around us?

How does one become compelled, to reach out, to embrace people with the Good News and love of Jesus? If we aren't concerned about such things, don't worry, our bold Muslim neighbors are willing to fill in the gap...and if they don't, the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are also out in full force! They aren't just visiting your local neighborhoods, or setting up shop at the corner market, they are sending their people to other lands to stake a claim. They are finding creative ways to build relationships and establish themselves in new communities. Wake up people.

Advantages to living in the Nana- You get a front row seat to the Songkran festivities!

Yesterday my roof became the perfect place to hang out after I'd had enough water activities! Six stories up on our top deck we have a very long garden hose. The hose came in handy to spray unsuspecting "passers-by" in true Songkran style! Got a lot of laughs and the guy across the way decided to do the same from his roof. Who says you have to be fluent in language to influence people- just kidding!

Songkran

The view from our front door. Across the street the crowds are beginning to gather for a Songkran water fight!

No one is safe from the water and powder "blessing", but we did have a slight advantage over our neighbors.....we put our garden hose to good work from our roof top. Look out below!

I am drenched from head to toe, but luckly I wrapped my computer in plastic before leaving the house.

What can we learn from the Thai and their Songkran Festival?

Right in the middle of heated RED Shirt demonstrations, killings and blood curses against the government....the Thai people take a three day "time-out" to celebrate Songkran.

For the next three days most of the waring in the Kingdom will come to a halt. It's such an odd thing. The atmosphere has shifted from angry fighting mobs with knives and guns...to laughter, dancing and water fights in the streets with giant plastic guns.

Maybe EVERY WARING NATION should consider such a "time-out". They should consider taking out their aggressions with giant orange and green plastic, semi-automatic water guns. It's hard to stay angry at each other when you're being chased down the street by someone in miss-matched flip-flops, a flower printed shirt and a hot pink wig!

This little guy is getting an early start to the Songkran Festival. Songkran is some what like our New Year’s Celebration in the US. Songkran is celebrated from April 13-15th. It's a three day, Kingdom-wide block party, water fight! Lots of celebrating, dancing and usually excessive drinking- not water!

Although the origin of the Songkran festival is embedded in layers of ancestor and idol worship; there are some redemptive analogies to observed in this culture. This Songkran, may the people of Thailand draw their attentions to the One, True God, who washed away all our sins and made us clean through Jesus. May they hunger and thrist for truth and come to know what it means to drink of the Living Water.

The Songkran is a time for Thai people to honor those who are older. A blessing of appreciation is given to them by pouring fragrant water over their hands and feet.

Our girls at the ministry center prepare for Songkran by gathering water, consecrating it by means of prayer and then adding some fragrant flowers. Next, it's time to gather all the "older" people- yes, as you can see by the picture below, I qualified.

The pouring of water begins. As we sit in a long row of chairs outside, all the younger women come through on their knees (one by one) and pour water on us and speak a short blessing.

Towards the end of this ceremony the water then gets poured everywhere else- Oh, accidentally down your back, on your head or with ice water etc. It is expected and all in goods fun! This is the subtle que that the water fight is about to begin! In a few minutes EVERYONE IS GOING TO GET DRENCHED.

For the next three days, anyone, anywhere is a target. If you step out of your house, chances are you will get very wet. After you're soaking wet, someone might come by and throw powder on you. Then you look like a ghost! Sorry, no Songkran photos of myself in this lovely condition as my camera is not water proof! So enjoy these photos of others getting soaked.

Young, old, native Thai or Foriegners- everyone is in on the action. School and most major businesses are closed. which is good because you can't get to work without getting totally wet!

In the North of Thailand, even the elephants get in on the Songkran action!