28 Days and Counting

Wow, it doesn't seem possible that we leave in just 28 days! When we first started talking about this trip it seemed so far away and now it's almost upon us. This is my first ever attempt at blogging, so bear with me as I learn the ropes. I plan to post things periodically, especially during the trip to keep everyone up-to-date. In some areas there won't be internet access, so I'm not sure yet how often I'll be able to update while we're gone.

For the uninformed, let me start with the basics. A group of us from Life Christian Center in Milwaukie Oregon are traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand at the end of May for a missions trip. Our church actively supports Living Word Ministries International as they minister to the nation of Thailand. Rev Charlie Milbrodt has been there for 25 years now and is literally changing the nation.

Rev Milbrodt has been instrumental in rescuing many, many young children from a life in the sex trade. Some are taken advantage of because they are orphaned; some are sold by their parents because they see no other alternative. If you are a parent, can you imagine the sheer desperation you would feel if the only way to make sure the rest of the family survives is to sell your child? I can't, and I thank God that I can say that.

Living Word Ministries International operates several orphanages, a Bible school and a refugee camp. Thousands of people from Myanmar (formerly Burma) have fled their country due to the political unrest there. These are people without a home and without hope. What an opportunity to impact a life!

On our trip we will be painting and dedicating a new church in a remote village, visiting one or more of the orphanages, the Bible school, and the refugee camp and will see between 600-700 children and their teachers. Right now, that is just a number to me - and a mind boggling one at that. However, each one of those kids have a past, present and future that will become real to us as we interact with them. I can't change the past, but maybe in some small way I can improve their present and maybe even their future. I intend to sponsor a child in need and hope to be able to meet him or her during our trip. To physically meet them and get to know them, even a little bit, will have a much greater impact for me than simply a name and a picture.

We are collecting small items to give to the kids. Note the operative word here is small! We will each have one suitcase dedicated for this purpose (there are five of us) so if you are interested in donating, let me know. We're looking for things like Matchbox cars, pens, pencils, writing tablets, hair ribbons and barrettes, combs and brushes, etc. The dollar stores are a great resource for these items.

For those of you who contributed financially and made it possible for me to go on this trip - wow. All I can say is thank you and that is so inadequate. It doesn't even begin to express how much I appreciate your generosity. Of course you know that whatever small effect I have as a result of this trip is just as much yours as mine.