The Girls

The past 2 days we have gotten to have a lot of time with the girls. Since we arrived more at a weekend time, as well as that Bonita, Roy, and Ann (the house mom) just went out of town, it has been less school and what not and more hang out time.

It is crazy to feel how much love I have for these girls already. They are so very precious, and so incredibly sweet. You would never imagine the lives they have had to face. They do not harbor bitterness; they laugh and love with such ease and genuineness. There is nothing perverse about them, and they have this purity shine through. I am so glad that they know Jesus.

We have heard a few stories, learned some have children, and it all blows my mind. They are still little girls themselves. I am learning a faith that I have never seen before. All the laughs we have shared and their joy in life and in learning new things, it is a lesson to all.

I have been learning so much and just enjoying more of a relaxed kind of life. Lynds and I had a conversation about this yesterday. There is less "on-the-go" and "how do we fill the time here?", and more reading, sewing, enjoying in Thailand. I have found conviction in my own life in always needing to be doing something, instead of enjoying my Creator and the things we have labeled as "simpler." I will take to heart that He alone is holy, holy, holy... the whole earth is filled with His glory. Isaiah 6:3. Take it in..

On Friday night, we made an American meal for the girls, including cupcakes. Be Be, Ann's daughter, helped Courtney and I bake them. She is adorable and loves these girls, at the age of 10. She began leading us in song and was thrilled when we would sing along. After we sang "In the Jungle" she moved on to the worship song "You Are My All in All." What a truth!

"Seeking You as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my All in All."

Finally here

Hello all,

Greetings from Bangkok, Thailand! It has been quite the "day." We left D.C. at 11 a.m. on Wednesday arrived in Detroit at 12:30 p.m., left for Tokyo at 2 something, arrived there at 4 p.m. Thursday, and finally arrived in Thailand at midnight on Friday.

It has been quite a trip, but we are so glad to be here! I pray that all is well with you and where you are and what you are doing.

Upon stepping onto Bangkok grounds, I was not sure what to expect but have been asking the Lord to keep me steady and solid. Tiffany, from Lynchburg, along with Courtney, are also here at Beginnings and have already told us of some things to expect, learn, look out for, etc. It is so nice to see familiar faces. However, nothing can truly prepare eyes for seeing the evil over here.

On our way to Beginnings tonight, we drove down this strip that is like a line of darkness. If any of you have seen the movie Taken, there is a scene where there are some girls on the street and men pulling up in cars to take them for the night...that gives a slight comparison. It was already 1:30 a.m. and terribly dark, there were far more girls, and of younger ages, and it was right in front of us. The same hurt I knew we would feel was felt, but I looked out and thought of my sister, my mom, my cousin, my best friend...if I someday have a daughter...they were all there, because to someone that is who they are.

Some using their charm and body language, others looked miserable, others seemed sad that they weren't being invited in to these vehicles... all-in-all, there was such a heaviness and darkness that surrounded us, yet I know in my heart God is here.

As BlueTree wrote while in a brothel in Bangkok, Thailand, "For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city." He truly is the Light in this darkness, the Hope to the hopeless, and the Peace to the restless. There is no one like our God.

These verses made my night brighter, as I hope they will to you.

Psalm 16:8,9 says, "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure."

To Start Off...

Dearest friends and family, 

In exactly 5 days from today, Lyndsey, Martha and I will be flying 23 hours total to Bangkok, Thailand to live there for one month. My heart is filled with anticipation, great joy, and prayers as I think of arriving at Beginnings. I think of how I will meet these girls who have already found freedom and are living there with Bonita and Roy, the wonderful founders and couple who run Beginnings, and I think of how happy I will be to see some who have found their hope. Then I also think of what I will see on the streets upon arriving, and the 1.3 million women and children who have not found freedom, and my heart is heavy still. I do not think that this is a bad thing, however. This heaviness and awareness is what will keep me going as I am there, and when I return. 

We are pushed to move and help because the Lord has always helped us, no matter what. I am called to love because He first loved me. I am called to serve because He humbled Himself first. I care for those who I have not met yet because He knows each and every one of us by name. Your prayers and support mean the world to me and I cannot wait to share His work with all of you as I am over there and when I return. Praying for you all as well!  

Because He Chose the Nails,

Janette