Ashes to Beauty

Friday night was ashes to beauty in all of its splendor. We, and by we I mean all of you included, took the Beginnings girls and staff out to an amazing restaurant that is located in the tallest building in Thailand. The restaurant is a few flights below the revolving top floor where you can see the whole city. Bonita and Roy were telling us, after, that most of the girls have never gotten to eat like that, out to such a nice place, or been at such high heights in their life. Thank YOU!

It was such a gift to see them enjoy it. They were astounded by all the buffet's food, and just ate to their hearts desire. I have no idea where it all went or how none of them got sick, because I was just wide-eyed at their appetites. We laughed a lot about it, and they were just so appreciative. So to all of you who are on this journey with us, whether it has been prayerfully, financially, or anything, we and all the girls and staff at Beginnings thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening at Crystal Grill in the Baiyoke II Tower.

Now I want to tell you of the beautiful Cinderella's that were in attendance.

As the girls came down the stairs to congregate before we left for the Baiyoke Tower, I was struck. I could have cried they were so very beautiful. They were so happy...so excited...and I found myself to be so blessed. They all had their skirts and dresses on, hair and make up done, and big smiles as we commented on how suay ("pretty" or "beautiful" in Thai) they looked.

We kid alot in this household, but really, it was all so beautiful! What I saw was more than pretty faces and laughter, I saw redemption at its finest. As each girl came into the kitchen I saw the love of Christ, the old made new, genuine joy, relief, excitement, beauty...I saw, in true form, ashes traded in for beauty. Lives of freedom...

The girl who has been plagued by false idols...redeemed. The girl who wore a number on her uniform, as a mark of available purchase, as she waited drink tables in the bars...redeemed. I saw the girl who was gang raped on her trafficking journey...redeemed. The girl who does not remember her story or what village she was trafficked from...an orphan to the world, but completely claimed by the Lord...redeemed. The girl who worked on the streets prostituting herself to feed her children...redeemed. The girl who has been spared of this lifestyle because her sister, who is still involved in the industry, brought her to Beginnings so that she would never know that life...redeemed. The girl who explained her coming to the faith as a love affair between Christ and Buddah, in which she had to choose...redeemed. The girl who talks to her child each day...redeemed. The girl who went from sex slavery to loving Jesus with all that is within her heart...redeemed.

I have seen such immense darkness here, but I have also seen the fulness of Christ's redemption, grace, and mercy in such precious lives. It is heartbreaking, incredible, and Isaiah 61:3 in true form...

"to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

A display of his splendor is here. Pray for more lives to be redeemed here in Bangkok, as well as in all the world. Do all that you can by any means you can to be that link to our great God. His work is such an amazing masterpiece.

Some pictures to enjoy...because of you: