jim larson's thoughts

No rest today

Written last Sunday night: 

You never know what you're going to hear on the radio in a Bangkok taxi.

Mostly you hear pop music from Isaan, the northeast Thailand region where most construction workers, taxi drivers and bar girls come from.  But sometimes there are surprisingly old Western songs.  Today, on the way to send Gai's younger sister Jiap to the bus station, it was "Never on Sunday", by the Chordettes, 1961 (I had to look it up of course):

Oh, you can kiss me on a Monday a Monday a Monday
is very very good
Or you can kiss me on a Tuesday a Tuesday a Tuesday
in fact I wish you would
Or you can kiss me on a Wednesday a Thursday a
Friday and Saturday is best
But never ever on a Sunday a Sunday a Sunday
cause that's my day of rest

I was running around all day visiting people and got no rest.  One person that I saw along with Kristy, one of our International Mission Board workers, was Pear, our 13 year-old.  Pear has not been at The Well for a few weeks, and has been living/working at a night restaurant staffed by sexily-dressed waitresses.  Tonight she had on a disturbingly short skirt. We're praying and working hard on how we can rescue her back, but her mother has been completely unhelpful.  Tonight I mentioned to Pear that her mother told me on the phone that she hadn't heard from Pear in many days.  Pear said has not seen her since she moved back home and her mother said that she loved Pear's little half brother more than Pear.  Based on our experience with her mother, we'd have to say it likely did happen.

Pear is in a desparate situation that may call for a desparate measure.  One possible solution we're considering is to ask Pear's mother to sign over guardian rights to Judy and I and actually bring her into our home.  That route is fraught with pitfalls for our own family, so we're stepping very carefully.  A better solution may be a teen girls' home we know in Chiang Mai, so we are pursuing that as well.  We still see a huge need to begin a teen home and school closer to Bangkok.

Rest is coming.  For the next few days Judy and I will be at a free retreat for missionaries in Phuket.  

Yet another victim

Baby-faced Pui barely dared to speak to me before I asked her to sit and talk today.  The most I could get out of her was a shy smile and a "yes" or "no".   But since Pui was out of school, we had talked about the possibility of accepting her full time at The Well, with this as a trial month.  I was 95% sure we were going to accept her, but wanted to get more acquainted first.

I asked about her family.  Pui's mother left when she was little and never returned.  Pui has no memory of her.  Her dad died when she was in sixth grade.  Since her mom left Pui was raised by her aunt. 

"Did your aunt try to stop you from moving in from quitting school and moving in with your boyfriend," I asked.

"No, she didn't really say anything."

You don't have to know much about counseling to understand that a child with this sort of background feels about as loved as a street dog.

We chatted a little more.  Finally I asked a question that I hated to bring up but knew I must.

"I heard from a friend that you were raped a few months ago.  Is that right?"

Pui nodded, holding back tears.

"How long ago did it happen?" 

She misunderstood the question.  "About 5 or 6 guys."  The dam burst.  I went to look for tissue.

That makes the fourth rape victim this year connected with The Well, the third teenager.   

______

I have some requests to help stop this:

Twenty mature couples to be foster parents, youth pastors etc. to kids like Pui.

Fifteen successful entrepreneurs to "sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus", using their business skills to start and develop small enterprises models that will employ single moms, support daycare and quality education, build families etc.

Ten passionate educators to help begin alternative educational programs for kids like Pui and many others that we know, who drop out of the system, receive no family support, and have no one to encourage them to seek something better than a life of abuse. 

Five non-traditional pastors to leave their growing churches and come here to help start innovative churches that love the poor, lost and broken. 

Four loving people with counseling training and experience to help begin recovery programs and create simple, reproducible materials that semi-literate people will enjoy reading or watching.

Finally, while it feels sort of mercenary or insincere to using a terrible incident like this as a platform to ask for money, I'm too sad right now and just don't care.  I'd like to ask for five hundred people of all types to make at least one specific sacrifice in order to give more to this sort of need.  Cut back on Starbucks, drop cable TV, trade down to an older car or a smaller house, eliminate soft drinks, reduce your retirement fund, wear last year's winter clothes, eliminate Christmas gifts, you get the idea.  If we were to raise 10 million dollars over the next couple of years, it would be scary but it wouldn't be too little.  But quite frankly it's the sacrifice and commitment that will encourage us, and ulimately do far more than a few million dollars.

______

Pui will encounter God's love and be healed.  Two years ago she came to a short camp we did for teens, similar to what we did this year.  I remember asking everyone then what they wanted to be when they grew up, but apologized to Pui that I didn't remember.  She reminded me that she had said she wanted to become a doctor.  She still does.  And by God's grace she will.

First time

We accepted "Nan", another 15 year-old this week, along with her 19 year-old friend.  Today she finished making her first set of cards, and brought them to Judy for approval.  Judy looked them over and asked, "Have you ever made anything like this before?"  "Well, I've cut paper before," Nan replied.  "These are very nice," Judy complimented.  Nan simply smiled shyly and walked back to her table.

Later on she came up to Judy with a question. "How much are the cards?"  

"The retail price is 60 baht (about $1.75), but workers get a 25% discount."  

"Oh," she paused.  "Because I was thinking maybe I could send a card to my mom."

________

Mae was so excited about her birthday cake that she could hardly concentrate on her work.  We didn't ask if it was her first ever, but given that she only just reunited with her mother after many years, it's very possible.   Judy and I got our hugs.

Next battle won

I just got a call from "Mae" reminding me that she turns 14 tomorrow. I've written 3 posts about her here, here and here. A few months ago a mission team found Mae working at a snooker bar dressed in a mini-skirt. She joined The Well, but for a while we were concerned that she had strong walls around her heart. We even had a challenge going among the workers that the first one to get through to Mae would win a Mexican dinner--an expensive treat in Bangkok.

As it turned out, we all won.  Mae still has somewhat of a coarse manner, but has indeed warmed up to being loved.  Tonight she had two requests--a birthday cake and a hug from "Mom and Dad"--Judy and me.  Before hanging up I told her I loved her.  As much as I enjoy Mexican food, her answer was incomparably precious. "I love you so much, Dad."

We plan to visit the States next in 2009.  The dinner can wait until then.  

Fun with geography

Ok, it's been nearly a month.  I've found that if I get behind in the posting process I get overwhelmed and then don't write anything because so much has happened that it takes too long to write about it. 

So, to ease back in gently, I decided to just have fun and post this video I helped my daughter make for a school project a few months ago.  At the time, YouTube was banned in Thailand for some unkind videos about our beloved king, but apparently that problem has been resolved.  Hope you enjoy this one. 

[[YouTubeVideo? &file=`5BbY38zHZu0`]]

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sallipod
Posts: 18

n
Reply #18 on : Fri January 29, 2010, 01:48:08

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<a href=http://www.google.com> http://www.google.com </a>

John
Posts: 18

Bangkok Prostition on the Rise
Reply #17 on : Tue January 20, 2009, 20:39:34

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As a foreign teacher in Thailand I came here to help children to improve their education in a developing nation but of late I have become increasingly concerned at the massive increase in prostitution especially in the tourist areas of Bangkok. It has clearly been here a long time but recently I have been totally stunned to see the massive increase in the number of girls stretching themselves in desperation to get money by any means possible. I have witnessed thousands upon thousands of women in these areas, especially Nana and the Sukhumvit around the Arab quarter, desperate to survive.
Forget the nonsense about stereotypical crack whore - oh no, these are Tesco girls, salon workers, beauticians, florists, fat girls, older women, short women, tattooed girls, ladyboys; every walk of life, desperate for money for a multitude of reasons. But nearly always the same basic reason - desperate for money and usually not themselves but their family. The price that many young girls pay, especially from Isan, is extremely high; attempting to live out the dream of coming to Bangkok to earn money for a desperate family is just all too familiar. The credit crisis really hits home here at the bottom of the pile-so many poor suffer for gross negligence of governments and big business. The human suffering at the other end has to be seen to be believed.
I find it incredible just to see bars filled to overflowing with women of all ages and less farangs than ever, as many tourists have cancelled flights (although the numbers of Arabs and other non-Anglo Saxon groups seems to be stable). Definitely less money from tourism, even if sex-industry based, increases the need for money for others as many poor lose whatever income they had and inflation continues. The money flow slows and causes a knock on effect for so many others. The result is a deep psychological impact on women.
I reject their claims of "oh it's just a job, or just don't think about it too much". Especially in highly conservative Thai society, these girls must suffer greatly. Yes it MUST be shameful to them when others find out, whilst they attempt to keep everything a secret to everyone else. If you push these girls to speak truthfully, then all the emotion comes out -none of them really want to do this work, they just hope they will get enough to overcome whatever problem they have. But the real problem appears for the long term effects especially in standards of their mental health and social status. Once they get used to the cash for “big” money (big by their standards, real cheap by farang standards) they get locked into a cycle.
Now the answer; well there is no quick fix! A police crack down is definitely not the answer and is open to all forms of corruption in any developing nation. No it has to be a combination of cultural change and governmental initiatives. The reality is until the Thai government manages to stabilize its long term political instability, improves rights and standards for low class workers, increases their leadership to look for visionaries not just bureaucrats, and then looks at improved fiscal policies with long term job improvement schemes; the poor, most of all will suffer. Combined with no real welfare system, it’s fairly obvious where especially desperate women will end up. I therefore applaud the actions of outreach workers who at least aim to assist in the interim and I can only wish them the best as my heart is heavy when I see Thailand going backwards in this area and hope the suffering of these women will truly one day be less.

Jeremy
Posts: 18

Project Rescue
Reply #16 on : Mon May 26, 2008, 08:33:14

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Ever heard of Project Rescue? I just heard about it from a friend who went to college with the founders' daughter. Seems very similar to what servantworks is doing!

http://www.projectrescue.com/frontpage.php

Earn
Posts: 18

the latest postcard
Reply #15 on : Tue April 01, 2008, 13:12:41

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I'm Thai and support The well a ministry of servant works through my pray, money. I am really appreciated what you are doing for those who have no opportunity in their live and live in the darkness. I am still support your ministries. But one of my concern and it is bothering me a lot is the latest postcard which I just received couple weeks ago. I truely understand what happen in Thailand about women and teenager. Of course they are disrespect to their body, mind, soul and God by exchange it through sex for money. Can you use another word instead of Thailand's sex workers. It's sound harsh and it is hurtful. I understand that you want to wake people up through this postcard but I think there is some way else to do it.
One more thing, in the picture I see young innocent teen. I don't know who they are. They can be one of them who exchange their body with money or may not. But if it is, they already have a poor live and why you make it worse by put their picture openly!! What going to happen when they grow up? We are adult suppose to protect them, aren't we?

Jan
Posts: 18

Concerns
Reply #14 on : Sun March 30, 2008, 13:18:43

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Hi

My name is Jan. I'd like to thank God and you all( The Well ministry) for a wonderful work for Thai woman and children who are from dysfunctional families. I've been supporting The Well for the past 2 years, and also had a chance to visit The Well in Bangkok twice.

However, I have a concern. I have received 2 postcards of the Well Ministry. I came to my mails couple weeks ago. The first time I saw the card, I did not feel anything much. But the second time I received the same post card, there is the thought that came to my mind. I saw the picture of a mother with her two beautiful daughters. They are beautiful children. Then I read the card...Thailand sex workers! I know the intention of this postcard is good. However, I think the language is too strong. Although, it is the truth for most cases. I am concerned about these children in the picture. Unfortunately, the children have to suffer from parents' poor choices and decisions. They've already been damaged and wounded. We should try to protect them. I don't think the language is appropriate, especially when there is a picture of children on it. If they can read and understand English, I can't imagine how much damage it can do to them emotinally and psychologically.

Blessings,
Jan

alan
Posts: 18

God of this city...
Reply #13 on : Wed March 12, 2008, 11:32:09

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hey buddy,
have you heard the new song, "God of this city"?

see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk&feature=related

for u-tube version of tomlin singing it...the band Bluetree from Ireland was actually in Pattaya not too long ago, and they somehow were invited to perform in a brothel...while they were doing a 2 hr. worship set, they said God gave them this song. it is POWERful!

miss ya dude,
alan

edwin
Posts: 18

awsome comiing
Reply #12 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 20:26:18

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im with ya Jessica!
i really wanna be involved! i hate being lazy!!!

jessica
Posts: 18

hopefully coming
Reply #11 on : Tue March 04, 2008, 00:46:56

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My name is Jessica Wood my sister and I are in contact with servantworks about coming to bangkok this summer. Thanks for all your hard work and the genuine way you approach people... I lay awake at night thinking about this stuff....i really think God wakes me up so I will pay attention to his prompting for me to do something or say something for those trapped in the sex trade...i want to help and not just so that I can sleep easy..but because there is no other option..and becuase i deeply loves Christ and believe he sets people free....anyways just wanted to show encouragement and introduce myself

Edwin
Posts: 18

Re: jim larson's thoughts
Reply #10 on : Sun January 13, 2008, 13:54:02

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for "Win"

you are more than right..... those that follow Christ's really lay themselves low for other people... that is LOVE!

*hugs*

win
Posts: 18

=
Reply #9 on : Tue January 01, 2008, 03:40:30

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i'm da random...n i'm a thai gurl,,n i saw ur friends or sumone who knows u post bout wt u did in thailand..it's gd mannn...


i donno wt to say bt i never heard bout whites do stuff for helping ppl who isn't white b4


most of them jt drop sum shit here destroy enviorment...


anyway keep it