jim larson's thoughts

anniversary

Today I celebrate 26 years of marriage to an awesome woman, who not only puts up with my attention deficit disorder and other quirks, like the urge to move halfway across the world, but actually laughs at my jokes.

Thanks, Judy.  You are the absolute bomb diggity.

why i can't imagine retiring

I'm still a decade and a half from retirement age, but with stuff like this happening, the idea of someday quitting what we're doing is unthinkable. Instead my thoughts go to staying in good health in order to keep going as long as God allows.  Here is the sort of thing that drives my thinking:

Over half the world's population will live in cities by next year, says a report from the UN Population Fund.  In Asia and Africa, urban populations will double, from 1.7 to 3.4 billion individuals.

With such growth, of course the population of urban poor will mushroom, and with it the need for folks to serve them. 

Read the report here.

So maybe we'll retire, but into a Bangkok slum.  For some Christian groups that focus on sending people into slums, check out:

Servants to Asia's Urban Poor

Servant Partners  

InnerCHANGE 

Word Made Flesh

Know of others?  Feel free to leave a comment.

the face of evil

A few who have posted links to this blog have noted that it's a bit graphic.  I do apologize if some find it a bit much.  I don't know how else to communicate this reality.  it is an ugly world out there. 

I've been in the U.S. for two weeks.  I stopped writing for a while because it was just too depressing. Two of our women that we love very dearly, as daughters, were really going through difficult times. One, who was one of the rape victims mentioned earlier, had just about given up hope, and was seeing herself as ugly, dirty and evil, and was essentially acting out those feelings. She's now in a rehab program in Chiang Mai, and so far is doing well.  The other is the one whose mom pimped her.  She fell into major drug use and is now away from The Well.  The next few months for her are going to be really rough.

So I'm hating evil a whole lot right now.  But we have to face it.  We can't build walls to keep it out--it will come find us.  And when we avoid evil we inevitably avoid its victims, people such as these dear ones that out of hopelessness and ugliness fall into evil themselves, against their own desires and better judgment.  

To face evil we have only to face the cross. in seeing it as the symbol of salvation we forget it also represents the worst of what people are capable of doing to each other. Jesus looked evil in the face, let it beat him down and brutally kill Him. Only after that did He stand up and laugh at it. 

When we face evil it will beat us up as well. Not that anything we've done here holds a matchstick to what Jesus did.  But we do feel beat up sometimes.  I even thought of deleting or updating the "Better than the NBA" post I wrote a while back. Then I decided that it was a losing season, and those are bound to happen, and that's ok.  We've had our opportunities to laugh as well, times when we've seen evil trampled.  But even in those times we know that soon we will be facing another, sometimes uglier monster.  We'd like to think that one day we'll have killed them all and can relax at the beach, enjoy a retirement.  But that's not going to happen.  

We're taking it pretty easy here, and will head back July 10, ready to jump back in, guns blazing.  Well, maybe not like that, but I hope it's ok if we pretend just a bit.

first mission trip

I'll say it again: Prang rocks.

Last month she went on her first mission trip to Cambodia. Kevin Kane, an old friend and college roommate, was leading a team of Americans there, and gladly accepted my request to have Prang join.  The team covered all her expenses as well. With the team she was able to visit churches and orphanages in several provinces, including Cambodia's poorest.  She shared her story several times, and came back ready to go again.  

Next month, Michaela Weeks will be on the plane with us on our return to Bangkok, and will be heading up to help Prang in Buriram for a couple of months.  She'll then go back to the U.S. for a wedding in September, then Lord willing will be able to get a visa for a longer-term stay. 

bride for free

I gave my daughter away last Saturday.

I walked Anna up the aisle to theme music from the movie, Peter Pan. Didn't trip.  When we reached the front, Anna handed me a tissue with 2 peanut M&M's and said, "Dad, I love you a billion peanut M&M's. It's a little thing between us. Then when Jason Hartong asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" I answered, "Her mother and I," hugged her and handed her over to Ben.

In most Thai cultural groups, families don't just "give" their daughters away. The groom is expected to pay, mostly out of respect for the bride's family, but in the case of the poor, they're also naturally happy for the money.  But mainly it's a thing of pride for the family, one, that their daughter is worth something, and two, that she found a decent provider.  It's quite common for the groom and the bride's family to secretly agree on a price, then at the ceremony bring a sum much greater. The money is laid out decoratively on a platter, and the total is announced for all to hear. Then after the ceremony the difference is quietly returned.

We gave Anna away for nothing. What were we thinking?  Should have been six figures easily.

Oh well.  Maybe Marquita and Jaimie will marry wealthy Thai guys.

No pics yet.  I'll try to get up a some posted later.

When Mom is a pimp

The last few weeks have had some pretty rough spots, so much that I thought about writing a follow-up to "Better than the NBA" to point out that this work has losing streaks too, which can be less than fun.  A couple of women that Judy and I have invested a lot in went through some serious struggles, to the point that we feared losing both.

One, that I'll call "Jen", went to be with her mom.  Her middle-aged mom quit her security guard job because she wasn't getting along with another employee, and decided she didn't need to work any more.  She never asked Jen for money, but complained and manipulated her daughter, who has kids of her own to take care of, to support her mother.

We've known the history of this manipulation, and feared the worst, and sadly enough, our fears came true.  We were able to convince Jen to come back to The Well, but not before she sold herself for 2500 baht (about $75) to an old man referred to her by her mother. She confessed to me, in bitter tears, the day after she returned.

Her mom continues to pressure her, wanting Jen to move home permanently so her mom can take care of the kids while Jen works.  There are only two possible ways Jen could make enough income--prostitution and drug dealing.  A few years ago her mom tried to sell Jen to Malaysia for 7,000 baht, but Jen got scared and ran away.

Write a comment

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above:
 

sallipod
Posts: 18

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

---

<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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

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