About twelve hours from now I’ll be boarding a flight to Hong Kong, and then from there heading to Bangkok. I’ll be connecting with my daughter Thailand. She runs The SOLD Project, an effort in Northern Thailand that keeps kids out of the sexual slavery world. My time will be spent learning about this filthy side of the human experience, hearing the stories of those who have been caught up in it, and reflecting on how best to respond to the social, spiritual and economic structures that allow this to happen.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Rachel in what is now her natural setting. I’m looking forward to experiencing a new culture. I’m looking forward to meeting the kids that are protected and nurtured by SOLD. I’m even looking forward to the touristy things: strange foods, elephant rides, and fascinating architecture of the temples.
I am not looking forward to the pain that I’m sure to sense in some of the people we meet. Human trafficking is a horror, and human trafficking for the sake of sexual exploitation is a sickening evil. Though I have seen evil before, this form of it is new to me. I’m not afraid of confronting it and understanding it. But that’s not to say that I’m looking forward to it.
However, I am looking forward to the spiritual stirrings that I’m sure to experience from this. That always happens to me when I travel. Especially when I interact with and learn from the poor, the oppressed, the forgotten. As I’ve said before, the poor have a deep understanding of faithful obedience. Through such obedience they cherish and protect the concept of hope. In turn, the wealthy can offer hope in abundance if we are walking with God … and the wealthy can learn quite a bit about faithful obedience. Thus such trips as these are good for my soul.
But enough deep thinking. Let’s be honest. I really just look forward to the elephant ride.
Oh, and one last announcement before I go. The “name that barrel” contest is complete. We’re going with Ranch Hands. More later!
D’Aun feeding the elephants during her Thailand trip last year.