GREETINGS FROM HOME!

One of our faithful followers has reminded us that we are still "on our way home" on this blog.  Jennifer, Jason, Darrell and I have returned from our mission in Bangkok and are enjoying spending time with our families this Christmas season

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!

HOME AGAIN...

Jennifer, Jason and I leave in a few hours to take a taxi to the airport and head back to Sioux Falls.  It will take over 30 hours with several LONG flights.  Also, we are going from 90+ degree heat to 12 degree cold...what a shock to the system!

It has been a full, demanding, inspiring and awesome experience for us as we have worked with Dton Naam and NightLight ministries in Bangkok.  Darrell left last Wednesday so he didn't get to see the finished project.  It is awesome Jason and Darrell...proud of you guys!  We will add some pictures soon that will tell more of the story of our great adventure in Thailand.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us...your support was an essential part of mission experience.

All three of us are anxious to arrive home and celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones. For the last time...BLESSINGS FROM BANGKOK

LOOKING GOOD!

Darrell and Jason are doing a terrific job on the counter and surround for the bakery cabinet.  I am IMPRESSED...the wood is just beautiful - teak.

Darrell leaves for home tonight.  Jason will be here another week working on other projects at the coffee house, returning to Seattle and his lovely Anika and daughters for Thanksgiving.

I am already missing my hubby...going out for a quiet dinner before he leaves for the airport.

Jennifer continues her work with the team as they get ready to open and welcome customers...pray for them. Our time in Bangkok is coming to end and still so much to accomplish.

Progress on the Coffee Shop and Bakery

Jason and Darrell are really doing a great job...check out these pictures...more to come. They make quite a construction crew and are enjoying getting to know each other in the process! The first woman in the picture carrying the tubes is Celeste, one of the founders of the ministry. The other women are part of a team from Georgia that spent several days helping out...what a blessing!

It won't be long now and they will be able to offer alternative employment to Kathoeys (lady-boys) in the coffee shop and bakery.  Check out their website...www.dtonnaam.org  Consider making a donation - your partnership will help make this dream a reality!

WEEK THREE in BANGKOK

Darrell and Jason arrived to begin their part of the project...construction of counters, cabinets etc. for the Dton Naam Coffee Shop.  They arrived after midnight, started work the next morning, came over for dinner with Jennifer and I, and walked back to their room at the Hospitality Center.  Quite a long day!!

Pray for them as they design and build the interior spaces of this very special project that will employ lady-boys who are seeking alternative employment.  Jennifer is hard at work assisting the Dton Naam team with developing the business side of the project.  Her experience in managing and working in coffee shope has been invaluable.

I continue to offer prayer ministry and support to the women of NightLight and fill in the gap while Annie and her team are in the US...big shoes to fill!

We all covet your prayers...for health, protection, and especially for the construction team - the right materials and cooperation with sub-contractors ands workmen.  Darrell is here to help Jason through next Tuesday and then he is on his own.  They would really like to finish what they start!

Cupcakes, Coffee and Ladyboy Bars

This week was jam-packed with business planning, coffee training, cupcake baking, ladyboy outreach, English-Thai lessons and LOTS of walking.
After almost two weeks of Bangkok my brain, body and heart connected:"I'm in Thailand?", "I'm in Thailand","I am in Thailand!!!"
It has been wonderful seeing the hearts of the Dton Naam team so determined to reach out to the ever marginalized ladyboys. We baked and decorated cupcakes and brought them to one bar which employs 200 ladyboys. They were all quite thrilled to see the fruit of Antique Cafe and Desert (Dton Naam's coffee business) finally bearing fruit. Some of them hope to find employment with Antique.
With another two weeks remaining, we have much to look forward to. Darrell and Jason arrive this week with the goal of constructing the coffee shop bar, counter top and general spacial planning. I will continue developing their business plan, writing the Barista manual and teaching coffee shop 101. We have our work cut out for us so please pray for our efforts!
Blessings from the BKK!

Jen

What a week!

It is Saturday morning and I am exhausted!  It is good to have some down time in the midst of all the intensity of ministry in Bangkok.

I hope you enjoy these pictures of Koy, Benji and me.  Benji is the little girl who was born just before Christmas three years ago and lived with me for several months.  That is why I call them my Thai family.  Benji doesn't remember those days of course, but I will always treasure that time in my heart.

One of the most important ministry roles I have at NightLight is being 'Mom" and loving the women and their children.  Such a pleasure and blessing!  Whenever I return to Bangkok, I am amazed at how many of the women have healed, matured, and are growing spiritually "leaps and bounds."

SUPPORT NIGHTLIGHT by going to their website...www.nightlightinternational.com and go to the jewelry store...when you purchase jewelry for yourself or someone special in your life, it is truly a gift that makes a difference!  THINK CHRISTMAS GIFTS....

BLESSINGS from BKK - Susan

"Lady Boy" Outreach

Jennifer and I had a wonderful time with Celeste last night as we visited some of the lady boy bars in the Nana Entertainment Complex.  In our previous posting we added a picture of the entry to this area.  Jennifer and the Dton Naam team made cupcakes to take with us which was great fun.   They were a real hit and a conversation starter.  It was wonderful to see the relationships that Celeste has already built  with many of them and be included in their laughter and warm conversation.  We went to talk with them before the bars opened which was so much easier than having to go into the bars when there are customers and the atmosphere is much more sexualized and frenetic.  We will be doing both so continue to pray for us...the atmosphere is quite dark and never comfortable!

BLESSINGS - Susan

Tortured and terrified

Last night Jennifer and I decided to prayer walk through the Nana Plaza area near our apartment since it was Halloween.  Our goal was to bring light into darkness...little did we know how much darkness we would encounter very quickly as we turned on Soi 4.

Walking by one of the many 7-11s in Bangkok, we noticed an American guy, about 40 years old, sitting on the steps with his feet resting on two bags of melting ice.  Looking more closely,  we noticed to our horror the condition of his feet.  We had to stop!  His feet and lower legs were swollen and almost black in color with large gouges/holes in his flesh...very swollen and infected.  I asked what had happened and in a very short period of time realized that this man was a paranoid schizophrenic or very demon oppressed or both...ie. he had lost his business, home and marriage because of George Bush, Nazis and Arnold Swartzenegger

He self-medicates his wounds...I believe he also causes his wounds through mutilation.  "The wounds are a result of 'worms' that he picked up in a communal shower since he is homeless.  The only way he can stop the worms from taking over his body is to freeze them (ice packs) and by pouring rubbing alcohol, bleach or iodine in the worm holes."  HOW HORRIFIC!

I asked if I could pray for him...that I believed in healing.  He said, "Please do,  I hear from God all the time.  He tells me what to do about the worms."  When I told him I was a pastor his body moved away slightly, yet he allowed me to hold his hand and pray.  The whole time his piercing eyes felt like they were penetrating into me...very unsettling.  After praying for him,  I gave him a little money and blessed him.  His eyes revealed a great deal of "torture and terror."  PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM...he told his name is Jeff.  Whatever the reality of his situation, he obviously needs healing.  We were Jesus to this homeless, haunted man last night...what a privilege.

As soon as we were out of sight, I asked Jennifer to lay hands on me and pray for me and then took out the hand sanitzer.  Another night on the streets of Bangkok...

Don't Believe in Miracles - Come to Bangkok and Believe!

  Yesterday, our first morning, we awoke to a beautiful view of Bangkok's skyline. Strange, even on the 22nd floor I found a gecko running around in my bathroom! 
Upon entering Nightlight Ministries for morning  worship, Susan leaned over to me and said "this is when you believe in miracles." Looking around the room there were about 80 women, all of whom came out of Bangkok's sex industry or were at-risk, singing with full voices worship songs! Along with such joyous miracles continues the cyclical struggles of a very violent world. Unfortunately we beheld that as well.

  Today jet lag reared its ugly head. Nothing a little coffee, spicy thai food and great conversation with Celeste at Dton Naam ministries couldn't remedy! We began orientation with Dton Naam and will be joining full force tomorrow morning.


  We are excited to continue in partnership with Nightlight and Dton Naam ministries over the next month. Susan will be focusing on Nightlight and Jennifer will be focusing on Dton Naam. 

We will be blogging every few days please keep us in your prayers!

Grace and Peace,

Jennifer

RETURNING TO BANGKOK

It is exciting to be returning to Bangkok with my ministry partner, Jennifer Falkenstein. We will be involved in ministry with two remarkable organizations working to bring persons out of sex trafficking and exploitation...NightLight and Dton Naam.

I look forward to seeing all the women of NightLight whom I have grown to love and admire in so many ways. Also I am looking forward to helping my friend Celeste and her team at Dton Naam open a coffee shop and bakery to provide alternative employment for "lady boys" who want to leave the sex trade.

We both covet your prayers...we are definitely on the front lines this trip and need spiritual covering from our prayer partners!

SUSAN OMANSON

RUMBLE ALL DAY and NIGHT

This has been quite a week! Our team has spent many hours on the streets and in venues day and night talking with young women who may not realize how at risk they are for exploitation and trafficking, raising awareness about the reality of sex tourism in our state, learning as much as we can about the dark side of the rally so we can effectively advocate for legislation and change, sharing with others about our organization and mission to end all forms of exploitation, slavery and trafficking as well as challenging the highly sexualized environment of the rally that creates a climate of misogyny, sex abuse, exploitation and yes... trafficking. We are so thankful for the women's shelter who allowed us to stay with them and for the opportunity we have had to help women in crisis and tell the truth...if just one woman is abused, used, raped, beaten, prostituted and exploited IT IS ONE TOO MANY!

THANK YOU TO THE MANY PRAYER WARRIORS AND MINISTRY PARTNERS WHO HAVE JOINED US IN THE FIGHT!

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY - 2010

Hi everyone...the BE FREE team is on the streets of Sturgis, SD for the next five days. They estimate over 600,000 bikers will attend this years rally which is crazy when you realize that the population of the whole state of South Dakota is around 750,000. The sound of all the bikers roaring through the streets never quits. We are staying at the women's crisis shelter which is only several blocks off the main drag so the noise is constant. The last several days has been a time of observation, street ministry and most importantly, connecting with law enforcement, other ministries and the hospital. What a challenge to walk the streets and see how women are treated here! There is a definitely an attitude that a women's worth is measured by the size of her breasts and the amount of skin she displays. Misogyny is alive and well. The sad thing is many of these young women do not even realize how they are being used and exploited.

PRAY FOR US AS WE LAUNCH INTO MORE DIRECT CONTACT and STRATEGIC STREET and VENUE MINISTRY. Three more team members arrive tonight. Please pray specifically that women in crisis find us or we find them. In this highly sexualized environment with outlaw gangs members in full force, we know women are being used, abused, exploited and trafficked. This has to stop! THE TRUTH MUST BE REVEALED...THE HIDDEN THINGS BROUGHT TO LIGHT

ON OUR WAY HOME

Well...here we are - the four of us (Allen, Denise, Darrell and I) sitting in the Bangkok airport for another seven hours. I am thrilled to finally get online again.

It has been an amazing time in Bangkok, Kolkata and Nagaland. My heart is so broken...I have cried more tears than on any other trip as I listened to the victims of sex slavery, poverty and oppression share their tragic and very disturbing stories. It was such a blessing to be able to share God's love with them and minister healing prayer. I am even more committed to the cause of ending all forms of trafficking and slavery. ABOLITION!

Visiting special friends at various ministries was such a blessing. I am always so challenged by other women who have chosen to live on the edges of life and bring light into the darkness of sex trafficking and slavery. We visited FREESET in Kolkata www.freesetglobal.com, some of the team from SariBari, NightLight in Bangkok www.nightlightinternational.com, Dton Nam in Bangkok, an emerging ministry with transgender "lady boys", and Miqlat in Dimapur Nagaland. I treasure our friendships and partnerships with these amazing women and ministries.

Our time of teaching and fellowship with the faculty and students of Oriental Theological Seminary in Dimapur, Nagaland was something I will always cherish. We were all blessed! After past trips to Nagaland I always wondered if I would return. This time I know I will...there is so much to do and God is on the move.

Enough said...time to sign out. My head is already spinning as I am starting the reentry process. If you haven't taken the time to view the new website for BE FREE, give it a look. (www.befree58.org) I am so thankful for the team...Jennifer @ BEFREE and Nancy @ BREAKING FREE who have kept everything moving in my absence. There is a lot going on in South Dakota too!

From honking taxis and crows to roosters and snorting pigs

Just a short note...I am teaching a two hour class at Oriental Theological Seminary in 10 minutes.

I love it here in Nagaland. The students are so amazing as we hear their stories of sacrifice and oppression...their call to share Christ and speak for freedom and justice whatever the cost. MY KIND OF PEOPLE!

CALCUTTA TO NAGALAND

Hi everyone! We had a wonderful experience in Calcutta (Kolkata). Allen, Denise, Darrell and I had the privilege of visiting FREESET, an amazing business as mission ministry situated on the edge of one of the notorious redlight districts of this chaotic and spiritually challenging city. Their motto - freeset...in business for freedom. They employ women rescued out of the nearby brothels, giving then hope and dignity. They presently are making a wide variety of very cool burlap bags and silk-screened t-shirts. Check out their website: www.freesetglobal.com

We are now in Nagaland at Oriental Theological Seminary in Dimapur. Tonight I shared at Vespers and all four of us were blessed by their amazing choir. This is a good beginning. In the days ahead we will be teaching and leading a student retreat. MORE TO COME!

Kolkata here we come...

Tonight is our last night in Bangkok. It has been quite an experience for all of us. It was so interesting listening to each team member share about their time in Bangkok. It has been transformational in different ways for each person. We have lots of stories to share and many God sightings!

Allen and Denise Kjesbo, Darrell and I leave for Kolkata (Calcutta) early tomorrow morning. We will be spending two days there and then on to Nagaland. It will be a great adventure and another glimpse of God at work in the midst of great poverty and oppression.

Pray for us as we teach at the seminary and lead a student retreat in Nagaland. In Calcutta we will be visiting Freeset, a business that employees women who have been rescued from prostitution or were at risk. Also, as time allows, we will be visiting Mother Teresa's Mother House and Home for the Dying. Many of you know I have a troubled spirit while in Calcutta. The spiritual oppression is massive...even worse than in the bar area of Bangkok. This is one time I wish I wasn't so spiritually sensitive to the "dark side."

I do not know if we will have computer access in India so this may be my last post for awhile.

BLESSINGS FROM BANGKOK and we covet your support! Susan

Paradise Lost

Yesterday the team traveled to Pattaya, a tourist destination on the coast of Thailand. The beauty of its beaches are now overrun with tourists from Germany, England and Russia seeking the sun, racy entertainment and sex shows. It is disgusting to walk along the beach and see all the old men with young girls...it is disgusting to have a flier shoved in your face advertising the latest sex show with all the details....it is disgusting to see all the women who have been obviously trafficked into Thailand knowing that many would give anything to be home again...it is disgusting to see very young, scantily clad teenage girls standing outside the bars, calling out to prospective customers...WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH?

This was once a paradise until the Vietnam War when it became a favorite destination for "R&R." It didn't take long for the booming business of sexual exploitation to turn this beautiful area into Paradise Lost...a trashy haunt for perversion and sex tourism. Wake up South Dakota...we have sex tourism in our state...the hunting season...the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH? Will our "paradise" also be lost?!

Bangkok "Godsightings"

DID YOU KNOW (according to the rather gross, "sixty-somnething", boastful American slumped back on his motorcycle stopped in the middle of the street)...that 80% of men are genetically related to Ghengis Khan so they are unable to be satisfied with monogamy or one sexual relationship at a time?! Men need lots of women...throughout history and in most cultures in the world this is understood...here in Thailand men are FREE to indulge in all their natural desires...that is why I will never go back in live in Texas...my Thai wife is ok if I come here almost every night...she understands because I met here here in one of these bars...sure there are girls working here that are under 18...what do you expect...women in Thailand "get it", they have sex early, start having babies at 12 and 13...they have to have some way of supporting themselves...there are some experienced 16 year women who do really well in places like this,especially if they do more than dance (prostitute)...WE ARE DOING THEM A FAVOR. What a LIE! How sick!

Why did I even bother to talk with him? I wanted the team to overhear our conversation and hear the kind of sick logic we often hear from men we talk to in the bars of Bangkok..THEY ARE BROKEN and don't even realize it...pure delusion...at times I wanted to literally "take him on" and"set him straight" but God loves this broken man too. He doesn't realize how little freedom he truly has...HE IS NOT FREE...

BACK TO BANGKOK

It is late so this is a short post. Tomorrow very early in the morning a team of seven of us leaves for Bangkok. We will be doing another Valentine's Day Outreach. If you read the entry I wrote about last year's event, you will see that I hoped to return in 2010 and bring enough valentines and candy to have 1,000 bags to hand out...a huge goal.

Well...we have enough candy and valentines to fill OVER 1,000 BAGS! Thanks to The Point is to Serve Church and the great community group we belong to, I am totally amazed!

I have uploaded a few pictures of our "God Sightings" group packing all our donated items last night. All I can say is WOW.

MORE TO COME...Please pray for our long flight and that everyone arrives safely and feeling well. We will try to blog every day when possible. SUSAN