Be Free - Isaiah 58

From Bangkok Bustle to Sioux Falls Swing: The Adventure Continues...

2011-01-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

An 80 degree delta welcomed us over a month ago now and somehow I am not yet used to the climate change...Bangkok held packed schedules, warm weather, realities and sights beautiful and horrific. What an adventure! Enjoy the pictures and stay posted as the adventure continues in Sioux Falls, SD!!

Jason, Celeste, Jorge and I took a day trip the former capital city, Ayutthaya. LOVED IT!!

The extreme contrast of booming Bangkok and slum living...

Myself with Dton Naam staff creating new tasty concoctions!

On the left: Soi Cowboy, a notorious strip club area. On the right: Susan and I enjoying Turkish ice cream at a local market:)

GREETINGS FROM HOME!

2010-12-20T04:23:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-11-22T05:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-16T02:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-13T06:55:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-10T05:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

  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

2010-10-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-24T02:50:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-18T20:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-02-13T05:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

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"

2010-02-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-04T21:35:00.000-08:00

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

Valentine's Day in Bangkok

2009-02-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

What an incredible evening we had as we hit the streets with bags of valentines and candy, sharing God's love with the many prostituted and trafficked women who line the sidewalks and fill the bars every night in the Nana district.

We had over 300 mini valentine/candy bags to hand out, many of these donated by a great team of women from the US, sponsored by NightLight USA, who volunteered with us recently. Just to show the magnitude of what we are up against - we had over 75 bags that were just for Russian speakers. The message of God's love for them was written in their language. We actually ran out! There were more trafficked women than we had valentine bags. This does not include all the trafficked women from Europe, Asia and Africa. Sex slavery and exploitation is a huge issue that must be addressed globally and in the US. What is at the core of this travesty? Sexual brokenness. This is not a victimless crime...the men who use these women are as broken as the women they abuse. It is time that we all become informed about the issues of modern-day slavery and do our part to bring it to an end!

Next year we have decided to ask for help from our supporters in the US to send enough bags so we can hand out over 1,000 bags. Looking for a project - keep this in mind. In the area we minister, it is estimated that over 10,000 women are prostituted every night - 10,000 is actually a low estimate!

As you can see by my pictures, some of these women are very young...tiny, baby-faced, and often frightened. My heart goes out to every one of them every time I see them.

Pray that the message we included in every bag about how God loves them will bring some hope into their lives and open doors for more contact and ministry in the future.

I will be leaving for home this Thursday. It is always so difficult leaving the women of NightLight behind. But, I am also really looking forward to seeing my family and reconnecting with many of you - Susan

NEW POST in BANGKOK

2009-01-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

HELLO...they say a picture says a thousand words. So, I have several pictures to share with you. I hesitate to write much about our experiences since I have learned how accessible my blog is to the general public. All I ask is that you continue to hold us in your prayers as we fight major battles here in Bangkok.

The pictures...Baby "B" (of course), the three of us at a Thai cooking class (great fun) and a group picture at the Manila conference (Lauran B, Asha from Nagaland, Kim K, Annie D and Susan O.)

Kim and Lyndsey left Bangkok today...Charity, Darrell and her team return to the US on Friday night. It will be lonely around here!

Love and Blessings and Bangkok - Susan

BACK IN BANGKOK

2008-10-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted everyone to know that I will not be able to attach pictures to the blog since I have my mini computer with me this time. So, I have decided to update through my prayer partner list. If you would like to be part of this group send me an email and I will add you to the list.

susan@befreeisaiah58.org BLESSINGS from BKK

EXTREME TEAM IN BANGKOK

2008-06-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

I had the very special privilege of spending the afternoon and evening with the Extreme Team, a mission group of young adults from ABC churches throughout the US. What a great group...full of passion, commitment and really wanting to impact the world. Some of you may notice that Amber Lehman is next to me in the picture. Amber served as an intern at FBC and I know her parents Dixie and Vic well. I was so surprised and thrilled to see her in Bangkok!

Since the Dieselbergs are in the US now, I gave them a tour of NightLight, shared about the ministry, and invited them to join our team on outreach and prayer walking that evening. I know as they continue their forty-day journey their lives and future are being transformed.

I am in the process of getting ready to return to Sioux Falls on Friday of this week. This has been another stretching yet blessed season in Bangkok. I couldn't have done it without your support and prayers. Thank you all!

I look forward to seeing you soon - Susan

HEALING MINISTRY

2008-06-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

I just returned to Bangkok after participating in a ten day training on healing ministry. It was an awesome experience in every way. I learned so much more about healing and deliverance ministry as well as receiving personal ministry from the ELLEL team from Singapore. ELLEL is the organization that sponsored the training.

One of the highlights of the conference was that for the first time a group of Chinese Christians had been allowed to leave China and attend a conference like this. Over a third of the participants were Chinese members of the "underground church." So, the teaching was in English with Chinese interpretation. All the worship songs were sung in English and Chinese. It was really special! I loved listening to these brothers and sisters from China sing. They worshipped with such fervor and complete abandonment. Perhaps this is because they were finally free to do so!

One of the friends I made is shown in the picture teaching Annie how to read and write some of the Chinese figures. Annie is always curious about other languages. Her name is Christine and she is a teacher in Yunan province, very near the earthquake area. She came to visit us at NightLight before going back to China which was wonderful.

The other pictures are of my small group (quite a diverse and interesting mix) and a pastor and a prophetess from Jaipur who work with the desperately poor people in the slums. I hope to visit them in the near future. I will always cherish the friendships I made with people from throughout Asia who were at this training.

Thank you to those who prayed for me this Sunday. The service went very well. It was a small congregation and I think almost everyone stayed for prayer ministry after it was over. What a blessing to experience God's healing presence in that small little church somewhere in the backstreets of Bangkok!

Sawa Di Ka - Susan

OUTREACH - what happens?

2008-05-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

Several people have asked me to explain what happens on outreach...what is a typical night like on the streets and in the bars?

We do outreach every Tuesday and Friday night, sometimes other times as well if there is a special woman we are trying to contact. Beginning at 6:30 we gather at the NightLight office for about an hour of prayer. This is our time to prepare emotionally and spiritually for what we are going to experience. Realizing we are going into darkness we spend time "cleaning house" and asking for God's covering and protection. We also pray for wisdom and discernment as to what bars/go-go clubs to go into that night. Invariably God leads us to go where we need to make connections with women. Sometimes it is one of the women we already have a relationship with that is in trouble and has been waiting for us...sometimes we find a new girl who is desperate, afraid and needs to be rescued. If we are fortunate, she may not have had to go with a customer yet. That is what we really celebrate!

Last Friday night was a little different. Actually every night is a "little different." On Friday afternoon we received a report that a customer had murdered one of the girls and jumped out of the window of the hotel with her body killing himself as well. Annie and I decided that we needed to go to this area instead of the regular clubs up the street. So three of us left the larger group and found the area where this all took place. It turned out to be a unique opportunity to talk with people on the streets who were haunted by what had taken place. The three of us prayed over the area as we reversed the curses associated with this tragedy and I poured oil in the shape of the cross on the sidewalk in a prophetic declaration of breaking the power of death and fear. Does this seem strange? Perhaps. But this is what I was led to do and I am learning to be obedient and willing to appear strange! We did feel the spiritual heaviness lift and will continue to take back territory from the enemy every time we tread the streets.

After that the three of us went into a beer bar across the street where we never go and had a lively conversation with two women who like everyone in the area were upset by what had happened across the street. I believe one of the women will probably be coming to NightLight. She is older, 37, with two teenage sons. She really wants a different life but had no other way to make money after her husband died ten years ago in a car accident. She is illiterate, can neither read or write. But you don't need to read or write to make beautiful jewelry. I hope we see her soon.

Please pray that we have the resources and support to expand the business. We are at capacity and can no longer take in new women, except in emergency cases. If we had the resources we could rent more space and divide NightLight Design into smaller entities, hire the needed staff and be able to pay their salaries. SInce only a third of the salaries is supported by sales we need to sell a lot more jewelry and expand our donations base. All of this could be overwhelming but I know that God is BIG and He wants these women rescued and restored!

An immediate need - NightLight USA needs an office NOW! Pray for provision in a church or business that has some extra space they would donate or rent. It has to be moved out of Charity's apartment where all the jewelry distribution and daily business takes place. They need much more space, John and Charity need their privacy, and starting this summer NightLight will be traning interns from Fuller Seminary and other area colleges/universities. It is time for a REAL OFFICE.

How can you help...PRAY! NightLight Design is in the process of making major marketing and design decisions as well as seeking new supporters, distributors and markets. The more jewelry we sell the more women we can rescue. The more jewelry we sell the more people find out about NightLight Ministries and importantly begin to understand the huge issues surrounding sexual exploitation globally and in their own context. An important part of the mission is to increase awareness of the prevalence of sexual exploitation, trafficking and slavery as we advocate for the victims. Pray for a 21st Century abolitionist movement that sweeps the earth and brings an end to these crimes against humanity...men, women and children who are enslaved, abused, tortured, bought and sold with no regard for their dignity and worth. Join the movement!

EVERYDAY MIRACLES and CHALLENGES

2008-05-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Every day is filled with miracles. On a "normal" day we see God bring healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is power in prayer, especially when people have no doubt that God is the Healer. God truly is Jehovah Rapha, our healer.

Every day is filled with incredible new challenges. On our last outreach, another woman asked us for help to go home. Pray about this! The team also met five women from Africa who were trafficked into Bangkok. Several of them are desperate mothers who have no other way to feed their children. We in the West have little concept of how incredibly difficult life can get...so difficult that you will come all the way to Bangkok and sell your body to keep your family alive.

As you can see I have new Benji pictures. What a miracle she is! Her mom is growing in the Lord and as she said several days ago...she is so thankful to God for saving her and her little angel!

The other pictures are of Charity, her friend Do and I celebrating her birthday at a favorite Thai restaurant - MK. It was great fun to cook our own meal in the hot pot. That explains the steamy picture. Charity and Do were here for six days on NightLight business. They are both back in LA and I miss them! It is very quiet here at the house tonight.

BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL FROM BKK - Susan

PRAY FOR BURMA and CHINA

2008-05-14T06:14:00.000-07:00

I have had several people send me emails to ask if I was ok. I am fine but like many of you, I am very concerned for the suffering people in Burma and China. The Thai people are close to their neighbors with many Burmese refugees living in exile in Thailand. So this is all very difficult for this nation who so desperately wants to help with the relief effort but are kept from fully engaging in Burma like the rest of the world.

The earthquake in China...the newspaper said buildings swayed in Bangkok but I didn't feel it. We contacted our future daughter-in-law, Beth, who is teaching in China, and she did not feel the quake either and she was much closer to the epicenter.

With all the volcanoes erupting, wild weather, and violence everywhere I will quote my daughter Charity - "the earth is groaning."

All is well here in Bangkok. However, it has been raining like crazy, hot and very humid. This is definitely not my favorite weather. Tonight by the time we had walked to dinner I was soaked all the way through my poncho. The only good thing was everyone else looked like a "drowned rat" too!

BLESSINGS FROM BKK - Susan

MY FIRST WEEK BACK IN BANGKOK

2008-05-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my faithful bloggers! I am finally settled in my room at the volunteer house and busy with prayer ministry at NightLight. Those of you who were with me on my last trip know all about Goi and her beautiful baby Benji. You can find her story in the blog archives. I can't begin to explain the joy I have in seeing them both again. Not only is Benji the cutest little girl I have ever seen...but her mom is just growing in the Lord by leaps and bounds. She is even part of the worship team at NightLight!

GOD IS SO GOOD! Please pray for me as the intensity of the challenges here grows each day. In the past week I have already had four deliverance sessions which are very exhausting. I am so blessed that God uses me to bless these women and bring healing in mind, body and spirit. The demonic has such a hold on this culture and particularly women who have been prostituted and trafficked. Part of the control their "bosses" use is built on Satanic rituals and witchcraft perfomed on them by mediums, shamans or temple monks or priests. Daily I find myself amazed with what we confront in the spiritual realm. But...GOD ALWAYS SHOWS UP and HE IS THE DELIVERER and HEALER!

F.Y.I. - I will try to make a new posting each weekend. BLESSINGS FROM BKK - SUSAN

HOME...well sort of!

2008-02-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

It has been over a week since I arrived back in the States. Life has been so full and chaotic that I haven't had the time to finish this last blog post on my ministry experiences in SE Asia.

Last Monday, I flew from Bangkok to Atlanta where Charity and I helped Lauran Bethell present a workshop on the issue of sexual exploitation at the New Baptist Covenant gathering. What an amazing, life-challenging experience I shared with Darrell, Charity and almost 20,000 other passionate and charged-up Baptists. God is really moving among us!

Since the conference, I have been in Yankton caring for Darrell's ailing mother Genevieve. She has lung cancer which has spread into her spine. It is my privilege to care for her in these last days of her earthy life. As many of you know, the Omansons are still grieving the sudden death of Darrell's sister. There are many challenges for us all as we realize we are facing the imminent loss of Genevieve. We just finished making airline reservations for Charity and she is taking a red-eye tonight from LA to Omaha. She will be in Yankton Friday afternoon. I am so thankful we could make these last minute arrangements.

I hope you enjoy these photos from the retreat. What a wonderful way to end my amazing journey in Bangkok. I am also going to forward Annie Dieselberg's newsletter about the retreat. The woman being baptized should be familiar to you blog watchers. Yes, it is Goi and the baby in the pictures is beautiful Benji.

TO ALL OF MY FAITHFUL PRAYER PARTNERS - THANK YOU! Your prayers and support made every moment possible. What the future holds...only God knows. The miracle - I am at peace with this all - SUSAN

Life's Amazing Moments!

2008-01-17T02:03:00.000-08:00

I have posted a few photos that are among my favorites during this past week in Bangkok and Cambodia. Annie brushing a precious little beggar girl's hair on the street in Phnom Penh...the terrific team of passionate women from LA and Sioux Falls...Charity holding beautiful baby Benji.

Life is amazing and full of incredible God-moments that will be forever etched in my mind. How will I ever forget the little ones begging on the street, women disfigured by battery acid thrown in their face during a revenge attack, young teenage girls sold into prostitution and used by men who have little or no remorse for ruining their lives forever? YES, these images I will never forget!

But I also will remember the young girls who have been rescued, healed and given hope and a new start in life...the women who have been healed physically, emotionally and spiritually...joyous laughter in the halls of NightLight from women who not long ago worked in the bars of Nana Plaza, selling their bodies in order to support their children or to send money home to their families in the villages...and of course the wonderful feeling of holding precious little Benji in my arms knowing that she could have been aborted like so many other children without the ministry of people who cared for her mother.

In the midst of the worst of darkness and depravity...THERE IS LIFE and LIGHT! Susan

Connecting in Cambodia

2008-01-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

The NightLight Team and the NightLight USA Team are going to Cambodia on Sunday to connect with several ministries doing similar work in Cambodia. Our hope is to establish a ministry relationship and discover what is happening in the area of sexual exploitation in Cambodia. We regularly see children on the streets of Bangkok who have been trafficked from Cambodia. They are often sold into beggar gangs who use and abuse them, putting them out on the streets to beg for money or sell flowers and cheap trinkets to tourists. These are the children who are at great risk of rape from pedophiles. I know this is hard to imagine, but these things happen in the US as well, especially in the pornography "business." This is why it is so important for those of us in the US to begin to speak up about the evils of pornography in the US that drives some of the abuse of women and children as far away as Asia.

SIOUX FALLS - we have one of the largest distributors of pornography operating in our own city - LodgeNet. Learn the facts...they may try to cover up the profits they make in hotels off of the sales of xx-rated programming. But the truth is the TRUTH!

We need to be a voice for the voiceless...the powerless. Take a stand! Put feet to your passion! Get educated about the issues of human exploitation. I believe we will be held accountable someday for our passivity and inaction. A good book to read about all of this is "Not for Sale" by David Batstone. Get it online through Amazon. I just met David here in Bangkok as he was visiting Night Light which he features in his book. What a fire he has to bring down all the systems that are exploiting people globally! AMEN

**Thank you for praying about my cough. It is FINALLY GONE!! Susan

Enjoying Our Time Together

2008-01-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

We had a great time as Darrell put it...celebrating Thanksgiving, his birthday, our anniversary, Christmas and New Years Eve all at one time! The food was great, especially the seafood and thai cuisine. I have learned to like spicy food!

Unfortunately as many of you already know, Darrell had to return early to be with his family. His younger sister, Deb Stevens, was diagnosed with acute leukemia and flown immediately from Yankton to Avera. She is responding to the treatment which we are so thankful for. There were several very scary episodes over the last week. Your prayers have been so appreciated.

In addition to Deb, Darrell's mother Gen has been suffering with lung cancer. It appears that it may have spread into her spinal column. The pain has been unbearable at times. As a family, we are so appreciative of all the ways family, friends and health professionals have devoted themselves to her care. Darrell's brother, Dwight, flew home earlier this week to be with his parents. Darrell should arrive soon after a VERY long and difficult trip home. He had only one way to get home on short notice and his itinerary is a "nightmare."

Charity arrives in about 12 hours with a team of women from LA and Sioux Falls. I am looking forward to ministering with them at NightLight and traveling to Cambodia to visit similar ministries working in the area of sexual exploitation of women and children. Some of you may know one of the team members..Lyndsey Christensen, Darrell and Joy Christensen's daughter.

I know I have not entered a new post in awhile. It has been a very trying time here in Bangkok. I am happy to report Annie is back at work and we even did outreach last Friday evening. KEEP PRAYING FOR US - WE NEED IT! Susan

HOLIDAY PICTURES

2007-12-22T15:40:00.000-08:00

MISSING MY PRECIOUS FAMILY AND DEAR FRIENDS - LOVE YOU ALL!!

IT'S A GIRL!

2007-12-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

Goi had her baby yesterday. A beautiful little girl she named Benjawan, Ben for short. As you can see by her picture she has chubby cheeks and lots of dark black hair. I can't wait to hold her!

Goi had to have a c-section so we've gone to plan "b" at the house. Since she cannot climb stairs, we moved the dining room set into the living room and set up a nursery and bedroom for Goi and Ben on the main floor. We are fortunate that there is a bathroom on this floor. So, it looks like soon I will be caring for both Goi and the baby. This is definitely turning out to be an unusual Christmas.

I have been wishing for some of your snow and cold. It is very hot and humid in Bangkok right now!

All is well...Darrell comes soon! Being away from home is really difficult but life here keeps me "hopping." Susan

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS?

2007-12-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! We put up our Christmas tree over the weekend and Annie Dieselberg gave us a pointsettia tree that we placed OUTSIDE our front door. Now you couldn't do that in South Dakota!

I did not go to the Refugee Camp. Those of you who get the prayer letters know that we had several women missing over the weekend and Goi still has not had her baby. It wasn't the right time to leave the city. I did help pack the truck with over 3,000 individual bags of clothing for all the children. Each child got a sack with one complete outfit and a piece of clothing for an adult. I was told if the item doesn't fit, lots of bartering goes on. This is part of the fun for them. There were also snack foods they don't normally have as well as small toys. It is hard to imagine spending your whole life in a refugee camp. There are many refugee camps along the borders of Thailand filled with desperate people who have fled persecution and war in Burma, Laos, China and Vietnam. SO SAD!

This past week the people of Thailand celebrated the king's 80th birthday. The king is greatly loved in this country for his benevolence and genuine care for his people. There were huge fireworks displays every night for a week as well as displays of his picture surrounded by objects of devotion everywhere in the city. On Mondays of each week, Thai citizens wear yellow to honor the king and on queen's day they wear pink. There are even some very devoted citizens who watch a special tv channel to see what color the king is wearing that day so they can match their outfit to honor him. Can you imagine people wanting to match their outfit color to what George Bush is wearing that day? Another cultural difference that I am glad we don't have in the US>

Enjoy the season! Susan

THE BABY IS COMING SOON!

2007-12-06T22:35:00.000-08:00

WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR OWN CHRISTMAS MIRACLE AT NIGHTLIGHT. What a blessing that this little one will become part of the NightLight family very soon.

I will be going with eight of the NightLight women to a Hmong refugee camp this Sunday and Monday. We will be delivering donated clothing, toys and food to brighten their Christmas celebration. There are over 3,000 people "living" in this camp. I have never been to a refugee camp so this will be another new experience in Asia. Our goal is to spread joy and love, not to get too emotional and shocked by their conditions. SO...please pray for me! You know how easily I cry. BUT...I also love to smile!

VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS...wild cyclo ride on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City

2007-12-05T06:22:00.001-08:00

Vietnam was quite an adventure in so many ways. I never thought I would ever visit Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) when I watched all the news reports of the Vietnam War decades ago.

It is definitely a country of contrasts...poverty, decay, tin shacks and just around the corner - beautiful highrise apartments and skyscrapers. Annie Dieselberg and I decided to take a cyclo tour of the city one morning. A cyclo is a small seat that is pushed/pedaled by a driver on a bicycle. Believe me, we got a least a years worth of lung pollution from all the motorcyles by the time we were finished!

The women's Christmas party that I spoke at was absolutely beautiful. It was located in one of the better hotels in the city. The women went all out decorating the room with all the special touches of Christmas. I was so amazed to look out over the gathering realizing that many of the guests had never been to an event like this and most imporatnatly never heard the true Christmas Story. Even the waiters hugged the walls of the room not wanting to miss a single word that was spoken or sung. As one of them said later, "We've never had something like this in our hotel. I have never heard about Jesus or his story."

I will probably never be allowed back into Vietnam! I decided that I would not only share the Christmas Story that day but as I was closing my message decided to offer a prayer of acceptance...an opportunity to really know the reason for Christmas, Jesus Christ. I did not know that there was someone from the government recording every word I said. I was glad I didn't know this when I was speaking because I might have held back a bit. I am sure that I am no longer welcome in Vietnam. But, I do not regret a single word I shared. This may have been the only chance some of these people will ever have to hear the TRUTH.

Pray with me that those who were touched by God that day will be protected, nutured and somehow find Christian community in this very oppressed nation. Those of us living in the Unted States are so very fortuntate that we have all of our freedoms - especially the freedom to CELEBRATE THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! SUSAN

LEAVING FOR VIETNAM

2007-11-25T04:18:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update...I am leaving for Ho Ci Minh City, Vietnam on Tuesday. I have been asked to speak at a women's Christmas gathering sponsored by a 'legal" church. What do I mean by this? Vietnam is considered one of the most oppressive environments for Christians in the world today. This church has been given legal status because it is for foreigners. However, they operate with many restrictions such as being denied a pastor. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to share the real meaning of Christmas with many women since the women of the church are allowed to invite guests! It is hard to imagine how many Christians around the world live under terrible persecution for their fatih. In Vietnam Christians are beaten, jailed, denied employment and some have even lost their lives. Many churches have been burned to the ground and pastors imprisoned.

So...I NEED YOUR PRAYERS! I have been given a visa to enter the country. Anie Dieselberg will be going with me but has to return to Bangkok before te event. Pray for our safe entry and departure, of course protection and health while in Vietnam, and most of all discernment about what God wants me to share. This is such a unique experience and for some of these women it may be their only chance to hear and respond to the Gospel story.

I have inserted two photos...Ning,my roommate Sophia (in the purple) and I at NightLight...Annie Dieselberg, Sophia, myself and Beng at our Thanksgiving dinner. We had deep-fried turkey and all the trimmings...almost felt like home!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2007-11-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

It is hard to imagine that this is the week of Thanksgiving! Would you believe that they actually have turkeys, stuffing mix, and cranberries displayed in the grocery stores for the "farang". (farang means foreigner) I have been invited to Natalie's home for a real Thanksgiving dinner. Natalie is on the staff of NightLight. She and her husband Steve have lived and worked in Thailand for over five years. Steve is an executive with an oil company. Their daughter has become a friend of Haley Vellinga. They are classmates at Baylor University in Texas. Small World!!

The negative spiritual climate is rising here in Bangkok as several important Hindu and Buddhist festivals take place in the next several weeks. Two of the women from NightLight are staying with us temporarily because they are being harassed by spirits in their sleep. We have a full house! Goi's baby has dropped so she will deliver soon. Then we will have a newborn baby join our community at the volunteer house. I am looking forward to helping Goi experience the joys of motherhood. I just don't know the Thai ways...but I will soon learn.

Continue to pray for us as every day is a new challenge. There are twelve women waiting for prayer ministry and not enough hours in the day. At times I am so exhausted and then God gives me a spiritual boost. I am THANKFUL that his Holy Spirit empowers us to do the things we know we cannot do without Him.

I am so THANKFUL for the opportunity to serve God and see miracles everyday. I am so THANKFUL for family and friends who are praying for me and supporting me. I am so THANKFUL that I have been healed and delivered so God can use me to bring healing and deliverance.

I PRAISE HIM AND THANK HIM FOR HIS GOODNESS TO US ALL!

One Great Evening

2007-11-15T18:58:00.001-08:00

We had the most wonderful event this week that really blessed everyone. A team of twelve women from Saddleback Church (Pastor Rick Warren, author of the Purpose Driven Life) visited Night Light. After spending a night with us doing outreach in the bars, they wanted to do something special for the women. They arranged a party at a restaurant the Thais love, paid the fee normally women get for a night of "work" and invited them to join us for an evening of fun. It was really FUN!

What a sight to see a parade of women from the bars coming into the restaurant and watch their eyes light up when they received flowers, hugs and other lovely gifts. One of the women, who is actually a "girly boy", had a birthday that day so we celebrated that as well. I've never sang happy birthday quite like this - part Thai and part English. There were smiles everywhere and several women actually wept when it was time to go.

The life of a bar girl is very hard. They are required to work six days a week and have fourteen customers (sexual encounters)in order to meet their monthly quota. In addition, they must get customers to purchase drinks and there is a quota for this as well. They are heavily fined if they don't meet these quotas, are one minute late, miss due to illness...the list goes on and on. It was such a gift to give them one night free. Best of all they loved being in the company of women who really cared about them as persons, valued by God and precious in his sight.

GREAT NEWS - one of the Thai women who lives with me in the volunteer house prayed to receive Christ. Salvations, healings, deliverances are happening every day!

Your prayer support is such a blessing - SUSAN...Friday, November 16

REPORT ON FIRST OUTREACH

2007-11-10T02:20:00.001-08:00

It was so amazing to back on the streets and in the bars. Nothing has really changed except perhaps there are more trafficked women from Eastern Europe. I was able to pray with three women, all trafficked, Two women were from Uzbekistan and one from Tanzania. The woman from Tanzania shared her heart breaking story of coming to Bangkok with the promise from her "boss" that she could make lots of money to feed her children. Last year her husband died and she is desperate. It was such a privilege to listen to her story, hold her and pray for her. My heart is so burdened for the women like her who are so trapped.

Another of the women we spent time with was ill and trembling. She came immediately to us when she recognized Annie. We are hoping that we can help her get back home. Pray for her freedom and that she can escape from her situation without consequences.

Tomorrow I am taking part in a city-wide prayer walking event and worhsip service. This should be quite an experience!

IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK IN BKK

2007-11-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

I arriived about four hours ago at the volunteer house where I will be staying. I met my roomate Sophie, a young Thai woman who works at Night Light Design. She had my bed ready, my part of the closet cleared to hang my clothes, and a fresh towel set out for a hot shower...none of which I've done yet because I am trying to be quiet so everyone can sleep! From what Annie (the director of Night Light) shared on the way from the airport, most of the women at the house are in their 20's and 30's so I am sure I will be like a mother figure to many of them. Actually, that may be a large part of my ministry this time. There are so many hurting women here who need a mother's love and care.

The time difference...my computer is still on SD time and it says Wednesday, 4:15 pm. In Bangkok is is Thursday, 5:15 am. So, it is 13 hours ahead of Central Standard Time. It will take me awhile to get that in my head.

Today will be a day of reconnecting and meeting new people at Night Light. I am really trying to learn everyone's name which is difficult since Thai names are hard to remember. There are three women named Nat. three Oy's, three Ems, and other names like Tuk, Gate, Moy, Oy, Rat and Rin. These are all nicknames. See why I am confused!

My first street outreach is Friday night. It will be interesting to see if there have been any significant changes. Driving from the airport through the area where Night Light is located and I am staying, we saw several groups of eastern European women. Obviously the trafficking hasn't stopped.

Blessings from Bangkok (BKK)

Check my blog for weekly updates!

2007-10-23T15:32:00.001-07:00

2006 NightLight Mission Team

2007-10-23T15:27:00.000-07:00

BREAKING THE CHAINS - setting the captive free

2007-09-02T15:05:00.001-07:00

You are invited to join me on a great adventure with the Lord! In Isaiah 58, the prophet Isaiah challenges the people to break every yoke, repair the breach, and restore the streets in which to live...BREAKING THE CHAINS of oppression with healing and restoration, repairing the lives of those who have fallen into the gap of exploitation, and creating transformation as agents of His Light in the broken world all around us.

On November 4, I leave for Bangkok and three months of ministry at NightLight, an incredible organization that is reaching out to women in the sex industry...bringing light into the darkness of the Nana district. This is the same ministry I served in during January and February of 2007. I look forward with great anticipation to returning and ministering side-by-side with the great NightLight team as well as rebuildling relationships with the 85 incredible women who have come out of the "gap" and are now employed at Night Light Design creating beautiful jewelry. I will be sharing much more about NightLight in the future.

FOR NOW...I need your prayers as I bring closure to my ministry at First Baptist where I have served for over 14 years. There is pain in leaving, especially saying farewell to the many people who have been such a precious part of my life. When you journey together through the "ups and downs", share the highlight moments and dark valleys, rejoice in the God-moments with someone...how do you ever really say goodbye. So, I am choosing not to!

Instead...WELCOME TO THE JOURNEY WITH ME! I do not know where, how, when, only WHY! Most of all I know God is with us - Susan O