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