I have been back for over a month now. I really enjoy being back.

I have had a lot of time to consider the things I learned in Thailand. In a way, I put pressure on myself to have had to learn something specific, something that would keep people's attention, yet not be untruthful or over dramatic. So as I have set some type of expectation for myself, I found myself not really wanting to process anything.

I have a more educated and open view of what justice and injustice are. I have a visual picture of those who, because of poverty, have had to make decisions that we would never think to be an option.

I didn't expect to have the perspective I have now. It is actually pretty opposite from the one I had before. But it really excites me because I see the things I have learned these past few months as a brush stroke of paint on a slightly painted canvas. I am not too sure what the picture will look like in the end, even though I might have some idea because different shapes and colors are beginning to form, I am completely aware that at any moment a white can of paint might be thrown onto the canvas and a new picture might began to form.

I really want to say thank you for those of you who prayed for me and the people of Thailand. It really is a selfless thing to do and as I am writing this I am thinking maybe that’s why it’s such a struggle sometimes, at least when it come to praying for other people.

I encourage anyone who is reading this to ask themselves what it means to serve a God who hates injustice and is just. Maybe even starting with what it means to serve God. I know I am still asking myself that.

Home

I came back from Thailand a little early. Our visas expired before the date our plane ticket was for, so we were fortunate enough to find another spot on a plane for no additional charges.
It has been nice being home and being able to see so many friends and family.
I am going to write one more post about my time in Bangkok soon.

Thanksgiving Day

I had the neat opportunity to travel a little outside of Bangkok and visit Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities in Thailand. ( please check out: ccdthailand.org )
The staff was very welcoming and hospitable to me. That is something I have grown to appreciate, because I know how much they have to go out of their way to show me around and answer my questions they have heard so many times. I learned a lot about abandoned children, particularly those with some type of disability. As my heart broke when I visited the government care facilities for children, my heart was also encourage to see what a great work this organization is doing.

They go into the government facilities and either try to get legal guardianship of some of the children or they work as a type of day care center and pick up and take home some kids.
Why go to so much work to pick up and take home these kids everyday? Or why fight the legal battles to have them live at CCD?
So they don’t have to lie in beds all day long, everyday. So their not just fed food, not being taught how to feed themselves (physically). Its so much easier to practically pour food in their mouths than to sit and teach a disabled child how to feed themselves.

CCD combats this injustice that the children are facing with a great hope.

They accept volunteers with open arms. They definitely have a need for physical therapists and people skilled in that area who are willing to donate at least 3 months of their time.

One story that really opens eyes and hearts of the reality of poor education and poverty is as follows…
Imagine a little boy having his foot burned off. The family does not know what to do or how to handle the situation. So they deem him disabled and give him no attention or hope of a future. He has no mental disability, only a tiny physical one, yet the family still gives up not knowing what to do.
It sounds odd and we can all think of 100 things right off the top of our heads of how to solve the situation. But for some reason, it’s not so simple.

Loving Thailand!

I am so happy to be here. These pictures are from, by far, my best night here. We were able to go to the bars and pay the bar fee to take some girls out. (for one night = $18) In total I think there were about 15 girls. The girls pictured here are from the same bar.

I contemplated for a while about whether or not I would post these pictures and talk about the night in detail or not. Here is why:

It's hard to watch these girls night after night being treated like animals.

The next view is coming from watching groups come in and out visiting NL.

It's interesting to see how people view these girls. I NEVER want to look at them or think of them as "oh there is the prostitute". I think sometimes there could be a similarity there in treating them as we would treat a picture of an animal at the zoo. Sometimes without even realizing it.
So I am just letting you guys know that I am very sensitive to the fact that I never want to talk, treat, or act like these women are some type of spectacle or something to parade around because 'I am so great because I ate dinner with a prostitute', and shame on me if I ever have anything close to that thought.

Instead I pray that when you look at these pictures you will join me rejoicing.
My friend and I have been talking a lot about what beauty is. In the midst of all this perversion and twistedness, I was able to see beauty.
We were able to share a meal with some friends who don't know Christ. We got to share His love with them in a great way and I never even spoke of His truth, but it was very much present there.
One of the girls pictured travels two hours to work each day by bus. She has 3 days off each month. She is only a server, but is at a very high risk for prostitution. She is always so joyful when I see her in the bar. She is very bright and speaks great english. We have been text messaging a bit and that has been such a blessing. I was unable to talk to the other girl very much because she spoke practically no english, but the Thai speakers we were with did. It was her birthday too, how perfect was that?

Thank you so much for praying and please continue to pray for all the work God is doing here. Particularly in the Nana district.

Isaiah 58

This is in my room. I'm not sure who made it, but I like it.



(i decided to post more)

My roommates and I having been going to a church here consistenly. I really enjoy being able to be around other believers who have a heart for Thailand. The church is mixed between Thais, Americans, Indians, and one women from Burma. Everything is translated into Thai. I'm learning alot going there. Things I guess I didn't expect to learn. To be honest going there has been one of the biggest blessings of my time here.

3/11/07

I can't believe it is already November.
I just wanted to give a little update and share that things are going very well here. It was a big adjustment at first and has taken some time to adjust.
I really enjoy being here. This is why:
I like being in a big city
I am so grateful for the opportunity to see things first hand
I am overwhelemd by the mighty work God is doing, specicifally in two ways:
He has raised up passionate women who have devoted their lives to seeking justice
He is using these women to work in the lives of prostitutes and when I go to the bars and see women dancing and entertaining and then I go to the Thai worship service in the morning, it is such an amazing thing to see the transformation that has taken place. Which brings me to my next point.

I'm sure I have posted on this before, but prayer is needed.
Although over 80 women in the past 2 years have come out of the bars, they still need to seek the One True God.
Please pray for their souls. They have so much pain and hurt in their lives from so many different things.

Thank you so much for praying. If you have time feel free to update me on your life and how I could pray for you
Carlymarie.floyd@calbaptsit.edu

Namtam

Namtam means Sugar is Thai.

Namtam is this great little 7 year old. She is the daughter of one of the women who runs NL. She brings me so much joy. Everyday in the office she graces me with her presents. We will hear her yelling in the hall and we know... the door swings open and she does her thing.... which usually includes coming over to me pointing at my computer and thats when I know..... ITS PHOTO BOOTH TIME!