Over the last several months as I have been stretched to walk the path toward the “least of these”, I have grown fond of reading the stories shared by those who are deep in the middle of serving the ones I’ve grown to love. These women who have left behind the comforts of home in America to work overseas encourage and inspire me. Their stories of hardship and triumph, loneliness and hope, persistence and faith help me to see God in ways I otherwise would not. I am humbled to be able to get a glimpse into their lives and grateful for the technology that makes it possible.
One such woman is Laura Parker. Just over six months ago, Laura traveled with her husband and three children to Thailand so that he could serve as Director of Breanna’s House of Joy, a Christian orphanage for the hillside girls of Northern Thailand.
Is is from Laura that I learned that “Thailand is haunted by the sex industry and human trafficking; of the estimated two million prostitutes, 20-30% of them are children.” Breanna’s House website shares:
While Thailand is a land of exotic beauty, it is also a place where women and children often taste exploitation and extreme poverty, particularly in the hill tribe region of Northern Thailand. With the sex industry booming in this part of the world, oftentimes it is the uneducated girls who become trapped in lives of prostitution, sometimes at very young ages. Our path for fighting these injustices is a pre-emptive one, offering a girl life-skills, spiritual guidance, and an education which would be impossible for her to obtain otherwise. In doing so, each of our girls has the opportunity to rise out of poverty, to avoid the sex industry, and to positively impact her community.
Located outside of Chiang Mai, the orphanage provides a haven for 44 young girls, ages 6 through 20. Some have lost both mother and father, while others have been rejected by a remarried parent. While some have suffered abuse and others have been abandoned, they all have tasted the harsh realities of poverty and hopelessness prior to their coming to Breanna’s House.
Desiring to care for the entire child, body, mind, and soul, the staff of Breanna’s House seeks to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, a successful education, and a grounded knowledge of God. Above all, we want our girls to have a character and heart that reflects Jesus Christ.
Walking the path of the “least of these” is hard because it seems the path is an endless uphill journey. We cannot save everyone. But we can help save ONE. We can impact the life one ONE GIRL.
To learn more about sponsoring one of Breanna’s Girls, please read Laura’s post and see the girls.
In hope,
Shelli
(Quoted content and images used with permission.)
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