Here’s a short video that gives an idea of what we did in Thailand with the School of Music in Missions.

While we were in Thailand with the School of Music in Missions from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) we had the opportunity to celebrate Songkron which is the Thai New Year festival. They celebrate by throwing water on anyone and everyone who passes by. This goes on for about three days. We had to be extra careful to pack our phones and cameras in plastic. Since we were foreigners we seemed to be an especially prized target to soak. Check out the video below:

The other day we did a school program and a few of the kids after the show and asked me for my autograph. It’s great to see the sound guy getting some recognition. The program went well sparking interest about missions in some of the kids there. Here’s some photos of the day taken by Suzi Brown:

Even on outreach we take a day off once a week. A few weeks ago we spent that day at the Murphy’s farm. Jenny and Sam Murphy are staff at Reef to Outback and we’ve known them for quite a while, so it was nice to see where they grew up. They generously shared with us the things they do for fun such as ‘Paddock Bashing’ and ‘Bonnet Riding’. Check out the video:

This past week has been amazing for our team. We spent the past week in Byron Bay. We did everything from playing down at the beach with free BBQ to sharing the love of Jesus at ‘Mardi Grass’ the local festival to celebrate drugs. Here’s a short video I made:

Photos courtesy Bradii

That’s right. We’re headed to Thailand again on Sunday! This is the second time that we have gone on outreach to this nation with several musicians that are part of the School of Music.

Thailand is a beautiful country with smiling faces and big hearts.  The people are generous and welcome all who come to their land. Unfortunately, it is also a land ripe with social injustice, particularly in the area of sex trafficking and exploitation. There are at least 200,000 women and children involved in the sex trade in Thailand. Approximately 1/3 of these women are under the age of 18, girls as young as 6 being sold night after night in this modern slave trade.*

We , as most people would be, are outraged by these statistics and frustrated that such a trade exists in our modern world. We are moved by the desperate situations of hundreds of thousands of women and children and know that we are called to do something.

Last year, we worked with several ministries in the cities of Bangkok, Chang Rai and Pattaya that work with children at risk, women involved in the sex trade and other impoverished peoples. There are dozens of places in these cities that are working hard, day and night, to see women and children freed from their circumstances.

We are so excited to be working with these centers again, seeing how we can aid them financially, physically and by making others aware of the work that they are doing. When we travel back from Thailand, we will head down Australia’s coast to bring these issues to light in high schools, youth groups and churches. We know that it can’t just be a few that see the sex trade erradicated, but many. So we are calling the many!

Pray for our safety as we travel and that the Lord would lead us to those who need the most help. Thank you for your support!

*stats found from “Prostitution and Sex Tourism”, www.arches.uga.edu