Your Beautiful Hands Can...

“All ‘hands’ on deck!” is what one of our kid’s church pastors shouts when it’s time to pray.  It’s a good reminder for the children to stop what they’re doing, clasp their hands and focus on God.

Hands are so amazing aren’t they? The fact that they can do so many different things as well as communicate so much about how we’re feeling. 

They can show others when we’re nervous, tired, appreciative, mad, hurting, thoughtful… and so many other emotions!

They can also do so many things too.  They help us to swim, hug, cook, drive, write… this list goes on and on!!

Our hands also tell others information about us like whether we are married or single, our taste in jewelry, our age group and whether or not we bite our nails!!

But have you ever considered that your hands could also help fight child trafficking?  We know that most of you don’t have too much time on your “hands” but we’ve found a way that you can help without having to feel like time is slipping through your fingers.

We have produced an intricate colouring book called “Your Beautiful Hands Can” and in the right “hands” this book can do amazing things!

On one “hand” you can be having fun and doing something relaxing but on the other “hand” you will be helping kids in Thailand.

“But I’ve never tried my ‘hand’ at coloring or doodling,” I hear you say. 

Well this book would also make a lovely gift for someone or can be used as a fundraising activity for youth groups, churches and schools.

We’ll leave it in your “hands” to think creatively about the many other ways that this book can assist with the business at “hand” which is rescuing and caring for children.

I personally will not sit on my hands, or twiddle my thumbs, waiting for the right time.  The issue of modern day slavery is already out of “hand”!!!

The time is NOW! 

Wouldn’t it feel great to say that you had a “hand” in helping to fight child trafficking? 

I say, let’s use whatever we have at “hand” and make slavery disappear forever.

Will you lend a “hand”?  Watch the short video below!!

Email andrea@gozoe.org for quotes and expressions of interest for bulk ordering in packs of 50 or 100.  Books will be ready in June 2016!

Ahoy There Captain! (Part 1)

I can’t exactly remember the exact moment that I first met Captain Eric and Cathy.
Sometime after Dave and I were married, I volunteered to be a part of a team of people who went around to primary schools in the weeks leading up to Christmas and did puppet shows and taught songs to the children. They were the ones organizing it so it was probably around this time.
It wasn’t long after that, when they birthed the idea of having a “Life Gets Better” camp for children who had gone through trauma, grief, divorce or loss.
Caring for children in need was a passion that we both shared and the weekends away, were a practical way that we could be involved.
We began to see the results of giving these special children, who had been through so much, a weekend away of fun, encouragement, 1-on-1 attention and unconditional love.
It was over the next few years that David and I began to know both Eric and Cathy better. Through being a part of the planning team, helping to lead camp training and (for Dave) being camp MC. 
It was through these times that we developed a deep respect for this wonderful couple (and their 3 children).
As the years past, we yearned to help children more and more and started the process to become foster parents.
We’ve learnt so much from Eric and Cathy. Their wisdom and years of experience are so valuable. And not only that, they are so much fun to be around.
Despite their busy lives, with the births of each of our own children, Cathy and Eric were one of the first of our friends to show up with encouraging words and a special gift.
Even after our youngest son Spencer was born, as I hobbled out of my physiotherapy class, I looked up to see their bright smiling faces waiting to see me and it meant so much to see how much they cared for the people around them.
Since moving to Thailand and being involved in ministry in a different country, Eric and Cathy have come alongside us and supported us with both their finances and prayers. As part of our prayer team, they have kept up to date with all that’s been going on in our lives and work over here.
On our last trip back, we had the pleasure of having lunch with them and spending time hanging out at their home. Their love and support just simply amazes me.
You can imagine how excited Dave and I were when they wrote to us earlier this year and shared their desire to come out and minister at ZOE and visit us here in Thailand.
Last week, the time finally arrived!
We had the pleasure of hosting Captain Eric, Cathy as well as some other friends and fellow LGB camp leaders, Cam and Jill Begg… to be continued!

READ Part 2 NOW! 

Or to read more about what Captain Eric and Cathy do in Australia, check out the CHIPS (Christians Helping in Primary Schools) site.

Never EVER Too Young!

I sat at my computer feeling disheartened today. With close to 200 emails that needed attending to, whether to just be deleted or replied to; I just didn't know where to begin. 

I had a small window of opportunity while my youngest two had a "rest" {yeah, right} and the outcome ended up being fairy unsuccessful. 

As I sat staring at the screen, cursor hovering over the emails that needed the most urgent attention, my eyes fell upon an unopened email in my mailbox from a high school student back in Australia.
I opened it and began reading with interest:
We would like to say a huge thank-you for all the support you gave us as we ran the 'Love Life, Love ZOE' campaign.  This fundraiser has now reached it's conclusion, and we have received an impressive response. As well as raising money, we have also managed to raise an awareness of Human Trafficking in homegroups, and inspire students to continue fighting modern day slavery (through buying Fair Trade etc.).
We would like to say a huge thank-you for all the support you gave us as we ran the 'Love Life, Love ZOE' campaign.
Know that our prayers are with you, and we hope the money we have raised will make a difference in the lives of the children. Please use it where ever you feel led. We would love to see the money continuing your work at ZOE's and helping to rescue more children from human trafficking. (To see actual amount, see attached photo- we're clearly very excited about it!! )
We hope and pray the money will be able to touch many lives and make a huge difference :)
God bless you all, and keep up the good work!

 

Here's to a group of teenagers that will NOT be told they're too young to make a difference!  By the way the final amount they raised for the ZOE Children's Homes was a whopping $7459, just incase you missed the big signs they're holding up!  AMAZING!

What an extraordinary testament to their character and persistence. 

I love seeing and hearing examples of a generation who knows how to fight for what's right!
Flashing back, our visit to this school, on our last trip back to Australia, was the last 'event' that we had booked to speak at. We had left Spencer (our 2 year-old) at Dave's parent's house vomiting and we were leaving to fly back to Thailand the following day. 

After a month of appointments, speaking engagements, business meetings and catch-ups, Dave was particularly exhausted by this stage and I was praying hard for God's strength and energy for him as he spoke to the audience of a few hundred youth. 

After the presentation a couple of the girls approached us with their teacher and were eager to talk about how they could do some fundraising for ZOE. It was so inspiring to see their enthusiasm and passion.
After a few weeks of being back in Thailand, we received an email explaining how a small group of students had launched, what would be, a phenomenal fundraiser for ZOE.
Here's what they did:

At their weekly worship/prayer meeting at school, they committed their time to praying for the ZOE Children's Home.  

The meeting was advertised as "People Snatchers and a God who catches". It also advertised a free lunch (great tactic, I thought, for any hungry teens).  At the meeting, two students led an opening bracket of praise and prayer, followed by another student who spoke about her vision. They then showed a powerful 'anti - trafficking' DVD clip and then served each student that came a cup of warm rice to eat. (That was the 'free' lunch and was arranged to enable students to identify with others among the world's poor who have to make a range of difficult choices in order to merely survive). 

One of the students who has actually visited ZOE then talked about the ZOE Children's Home and gave a compelling talk to the other 60 - 70 students at the meeting. They also showed the "ZOE" promotional clip and broke up into smaller groups to pray for the children at ZOE's as well as the wider issue of orphans and human trafficking. 

They then went on to compete as home-rooms to see which group could collect the most 2 dollar coins= fundraising tubes and end up as the winning group!  What a great competition!

Thanks Maranatha!  You are just AMAZING!!!

I would also like to mention another school who, for the second year, collected two-dollar coins in the ZOE fundraising tubes.  Flinders Christian Community College outdid their huge effort from 2010 by raising {drumroll please} a massive $2257 this year!
And, I am talking about Prep- Grade 2 students now! WOW!

Don't you think their teachers are doing an incredible job of instilling in to these young minds and hearts how to show love and compassion for other children... children they've never even met?  Well, I do.  These two stories have left me with nothing else to say other than quoting these two verses:

Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."John 13:34 NIV

What do you think?  Have you got a word of encouragement for these children and teens?  If so, leave a comment and I'll be sure to pass it on.

Coming soon...

I think Eliana summed it up perfectly a couple of nights before we were due to leave Australia when she sobbed, "I want to go home to Thailand, but I just wish we could take our family with us!"

It's so great to be back but we are also dearly missing our family and friends, again!  At the risk of repeating myself- it was just so great to see everybody and we really had a wonderful trip.

HEY, now I know you're probably only reading this blog to get the latest ZOE news not because you want to hear about us missing our family etc, and so I have to say this...Dave has promised me a VLOG (video blog) today!  But WAIT!
He's out at ZOE until late tonight so I won't be able to post it today but it is COMING!  All the updates... what's been happening... all the latest news.
So, check back here soon for the low-down on the ZOE Children's Home.  
I also want to say that we are slowly getting through all our emails.  What a privilege it is to see so many.  Please be patient with us as we make time to write back.  
We have had students from schools wanting to know what they can do to help fight human trafficking, people wanting to be a part of an Australian short term team, teachers excitedly organizing KIDS! You Can Help Too fundraisers, friends and strangers alike wanting to financially support the cause... as well as more and more people following along with this blog and creating awareness about what's happening in, not only, Thailand but around the world in relation to modern day slavery.  
Don't forget to check out the YOU CAN page to get ideas on how you help fight for orphans and children affected by child trafficking.  And if you have other ideas, please let us know.  We're always looking for ways to get others involved and spread the word about what's happening as well as what needs to be done.
Stay tuned!!


Andie :)

P.S.  Again, I just want to say a HUGE thank you to the churches, schools, groups and individuals that invited us to share this past month.  You have put your faith in us to keep fighting for these children without even seeing.  We thank you for trusting us with this important task.  We feel honored to be working over here in Thailand and we look forward to sharing with you the stories of the precious lives that you've helped to rescue!

Out On A Limb

March 15th 2010 was Dave’s first ‘official’ day working for the ZOE Children's Home.  I just went back through the archives and read about it. Remember this photo?

Fourteen months ago we went out on a limb when we left our home in Australia and headed for Chiangmai, Thailand.  

We were well-intentioned and we believed that we were making a choice about something that we passionately felt called to do. 

Now, looking back, you may be wondering whether that limb is still holding us... if it’s a bit shaky... or whether it snapped and left us badly hurt and crying at the base of the tree?!  LOL

Well, I’m here to report that we are still perched out on the limb that is: living overseas as “missionaries”.  We are thoroughly committed to being a part of ZOE Children's Home, an organization that rescues orphans and children from human trafficking.

There have been times when we’ve looked down and felt afraid, moved forward and sensed our own instability or glanced around only to dwell on our isolation from loved ones BUT, by the grace of God, I feel that we are currently positioned in a firm and stable position out on the limb. 

In the same way that our own children will take risks knowing that we, their parents, will be there to support them and catch them if they fall, we have also planted our feet firmly in faith that our Heavenly Father will both protect us and provide for our every need.

There have been many awkward moments grappling with the concept of being a “missionary” and a modern-day one at that! So you may be wondering what things have been the most challenging...

Well before I answer that, I’ll ask you a question... what image do you think of when you hear the “M” word? (missionary)

I guess for me, it was the image of a badly dressed, grey-haired, vow of poverty, living in a grass hut type-of-person.

Let’s just say, it’s taken me a while to accept the fact that we live in a ‘normal’ house, we have a car, our kids go to an international school and I still get up and have a coffee and put make-up on each morning!  

But probably the biggest ‘awkward’ moment over the past year or so has to have been talking about money!  It’s taken a whole fourteen months for me to even type that word in this blog, that’s how uncomfortable it is!!

Okay so this is all I’m going to say...

Yes we work as volunteers.

Yes we rely on monthly support and one-off donations.

And, no, we are not worried about it!

Okay! So, that said, you know that feeling of not wanting to go further out on the limb for fear that the branch would break under you?

I’m going there anyway... I just want to say that we are coming back in 100 or so days and we would LOVE to come and speak with your group, class, school or club... seriously! And, here’s the deal.  We promise that we will NOT beg at you for money! That’s right.  We honestly just want to share our heart and what is happening over here.

We totally trust that God provides all our needs and that includes our finances.

So please, if you’re interested in getting us along to one of your events but were worried that we’d do the “hard sell”, don’t be.

Check out our site, “Back For a Chat” ... Go on... go out on a limb and see where it takes you!

http://sites.google.com/site/backforachat

Andie:) 

A Prayer

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient.” Abraham Lincoln 

January 11th, was Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  Many people all over the world made pledges to re-abolish slavery and bring attention to the fact that human trafficking remains a serious problem world-wide.

According to www.change.org, "Slavery is more affordable, more widespread and more entrenched in 2011 than it was in ancient Rome or the antebellum South of America. Modern-day slaves, also called human trafficking victims, can be male or female, from any country or representing any ethnicity."

Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide.

The worst rates of the problem are in Asia, where the U.N. Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking estimates that more than 50 percent of slavery victims are found. The State Department says that in Asia, there are three human trafficking victims for every 1,000 people -- three times the rates elsewhere. 

... if you do nothing else this week, please... join with me in a prayer.  

Sometimes all we can do is to fall down on our knees with overwhelming conviction that we have no where else to go. 

That our efforts, whilst important, feel so inadequate in comparison to the problem. 

When we feel overwhelmed and we just don’t know what else to do, we can join in prayer on behalf of those who suffer.  Together, we will make a difference.

Please join me in praying for the following:

Poverty

• Pray that those living in situations of poverty will be able to procure a sustainable income, without having to accept offers which look helpful but secretly involve trafficking.
• Pray for governments having the responsibility of making decisions which have the power to increase or alleviate poverty in their country.
• Pray for children in families where there are few resources. Pray that they will be protected from the lure of traffickers

Greed

• Pray for those who seek to make money out of the trade of people. Pray that God will open their eyes to convict them that this is sinful.
• Pray for those who operate or control networks of traffickers. Pray for exposure and an end to their schemes.
• Pray that decisions made by governments will be based on justice and equality rather than greed and financial implication.

Demand

• Pray that the demand for human trafficking will diminish and dry up.
• Pray for the demand for sex workers to end, and that this will stop people being trafficked into sexual exploitation.

[Prayer: Salvation Army, Ireland and UK web site]

Photographer: Mike Thompson, Sanctuary Haven short-term team 2010

"Evil prevails when good people do nothing."

OFFICIAL OPENING...

of the new ZOE Children's Home, House of Destiny.

Check out the full report by clicking here.

Thanks For Sticking With Us

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!  

~Author Unknown

Well I didn’t see any snowflakes on our holiday in Australia, but it sure was icy cold!

One of the nicest things that I experienced during our trip, was the overwhelming sense of support and encouragement that was shown to us from not only our extended family and close friends but also from many new people whom we’d never even met before.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been “sticking” with us on this journey.  It is amazing to look back on what’s been accomplished through your support.

I read somewhere that “snowmen fall from heaven... unassembled” and it made me reflect on how snowflakes come from the sky separate and yet when they’re stuck together and are moulded into a particular shape, they can be crafted in to snowballs, igloos and of course snowmen. 

‘Unassembled’ and ‘separate’ we are less able to achieve what it is we came to Thailand to do~  We are here to help care for children.  ZOE rescues orphans and children who may become victims of human trafficking and fights to protect the rights of these children.  

You’re helping us to achieve this and your part is just as important.  You’ve moulded with us. With your help and support, we’ve been able to come and stay in Thailand.   So, thanks ... for sticking with us!

Andie:)

The Honest Truth? ... okay here it is!

After reading my last blog entry, Dave commented that I was making our life sound too glamorous!  

On our blog I like to try to share a percentage of the ‘highs’ as well as the ‘lows’ but maybe not all the lows make it to be published.

Why?  Well, as much as I want our blog to reflect the “real” us, I also want it to be relatively ‘uplifting’ as well.  I don’t imagine people will want to read it if they come away feeling depressed afterwards.  

Anyone with children understands the daily challenges that are faced with sibling rivalry, tiredness, homework, behavioral issues and the general busyness of life.  These challenges still exist for us, obviously, but we feel like they are somewhat magnified by the added implications of being away from our support network, missing our families tremendously, facing cultural and language differences daily, adapting to the constraints of what we can/can’t buy at the shops (food wise), coping with the extreme heat each day… I won’t go on- you get the idea!

Last night after all three children had literally all had “melt downs” both in mind and body; Dave asked whether I’d like to go and adjust my blog!!  The hot days are definitely taking a toll- even the daily routine of getting ready can leave us dripping with sweat and worn out.

Dave often goes through two to three shirts a day!

This morning I mentioned to Eliana that I’d had an email from my friend Marnie (from my mother’s group) who has a daughter Tessa, Tobi’s age, and who Tobi went to kinder with last year.  Eli and Tessa did tap and ballet together last year and I was telling her some things that Marnie had written.

Tobi was listening in and began to express how he missed all his old kinder friends and wanted to go back and visit them.  I said that maybe one day we could go back and see our family and friends but that afterwards we would be coming back to Thailand, as this was our new home.  

Tobi and Eli both began crying and explaining how much they missed everyone.  Tobi even told me that I could just send him back to Australia to live with one of his friends!  They said everything from how they didn’t just want to visit Australia but they wanted to go back for a VERY long time, to suggesting living with their grandparents, to how they hadn’t gotten to say goodbye properly and many other things!  Talk about breaking my heart!!!

Fighting back tears, I calmly explained to them that I knew it was difficult for them.  It was Mummy and Daddy’s decision to move so far away and that we missed everyone too but that we moved here so that we could help the children at ZOE and that this was Daddy’s new work now.  I also talked about how, even though I missed everyone back home, I also felt glad to have met all the people that work at ZOE and how I have lots of new friends now as well.  We have our most treasured friends and family in Australia and our new friends here in Thailand.  

It feels like every single time we get a glimpse of settling in, we’re hit with the harsh reality that despite our children’s love for life and ability to embrace their surroundings, there’s still two little hearts that are desperately missing a life they used to have.  

So where to from here?

We’ll continue to pray for God’s wisdom and strength in our parenting.  

We knew we weren’t choosing an easy life when we moved here. We never set out to just cruise through.  We want to give and we want to make a difference and we want to change the course of history… however big or small that ends up being, we will at least try.

Our children are so precious to us and whilst we know there are aspects of living here that they love, it was not their choice- it was ours.  Please pray for them that they are able to trust the decision we’ve made for our family.  

Dave and I need so much understanding and patience when trying to be sensitive to their feelings and we have to realise that is normal for them to feel these emotions after moving to a new country.  With changes like these, where we have to leave people behind that we love, it is natural to feel a sense of loss and grievance. Hopefully if we can continue to recognise these feelings for what they are, cope with them and allow the children just “to be” then one day we may be able to truthfully report, that we’ve finally “arrived” … or not!!!

Andie

PS I hope you’re not going to leave this blog feeling depressed… it was not my intention… I’ll write something more uplifting next time, I promise!!