News From Thailand
Surprises from the first 3 months
"I'm flexible. I'm here to help."
Surprise #1
Victims are complicated.
The effects of child sexual abuse are profound, deep-rooted, and lasting. There is, of course, hope and healing. But the recovery process is long, difficult, and often resisted by the victim him/her self.
I remember reading a prayer request from HUG Project that "the children would accept help being offered". At the time it struck me as odd. Now I understand a little better. It takes time and persistence to build trust, to chip away at old thought and behavior patterns, and to invite change that cannot be forced.
Surprise #2
Fighting it does not commonly resemble a brothel raid (kicking down the door, locking up the bad guys, whisking the children to safety). The battle against sexual exploitation is frequently more intricate.
What if the trafficker or perpetrator is a religious leader, trusted friend, guardian, parent or sibling? What if the victim him/her self has created explicit material featuring him/her self and has exchanged photos/videos/services for cash directly with a client him/her self? What if teenagers have set up their own prostitution ring? All of this is happening. And not just in Thailand.
I've also learned that child sexual exploitation is shifting from the street to the internet, and from the "clear web" to the "dark web" (look it up) effectively making these crimes simultaneously more prevalent and more hidden.
Surprise #3
On paper, it's quite plain. I'm flexible. I'm here to help.
My mission is to support the mission of the HUG Project Thailand: preventing, protecting, and restoring children from trafficking and sexual abuse in Northern Thailand.
My boss, HUG Project Founder, Boom Bean, has a vision to advance every aspect of child protection in her native Thailand- from education to law enforcement to victim advocacy to justice for perpetrators- to impact the lives of future generations.
It is my honor and privilege to facilitate her vision.
My challenge is to check any bias or agenda at the door.
I am not here to critique, analyze, or fix a culture.
I am here to love people within a culture with the love of Christ.
To Be or Not to Be
Prayer Requests
- Continued language learning. Intensive Thai Level 2 runs from Jan. 9th - Feb.10th.
- Launch of Molding Stars after-school program for 2017- effectiveness & relationships.
- Current cases & projects the HUG team is working on- our small staff is stretched.
- New Children's Advocacy Centers in Pattaya and Phuket- for multiplied results!
Grateful for the gift of 10 precious days with Anna & Mia!
Email: Helen@hugproject.org
Website: theelephantchronicles.com
Location: Northern Thailand
Phone: 0953215655
Facebook: facebook.com/theelephantchronicles