Thailand. My second trip there and to be honest, it wasn’t much easier than my first time around. Last year, I went with my dad and a few church members to work with the nonprofit, New Beginnings, to try and help girls who are stuck in the sex trade cycle. For my reflections on that trip, please read here. 

This time around, I brought a new team with me. I needed to go back to try and help anyways I could. Myself and three other ladies ventured forth into humid Thailand. It started off a little rough with 2 out of 4 of us feeling under the weather. And then I’m over here terrified of getting food poisoning again (yes, I apparently have the most fragile stomach 🙄) so I’m trying to find things to eat so I don’t wither away (pretty sure I could stand to lose quite a few pounds before any withering happens, but yeno what I mean 😝). But once we started going out on the streets of the Red Light District, I was pleasantly surprised by many of the ladies on the street and bars remembering me! It warmed my heart that we could catch up, but it also broke my heart to know they were still stuck in this situation. On these mission trips I tend to feel a sense of helplessness because I want to do more, but all I can do is love on these ladies and pray for God’s will to be done. 

I’m so proud of my team for really trusting and volunteering when help was needed and for standing up even when help wasn’t needed. Especially in a time like this, women supporting women (in all countries) is so needed because at the end of the day, aren’t we all sisters? 

I don’t know if I’ll be back to Thailand next year (my stomach takes quite the toll), but I do know I will be back. Thailand has my heart because these women have my heart. I know that these women deserve so much more than I can give, but I will never stop trying. They need to know they are of value, of importance and are so loved. If you are interested in ways that you can help or if you just want to hear/learn more, please ping me (hellolovelilla@gmail.com).