in the presence of greatness

along our trip to thailand we were able to meet many wonderful people. from lawyers working to pursue the rights of children and women exploited in sex trade and human trafficking to noble peace prize nominees. we met pastors, teachers, education administrators, community leaders and missionaries. it was so nice to hear about each ones experiences, perspectives and thoughts on the issues of thailand and burma. it was good to see their deep passion and heavy hearts for the men, women and children who are so vulnerable to this region.

one of the common problems for those who are migrating into thailand is the lack of national id. if you have no id-- you do not exist. this leaves so many vulnerable to human trafficking, especially children and young women. many of the young women who are trafficked into the sex industry come from hill tribes where poverty is so common and the opportunity for economic advancement is non-existent. recruiters from bangkok and chaing mai travel to these regions and convice families that they have work for their daughters. parents believe this to be their only opportunity for security for their daughters, as well as income for their families so they allow their children to go. typically what happens is that these women are taken into the city, raped and groomed for prostitution. and because they have no id, no national identity they have no rights. they are not protected under the law-- in thailand they do not exist. one organization we met with called new life center helps assist women in getting out. upon leaving they move to the center, learn a new trade and are hopefully reunited with their families and villages. some women were taken so young that they can't remember their village name or where exactly their village was located so they never will be able to be re-united with their families. this is the painful reality of so many...