Last Blog Before Departure!

Less than 3 days!!!

This evening the Rinella's and Bonham's had a packing party Swim 'n' Q!  We gathered all the remaining donations and carefully sorted and packed.  Wouldn't you know it, by the time we had sorted through the donations and weeded out any items that didn't meet the criteria set of us by Remember Nhu, we had exactly 6 full suitcases, each just under the maximum weight limit.  Too perfect to be mere coincidence, wouldn't you say?  The generosity of those who have given is overwhelming.  'Thank you' hardly seems adequate.

With just 3 days remaining, I would love to pass along a few prayer requests:
1. Safe & smooth travels - This is honestly my biggest source of nerves come from.  We must make connections in LA & Shanghai on our way there, then Shanghai & Vancouver (BC) on our way back, going through customs every time we land in a new country.
2. Personal connections - I was just informed that another group of 3 will be traveling to Thailand at the same time we are, and we will be merging to form a group of 6 for the duration of our stay.  Please pray that we form meaningful bonds among our team members, as well as with the Remember Nhu staff, as most importantly, the children of Remember Nhu.
3. Effectiveness and purpose - Please pray that we will be utilized to the full extent of the time and talents we have to offer.  I have been warned that because of the difference in cultural approaches, we will often have down time and may need to go looking for ways to be helpful.  My hope is that we are able to make ourselves useful, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity that God presents to us.

Thank you, again, for your support, your prayers and for sharing the mission of Remember Nhu with those around you!  Next time you see a new blog post, we will be in Thailand!

Our Hood River Alliance body praying over our trip.

My fortune earlier this week was actually right! Hahaha!

The Art of Packing.  Look at all those beautiful donations!

2 WEEK COUNTDOWN!!!

Just 2 more weeks and we will headed off for our adventure!  Exciting things are happening - Clothing donations are starting to roll in, including some fabulous hand made sun dresses in the photos below, was finally able to make seat selections for our flights so I know we're all sitting together (phew! one stress gone, lol), and I've started making one of my legendary packing lists, accumulating a pile of items to pack as I go.  We are so excited!!!  Below I've included the text from a facebook post I published earlier this week--it really sums up just why I feel this trip is so important.  I hope you enjoy!

Posted earlier this week on Facebook:
In preparing to go to Thailand to serve Remember Nhu later this month, I've been asked a few times 'why' we are going. Today one of my favorite HGTV personalities, Nicole Curtis, hit the nail on the head when expressing what social matters 'irk' her. She said, "I'm hopeful that everyday more people start to care about the things that matter and continue to step forward cause if you're not part of the solution? You are part of the problem."

So why am I spending a bunch of money on what could be a relaxing vacation on a beach somewhere with daily housekeeping and pina coladas, to instead go to Northern Thailand to pull weeds, help prepare meals and make myself a servant to a bunch of young boys and girls I've never met? Because if I don't, and the many others who are giving of their lives don't, then these children will be forced back into the streets where their bodies are sold, abused and discarded with little thought to their intrinsic value as human beings created in the image of God. It does no good to hear the statistics on the news, shake your head and change the channel. The people on the take in this industry that garners an estimated $100 BILLION in profits annually are counting on you believing you can do nothing about it! I have chosen to support Remember Nhu with my time and talents because I refuse to enable this horrific crime against humanity by being apathetic. I have often joked that I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I think I do know; I want to be part of the solution. What will you be?

(Not So) Patiently Waiting...

The countdown has begun.... 24 days until our departure for Thailand!  Our documentation and immunizations are done, our fees paid and tickets purchased, and clothing donations are trickling in.  Oh, and the butterflies have begun to flutter in my tummy, lol.  Now we wait........

As we talk over our trip, I find it amusing how the kids seem to have a much different take on aspects of the trip.  For example, as 'the adult in charge', I'm most nervous about navigating airports...especially our layovers in Shanghai where I am nervous about getting us where we need to be and the likelihood very few will speak English should we need help.  Talking with Jen yesterday, she mentioned that our layover in Shanghai is one of the things she's most looking forward to....because it's such a large airport and everything will be in Chinese, lol!  It reminds me that just as she fears little and seeks adventure because she so completely trusts us to keep her safe, so too should I walk fearlessly and look always to the next adventure, putting my trust in a God who is bigger and mightier than the world we live in.  I'm trying hard to take notice of these little lessons as they come, and be looking for opportunities to stretch myself and grow.

We are still accepting clothing and monetary donations until June 21st if you would like to contribute.  Donation boxes are available at Horizon Christian, Hood River Alliance Church and Maupin's Stoves & Spas, or you can contact myself or the Rinella's to make arrangements.  Please be praying for each of us, to live in the moment, be on the lookout for the next adventure, to be receptive to where God is leading us and to place our complete trust in His provision.

Lori