Tis the season to be jolly.

Isn't it amazing how Christmas is celebrated all over the world? Every country, city, and family may have their own traditions, but the meaning is still the same, celebrating the birth of Christ. All 9 homes came together to put on plays, sing, dance, eat, and open up gifts. We had over 300 people in one place and only a few tears were shed! That's a Christmas miracle in itself. It was heartwarming to see families together, brothers and sisters chasing each other, and grandparents listening to what's going on at school.

Looking back at these photos puts the biggest smile on my face. I never knew I could love these children like they were my own, I never knew I could feel like my heart was in two places at once, but most of all I never knew how big of an impact these children would have on my life.

Some of our homes are in more rural locations and our children don't have the opportunity to visit popular attractions, so the following day we took a couple of the homes to the zoo! 

This past week, while teaching my English classes at the children's school, I was able to explain the true meaning of Christmas to a mostly Buddhist community of students. It was a neat experience to talk about the birth of Christ and how it's the sole reason we celebrate Christmas. I found a Thai/English Nativity story at one of the bible bookstores in town and had students help me read the story out loud. My translator, who is a student-teacher from the near by university, explained that it's hard to talk about American holidays in the classroom because she's not sure if she's explaining them correctly and that it's nice to have an American teach them. I'm just happy I can say the word "Christmas" in a school setting. 

It's been a pretty busy last couple of weeks and naturally I got my holiday "allergy attack that will soon turn into a sinus infection" and have been trying to recover the last few days. I spent Christmas Day laying on the couch lazily, watching Elf and napping with DayQuil pumping through my veins. Our neighbors came by to sing Christmas carols and then silly stringed us, friends stopped by to drop off gifts, and I got to FaceTime with my family back at home. It really did feel like Christmas. 

So now, in five days 2014 will be over and 2015 will begin. 2014 has truly been an amazing year. I did things I never thought I'd have the courage to do, from skydiving to moving to the other side of the world. I'm not sure how 2015 will top what's happened so far, but I'm excited to see what will happen. 

"And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus comes back again." Philippians 1:6

I hope so. 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas & a happy New Year. 

Cristina.

Thanksgiving, Thai Style.

This is the first Thanksgiving I've spent away from my family, but I am extremely thankful I got to spend it with my Thai and Remember Nhu family. Last night I baked pecan (pronounced p-can, which my roommate thought I was saying it to be funny, but no, thats how I pronounce it) bars and pumpkin cake with a brown sugar glaze. They were delicious, because I made them with love. Jk, I totally ripped off the ideas from Pinterest, like every other woman in America #dontjudgeme.

So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, these are things I am thankful for:

• My relationship with Christ. If I hadn't given my life to him, I wouldn't be living the life I have now. It's not always sunshine and butterflies, there are many nights I go to sleep lonely. I miss home, I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my cat, but knowing I was entrusted with a role in providing a better future for our children here blows my mind
  
  Many people commented on the article written about me in the news journal this past weekend saying I'm amazing and how courageous I am to do what I'm doing, but I want to explain that everything I am doing is because of Christ. He brought this opportunity to my doorstep, He provided the financial support through my church and work, He is using the skills He has equipped me with to do His will, but most importantly, He gave me the courage to say, "Yes, I will go". I'm just an ordinary girl who trusts God and because of my faith in Him, I am living this amazing life. He deserves all the glory. 

• My church family and Thai Erawan-- they were the ones who made it possible for me to even be here in Thailand. I told them my desire to come and without batting an eye, they made it possible
• My family & friends for the emotional, mental, and physical support given to me as I made the decision to move and the continued support as I work here
• My roommate, who creates a sense of community with all the RNhu workers here in Thailand, who deals with my kooky habits, who prays for my safety every time I get on the road with my moto, and who makes me dinner quite often
• All of the people who supported my decision to come here, whether you prayed for me, came to the charity lunch, donated, or just listened to my story. Thank you
• And for my RNhu family, Americans & Thai's. I was scared that I would step foot in this country and feel like an outsider looking in for a long time, but I was welcomed immediately. The friendships I have with my friends here are real and genuine and I am so thankful that I was shown love before I could earn it, they really are true example of the love of Christ. It's no wonder everyone who comes here falls in love 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and you're able to take time out of your day to reflect on people and things you're thankful for.

 

  

Hua Hin & Friends

Until last week, it had been two and a half months since I'd last seen a beach. 

I can't lie, I almost shed a tear. The mountains that surround me are breathtaking, but there's just something about the sound of waves crashing against the shore and sand in between my toes.

About two weeks ago I went down to Hua Hin with some friends from Thai Erawan who came to Thailand for a couple of weeks (Thai Erawan threw a charity lunch for me back in August and raised the money for my airline ticket to come to Thailand!). It was really enjoyable reconnecting with people from back home and hearing about life because contrary to popular belief, Florida did not stop once I left. I know, I don't believe it either.

On our way to Hua Hin, we had to go through Bangkok. It was surreal, so many memories flooded back from the first time I visited here. Bangkok was the city that opened my eyes to sex trafficking. It was exciting, going back to the place that changed my life but this time for different reasons (read my first time in Bangkok). 

Bangkok will always be the fire in my heart that moves me to stop modern day slavery. 

I took this same picture 2 years ago

Am, Me, Am's mother, and Sarah

The Rama 8 Bridge in Bangkok

Whats a vacation without a goofy photo?

Although Hua Hin was an amazing experience, I was excited to come back home. Up until a couple of months ago, home had always been Florida so it felt weird to come to the realization that Thailand was now "home". I think that I am very blessed to be able to say that I have two places on this great big earth that I call home, Florida and Thailand. In my experience, people are so scared to uproot themselves that not many will jump at the chance to travel and explore. In this chance I took, I have created new friendships that I am so thankful for. The strength of my relationships here were made noticeable when I came back to church the following Sunday. I thought I could just slip right on in to church unnoticed but I was spotted immediately and the questions came pouring in, "How was your trip? What did you do? Who did you go with? We Missed you!". To hear that people here "missed me" made me feel like for the first time in my life I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. I told God, "here's my life, do with it what you need to" and in return, God gave me this life I'm living now. I don't know if I can ever stop thanking Him for this exchange, how ever long I stay in Thailand.

The children at the school were also excited to have me back.

And I was excited to be back. Doesn't matter what country I'm in, the classroom setting feels comfortable and it's amazing how natural teaching comes to me, whether my students speak fluent English or I have to use hand and body gestures to explain myself, I'm grateful to have the ability to use my skills to do good in the world.

If you haven't had the chance, Dustin Wyatt, a reporter for the Daytona News Journal wrote an article about the work I am doing here in Thailand and you should check it out!
Volusia County teacher helps fight sex trafficking in Thailand

& if you want to follow along on Facebook, here's my Facebook page Cristina in Thailand which is updated regularly with photos, videos, and more. 

Where it all starts.

In the line of work that I do, I often talk about the excitement of sex trafficking prevention, giving children a second chance at life, and giving families hope. You as a reader have heard about the desolate conditions in villages that cause parents to even consider "selling" their child for a better life, the beginning of sex trafficking, but I have seen these conditions first hand. I've seen parents sitting on their door steps with babies wrapped around them. I've seen shoeless children with mismatched clothes chasing each other with sticks as toys. I've seen children play checkers with rocks. I've seen children walk right up next to you and hold your hand for comfort. I've seen hope shining is little dark brown eyes.

Yesterday, I was immersed in the Lahu way of life. 

She walked around with this knife all day

The story behind this house is found here

Typical homes have one room, which includes an area to cook

 

  

The passing of candy and the reaching of hands

Theres that knife again

  

The Lahu people believe they originated from squash.

The visit to this village was truly humbling. Coming home, all I could think about was how blessed I am and how I have to use what God has given me to help those less fortunate. The most amazing thing I heard on the trip was that when our children go back home to their villages for school break, parents and other tribe members see a difference. Our children go back to their homes with love and excitement radiating off of them. Not many people have the opportunity to go where it all starts, to see with their own eyes why sex trafficking could ever be an option. These parents aren't bad people, they are people with little to no choices left. 

The only way to stop sex trafficking is to start at the source of the issue, poverty. When parents are given the opportunity of a choice, they choose right. Every single child in our 7 homes in Thailand is proof that change is happening. How exciting is it that we're all a part of it!