Until last week, it had been two and a half months since I'd last seen a beach.
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.
I am incredibly proud of you. Many people do not have the inner-strength to give up the comforts and securitiy of their life to give their all to others. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mrs. Whittley, that means a lot! :)
ReplyDelete