So - the first week back to work has been interesting - and a little crazy...which I always think is a good thing =) Over the break a lot happened with some trafficked victims, and hearing their stories (and remembering stories of other women that I've met here) - has shocked me all over again. Sometimes I can't wrap my brain around the cruelty that humans are capable of. It is especially heartbreaking to hear over and over about how people that are exploited and abused so often turn around and exploit others in the same way.
At a meeting the other night, Annie was sharing about our fear as the church of entering into that darkness. She talked about how, for some reason, we think that if we pretend that these horrible abuses aren't taking place - and stay away from shady environments, we can pretend that everything is ok. But that it is our call as Christians to be light in that darkness - because the darkness is there - whether or not we choose to encounter it. I'm not sure if this makes any sense - but I have just been thinking so much in the last few days about the incredible grace and mercy that has been poured out all over my life - and what a waste it would be to not share that with others who are so in need of love.
Anyway - that being said - Mel stopped in Bangkok for a few days on her way back from Kolkata - and it was delightful to celebrate Christmas again (we just hid our calendars for a few days and pretended it was still Christmas). So - here's a few pictures from our festivities. This picture on the right is one of my favorites - from the most amazing photobooth on the planet.
And the snow globe yet again =) And the fantastic Christmas characters! Not sure who they were made for - but my face definitely didn't fit in the cut-out. And I'm not sure why we made Blake be the small one?
And this is why I married Blake. Isn't he so hardcore?? Look at that gangsta w/ the Christmas lights and Minnie Mouse.
