Hey Thailand Team!

It’s finally time to give you a few more details about your trip! This Summer is going to be an incredible one where you’re going to see God do great things in you, and in the people of Thailand. It will be hard at times, but know that it’s all worth it. Get excited!

I’m really excited to announce that you’ll be working with a ministry called SHE (Self Help and Empowerment.) This is the same ministry that I worked with on the World Race and I know that you’ll love it as much as I did!

Their vision for ministry comes out of Isaiah 43:18–19: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

SHE focuses on working with women and children who are at risk. In Phuket (Southern Thailand) the majority of these are working in the commercial sex trade which is focused in Patong (an area within Phuket). SHE spends a number of nights every week visiting the bars (when going to the bars you will need to buy water / coke to be able to sit down and talk with the girls) where the girls work and building relationships. You’ll pray along the same streets in the daytime and pray against the strongholds that hold the girls captive in this dark business. SHE offers training in jewelry making and employment to all girls who wish to change the course of their lives. SHE is in the process of opening a drop-in centre in the heart of Patong. It will be a safe place where the girls can visit and receive friendship, help, advice and training.  SHE also works in the migrant workers camps of Phuket. During the daytime they hold creative play times with the children who live in these camps as they are unable to go to school. In the evening they visit the same places sharing the Gospel, bringing food and fellowshipping with the whole community.

They’ve also started a new program called the “SHE hotel training program”. They have put together short courses including English language to help people gain employment in hotels, restaurants, etc. There is a huge need in the tourist industry in Phuket for trained staff and there are many people who would like to fill these positions but are not qualified academically so SHE is helping to bridge the gap and bring hope through this program. The SHE program is also supported by the Prince of Songkla University in Phuket regarding course content and final certification. SHE is presently training their Thai staff to be trainers as well. They are doing very well and can’t wait until they will be able to teach others. Training offered is free to all students and many will travel here from other provinces so they house them also for free in a building adjacent to the SHE Center. They are advertising all over Thailand in employment centers and promoting the program in local communities and Churches especially in the North East.

The program is designed not only to bring hope and a choice to the girls working in the bars now but as a prevention program to help others who travel to Phuket seeking employment. Without this training, many ladies are forced to work in the bars, clubs and massage parlors of Patong.

Your team will have a wide area of ministry from outreach into bars and street work, teaching opportunities in English and handicrafts, promoting hotel training program, sharing testimonies, playtimes, practical ‘hands on’ work and strategic prayer walking. SHE is currently the only ministry that is working with the bar girls of Patong in Phuket.

Cultural sensitivites you should be aware of is that you should bring modest clothing. Shirts with sleeves, and shorts or skirts should be past your knees etc. You may need to cover piercings or tattoos for ministry time. An English couple named Mark and Sharon will be your ministry hosts, and they will provide a cultural briefing for you once you arrive. Check out the SHE website for more information. Please do not contact the ministry on your own or allow your parents to contact them either. We want to protect and honor their privacy.  

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There is a general packing list that can be found in your Profile by going to Mobilization Info tab and then to the preparation section. There are no additional items that you need to bring.

These are already listed on the general packing list but I want to emphasize them:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Sweater or jacket
• Headlamp(flashlights are fine too…but headlamps are AWESOME because you get to have both hands free. Hands-free is good for middle of the night bathroom runs, reading while your teammates are sleeping, and even for dance parties!)
• Water bottle(Nalgene brand is really great.)
• Outlet Adaptor (You need an adaptor, not a converter. You probably only need a converter if you're bringing something high powered like a blow dryer. You can get an international adaptor at Wal-mart or Target.)

Check out some stories from past Passport teams that have been to Thailand and worked with SHE by visiting the blog here.

As always, if you have any questions about anything listed here, please let me know!

Stacy Povian

Email: thepassport@adventures.org

Phone:  770-983-1060 x 321