Peter Vanosdall in Thailand

Moving in a New Direction

2015-05-26T20:21:00.001-07:00

Thailand Coming to a Close

My time in Thailand is quickly coming to a close as I will be transitioning out of my position with Sop Slavery, and heading back to the states in June.

It is hard to put into words the fun it has been living in Thailand, and the many things I've learned and experienced. I've been able to see so many cool things, and been a part of many neat opportunities.

I'm sad to be saying goodbye to this place, but excited for the future.

I'm honestly not quite sure what the next direction is for me. I'll initially be visiting family over the summer, and then from there I may pursue some different possibilities.

I want to thank everyone who has visited and read my blog, prayed for the work here, and supported me financially. I really appreciate each of you.

I am maintaining ties with Stop Slavery, and may continue to offer help on their website from time to time.

If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Thanks for visiting!

Back to the Thai Life

2015-04-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Thailand to Turkey and Back Again

Traveling for four out of the last six weeks has been a lot of fun and filled with great people, adventures, and amazing sights. But it is nice to be back in Chiang Mai and have a chance to catch up on things, and be a little more productive.

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, has a castle in the city center that is around 2000 years old

It started with a week long trip to Cambodia, which I covered in the last blog post. Then I had a few days to unpack, wash clothes, and pack up as many cold weather items as I had to head for Turkey.

I was able to meet up with my sister in Turkey, and we spent a week traveling through Istanbul, and then to Prague.

Streets of Prague

Coming back from Prague, I stayed on in Turkey for another two weeks checking out the local sights in the city my sister lives in, and some other nearby attractions like Cappidocia.

Each location I visited had something new to explore, or often many new things to explore. I enjoyed the time in Istanbul for touring through the amazing historical buildings that seem to be on every corner. Every stop was at a building that had been standing in that location for hundreds, or more often, thousands of years.

We stayed very close to Galata Tower. And, although it was built in 1348, seemed so apart of everyday life that it couldn't be such a historical building. We strolled past it several times, and had coffee at a cafe just nearby.

It is amazing to me to imagine that little has changed as far as the floor plan of that area in hundreds of years, which probably explains the steep, narrow and windy cobblestone streets. For almost all of my life I have lived in cities that might have had a historical building or two, but the actual city was typically 50-100 years old (or at least the construction was).

Hiking Cappidocia on a snowy gray day

Prague, which was probably my favorite city, was also filled with historical buildings, castles, churches and bridges. There was also plenty of amazing food, coffee and other drinks. It was a nice balance, to go from sightseeing at a cathedral, to enjoying an espresso or latte in a warm cafe.

I unknowingly happened to make my travel plans for Turkey and Prague to coincide with the final week of serious winter. So it was a bit of a transition to go from 100 degree weather in Chiang Mai and Cambodia, to snow and freezing temperatures in Turkey and Prague. I generally like cold, but this was a drastic change. It didn't stop me from making a snowball or two.

The trip concluded with a couple weeks at a more relaxed pace in Turkey and a weekend trip to Cappidocia. We stayed in Goreme while checking out the completely unique and surreal place known as Cappidocia and I would recommend you look it up if you haven't heard of it. Hiking through and viewing the landscapes filled with towering columns of rock, each with a room, house or even church carved into them, was a sight I will not soon forget. Check it out, its worth it.

The whole trip was an exciting opportunity to get lots of practice taking pictures of new places and fun cities. I enjoyed the challenge of coming upon a nice setting and trying to figure out the best way to photograph it. Sometimes it worked out well, other times it didn't, but I learned several new things along the way. The best way to learn something is to practice it.

Well, this sort of covers what I've been up to lately. I hope you enjoy the pictures I took while on the adventure. I am really thankful that I had the chance to see Turkey, and visit my sister and Thankful the way God worked through many different situations throughout the trip.

I'm back to my normal routine volunteering with StopSlavery for a month or so, before another adventure might pull me across the globe again.

Thanks for visiting and leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions!

Next Stop: Turkey

2015-03-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

A Month of Traveling

The team built this church last year, and then applied a protective
coat to the wood this year along with other projects.

March has already been a busy month, with a week long trip to Cambodia done, I'm heading off tomorrow for Turkey.

Last week I was out in Cambodia with several others from the Stop Slavery team partnering with a missions team from Japan who were working on some projects in local villages.

It was a really fun time, and amazing to see the things God is doing in Cambodia with some indigenous missionaries and pastors, as well as short term mission teams from other countries.

One of the temples near Angkor Wat

It seems like Cambodia could be on the edge of many changes, including economically, and spiritually.

At Angkor Wat with some of the guys
from the mission team

I had a chance to spend most of a day touring around Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples which was a neat opportunity. I had visited Angkor Wat last year, but I was still impressed on this trip by the size, and detail of all the temples.

Although I was worn out after the trip to Cambodia, I was very encouraged from the time spent there with many amazing people.

A fast transition now leads me to my next adventure - visiting my sister in Turkey! I would appreciate prayers as I travel there, and as we then travel around Turkey and some of Europe.

Thanks for visiting and reading this short update! I'll be sure to share some photos from Turkey in the near future!

BAM! And More Travels

2015-03-13T01:21:00.001-07:00

After a few busy weeks, I'll be back on the road (well, technically, in the air) on Monday traveling over to Cambodia for a week to visit people, an orphanage, and help out with a team coming in from another location to do some construction.

Exploring the countryside late one night

Life seems to be staying very busy since my short trip to Laos. I had a few weeks to focus on moving forward some projects with StopSlavery, and then last week I was able to join in with a Business as Missions (BAM) conference.

The BAM conference consisted of morning meetings with a guy (he had a real name, and a fake name, and I can't remember which was which, so he will just be 'guy') sharing information, tools, tips and many stories about doing business in risky locations around the world with the goal of using it as ministry.

It was a lot of fun to learn about how business as missions is one of many tools that can be used to reach the world, and especially areas that aren't open to missionaries. It was also exciting to see how passionate about doing good business this guy was, and how your business is your ministry (not just something you do to get money, or a visa) and it is sacred.

Another important point was that these businesses in struggling economies should be helping the local people. One obvious way they can and should do this is to provide jobs that have a good environment, and good pay.

Business as Missions is not the next big thing, but it is one exciting way that entrepreneurs can reach the world, and make a difference in the lives of people, both physically and spiritually.

This shot was from a lake I stopped at on the way to Laos. It was filled with pink flowers.

I am looking forward to sharing more on here about my trip to Cambodia, but I'll also be staying very busy once I get back, as I'm off on another trip for three weeks.

Thanks for checking in, and I would really appreciate prayers for the time in Cambodia, and for possible future opportunities.

24 hours in Laos

2015-02-22T23:30:00.000-08:00

My Experiences from Traveling to Laos for the Weekend

Last weekend I joined a few other friends to make a fast trip to Thailand's nearby neighbor, Laos. I had never been there, so I was eager to see what the country, culture and food would be like.

We took a taxi to the border of Laos and proceeded through the various steps to acquire a visa. It was a fairly quick process, and only a little sketchy, which is typical for Southeast Asia. Once we crossed over, we took another taxi the 30km to the capital, Vientiane.

A view of the town from the top of Victory Gate

I was immediately surprised as we went from very rural settings with only the main highways paved, to a full city, with a noticeably French/European feel.

The flag of Laos on the left

The roads were wide, with sidewalks wrapping around the square blocks. Many streets even had trees lining them in very ordered rows. Buildings were impressive, with balcony's and other features rarely seen in Thailand. However, none of the buildings looked very new, and it seemed as if the city hadn't changed too much in the last 15 years.

There were subtle signs of communism all around. The most obvious were the hammer and sickle flags. But the many different government buildings, some built in the style of Russian communist structures (large concrete, small windows and surrounded by iron fences) also gave it away. Visiting the History of Laos museum cleared any doubt.

I was very interested in the people who lived in this city, and country, and what their lives were like. I tried to take every opportunity to capture their activities. I wish I knew the language, so I could also hear their story.

The many cafes and restaurants were amazing. Lots of baked goods, coffee and other western foods that are a little more scarce in Thailand (although, there really are a lot of great western restaurants here as well, and CoCo's Curry).

Four cafe's in a row. Went to Joma several times and really enjoyed it.

After only 24 hours in Laos, it was time to get back to Thailand and back to the work I'm doing here. I left Laos with a new-found curiosity about the history of Laos, and with an amazement of how different it is compared to America, and even Thailand.

I hope you enjoy the sampling of photos from the trip, and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!

Went out late in the evening to capture the Victory Gate.

Thanks for visiting!

The Countryside of Thailand

2015-01-30T01:18:00.005-08:00

Getting Outside the City

I grew up for part of my life in South Texas where the spaces were so wide open it would almost make you nervous. You could drive for miles and miles on straight roads and only see the occasional cow.

While living in Japan, there wasn't quite the same space available to explore, bu there were still areas with very few people and long stretches of road winding around the coast.

And now in Thailand I've often found myself driving roads that loop out into the countryside, taking me to many interesting places and mountain views.

The other week I drove up to the top of Suthep mountain, where there was a few cherry trees with pink blossoms. It was a nice area, and reminded me of Nago mountain in Okinawa, Japan.

Cherry Trees on Doi Suthep

Last weekend I did the Samoeng loop, which takes you around Suthep mountain, past Samoeng village. It is a very popular drive that takes a couple hours. There are some neat rural areas with little villages populating a hillside. And there are some great views of the mountains as well.

A viewpoint along the Samoeng loop

Although I do enjoy landscapes, I'm going to be trying to share more photos of the people who live in these ares in the coming months.

Sunlight coming through the clouds over the hills of Northern Thailand.

I hope you enjoyed the photos from Northern Thailand, leave a comment if you have questions or thoughts.

Mountain Climbing

2015-01-08T23:15:00.000-08:00

In the last few weeks I've been to the top of the first and third tallest mountains in Thailand.

But the experiences were very different.

Doi Inthanon

In late December I started off in the morning driving south. It was a 100 km drive each way, which on a moped feels a lot longer.

I use the term, 'mountain climbing' loosely with Doi Inthanon. In this case, by climb, I mean drive. (by the way, 'Doi' means mount or mountain in Thai)

The view from a little ways below the summit of Doi Inthanon.

There is a road that winds all the way up to the very top of the tallest mountain in Thailand. And at the top you are greeted with a rather unspectacular view of an old military base turned weather station, and a small glimpse of the horizon.

A little further back down the mountain there are some interesting temples with a great view, and there is a hike you can do that probably offers more opportunities for nice views (and mountain climbing).

It was a fun trip, but I was glad to get off the moped by the end of it.

Doi Chiang Dao

Doi Chiang Dao at Sunrise

Now this was some mountain climbing, at least much more so than Doi Inthanon.

I joined in with a father son group that does this trip every year. We left early on a Friday, traveling about an hour north of Chiang Mai to the ranger station near the base of the mountain.

This wasn't going to be an easy drive to the top, in fact, there are no roads to the summit. If you wanted to reach the peak of the third tallest mountain in Thailand, you had to hike there, over slippery trails carrying all your food, water and camping supplies.

But after a few hours of hiking, we made it to our camping spot for the night just a few hundred meters from the summit.

Camping so close to the top of the mountain gave me plenty of opportunities to enjoy the views, and I did, climbing up for the sunset and sunrise, and it was well worth the climb.

The following day everyone packed up and made the (much easier) hike back down the mountain. It was a great time of enjoying the outdoors, and building some new friendships.

Both mountains were a lot of fun, and offered different sights and experiences.

Sunset from the Summit of Doi Chiang Dao

I also enjoyed the chance to snap a few pictures, which I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for visiting!

It's Already Spring, and New Years

2014-12-30T23:42:00.000-08:00

Spring has Sprung in time for New Years

It appears that, after a few days of weather in the 50's, winter has come and gone and temperatures are rising, as are plants in farmer's fields.

This photo is from a quick trip I made out into the countryside, and happened to notice that the farmers had already started their crops for the new year.

I'm not sure what they might be growing here, but they were all in nice rows, which worked well for the photo.

A day or so later, I drove out to my favorite nearby rice field and noticed there too, new rice was just sprouting.

A new field of rice! One of my favorite foregrounds when taking pictures of the sunset.

It seems sort of fitting for new plants to be growing out of the earth as the new year arrives, and I don't mind being in a climate that makes this possible.

With the new year almost here, I want to include one resolution for the new year in this post:

Post new updates at least twice a month for the next year (2015) on this blog!

Which means the posts might be a little shorter, and more specific. I also hope to include lots of pictures, which has been something I've really enjoyed doing in 2014.

It's interesting to reflect and realize that I started 2014 with a 6MP point and shoot camera that really couldn't do a lot. A few days into 2014 I upgraded to a Canon Powershot SX 280 HS, which offered 12 MP, great zoom, full manual control, and really great photos for the size!

But by the summer, I already felt like it was holding me back, so I upgraded again to the Sony a6000 (24MP, which is funny how that doubled each time I upgraded) and now it's me holding the camera back from its full potential.

Anyway, I'm excited for 2015, for continuing to learn new things, travel to new places, volunteer in Southeast Asia, and live the life God has created me for.

Happy New Year!

Winter in Thailand

2014-12-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

It is Getting Cold Around Here...

Sit and watch the sunset from this convenient bench.

Winter in Thailand means that it stops raining, and drops into the 60's at night (sometimes).

This isn't ideal if you're hoping for a white Christmas, but for most other activities, especially outdoor related, this is ideal.

I've been taking a lot of drives around the countryside on my moped, as the weather is perfect and all you need is a light jacket for morning or evening rides. This has afforded me a number of great photo opportunities of the less touristy variety.

I recently drove up a long windy road that twisted through a little village, and led to an amazing mountaintop view of the sunset. And while I enjoyed the view and sunset, it was the rural village and people who grabbed my attention.

Some of the nicer houses at the top of the mountain

They live in very simple accommodations, with many of the houses made of corrugated metal or plastic pieces, and other miscellaneous materials. The roads were a mix of cement and red clay, with most walls having a reddish color from the dirt. Bits of building material, old vehicles, and other items were scattered around. Chickens were everywhere, as were kids and mothers.

I didn't stop to take any pictures, because I didn't want to disturb or make a scene. But it gave me the chance to reflect on the many things I take for granted, and to be thankful for them. especially in this holiday season.

It is so easy, even living in Thailand where poverty levels you rarely see in America, are literally around the corner form your house, to get busy, get caught up, and forget about thankfulness, and about the people around you.

I'll be trying to slow down a little over the holidays, between trips into the mountains, to be thankful for what God's given me, and look out for people around me. And I hope to encourage you to try something similar.

Vietnam for a Day (or a few)

Near Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

I had the chance to visit Vietnam for a few days in November, and it was a great experience. The trip went so fast, it almost felt like only a day.

I always find it exciting and interesting to see a new culture, and the Vietnamese culture is very different from most cultures I've seen before. They have a fairly strong french influence that was evident in everything from the food, to architecture, both of which I am a fan of.

Many of the buildings in Vietnam were taller, thinner and more elaborately decorated than buildings in Thailand. It wasn't uncommon to see a 4-5 story house that was 10 feet wide (at most) and 30-40 feet long. I have no idea why they make buildings so tall and thin, because in most situations space didn't seem to be a problem.

Rice Fields and Mountains - Thailand
has plenty of them to explore.

The food was a nice experience, as bread and coffee were plentiful, along with a number of more Asian oriented dishes.

Overall, the parts of Vietnam I visited were a lot of fun, but not necessarily somewhere I would go back to. There are lots of new places to explore.

Thanks for stopping in and reading. If you have any thoughts or questions, leave them below int he comments. The pictures are a variety from around Chiang Mai, and Vietnam.

Merry Christmas!

Launching Businesses

2014-11-01T23:34:00.001-07:00

Launching a Business to Fund Orphanages and Missionaries

Took this picture on a sunny afternoon while
enjoying an ice coffee.

In my first college business class I immediately learned two things: I love business (and especially marketing) and I making money is exciting. It would be easy to get caught up pursuing a life where money is the end goal, but for me, my end goal is glorifying God, so money is just a tool, or resource, to accomplish that. (and this is something I have to remind myself about.)

So I'm volunteering for an organization, and trying to help them make money, which is a lot of fun.

Over the last few weeks, I have been helping with launching an online business that (hopefully) will not only help people, but also generate a profit which will be used to fund the organization I'm here with, and an orphanage and other missionaries they support.

It is exciting to be learning and practicing new business ideas in the internet realm, which is growing more and more important each day. I am amazed at the opportunity I have to not only gain experience, but help with projects that have a lasting and beneficial impact.

In the month of October, I worked with my team to create a new website, film a couple hours of training resources, develop PDF content and come up with a lot of the details surrounding the business which reminded me of how much I enjoy it all.

Wat Chedi Luang, located in the center of Chiang Mai, is one of the more famous temples here.

I would really appreciate your thoughts and prayers in the next few weeks as we work to launch a business, and that it would accomplish our goals of helping people, and generating a profit.

I used to wonder why Thai food was so spicy. This was at a local market that had everything from cell phones to water buffalo.

This was in a terraced cabbage field on the
edge of a large hill with an amazing view in
almost every direction.

I've also been trying to explore more of the area around the city I live in, which included drives to some beautiful valleys, a trip to a huge market, and relaxing on houseboats among lots of other fun things.

The pictures are from some of the places I've been trying to visit and explore, and I hope you enjoy the insight into life in Thailand. It is a beautiful country (like most countries) but you have to take the opportunity to see the amazing sites around you.

I am enjoying the opportunity to be back in Thailand and explore this fun country, and thanks to everyone who helped make that possible.

If you have thoughts or comments, leave them below!

Right Back Into It

2014-09-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

It Feels Great to be Back in Thailand

Looking down at a valley filled with clouds

I have been enjoying settling back into living in Thailand and it has been fun to go back to the places I enjoyed when I was here before (like CoCo's Curry).

It's only been a little over a week, but I am already straight to work on a few fun projects. I will be working on a fairly diverse selection of projects in the next few months, including starting or working on some internet businesses and continuing to provide general help with Stop Slavery's website and social media.

Temple at Sunset

I generally try to help where I can for the many missionaries and organizations here, sometimes providing help with internet marketing related questions and needs. I may also continue working with Stone in Shoe.

Although it has been getting up over 100 degrees some days, the mornings are really nice and cool which makes for a perfect time to go for a drive and explore the hills around Chiang Mai. Last week I went for a drive and found some amazing views of the clouds filling up the valleys.

Life is a little hectic at the moment, and I would appreciate prayers as I move into a new house this week, and as my organization moves into a new office. I am looking forward to things settling down a bit more.

Thanks for visiting and reading, and leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions to share! Also, enter your email in the box on the sidebar to get these posts by email.

God Bless!

I love taking pictures of rice fields at sunset because it is so relaxing and quiet. I have no idea what this structure is, but it seems like it has been around for a while.

On a side note, if you're ever looking for a house in Thailand, check out Expat Homes Chiang Mai. They help find homes for people in Thailand.

Round 2 - I'm Returning to Thailand

2014-08-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

As Soon as I Left Thailand, I wanted to Return

It has been a few months now since I spent 7 month volunteering in Thailand with Stop Slavery. I've had a chance to take a break, enjoy life, visit the beach, and realize that there are huge opportunities ahead, and returning to Thailand is one of them.

Beach time with my sisters

So I am excited to share with you that I will be returning to Thailand in September 2014 to continue working with Stop Slavery along with some other great organizations and projects.

I'll be doing some of the same things I worked on before, including marketing and social media for Stop Slavery and working with Stone in Shoe. I'll also be helping with some new projects that will be geared towards raising funding and awareness for anti-trafficking efforts.

Thailand was recently downgraded on the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the US government from a tier 2 watch list to a tier 3, the worst level. What this means is they aren't doing enough to combat human trafficking, which means there are lots of opportunities to help make change happen in Thailand and I am excited to be close to the action.

I would appreciate your prayers as I transition back to Thailand, especially in the following areas:

Travel details, a place to live, and transitioning back to Thailand
For the other members of the team I'll be rejoining in Thailand
That God would be working through us to not only to reduce human trafficking in Asia, but share the hope and love of Jesus.
That God would be glorified

I'm setting a tentative return from this trip sometime in the summer of 2015.

My favorite restaurant in the world now has a location in Chiang Mai!

If you would like to keep up with the things I'll be doing in Thailand, you can enter your email in the box at the top of the right sidebar and receive an email whenever a new post is published.

Head over to the contact page if you have questions or thoughts and want to get in contact.

I'll be keeping this blog updated with pictures and news as life happens, so check back often. If you're interested in supporting the work Stop Slavery is doing, visit the donate page to learn about fundraising needs.

Thanks for visiting, and I really appreciate each of you who helped this trip, and the last, possible through prayer and financial support!

A Review of 7 Months in Thailand

2014-06-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Only $1 for a bag of bugs

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I'll be honest with you, living in Thailand was a blast.

Each day offered new adventures and challenges, whether it was trying to figure out exactly what you were eating, or getting through a crazy morning commute, you always had to be on your toes. Each day was also rewarding, as I learned more about Thailand, and worked on exciting projects for Stop Slavery.

There were plenty of struggles and stresses along the way, but these are just opportunities to learn and grow.

I want to share with you a short graphic that hopefully gives you an idea of some of the things I did, and experiences I enjoyed:

Click to view full - A short graphic with some numbers

There were plenty of exciting stories from my time in Thailand (like riding a moto-taxi through Bangkok). And I will always remember the villages and orphanage I visited in Cambodia. These are experiences that I can learn and grow from.

Pastor Paul handing out Bibles

I am amazed at how much I learned from spending just seven short months overseas. I learned a great deal in my field of work, getting more experience with blogging, social media, internet marketing and WordPress.

I learned a lot about the current situation of modern slavery not only in Southeast Asia, but throughout the world and had the opportunity to meet people and see organizations heavily involved in anti-trafficking efforts.

God's faithfulness and blessings in my own life were incredible to see, and experience. I come away recognizing that sometimes when we take small steps and risks, God blesses it in big ways.

I also developed awesome new friendships and was encouraged by so many people who are living overseas because that's where God wants them, and they were willing to go.

Smiling kids in Cambodia

We each have opportunities, whether in our home town, or across the globe, and these opportunities might be challenging, but they often lead to greater things. I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Thailand, and what a fun time it was.

Thanks to everyone who supported and prayed for my trip. It has left an indelible mark on my life and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I have plenty more I would love to share, so if you want to learn more about Thailand, stay tuned to this blog, or get in contact using the form on the contact page.

Thanks for visiting!

Coming to a Close

2014-05-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

7 Months Goes By Fast

In just a few days I'll be jumping on a plane and heading across the pacific, back to America, as my trip comes to a close. It is amazing to me that I've been living in Thailand for seven months now.

White temple in Chiang Rai

My time in Thailand has been incredibly rewarding as I have learned many different things, and gained a lot of life experiences.

The work I've been doing with Stop Slavery has remained interesting and fun as I've used some of my marketing skills, and learned some new ones, to help generate awareness for modern slavery and get Stone in Shoe going.

The experiences I've had I can't put a price on, from the places I've seen, to the people I've met, this trip has been invaluable.

But probably the best part of the last seven months has been learning more about who God is, and recognizing His guidance and direction in my life. The way things sometimes just 'work out' are clearly not by chance, and it is fun to see this occurring in my life and situations around me.

I don't have plans for the future yet, but I'm pretty sure someone does...

A Big Thank You!

Finally got around to riding an elephant

I do want to say a huge thank you to everyone who encouraged me, supported me and prayed for me while I've been in Thailand. What a great blessing it has been to have a team of people across the world joining with me to fight human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

It has been very encouraging to hear from people at different times while I've been in Thailand and I am looking forward to getting back to the states and seeing many of you.

Until then, I would appreciate prayers for the travels ahead.

Thanks again, and God Bless.

Sunsets and Sunrises

2014-04-09T06:19:00.000-07:00

A Month to Go!

Palms at Sunset

Lately I've been stopping to enjoy the sunsets and sunrises in Chiang Mai and it has given me time to reflect on the 6 months I've already spent here in Thailand.

I am amazed at how fast 6 months can go, it seems like just days ago I was setting out to Thailand to work with Stop Slavery. At that time, I wasn't quite sure what I would be doing, but I was ready to jump in wherever needed.

Upon arriving I quickly joined in on the exciting project of starting Stone in Shoe, an artwork company with the dual purpose of selling great art, and supporting anti-trafficking through awareness and funding.

My background in internet marketing made it easy for me to join in with the small team in launching a start-up. I enjoy working on the SEO and Content Marketing, figuring out how to market and develop the site.

Dew at Sunrise

And now, almost 6 months later, we have a website (mostly) finished, relationships with artists, printers, framers, and suppliers created, and a pretty good idea of where we are going. There have been a handful of challenges along the way, and some things have just taken longer than expected. In other areas we have found surprising breakthroughs, so its been an up and down ride so far.

But sometimes I wonder if I'm doing enough, if I'm accomplishing what I thought I would get done.

I want to make a difference, to do as much as possible, but I have to remember two things: First, I have certain skills and abilities, and I should focus on using my strengths in the ways I can (I shouldn't, for example, try to write and perform a song to raise money or awareness, because that would end terribly). Second, God has prepared things for me to do, and so I should focus on doing the things created for me to do, and not worry about things I shouldn't be doing.

It is quite freeing when you start to realize that you're not supposed to do everything.

Krabi, Thailand

So over the next month I'll be focusing on doing as much as I can in the areas I can make the biggest impact, especially, the Stone in Shoe project.

If you're interested in learning more about Stone in Shoe, you can follow the link to the website, or contact me in a comment below, or on the contact page.

Thanks for reading, and I hope that you are also living in your strengths, and not worrying about the things you're not called to do.

PS - Hope you enjoy these pictures of sunsets and sunrises from Chiang Mai.

Sunrise in Chiang Mai

Travels - Cambodia

2014-03-01T01:28:00.001-08:00

February has been Filled with Visiting Several Amazing Places

This month has gone by fast as I enjoyed two separate trips. The first trip was 5 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia where I visited the Stop Slavery Orphanage, several villages and Angkor Wat. Then a few days later I left for Bangkok, and Krabi, Thailand.

It has been incredibly fun to visit these different places and I am thankful each day for the opportunity to see new places, and learn new things.

I'll cover my trip to Cambodia in this post, and make a 'part 2' for my travels to Krabi.

Cambodia

I went to Cambodia with Buddy Rathmell, founder of Stop Slavery, on a quick five day trip at the beginning of February. We checked in on the orphanage sponsored by Stop Slavery there, and looked into several other mission projects at nearby villages. We also did a little sightseeing at Angkor Wat.

An enclosed area at one of the temples in Angkor Wat

Visiting Cambodia was en experience I will never forget. Angkor Wat was an amazing collecting of temples, each with a massive number of intricate structures as well as carvings on almost everything. I was astounded by the shear size of the structures and walls that surrounded them, along with the number of different temples.

Lots of other people also there to see Angkor Wat

But what I will likely remember even more vividly than Angkor Wat are the people I met in Cambodia. Ranging from the indigenous pastors and missionaries to the children at the orphanage and villages, they were all a joy to meet and get to know in just a few short days.

One of the villages

At both the orphanage and villages, I was surprised at how little the kids had compared to western standards, and yet they lived quite happily. It made me realize that I should both be thankful for what I have, and also not put my happiness in stuff.

It is hard to fully convey the experience of seeing an extremely rural village, where some families live in one room bamboo and wood houses on stilts to avoid flooding. They use a well with a hand pump to get water that isn't clean, but its all they have. The village has various animals that roam about, and the only way to reach it is on small dirt paths.

This is how they get all of their water

Yet inspite of conditions that I would find difficult to live in, they were happy and embracing life. Huge steps are being made by a local widow who is sharing her life, and the Gospel, with one of the villages and on one of our visits, around 30 women and children gathered for a short church service.

At the orphanage, Pastor Paul showed us around and I had a great time hanging out with the kids. They were so excited to meet new people, and were welcoming and friendly. I spent several meals with them and by the end of the trip they gave hugs as we said goodbye.

I was surprised about how many things I took for granted in America, that the kids at the orphanage didn't have. Clean water from faucets, indoor kitchen, refrigerator, hot water, toys, and the list could go on.

With the kids from the orphanage

Visiting Cambodia was a great opportunity for me to recognize not only how blessed I am, but that there are so many opportunities around the world for change and hope. Right now, Stop Slavery is making amazing progress in Cambodia through indigenous missionaries and it is incredibly encouraging. You can visit their website by following the link to learn more.

I could probably write pages more, but I wanted to keep this short and to the point. If you have questions or thoughts, be sure to leave a comment!

Thanks for visiting!

An Update with Pictures of Adventures - January 2014

2014-01-25T01:23:00.002-08:00

Some Exciting Changes for Stone in Shoe on the Way

These steps (300 of them) lead to a temple at the top
of Doi Suthep, a mountain next to Chiang Mai.

As most probably know, the main project I am working on here in Thailand is starting an art business called Stone in Shoe with the goal of raising awareness about modern slavery, while also raising money by donating all of the profits to anti-trafficking organizations.

I've been working on this with Alex and Jess Sartore (check out their blog) for the last 2 months or so, although we took a few weeks a little slower during the holidays. That time over the holidays gave us a chance to look at where we were, and make some exciting changes.

While I can't divulge all of the ideas, one thing we are working on is revamping the website to make it easier to navigate, easier for us to use, and just a better experience overall. You can go visit and enter your email to be the first to know when we relaunch!

Other News

Although I took a few weeks a little easy during the holidays, things have picked up again and life just seems to stay busy in Chiang Mai. There are always things to do, whether working on things, or enjoying adventures around the city.

I got myself a new camera for a late Christmas present, to replace my 6 year old camera. Its nothing fancy but gets the job done and is fun to play with, so here are some shots from adventures around Chiang Mai.

This first picture is of a quarry in Chiang Mai that offers a great place to relax, and have a little fun. There are a couple of places to do cliff jumping from, and the water isn't as cold as one would expect for January.

The Quarry

The photo below is from the temple at the top of Doi Suthep, a mountain that overlooks Chiang Mai. It was very beautiful, and there was a lot of gold colored things.

Doi Suthep Temple

Before entering the temple area, you must remove your shoes. The young boy in the photo was kind enough to organize all the shoes.

Shoes outside the temple

There are many markets in Chiang Mai, and this is just one small market that goes on every night. One of the bigger ones is the Sunday night market, where they close down a whole street for almost a mile of street vendors and other shops.

Night Market

A shot of the crew here working with Stop Slavery and Stone in Shoe at a great little coffee shop. Beats Starbucks by a mile, and then some. From left to right, Vince, Jess and Alex.

The group

I find the rice fields very peaceful and relaxing, and they are everywhere on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. You can see Doi Suthep in the background.

Rice Field

Thanks for taking the time to read or at least look at the pictures, let me know what you're thinking!

I am excited for the coming months as progress is made on several projects with Stop Slavery, and I appreciate your continued prayers. I also want to thank everyone who is helping support me over here, you guys are great. Thailand is a huge learning experience, and it isn't even close to over yet.

If you have questions about what I'm doing, or about Thailand, leave a comment!

I'll leave you with this quote from Benjamin Franklin that has really resonated with me this week:

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2013-12-26T21:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Thailand - Thoughts

A quick shot while out exploring the Thai
countryside

It is hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone, and in a few short days it will be 2014. A lot has happened for me in 2013. And probably the biggest is learning about human trafficking, and then moving to Thailand to try to help do something about it.

It's been an exciting year, and looking back on it I wouldn't change anything. It is so much fun to be in Thailand and involved in things that are making a difference in the lives of people who are facing desperate situations.

I would encourage you to find ways to make a difference in the lives of others, if you don't already, because it is very rewarding not only for them, but also for you as well. Perhaps it can be a new year's resolution, that you actually follow through on.

Human Trafficking in 2013

There have been a lot of big strides in 2013, with many organizations involved in fighting modern slavery growing, and others (like Stone in Shoe), getting started.

I want o share a few resources I have found that came out this year and may be of interest to those who want to learn more about human trafficking.

The Walk Free Foundation released the Global Slavery Index 2013, which contains trafficking information and rankings for the majority of countries in the world. It is a very thorough index with a lot of information, but it is presented in a visually appealing way.

The Polaris Project created another valuable resource, compiling a rating of each state in the US on Human Trafficking Laws. This is a fascinating document to browse through as it provides a lot of information on each state and what laws they have or don't have for human trafficking. Perhaps you can take a look, and see how your state is doing.

Finally, the US government also put together a 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report with individual reports and information on many different countries around the world. Take a look, and see these detailed reports for yourself.

These resources provide a deeper look into the numbers and location information regarding human trafficking. While trafficking is much worse in some countries and regions, the sad fact is that it exists worldwide, in practically every country. But 2013 saw a big increase around the world in awareness, and even in arrests and other anti-trafficking efforts.

Back to Christmas in Thailand

Well, anyway, it's Christmas, and I hope everyone out there had a wonderful time, and hopefully enjoyed friends and family.

I enjoyed a fun Christmas afternoon hike with my housemates and some of their families, and managed to snap a few pictures of interesting things we found along the way.

We hiked up a dirt trail, up a mountain called Doi Suthep, and stumbled across a secluded temple sitting next to a small waterfall with a great view of Chiang Mai. It was a relaxing place, although it was impossible to miss the strange, and somewhat creepy, Buddhist statues and structures.

Hiked past this unique collection of structures that made up a temple and other buildings.

We eventually made it to the top of the mountain, where there were many shops and another temple. Apparently most people preferred to ride a motorcycle or drive a car to reach the top, rather than hike through the jungle.

Shops on the stairs that lead to the temple at the
top of the mountain.

It has been a unique experience being in Thailand for Christmas, because, while the stores and malls put up lots of holiday themed decorations, the Thai people don't really take the day off, and most business are open. It reminds me of Christmas in Japan, where many of the people like Christmas, and enjoy the decorations and gift giving, but have no idea what the holiday is about, or any traditions that go with it. It is a good reminder that not everyone in the world thinks the same, or celebrates the same things.

I am really looking forward to what 2014 holds, and I am confident that it will bring new adventures, challenges and fun. I am also excited for what can be accomplished in fighting human trafficking over the next 12 months.

Enjoy the last few days of 2013!

A Quick Drive into the Hills Around Chiang Mai

2013-12-13T00:19:00.001-08:00

Thailand is Fun (And Different)

I took advantage of a quiet Saturday morning to drive out into the Thai countryside. It is a popular road that winds up and around some of the mountains that hang on the edge of Chiang Mai.

Stopped on the side of the road to snap this picture

Some people take motorcycles, racing up and down the winding hills, while other highly motivated individuals challenge themselves by riding a bicycle. I just went on my moped, maintaining a leisurely pace and enjoying the the many interesting sights along the way.

A fun coffee shop along the road

It was incredibly refreshing, and not just because I was out of the city's usual dust and car fumes, but just taking the time to explore and enjoy some beautiful mountain views helped me remember how blessed I am to be able to live in Thailand and do what I do.

The road flows up and down over the hills, with jungle vegetation all around. At times you are riding though little valleys with houses and small shops along the road, and then you ride up another hill, and get a great view of other hills and quaint valleys tucked around. It seems like the perfect place for anyone who needs a few days of absolute peace and quite.

On the way back I also stopped at my new favorite coffee shop and happily sipped a latte, warming myself up from the ride (apparently it's winter here, and is getting down into the low 70's (sometimes 60's) at night and in the early morning!).

I've been reading some books lately on injustice which have helped me be reminded of how important it is to be involved.

A fun little coffee shop with great Latte's

One of the books, called The Exodus Road, gives a wife's perspective of what it is like for her husband to do undercover investigations into human trafficking in many of the countries in Southeast Asia. This book details the true events and situations that exist right now, and how some people are working to combat injustice, one victim at a time. I highly recommend it if you are willing to be challenged. If you do buy it and read it, I would enjoy talking about your thoughts, so send me an email or leave a comment.

I didn't quite expect to find Thailand so full of adventures and fun new things, but I'm trying to enjoy them all. I am thankful to be able to live in Thailand, and help fight injustice in the ways I can. But you don't have to go to Thailand to do that, you can fight for justice wherever you are.

I want to encourage everyone to take more opportunities to enjoy the fun and interesting things around you. And if you can't find any new or exciting things, why not move over to Thailand, where you will find plenty.

Thanks for stopping by and reading, and thanks everyone who made this adventure in Thailand possible. There are certainly challenges, but there are also so many things to enjoy and thank God for. I'll be sharing more about Stone in Shoe, the company I'm helping start, in the near future.

Leave a comment with any questions or thoughts!

More on the Projects I am Working On

2013-11-22T01:26:00.002-08:00

Life Gets Busy Sometimes

Had the Chance to Stop in Burma, so I did.
Interesting place.

Well, I was hoping to avoid this, but it looks like it happened. I got busy with some exciting projects and adventures and forgot to write any updates on here.

But, let me make it up to you by sharing some of the neat things I have already been able to get involved in and some of the fun things I've been experiencing.

Stone in Shoe

I am here, in Thailand, as a volunteer with Stop Slavery. A unique and exciting project I am able to join with is Stone in Shoe, an artwork company that sells canvas prints to spread awareness about human trafficking as well as raise money to directly fund anti-trafficking operations.

A main road in Thailand, with very decent
signage.

It is a new company, with just a small crew of talented young professionals volunteering their time and effort to get the company going and make a difference in the world.

We have been working on developing the website, which always seems to take more work than expected, and setting up other aspects of the business.

The artwork is composed of images that are emotionally grating or irritating, photos of trafficking situations or other injustices. Our goal is that people will put the artwork up on the wall, where others will see it and be motivated to learn more about modern slavery.

I have been able to step in and help with the various tasks that must be completed to launch this venture. It is very exciting for me to be working on this project which we hope will raise support and a lot of awareness about human trafficking worldwide. Your prayers as Stone in Shoe get's going would be very appreciated.

You might enjoy reading a recent post I wrote on the Stone in Shoe blog with some news about the site and other announcements.

On the Ground

Being here in Thailand has given me the opportunity to get firsthand accounts and stories of trafficking situations across Asia. It is very saddening to hear these stories, but it also gives me extra motivation to continue working in the ways I can to support ending modern slavery.

While I don't have any contact with victims in the work I'm doing, I have begun to meet people who are involved in that side of things and it is very encouraging to hear how they are working at not only caring for and building up victims, but also working on prevention through reaching out into rural communities with information.

More on Living in Thailand

Night Market in Chiang Mai

Living in Thailand is an incredible adventure. There are so many new sights and sounds. There are tons of new foods to try, unique trinkets to check out, strange cultural differences to be surprised
by, and so much more.

Typical foods include a wide variety of stir-fried foods served over white rice. They also have plenty of fried rice, and many different kinds of noodle soup dishes.

Roadside food stands are very popular, and these places will sell anything from mango's over rice to chicken organs on a stick.

The Thai people are generally friendly and willing to work with my lack of language skills. I have been trying to learn a little of the language, but it is both difficult, and I don't have too much time to devote to it.

I recently had the fun opportunity to go to a very popular festival held here in Thailand where thousands of paper lanterns are floated up into the air. It was a magnificent sight when all the lanterns rose in unison from the extremely crowded location the festival was held at. For the entire weekend lanterns were continually drifting skyward making for a very entertaining night scene.

Lantern Festival held every year with thousands of lanterns released at once

Being close to the action in Thailand has helped develop my understanding and knowledge of human trafficking, both in Asia and around the world. I don't think it will ever be possible for me to forget some of the things I have learned, but hopefully my last memories will be positive, consisting of the eradication of modern slavery.

Please be praying for the victims of human trafficking, for the people working at ending it, and especially for the investigators, and ongoing investigations throughout Asia.

If you have thoughts or questions, leave a comment, or contact me by email, or on the contact page. Thanks for stopping by and reading!

P.S. If you wanted to help, one big way would be to go to StoneinShoe.com. and follow us on social media to help spread the word.

Thailand: It's a New Adventure

2013-10-14T22:42:00.002-07:00

An Update with Pictures as I Settle in to Living in Thailand

Over the last few days since arriving on Thursday night, life has been a somewhat hectic dash of activity as I have been trying to settle in, get through jet lag, and learn how to function in a new country where I can't read or speak anything.

Typical parking outside a small market

And I even like the color

Touring the street markets and sampling local foods has been an awesome experience. Paying around $1 for a Thai lunch, but finding bedding for $50 and up, has been interesting. The cost of most things in Thailand are either significantly cheaper, or more expensive, than what I am accustomed to.

Traffic is another unique aspect of Thailand that takes some getting used to. Lane lines are seen as a mere suggestion, and lane changes are done by slowly sliding over into the other lane, whether or not it is occupied already. Traffic lights are rather long, or at least it feels that way because they have timers on most of the major lights that show you how long it will stay green, yellow or red. It makes for a convenient race start countdown when waiting at a red light...

I have been blessed with a moped to use while here, which is the preferred mode of transportation for most Thai people. It is quite entertaining to see how many people or things, or both, are able to fit on one small moped. Already in a few days I've seen small families using a single moped to get around, or what looks like moped delivery services with several large boxes stacked precariously around one small deliveryman.

The Kitchen Setup - Gas Cook Range!

This week's primary focus will be settling in, and getting the house I'm living in, with Alex and Jess, painted and put together. It is a great house with lots of space, although the walls could use a color other than the current greenish-white. Accommodations in the kitchen are nice, but for those accustomed to American kitchens, it might feel a little different.

I want to thank everyone for your prayers as I traveled the 28 hours to get to Thailand. It was a long trip, but went very smoothly and the only residual affects are jet lag which I am quickly getting over.

I also want to thank everyone who helped me get here through financial support, what a blessing!

Please be in prayer as I integrate into the team at Stop Slavery and we work together at developing and accomplishing several exciting projects which I will be learning more about (and sharing more about on here) in the next few weeks.

Here are a few additional pictures of the house I'll be living in, and the plane that brought me here For all of the pictures, if you click on them you can see them full sized.

This is my house in a small quiet neighborhood a little south of Chiang Mai. It is amazing the houses you can rent in Thailand at great prices. This place was especially inexpensive, however, the inside needs some painting and small renovations. But with great space and potential, it is hard not to love it!

The Korean Air flight that brought me across the Pacific. It was as comfortable as 14 hours in a seat could be I guess. I was able to catch up on some movies, nap, read, and then realize I wasn't even halfway to my destination.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I will try to post more in the near future as adventures unfold!

Leave a comment with your thoughts, questions, or other pictures I should post.

I'm In the Airport!

2013-10-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

As I write this, I am waiting in the Mobile, AL airport to board my plane and head to Thailand, I am so encouraged by the many people who have generously partnered with me and helped make this trip happen. I am excited to say that my trip is more than 4/5ths fully funded!

The support from so many people makes me even more excited to get to Thailand and focus on the challenges and opportunities in fighting human trafficking.

A huge thank you to everyone who is praying for my trip, and for those supporting me financially!

It is very exciting for me to be on my way to Chiang Mai, a big step towards joining the fight against human trafficking.

I will be flying into Atlanta, then on to Seoul after a long flight across the Pacific. Then one more flight and I arrive in Chiang Mai Thursday evening, local time.

For those who might be interested in learning more about human trafficking, and more broadly, injustice in the world, I would recommend a book I recently read called Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen. It had some pretty good information covering the different injustices that exist, including human trafficking, why they exist, and how we can be involved in fighting for justice.

Prayers as I travel would be appreciated. I look forward to posting more on here as I arrive in Thailand and begin working. Leave a comment with any thoughts or questions.

One Week Until I Fly to Thailand

2013-10-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

In Less Than one Week I Will be on My Way to Thailand

I am amazed and humbled as funding for my trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand has begun to be supplied in several ways, and through many different people. What generous people God has raised up to join with me in fighting human trafficking!

I have also been amazed at the connections I have been able to make, meeting people who share a passion for combating modern slavery around the world. What an encouragement it is to know that there are people in many different places with different skills and abilities, but all engaged in the same goal - setting free those who are kept against their will.

I can't tell you how excited I am to get to Chiang Mai. I am looking forward to the opportunities and adventures that await me in the coming months.

With just a week to go, I am working at getting all the little details together - funding, gear, paperwork, and lots of other little things that would be good to do before leaving the country for over half a year!

But I can enthusiastically say that nothing is keeping me from going to Thailand, I have all the 'important' details together! My plane ticket and visa are paid for, and I have saved some money for the first few months of rent/expenses. If you are interested in supporting the work I'll be doing with Stop Slavery and keeping me in Thailand, visit How to Join in Support.

I am looking forward to sharing on here the adventures I'll find in Chiang Mai, and some pictures of the unique things I'm sure to find. Leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions. Visit the Contact Me page if you want to contact me more privately through email. You can also sign up for email updates at the bottom of the right sidebar.

Thank you for all your support, prayers and encouragement!

Two Weeks...

2013-09-25T08:23:00.002-07:00

Two Weeks Left Until I Fly

Got my Visa for Thailand!

In just two short weeks I will be on my way to Chiang Mai, Thailand to begin working with Stop Slavery.

I received my visa back just a few days ago, which was the last major step in the process of going to Thailand. It went through without any problems, and it is very comforting to know I can check that box off my list of things to do.

I am amazed as all the details that are coming together, which is very nice since there isn't much time left! I am really looking forward to getting to Thailand and starting on the projects that need to be done.

Many generous friends and family have stepped up to support me, both in prayer and financially - what an encouragement! If you want to know more about joining with me to help stop human trafficking, visit how to join in support.

As my departure gets closer, I find myself stopping and thinking, 'Why am I doing this?' Then I am reminded of two things: First, I am encouraged because God loves justice, and He wants us to love justice as well. He also wants to use us to enact justice in the world. We are responsible for helping those in desperate situations, where they think no one can help them. My hope is that I will be able to accomplish this while working in Thailand, and that my efforts will make it easier for others in the future to bring criminals to justice, and bring hope to the hopeless.

Second, what an opportunity and adventure this will be! There will be plenty of challenges, but there will also be plenty of rewarding and memorable experiences, so I am really looking forward to the next 8 months.

I will be posting on this blog as often as possible, keeping it updated with news and adventures. Leave a comment if you want to share your thoughts. You can also subscribe by email to receive these updates in your inbox. (just enter you email in the box at the bottom of the right sidebar)

Thanks for reading!

Tickets and Visa for Thailand

2013-09-11T15:05:00.003-07:00

Visa is in the Mail!

I am excited to share that I got plane tickets to Chiang Mai last week, and sent my visa application off earlier this week.

Two steps closer to Thailand and working with Stop Slavery!

The visa application will now be approved and returned to me, hopefully in the next 2 weeks. Prayer that it goes smoothly would be appreciated!

The plane ticket and visa cost just under $1800 altogether, which was over a hundred dollars less than I budgeted, which is great. But I am still in need of individuals willing to partner with me in doing something to stop human trafficking, both in prayer and in support. If you would like partner with me, or learn more about it, just visit How To Join In Support.

The plane flight will leave Mobile, Alabama, stop in Atlanta, then Seoul, South Korea, and finally arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand 28 hours later.

Here is a picture to give you an idea of the flight path:

Flight Plan for my Trip to Thailand - Flying halfway 'round the World

I am getting more excited everyday for this opportunity to combat injustice, and help the Stop Slavery organization become more effective in its role of funding and developing anti-trafficking operations.

I don't know all of what I'll be doing, but I know that everyday I am in Thailand will be a new chance to make a difference and make progress in ending slavery.

Thanks for stopping by and reading, and visit again soon when I post my thoughts on injustice in the world, and what we as individuals can do about it.

Leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!