Thailand is home to over one million women involved in sexual commerce. Prostitution in this and other under-developed countries is driven by poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, domestic violence and greed. Many of the young women are teenagers who were sold into the trade by poor families, and the money they make helps to support their parents and other family members. Thai women involved in the sex trade are often exploited by brokers who sell them to international traffickers. The traffickers lock them in brothels where they are forced to work to earn set amounts of money each night.

After retiring from teaching here in the Bay Area, Bonita Thompson decided to move to Thailand and start a home to help provide these young women with options for a different life. The Home of New Beginnings is a holistic relational ministry that seeks to address the spiritual, emotional, physical and vocational needs of women who want to leave the sex trade. It is located just three blocks from one of the three major red light districts in the heart of downtown Bangkok. The ministry of the home gives women an opportunity to complete school, learn English, computer skills, and basic skills for everyday life. Their spiritual needs are also addressed through daily Bible studies.

A small team of women have been invited to come and help Bonita at the Center for two weeks. The trip will be October 7-21, 2008. The team consists of Carol Lind, Judy Herminghaus, Sarah Dodson and Kristine Farber.

We would love to invite you to partner with us as we trust the Lord for this trip. Your prayer support is vital to us. It will be very challenging both physically and emotionally but we know the Lord will give us the strength as we need it. Spiritually there could be some intense warfare as we help to open minds to new understanding of a God who loves all. Bonita has warned us that is it difficult to see all that goes on in the red light district and to keep our balance emotionally. Please pray for us daily during the trip.

If you would like to help off set some of the expenses for the trip we have opened an account at PBC. Send a check to Peninsula Bible Church with a separate paper which says Thailand Trip and it will go directly to the trip account.

We thank you in advance for all that you will do to help us help these women.

We are excited to be available to help others find true freedom in Christ.