There and Back again (the story of a hobbit on great adventures)
March 2015
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| Just want to give a quick synopsis as to what I've been up to, what I'm doing and where I'm heading. Sorry it has taken so long for those that I haven't been able to catch up with since being back in New Zealand. I did a 6 month course (DTS) with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in Perth which included a three month lecture phase and then an outreach phase in Nepal, India and Thailand. |
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What I've Been up to
Nepal
After about 5 days in transit we ended up in a town called Britamod close to the Indian boarder. We went to different rural villages, bus parks and churches. We did drama's about Human Trafficking and the Gospel with the help of our awesome friend and translator Zoell and his family. They also opened up their home to us and provided such good hospitality. We even got the opportunity to do an eye clinic in one of the rural villages and give out a lot of glasses. |
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India
This was where it got a little more challenging for me. After 2 weeks I got very sick. I got a mosquito borne bowel infection which caused bad bleeding. It was further complicated by my previous flax bush injury that punctured my bowel. I ended up in Hospital on IV for 5 days, then got discharged and started to get worse. After about 2 weeks of ups and downs, slowly deteriorating and losing more energy and blood, I made a few phone calls and decided that if I was not any better in 24 hours then I would have to leave.
During this time many people prayed for me and it was one of the best experiences of my life, just resting in God's love and knowing that what ever happens he loves me so much. I had a such a great peace about the whole situation. I knew that my value was not based on what I could do for God, but that he values me in spite of all my action's good and bad. I slowly got better from that point on, but was too sick to join in the outreach activities until we left India. Although I was unable to participate my team was amazing and they did heaps of programs in schools around individual value, human trafficking and protection against sexual abuse. They also visited hospitals and prayed with people and saw some of those they prayed for healed. |
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| Handing out small gifts to the Children of sex workers in one of the redlight districts in Kolkata |
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When I arrived in Thailand I was still very much recovering from my sickness. I managed to go out with my team into a few schools and help out with the programs that we were invited to. I was feeling at a bit of a crossroad, not knowing what to do with my life after finishing this trip. During one of my times with God in the morning I prayed, "What do you want me to do with my life?" I felt the impression, "What do you want to do."
God has been teaching me that he is not a dictator but actually gives us some choice in how we can serve him as long as it lines up with his principles and purposes. In response I wrote a comprehensive list of things that I would like to do (Bit of a dream list). Then within 3 days I met some amazing people who had very similar passions. They offered for me to come over and join with what they were doing and learn off them. I was so excited about the way God answered my prayers and if you read on I will explain what I am looking at doing. |
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| At the moment I am working full time at my old job at Wormald and picking up extra hours. I'm also living in the lounge of good friends Aaron and Nicole. This is helping me save as much as possible to fund going to Thailand. I'm going to Redeemer Church and a home group. I have really enjoyed being back and being a part of peoples lives back home. |
| I have also been organizing a Human Trafficking Awareness Forum called Free NZ. It will be Held in New Plymouth on the 21st of May. It has been awesome to see so many people come on board and volunteer their time and resources to make this happen. I'm excited to be able to Inform New Zealanders about what is happening in response to Human Trafficking in NZ and the rest of the world. |
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| What I'm looking at doing |
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So in June I intend to move to Thailand indefinitely. I have committed to at least 5 years with the intention of staying on long term. The first year most of my time will be taken up learning the Thai language. The rest of the time I will be assisting in the National office (Based in Bangkok) helping with administrative tasks, sorting emails and organizing conferences etc. I am also keen to get involved with other projects such as the MST project. This is a ministry that goes into the red light areas and helps men that have come for sex tourism. I am really excited about this opportunity but in order to make this dream a reality I need partners to support me.
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I would love to have you partner with me in prayer and finance. I will need $1800 NZD a month to cover living expenses. (accommodation, Food, Language study, Health Insurance, visa's etc. It is quite a lot for Asia but because I am based in Bangkok which is quite western it is a bit more expensive and language study will cost $400 a month. If you are able and willing, from your generous heart to give weekly or monthly by automatic payment could you please email/message me so I can thank you.
Bank Account Details
M R Jackson
01-0723-0061237-01 |
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- For the "FREE NZ Human Trafficking Awareness Forum" I'm organizing.
- Raising the finances needed to live in Bangkok.
- Priority management, making time for most important things.
- That all the finer details of moving will come together, Visa's, accommodation etc.
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