and so it begins!

Hello friends and family!

Our first week at Abba House has been an easy adjustment.  Starting off our mornings with team prayer and worship prepares us for our full day. Coming to Abba House, we thought we would only be working with young women rescued from the sex slave industry, but instead we're also teaching men and young girls english and forming quality relationships. God has given each of us a heart for our students, and we have been blessed by each of them.  For our english classes, we split up into three groups: advanced, intermediate, and beginner. It's such an encouragement watching our students eager to learn because they desire to communicate with us and to progress with their futures.

Today marks two weeks since we arrived here. We have already felt at home and have grown in relationships with the staff and students. All of the men have impacted us. Each of them have such unique personalites, and watching them for the past two weeks, it's been a blessing to see their desire for God and for people. One day we bought them ice cream for 6 baht, and the next day the treated us to fruit and snacks in return. They have servant hearts and love to make us smile. Worshipping with Dave, Francis, and the guys is always a good time. We sing songs in both english and thai, and there is always usually dancing and pure joy. Thailand team shares messages with the men every school day, and it's special to communicate our love for the Lord to them and hear their response.

There are about 19 beautiful Thai girls that live in Abba housing. They are so easy to love. Whether it's playing volleyball, tickling each other, braiding hair, or simply laughing, they crave our attention. We teach them english as well, but our favorite time with them is simply showing them love.

Thank you Jesus! We have been healthy minus our leader Jacque! She is slowly recovering, but God has kept the rest of us healthy and able to keep going full force. Everyone of our teammates is gifted in unique areas.  We have tactic girls, journalists, photographers, hospitality, and most of all, just serving hearts. Each girl was strategically placed on this team, and we help each other together with God as our stronghold. We're unique as an all girls team, but God is using us big ways.

-Catherine Willis