07.11.2016

One Life, One Village at a time.

There is a certain glitter and sparkle in the eyes of child when they look up to their mommy’s eyes. This gaze acts like a magnet drawing them together for the great celebrations of joy in life and through the most tragic of circumstances. Moms and their kids can connect without words. It only takes a look, a meeting of the eyes and all that needs to be said is said.

trafficked Or, so it should be. Increasingly in the world today it does not work that way.

Slavery is outlawed in every country in the world, and yet it exists widely. There remain enormous, almost unbelievable, numbers of individuals trapped in slavery. The most commonly accepted estimate is 27 million people worldwide RIGHT NOW serving in some capacity by threat of force, drugs, starvation, harm to family and other means of coercion. This figure is staggering.

80% of all slaves are sex slaves, 50% are children, many not even yet teenagers. It is possible to get lost in the magnitude of the atrocity and wonder if fighting back can make a difference. Not only can it make a difference, it is!

We have engaged in work where the sparkle is gone from the eyes of many. We have emersed ourselves in a place where mommy has frequently been a dangerous person. Where mom and dad are sometimes the most vile people in a child’s life.

Silversmith Together we are doing more than rescue kids and more than prosecute traffickers. Together we are entering villages and educating the children for the future. We are establishing micro-businesses that provide positive economic opportunities. We train the next generation of teachers and community leaders. We work alongside the local church to see that the Gospel permeates village life.

Together, we are seeing change. Together, we are making a difference. Together, we are ending the atrocity of sex trafficking one community at a time. You may have a part in all of this.

We want you to pray for this endeavor and if you can, support the work through the SENDHELP! Funding Campaign. Also, by purchasing survivor/ at-risk worker created products at www.Made27.com

For more information on the work, corporate sponsorship or tax-deductible donations please visit aim.radicallymarried.com Or contact us: Pete.livingston@gmail.com or debbieglivingston@gmail.com

We can help you prepare your community, school, business and church be a positive impact for fighting back where you live. Contact www.Made27.com to begin an Awareness Campaign in your area.

06.27.2016

Connect – change lives

Our job is to do all things we can to end the trafficking of humans. This is a crime we can all find a way to fight but we must fight it together. Jobs change economic conditions, education changes opportunities but it is the Gospel that changes hearts. These three need to be brought together to bring lasting change. That is what we endeavor to do – in Asia, in America. Through Awareness events and the sale of victim-made goods. Through on the field work with families at risk.

We hope you will read below and see how lives are joining in the battle. We pray you find your role in fighting in this cause. We hope you will consider supporting our work and sharing our partnership with your friends.

As awareness of child trafficking grows and as the Lord sets people free wherever and however they connect. We share notes of our work enabled through your support. This is from a person who attended a recent event. Blessings abound!

“Hi Debbie, I heard you & Pete speak on Friday night and I wanted to send you this picture & a message to pass along. I love this beautiful bracelet, but more importantly, what a blessing to pray for the beautiful lady that made it. Her name is known not only to our Father, but also halfway around the world to another woman whose shame has been undone & redeemed in His presence. Thank you again for sharing! Enjoy your time with family.”

Join us in Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ohio and California as we continue to share the stories of freedom that come from the work of the Gospel in the lives of people who have been abused and trafficked but are now being restored. (Contact us for dates and locations)

What joy will fill your soul as you become a part of new beginnings in lives of otherwise forgotten people.

Please engage with us. If you are a donor, thank you so much. If you are not yet, please prayerfully consider joining as supporters in the battle.

And please, share this post.

Donate here when you can.

02.07.2016

Learning a new language at 60- What was I thinking?

Sell everything and move to Cambodia. No prob. Say goodbye to family, church and friends. Not easy! Take on the issue of sex trafficking in a rural Khmer village the former epicenter of all child trafficking in the world. Okay, it’s getting harder now. Learn a completely new
language at 60? OH.MY.WORD. words photo

When I contemplated the exotic notion of the mission field at 60, dreams of grandeur settled in. Notions of lengthy, complex theological discussions were my goals with my new Cambodian friends. I would wax eloquent with perfect intonations and excellent grammar. Oy.

Honestly, most days my conversations go like this:

Me: I go work Svay Pak.

Tuk tuk driver: blank stare

Me: Money? much how?

Tuk tuk driver: blank stare and grin

Me: Comprendo? (Oops! wrong language- Parlez-vous Francais? The only thing I remember from 4 years of high school French)

Tuk driver driver: Smile (another dumb farang trying to speak Khmer)

I have noticed in my new brain-stretching endeavor there have been 4 stages:

1. Denial- when our Khmer tutor (God bless the monk patience of Mon Sinet) gave us our first list of 10 vocab words Pete and I looked at each other and said there is no way, Jose! What? How?

2. Reluctant acceptance- After a few months in, it became crucially apparent I needed to know some Khmer just to exist here: How much is that? Where is the toilet? Have Diet Coke? Coffee sweet milk please? I dug into those vocabs list and practice conversations despite every time I tried them they either had no idea what I was saying (Who is the toilet? Why is the toilet? How is the toilet? Okay, Debbie get it right, Where is the toilet? ) or they couldn’t believe actual Khmer was coming out of an old white lady like me.

3. I will do this!- And so I began to practice and study with a vengeance. I tried all my new words and phrases on my precious teachers and they lovingly just smiled and corrected me over and over. Occasionally I would get it all right and they would applaud. I even started dropping in words, phrases and sentences I had learned and they answered back! Sweet success!!

4. Determination- one of my new teachers in training is a 50 year sweet lady who was born and raised during the reign of terror with the Khmer Rouge. She painfully remembers no books, no schools, no glasses, no teachers, no pastors, again I say no teachers. To have or be any of these brought a death sentence. After coming to Christ, she began to look flower photo earnestly for God’s plan for her life. Speaking no English and having never taught before, she applied for a teaching training position at our school. Her heart for Christ and passion for kids won her that job. But how would she work with a bunch of American white folks who speak English and she spoke none? She started English classes at 50! She is a daily inspiration to me!
Every day we BOTH muddle through the limited language of the other, yet God allows us to communicate profoundly by loving nods, hugs, sign language and tokens of newfound friendship. Not able to afford real flowers, she spent hours and weeks making me a gift of paper flowers. The beauty is real, the friendship is profound.

Fourteen months in, on our last language test, our tutor proudly pronounced we were no longer language beginners, but now intermediates! Rejoice, Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, the gift of tongues has returned. LOL. I pray for the day I can have a long two-way conversation with my teacher and share the awesome things God has done in both our lives.

Preahyesaouv sraleanh anak! (Jesus love you)

We are 100% donor supported. If you would like to be a part of our team of donors who keep us engaged in the work to end child sex trafficking and bring restoration and reintegration to victims, please consider a one time gift or monthly support. All donations are tax deductible. Donation information is available here.

If you are already a donor, we thank you deeply. Our stories are also your stories. Please share them with your friends and invite them to sign up for this blog by entering their email in the box near the top right of this page. Thank you.

12.25.2015

Their gift today – Freedom!

Christmas morning made all things new for these girls!

I am pondering a lot about perspective this Christmas morning.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isaiah 61:1 ESV)”

A huge thank you and Merry Christmas too to those who are engaged with us in this battle. This story is your’s too.

Pray continually, Donate when you can.

03.20.2015

Ants Take Over the World

Ants, ants, ants
We have a love-hate relationship in Cambodia right now.

Love the Khmer people, the amazing varieties of fruits and vegetables, the work God has called us to here.

But,

Hate, hate, hate the ants. They’re everywhere! Pete and I have been on a zealous crusade to stop these little buggers from invading our kitchen! One morning I was up before Pete and in order to surprise him this loving wife prepared his instant Nescafe plus sweetener for him ready to add the hot water when he awoke. By that time (15 minutes later) hundreds of ants were in the bottom of the cup enjoying that sugar treat- gross, huh?!

We have scoured the internet to apply any and all remedies from old-wives tales to chemicals.
First, we purchased ant cabinets. (A what you say? Never heard of them?) These nifty glass cabinets are on wheels and it is where we store our food stuffs. Each wheel is sitting in a dish of baby powder which ants hate thus the deterrent to climb up the cabinets. Actually, this has worked! But only on our food stuffs. Maybe we should live in our cabinets J

We clean, clean and clean, close everything tightly, even put the closed trash bag in the cool oven, but drop any minuscule portion of food and or leave anything in the sink and they are on in like an organized attacking army. They get from an outside door 6 floors up to the kitchen door handle (10 feet) in land speed record time.

Now our Cambodian insect friends are not the awful big biting kind that would gross me out, but the super small, sneak in the night, can hardly see them variety but they are there.

Scientists relate that there are over 90 different species of ants here in Cambodia. We think the ANT Operation Headquarters in in our neighborhood.

Great (big sigh).

Thought you would enjoy knowing some of our methods to try and eliminate these guys. Any wise suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

First, ant spray daily, everywhere. But you would like to eat in your kitchen and you have to put everything away in order not to be eating chemicals.

Next we’ve tried ant chalk- make a continual line with chalkboard chalk and they would not cross the line. This works okay, they just take a detour around and up.

Saccharine (like Equal) they supposedly hate and kills them- Not! Guess the US warning labels on this stuff is true? How does one pour a lot of these expensive packets all over the kitchen cabinet?

Vinegar, rosemary, bleach, lemon juice, detergent? Tried all and it works for a while, but they just wait us out until we slip up one minute and BAM! They’re back!

God has a lot to say about ants. The New Living translation says it this way in Proverbs 6:6,
“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!”

Hmmmm….consider their ways? Teach Debbie a lesson?

After all, ants are hardworking, tenacious and focused. They really are amazing creatures!

When you look at how the ants go about their business, they are very structured and deliberate and never give up. May I apply these characteristics to my…

Daily walk with the Lord
Marriage and family
Praying for my Jerusalem, Samaria and uttermost parts of the world
Witnessing to those around me in Cambodia
Pouring Biblical truths and life skills into my Khmer teachers
Standing against the sexual trafficking of children!

02.20.2015

What does 3rd world mean?

Cambodia is a 3rd world country and the United States is not. Why? What is the meaning of this term that is tossed out when referring to many mission locations?

Actually there is not one term, but three. During the Cold War the United States and its non-Communist allies were deemed the First World, the Communist bloc was defined as the Second World, and nonaligned nations, which were predominantly poor, were designated the Third World.

Today, 3rd world usually refers to areas of the most impoverished countries and regions of the world, serving as a blanket term for characterizing the political and economic life of Latin America, Africa and Asia – Cambodia where we now live. One might also use this term to describe extreme destitution in otherwise affluent countries.

The TEFL Academy which certifies and trains teachers all over the world outlines 20 characteristics that generally apply to most Third World countries.

1. Low life expectancy is encountered in these countries due to the lack of money allocated to health services, and because people have less access to quality medical care.
2. Low standards of education.
3. Poor health care. Over 11 million children die each year from illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
4. Unemployment.
5. Poor nutrition. 824 million people go hungry or have a very limited food supply while an additional 500 million suffer from serious malnutrition.
6. A lack of clean drinking water. In excess of one billion people do not have proper access to clean drinking water, 400 million of which are children.
7. Overpopulation.
8. Poverty. About one in four people have no means to live on, and millions of people live on less than $1 a day.
9. Economic dependence on more developed countries.
10. Their economies are devoted to producing primary goods for the developed world whilst providing markets for finished goods manufactured in the developed world.
11. The ruling elites of most of these countries are extremely wealthy.
12. Corruption is endemic in a lot of these countries.
13. Control of major economic activities such as mining and cultivation is often retained by foreign firms.
14. The price of their goods is often determined by the developed countries.
15. Trade with developed countries is practically the only source of income.
16. Human rights are less protected.
17. A total lack or inadequate national electricity grid- 1.6 billion people live without electricity in these countries.
18. Although some of these countries, such as Venezuela and Nigeria, are rich in natural resources: very little benefit is felt by the ordinary people.
19. These countries are often ruled by dictatorial regimes, or corrupt ‘democratically elected’ governments.
20. HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in some of these countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Much of this list describes our precious Cambodia and the environment where we work. Understanding the living conditions of the people is essential in showing them to Christ. Pray for the Khmer people and those caught up in the ravages of sex trafficking. Only Christ can be their hope! These too are God’s precious people and He is setting them free!

In some ways, these third world folks understand the love of Christ that first world folks just can’t. We are privileged to be working with them and seeing God work through them to show the world how to set captives free.

Note: TEFL is an acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. TEFL academies are all around the world.

02.05.2015

Home

The most frequently asked question to this new Cambodian missionary is, “Where is home?” I can honestly say I just don’t know how to answer that question anymore.

Is it the shop house where we are now staying temporarily while local missionaries are on furlough? Is it our new apartment in Tuol Kork into which we move March 1st? Is it Jefferson City, Missouri where we raised our last 3 kids and our most recent US address? Is it Oklahoma City where we raised our 7 children and lived 13 years? Is it Grand Rapids or Lansing, Michigan or Cincinnati, Ohio, or Doylestown, Pa? (Yes, we’ve lived in all these places) Is it Columbus, Ohio where Pete and I grew up, went to school and married?

None of these seem to be the right answer. While I have loved all these locales, I believe there is something new in my heart – a longing for a real home which makes all these others seem like wonderful temporary stops on the way to home in with Christ.

We must live vigorously in each “home” God calls us to for the advancement of this Kingdom; yet the older I get there is that unsettling reality that knows there’s more.

Scripture tells us this is true…

Philippians 3:30, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”

2 Corinthians 5: 1, For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”

Hebrews 11:16, instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

I thought maybe it was just me. After all, here at 59 and 60 years old Pete and I have made an around the world cross-cultural change uprooting everything that was comfortable and “normal” in order to assist others in the elimination of sex trafficking. Wouldn’t that make just about anybody feel a little out of sorts?

But, as I have pondered and prayed through this angst, God has delivered sweet revelation though His Word by His Spirit. My home isn’t supposed to be here: it’s ultimately supposed to be with Him someday in Heaven. My longing is natural and right.

So, where’s your home?

Our supporters are our backbone. We thank you for your donations to the work to end sex trade of children. Donate if you can. We are very grateful when you do.

01.23.2015

When in Cambodia……

The Cambodian Custom of removing shoes at the door.

I am a barefoot kind of girl and I have the calloused dry cracked feet to prove it. On our first day in Cambodia our house host laid us out a simple mat for our shoes and we quickly caught on. I did a little research on this Asia custom and thought you might like a little education. Thanks Jenny Hones!

Old traditional homes in Asia were raised about 2 feet off the ground for ventilation and staying above the cold damp earth. It was customary to remove your slippers in the entry which was at ground level and one would step up into the home in their socks. This custom of removing your shoes before entering a home, is still practiced in Asian homes throughout the world.

In newly constructed homes in Asia, regardless whether a single family home or high rise, the entrance is usually lower than the rest of the home. You step up into the house or flat. This practical design allows for any type of weather, such that all dirty and wet gear can be left in the entrance and does not need to be brought into the home, hence the house stays clean. This has a physical and psychological purpose: the motion of stepping up to a different level, allows one to be aware that they are entering someone’s private space. Originally, the Japanese home had wood hallways with tatami or woven straw mats as flooring for the rooms. The ancient Koreans had under floor heating stones to heat their wooden floors. That’s the original radiant heat!!! What one must remember is that the Asian lifestyle at that time was mainly centered around the floor. The tables were low and they sat on the floor to eat, sleep and do all their activities. That’s why it was so important to have clean and warm floors. That tradition remains today.

Another point is that Asians believe it is good health practice to be barefoot. The Chinese have been practicing foot reflexology for over 5,000 years. Being barefoot allows your pressure points to be stimulated. When confined in shoes all day, your feet do not have the chance to breathe, stretch and feel. If you do not practice removing your shoes in your home, please give it a try and see how you feel. You may like it!

Today, western furniture has taken over the average Asian home, but we still like to sit on the floor and walk barefoot. Just remember when visiting an Asian home, wear clean socks with no holes because you may be asked to remove your shoes!

12.31.2014

4 Suitcases

The big day is approaching. In 12 more days we will say goodbye to America and adventure off to the Kingdom of Wonder (Cambodia) as missionaries with Agape International Missions. Due to airline regulations, we get to take one 50 pound bag each and can pay an additional $100 for an extra bag. So we have thus elected to take 4 suitcases. We read David Platt’s Radical several years ago and always wondered what it would be like to sell it all and serve wherever He sent us.

Well, we’ve done it. The house now echoes, we’re sleeping on blowups, eating all carryout, driving borrowed cars, the dog is sleeping inside our suitcases (that made us tear up) and saying hundreds of goodbyes.

Now we’re down to the last 4 suitcases to take with us. I could wax all spiritual and eloquent, but instead have elected to share with you the” nitty gritty” of the important (not counting the 8 clothing sets we each took). If you had to put everything you needed in 4 suitcases, what would you take “ o rich young ruler”?

I know you’re saying “what the heck”? As a teenager my granddaddy gave me a cutting off his aloe plant and I faithfully planted it in 1970. It is now one monster plant and has been given to a dear friend to babysit. This little cutting of that plant is going in a baggy in my makeup case to be transplanted in our new Cambodian home.

If you know me I am a coffee freak and am taking a stash of Starbucks instant me with (thanks Laura).

I have been devouring this book on cross culture teaching- it has become my education “bible” while this feeble, can’t speak Khmer teacher tries to teach other teachers. Pray for me.

Have you ever thought of what you have to do with all your bills (US and Cambo), payments, receipts, the dreaded FASFA and US income taxes? Well, all this is faithfully going with us in a specially organized notebook (I am after all Notebook Queen). Man we lose this and we’re sunk!

We got rid of thousands of books (that was hard) and have it pared down to those super special to us. I have been holding this one aside as my airplane read. Yes, I already saw the movie. And I always tell my students NEVER SEE THE MOVIE FIRST!

Well, that’s the first 5…the next 5 to come. FullSizeRender_1

12.12.2014

They need a New Life

There are places where it is not safe to be a kid. Places where adults use kids for awful purposes. These places exist everywhere on the globe. Even in places considered “civilized”.

There are places where kids are rescued, restored and reintegrated. Where they are shown that God loves them and has a plan for their good. These places DO NOT exist everywhere on the globe. The best places are emerging in more distant lands. Places like Cambodia. Places where the Gospel can be presented clearly as the PRIMARY tool to knowing a person’s worth and purpose. There is enormous hope emerging in these places and it is hope in Christ that is the key.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Debbie and I get to see the Rescue|Restore|Reintegration places grow! We want to press into the atrocity with the Truth of God’s saving grace. We get to be a part of a work that is seeing over 85% of the rescued kids restored and reintegrated. We get to see and aid in the work of the Lord to make the old pass away and new things come. In early January we will begin our two year assignment embedded in this cause.

The premiere agency in the world is Agape International Missions (AIM) in Cambodia and we have joined their staff. While we have already begun to engage in the work, we will move to Cambodia in January to engage face to face and personally for the cause.

Help us spread the word. And if your organization needs a cause for a fund raiser, if you need a service project (ie., ice bucket challenge and glow runs), if you want to support our work, we would love your help. Visit AIM.RADICALLYMARRIED.COM for more info or contact us. We are donor supported in this work and if this cause resonates with you, your church group or your business, please support our work in any way that you can.

May this cause lead you to prayer for the Rescue|Restoration|Reintegration of kids who need to know there is hope. They need a New Life – one found in Christ.

If you can support the work in any way all gifts are greatly appreciated. Please, share this post on your FaceBook page and other Social Media. Bring awareness to the cause.

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