I just got a message from my friend Kristina, who lives and works at the DIC in Mae Sai, Thailand. Although it carried news she knew I would hate to hear, she knows the power of prayer and that I would want to be supportive to be precious Abbaba in whatever way possible.                    Abbaba, the deaf child from the earthquake, has had a hard time learning not to steal. Being an orphan with parents in jail due to border issues, he has never had an influence telling him that what...

You’ve been given your life. No one else has your version. You’ll never bump into yourself on the sidewalk. You’ll never meet anyone who has your exact blend of lineage, loves, and longings. Your life will never be lived by anyone else. You’re not a jacket in an attic that can be recycled after you are gone.   Life is racing by, and if we aren’t careful, you and I will look up, and our shot will have passed us by. Right now, there are 1.75 billion people who are desperately poor, 1 billion are hungry, millions are trafficked into slavery, and pandemic...

The other day, I was listening to a podcast from Francis Chan and he asked a question that stuck with me: What do you want to be doing whenever Christ comes back? Do I want to be watching some pointless movie that represents everything that I DON’T stand for? Do I want to be shopping, spending the money that I could just as easily give back to the church? Do I want to be reading a book that does nothing to further my relationship with God and that does nothing to strengthen my faith? I don’t know about you, but whenever Jesus Christ comes back to this earth to get His people, I...

Well, I made it safely to Cambodia. There has been no natural disasters. Yet. Remember Nhu has been great so far. At first I came into it with a bad attitude. We live in an extremely small space. We are always surrounded by kids. When we wake up they are there, when we eat dinner they are there, we have to go to bed early because of them. But eventually it wasn't all about what I was giving up; It became about the hurt and pain they must feel because they are separated from their families. What they gave up and what they give up everyday because their families cannot afford for them to...

So, adjusting to life in Cambodia has begun and gone a little easier than I initially expected.  After getting over my bitter attitude toward living in a mosquito box for five weeks surrounded by squirrely children, I have come to find it kind of homey. But that may still be a stretch. Anyway, our days have been given a little more structure now, so we aren’t constantly surrounded by the girls and we have our own time away in order to keep our minds sane. Today, Shelley, Kim and I were able to be with the girls in the morning.  The kids are incredibly crafty and LOVE doing...

Dear Parents and Supporters, You may have heard that there recently was an earthquake near Japan and that it triggered a tsunami. Initially there was a warning issued for South East Asia, but now no threat exists. I just spoke with leader Natalie Smith to confirm that the team is safe and doing well. If anything changes, we will notify parents immediately. If you have any concerns, please leave a comment and we will respond as soon as possible. Please keep praying for our girls! Tamica Sloan Real Life staff