Update on our service

I've talked about the evolving nature of our service in blog posts and emails, but it's been a while since I updated everyone on exactly what we're doing.  So here's the latest version of what we're up to:

• We still have outreach on the streets every week, but we've cut back how often we go.  Instead we are doing more home visits with the families that we've developed relationships with.  Rose is also working on a special project to help us in this outreach.

• Last month we suspended the drop-in center.  The location had become unsuitable for many of the kids, and the one child that was still attending is now with his family and off the streets (and in church!).  Instead, we played soccer with a bunch of the kids one week and will join them for a Christmas party next week, and are planning to start a drop-in center in a safer location further from the red-lights.

• We're still doing the community-building stuff that I talked about, but two Servant Team members will leave soon and at that point our community activities will look different.  Certain community activities related to women in difficult situations may increase.

• We continue to teach English to children at a local church every week.  We're now breaking for the holidays, but next year we'll start up again and even have a special three-day workshop for older teens.

• Our visits to migrants are finally happening!  After numerous roadblocks were taken away, we are getting to visit with men and women who don't get very many visitors.

• One of us is working on a special project to get a picture of how churches across Bangkok serve the poor and marginalized, with the hope of eventually building bridges with other churches.

• Our Servant Team coordinators have started a monthly advocacy meeting to bring together those in Bangkok who share God's heart for the poor.  So far we haven't had to do much other than set up the space and enjoy the dialog.

That's the basics for now - I'm sure I'll have changes to write about in the coming months.  Such is the nature of the service.