Necessary Ductwork

/ samandang

Being very honest and transparent, writing this post is more challenging than other posts I’ve written. Even other fundraising posts. Because this time, what we are asking for is funding for foundation building and restoration so that we can go the long road here.

When you renovate a house, you want your dollars to go to the fun stuff you end up using and seeing every day: the hardwood floors, the fancy new appliances, the patio furniture. But sometimes more of the budget is eaten up by the stuff you won’t even see, but is necessary, like replacing the ductwork. If you’re like me ductwork is not what I want to spend my time or money on, but I know its 100% necessary.

Writing posts to raise funds, like this one, kind of feels like that. What we are asking you to invest in is the ductwork. Samm and I choose to work “jobs” that don’t give us a paycheck. And we rely on all of you, to essentially share some of your paycheck with us, to fund us to be able to do what we do. The big and fun things to share about in our work is like the new appliances… the number of girls being rescued! Or like the new furniture… girls finding meaningful jobs after going through the SOAR program in the future! Those are absolutely fun and celebratory moments! And truly the end goal of your partnering with us financially is toward those achievements.

But your partnering also funds the ductwork… the essentials of life, like toilet paper and dentist visits and car repairs. It’s funding our ability to stay in this long term, and we are in need of a break right now. Life in Thailand is an adventure for sure; but just like your life, it is life. Highs and lows. Kids fighting and snuggling. Samm & I fasting together in prayer seeking Jesus, and getting on each other’s nerves. Seasons of intense nose to the grindstone working, and seasons of rejuvenation, reconnecting, and preparing for what’s to come.

What’s to come is big. So big. We feel it so deeply. But first, the ductwork. Will you partner with us in the ductwork? Will you invest in our crazy ole family to take a deep breath and fill up before we embark on a season of crazy pouring out? If it’s on your heart to give towards that here are some of our immediate needs. Would you pray about fulfilling one, or partnering monthly for the next year or even beyond? We are so grateful to partner with YOU to go and do the thing that God has asked us to do.

Plane tickets: $1200

Down payment on living arrangements $2000

Purchasing some vehicle and insurance $4000

Set up costs. Ie. beds, dishes,  $2000

Whatever you can partner with is meeting the smaller daily needs, our next season of ministry, and ultimately the gleaming hardwood floors: girls who have been freed from exploitation, living life in relationship with Jesus, thriving, full, happy, and with a good future ahead of them.

Thank you for being a part of the solution, CHOOSING not to sit on the side lines hearing the sad stories and saying “ah man that’s so bad someone should do something about that”

Thank you for DOING something about it.

Can’t thank you all enough.

Big Hugs from the Platts.

To Donate:  https://andgodsaidgo.com/donate/

Burn it to the ground!

/ samandang

Shootings. Abortions. Slaves. Depression. Disease. Crisis.

Sometimes we are bombarded with a variety of the worlds problems and we might feel it for a split second and then go back to thinking well its the worlds problems…not mine. But what if it was our problem, a problem that lies in each of our hearts taking root. A problem that Leigh Ramsey founder of SHE Rescue homes says “ To succumb to the enormity of the problem is to fail the one.” To fail the one. Who is that ONE in front of you today. Is it your neighbor who is struggling with depression, or your co- worker who is in the middle of divorce? Maybe its someone you know personally or something you believe in but have never taken much action to fight?

When something comes up that requires action, we think, “I’m only one person. What can I do anyway?” Isn’t that the very thing we think before we choose not to help the one? The result is that we sit back and wait for others to make the first move — that is, if anyone else is willing to make the effort.

BUT what if we tried? What if we shed our fears and inhibitions and others did as well? What if we challenged ourselves to stand up and be counted, and we each made a difference in our own special way? Do you know what this does? Not just for you or even for the one you’re helping..

It creates the ripple. YOU KNOW IT DOES. You see things go viral every week, someone stands against something that isn’t right by speaking out against or donating to a cause and they share it and then what happens..MORE people feel inspired to do the same! One person changing one persons life. It starts there. Do NOT let the enemy of your soul TRICK you into thinking you cannot shape history..you are meant to do just that. With what you have right now. This moment.

As Steve Jobs said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

You Can Make a Difference (If You Try)

Still unconvinced that one person can make a difference? Tell that to the child that was fostered and for the first time understood what love was, tell that to the neighbor who is struggling with depression who receives a card and a coffee at the exact moment. Over the course of my life I have had several people pour into me, something I am eternally grateful for. Its this very thing that caught my eye long ago. That even if only one person believes in me its enough. Which in turn I have come to believe that if I am that one person in another life that needs it most..its enough. We are all looking to receive and give love. It really is that simple.

Its about getting our eyes off our selves sometimes to SEE the one before us. I think a great acronym for the O.N.E.  stands for  Our Next Effort. It just takes effort folks, you don’t need to be a millionaire, or have a million subscribers to change the world. We all know that there is power in the numbers, and numbers is what the world buys because its sexy, invigorating and inspiring. All of that is true but so is Believing in the power of ONE. Don’t allow what you don’t have to affect what you do have. I refuse to believe that most people don’t really care about changing the world, I believe most people don’t know where to start and the enormity of the worlds problems makes us stand still collectively.

Start Here:

Believe. Have faith that one person can make a difference, and that one person is you.

Act. There are opportunities all around you. Don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Choose one and do something about it.

Lead. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Don’t just talk a good game.

Transform. Throw a pebble into the water and create ripples. Little wins create momentum; consistency can turn into lasting change.

Don’t Look to Others; Look to Yourself

Stop waiting for others to “move”, it doesn’t work like that because everyone else is waiting for you to move which keeps most people at a stand still; complaining how bad the world is. Which only fuels the problem. You have great power inside you, you have power that the world needs and power that your creator deposited into you for a reason. Light a candle in the dark, you can always see the candle in the room right? It does light up the room a small bit, now light a hundred candles and you can read by the light its so bright.

Is it cliche? Sure it is. Is it any less true or vital? Absolutely not.

There is power in numbers. BUT One person can get things started; a second person can create some momentum; a third person may influence others to join in.

Disrupt the CYCLE of apathy in your world. BURN it to the ground.

I sat across from an older woman who has influenced this community, we shared stories of the challenges living in Asia and what we thought it would be VS what it actually is. As we sipped our way too sweet coffee she said something that shot like an arrow thru my soul.

“When you’re tired Angie learn to rest, not quit”

How does someone boil down all your thoughts into just nine simple words? We had been praying over the next season, praying Big prayers. The kind that make your stomach twist. We have known for a while He was calling us to bigger things which equal bigger faith. At the time we just didn’t understand the timing of it all.

OUR NEXT SEASON:

We have learned much in the last five years, about living cross culturally, Thai culture, the problem of the trafficking world and what is and isn’t being done. We will always be learning; it’s a complex issue with many many layers. As we have sought HIM what we can do about it long term we have turned our hearts to a missing puzzle piece in the whole thing.. the older age bracket of the kids coming out. How very little support and opportunities these kids have and what can be done about it. We will be starting an organization called S.O.A.R Int. (stands for School of arts and redemption) that will help these kids move into the next phase of their life. Adulthood. Where they will be discipled and educated simultaneously so that they can fulfill their destiny in which God has for them. We have begun the processes, assembled our Board, begun the logistics of getting set up. We have been moving slowly with our ear to the ground listening carefully to where He was leading.

BUT FIRST..REST AND LEARN:

Before we even began thinking about what all this would look like we have been praying for spiritual mentors. After four years of praying for that, God has finally brought them thru an Australian couple that leads a church that is focused on outreach and discipleship. We knew immediately this was “them”. It made sense to us that one of the core pillars of SOAR was going to be discipleship and one of the core beliefs in this church was the same. They came to visit Thailand and God highlighted them to both Sam and I. We visited their church a few months ago and were blown away how they minister to the broken, how they take the gospel to the streets and how they love well. We knew that to start SOAR we needed to mentor under them and learn how to disciple successfully and intentionally. We realized at the same time God was calling us to rest.  After five years, it’s time to take an extended furlough (we are thinking about a year) before returning to Thailand to start SOAR. As we wrestled with this for a few weeks He has made it ABUNDANTLY clear that is what we are to do. More clear than us coming to Thailand that first time! “When you are tired learn to rest Angie” It’s not an easy choice to leave all that you have known and all your kids have known as home for the last five years, to set down for a season the vision that God has poured inside you for years, but.. we are ready to say YES to God once again. Ready to receive what He has, and to be poured into in this next season.

WHAT DOES THIS TAKE?

Again, it seems he isn’t allowing us to relax our faith muscles. Big faith is required for all this. Faith that the logistics line up. Faith in all the finances that it will take to make it happen. Faith that our kids will thrive and so will we.  Our Visas are up in June, our house contract, and the kids school will be finished then as well. SO we are planning to leave by June. We are praying that He is going to make away, and in fact we know He will. All our eggs are in HIS basket..again.

Please pray for our family as we say goodbye; even if only for a season to a country and people we have grown to love. PRAY for logistics, finances and our weary hearts as we make this move. Some of the things we need funding for is- plane tickets, a car, housing and in general getting set up again. Please consider  investing in what God is doing thru the Platt family! It takes His whole family involved to move mountains and do His work. We are anticipating BIG things in this next season to prepare us for the season after. We are so grateful many of you have been with us in this journey from the beginning as we committed our work to God and we know that you will be with us as we commit our rest and filling up to Him as well.

The bigger the vision the bigger the preparation!

 

Thank you all! Stay Tuned!

Love The Platt Fam

 

BIG changes are coming for the Platts!

/ samandang

Get your tickets now!

/ samandang

We are so excited to have the popular Christian rock band Remedy Drive coming to town October 7th at 5pm to do a Freedom Fest Fundraiser for us! There will be food, shopping and you will hear how God is changing kids lives that are coming out of sexual exploitation in SE Asia.

OCTOBER 7TH @5PM

TOWN GREEN PARK -7991 Main St, Maple Grove, MN 55369

TICKETS: 7$ ONLINE–10$ AT THE DOOR

So grab some friends and buy your tickets on the link above and JOIN US for a great night, supporting a great cause!town_green_maple_grove_mn_concerts_640_380auto.jpg

See you there!

Freedom Music Fest 2018

/ samandang

Most of you who have been following our journey the past four years know that we are here only because of generous supporters that want to do their part in ending child sex slavery. Every year I (Angie) take the trip across the oceans to speak at events, connect with others and raise our yearly support to continue living in Thailand doing what God has called us to do. Its been a year and a half and its that time again. God never does it the same, each year it has looked different and each year He has been so faithful to our family.

This year we are so excited to have a popular Christian rock band come and put on a concert for us at the Freedom Music Fest we are hosting in Elk River! We are blown away how He is lining it all up with us being across the world! There will be bands, a food truck, vendors and a message that God is preparing in my heart already.

Today we are asking for your help.

To come back to the states, pay for the band(who has been so generous in what they charge) and to pay for this event we need to raise about $3500 in the next ten days as plane tickets are climbing, the band needs payment and fliers are being printed. Can we do this together? Can we make sure that these kids who are being exploited have people champion for them? For their freedom? Can we release the Fathers Heart to them? Pray for them and cheer them on even from a distance? I think we can. I think that every time we step outside of what is “comfortable” we grow. We have a chance to see Gods goodness in both our lives and the lives of others. I am challenging you to be apart of this Freedom Fest, to give even when its uncomfortable.

A few months ago I thanked one of our friends that happens to be a monthly donor, her response blew me away! She said ” Please don’t feel the need to thank me, in fact thank you. I feel like giving to this cause has opened up my heart in ways I never knew was there. To live outside of me. To care about the broken..the one I will never meet. It’s helped me see the vision for my own life”

In the uncomfortable place really is the place we see the greatest blessings and growth.

We hope to see you there! Watch the video to see WHO is coming and WHEN!

For their freedom,

Samm & Angie Platt

 

 

An unexpected turn…

/ samandang

 

Living overseas has had both such incredible rewards and ridiculously hard challenges. One of the challenges that many overseas workers seem to face is the dreaded V word. VISAS. That tiny little stamp in your passport that says ” yes you may live in our country”  We went thru all the correct channels in the states to get our visas. Recently we have found out that the visa we purchased in the states will be expiring and we cannot extend that visa any longer as we always have in the past. Over the last year or so the government is changing the types of visas and how many are issued. Due to unforeseen circumstances  things have changed and we now need a different visa to continue to stay and minister in Thailand.  Our current visa expires with the new year, and we have no other option than to apply for a different kind of visa. So what this means in short is all six of us must leave the country to a nearby country and apply for and purchase a new visa, wait the 3-5 days to obtain said visa and go home happy!

So now what?

We are praying that you will prayerfully be able to give towards this expense that we have no other option to do. To save the most amount of money on airline tickets and hotels we will need to start booking these shortly. We are grateful for any amount you can give towards this. We are estimating it will cost $3000-$3500 for everything.  As soon as can we will begin the application process for the visa. Please join us in praying for the whole situation as we anticipate God moving on our behalf. Please share our blog as well! We are just trusting that He is going to meet us here and do what only He can!

As we have just gotten off a plane a few days ago where Sam trained the Rescue agents that rescues the kids trapped in sex trafficking, he was in a city that has been labeled     ” The sex capital of the world” with an estimation of 20,000 brothels, we are reignited in the absolute truth that freedom DOES have a price and we must be willing to pay it! Even for a stamp! Will you consider helping us make that happen? If so you can click the donate button at the top!

We are ever grateful!

 

For their freedom,

Sam & Angie

Three years ago we spent the majority of our summer sitting across the table in a local coffee shop with dozens of people. We shared our hearts about the evil of child sex slavery and how it broke our hearts; we shared how we HAD to do something to end it and we asked people if they would step up and do their part as well..becoming a monthly donor.

And most of them said YES. They said yes to a world that kids have dreams in their childhoods and not living a nightmare! Our donors are the reason we are here today. They pray for us when we call out to them. They pray for our family, finances and faith. They pray when we get details of a girl rescued. They are such an integral part of the whole thing.

They are our HEROES. So many times we hear ” wow thats amazing that you would move across the world for that” or “thank you for serving Him like that” Event after event that we have held we hear so many things. Its all coming from a good heart but the most incredible thing we hear and not often is ” I want to help, we want to support you monthly” these are our heroes. The people that move from spectators to active players! Its hard to stay in a fight that is a world a way, a fight that defends faceless children that they will never meet. That takes steadfast courage! To continue to pray Gods heart of justice and mercy into these kids lives! To continue to give each month year after year to someone who can never repay you is real sacrifice!

We applaud our supporters, prayer warriors and donors. This fight is awful and ugly. It takes suiting up from our heads to our toes. The full armor. Even then our hearts can be weary and jaded..and all it takes is someone to text us ” stay in the game guys, you’re making a difference”.  We would say the same to the people that have joined us in the ring. They are heroes in our eyes and we are so grateful to the tribe who month after month continue to stay in the ring and fight with us.

If we don’t who will?

The REAL heroes.

/ samandang

Some of you may have noticed..most probably not. I haven’t been writing on here much..as in not at all. There’s a reason for it..I feel like Ive lost my voice a little bit..not my actual voice of course(though my kids would probably enjoy that for a period) but my writing voice. I inspire easily and in this season..well I don’t..and if I get inspired I just can’t form words about it.So God is funny sometimes..I was journalling the other day and pouring out my heart to Him..and I am about done and I hear His small whisper ” post this..exactly like it is”

” HUH?” “This is personal Lord” ” And not good!” “It’s rambling Lord”
SIGH. ” Ok Lord..obedience..yep..ok”

So here you go folks..be nice..as in not judgy..thanks.

“Keep my eyes on you.”

Not on the to do’s, not on the what if’s, not on the how much’s, not on the how can I’s..

YOU. YOUR provision. YOUR strength. YOUR future for me. YOUR grace.

Help me to tune into your voice.
To stand on the mountain top of gratefulness, forgetting the valley of self doubt and the pools of question marks.

YOU are enough Jesus. Every breath I take I inhale faith and exhale anxiety. I am enough..because of nothing I innately am but because of you alone. I can collapse into your arms with not one side glance of judgement or my favorite revisiting enemy ” Buck up Angie” I don’t need to prove anything. You are enough so I am enough.

The bucket I measure myself in is empty..bone dry..but its ok because YOU are the bucket and even though I am dry you are enough and you carry me.

Taking the steps..with no idea where you’ll end up is full of emotion for me..keep holding His hand. Firm grip. Eyes on Him. Stop looking at the ground beneath you..yes I know its shaky..the path is missing pieces..its ok..eyes on Him.

I hear you Lord whispering “Cast your cares on me..right now”

The kids Father..oh Lord are we screwing up their childhoods or giving the a wild ride in faith? Or both? God firm grip on them ok? I am helping to take care of your kids please Father take care of mine. Trusting.

My marriage- Thank you Lord for Samm who is in love with ALL of me or at least entertained with the other bits. Keep us connected and grossly in love.

Provision- You are faithful. Time and time again we ask you to provide and you DO. Again we scrape the barrel and we ask you to provide. And we wait on you. We trust you.

USE us! Stretch us.Use our gifts…all 3 of them! Don’t let us turn on the path till you say so. Again we trust you..mostly.

Ok Father I think I can re-fix my eyes on you. Your promises. Your faithfulness. Get me ready for battle.

An entry from my journal

/ samandang / 2 Comments

Comedy for a Cause!

/ samandang

 

We all could stand to laugh a little more….okay, A LOT more. Between the craziness in our lives and the craziness in the world, a night full of belly laughs could really hit the spot! And considering the fact that it will also help set vulnerable kids free from the prison of sex slavery…well it just don’t get much better than that! World-changing never felt so good!

Kerri Pomarolli has been dubbed “Hollywood’s favorite clean comic”. From soap opera star to sought after stand-up comedian, Kerri has shared the stage with Jim Carey, Jay Leno, Sherri Shepard and many more! Kerri is excited to get us laughing and remind us of the important things in life.

All the funds raised will be used to fight child sex slavery, so click the link and go to the tab that says Comedy for a Cause to buy tickets. Grab some friends and get ready for a great night of laughter and life-change!

If you are a small business and would like to help sponsor the night click on the donate button and we will feature you in the events program!

 

flyer

For more info visit http://www.kerripom.com

Updates and Changes galore!

/ samandang

Happy New Year All!

It has been way too long since we updated you and a lot has happened! Let’s go warp speed shall we?!

Last Summer we had the amazing privilege of spending the summer in America! It was the first time all of us were there since we moved here so it was nothing short of magical and so very much needed! During this time we really felt that The Lord was going to bring something for Sam to serve in  and we were praying into a specific organization, we knew that with all three boys in school it would be more feasible.

When we returned from the States God did exactly that! He answered our prayers and connected us with an organization called SWAT and it was what they were praying for as well! I love when God lines it up! The heart of Swat is to train up rescue agents in self defense and tactics to ensure they are safe when going into the brothels to rescue these kids.

They also train up the girls that have been rescued, teaching them to defend themselves  against an attacker which empowers them to stand up!

Finally, they train up the houseparents that are taking care of the girls. With incredible trauma it can bring up violent outbursts and anger..Swat trains the caregivers on how to restrain a child in non violent ways to ensure the relationship that they works so hard to build stays intact.

Swat works with several organizations all over Asia including Destiny Rescue and its an honor to be onboard!

We had been also filling that a shift was coming for me as well, and we were right. After much prayer and seeking we decided that it was time for me to step down from Destiny Rescue..although a hard decision we knew that was what God was saying. So in November I said goodbye to full time work and hello pouring into my family full time. It has been a huge transition once again and after two months we have began to figure out what life looks like again! This month has been extra busy with a team from Australia here to find out more about what Swat is doing and help revamp and office space as well as a training facility to equip the trainers with! So its been a busy month of traveling to help train rescue staff at other organizations as well as a paintbrush and screwdriver in hand!

So that has been the biggest changes and updates! The other exciting news is we have an opportunity to speak at some churches and events in March so I will be coming home for a month to do that! I look forward to catching up with our monthly partners one on one and raising money for the boys school next year!

We are truly honored to play a part in fighting this evil..to be their voice, to stand up against the things that make our stomaches turn. We are also honored that other generous hearts partner with us, refusing to be idle on their watch..knowing there is a war raging in the lives of these innocent kids.

If you feel lead to give to us, all the money will go towards Angie’s plane ticket to go to America in March. You can do so at the Donate button at the top. Either way thanks for reading..we hope you are inspired to put your hand to whatever injustice that is happening that breaks your heart!

For their freedom,

Sam & Angie

http://www.swatministryintl.org