I, Ellie Nicholson, will be heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand July 16th through the 26th with a group from the North Platte Berean Church. We will be working with a missionary already there to set up Christian churches and to share the Gospel. We will enter the Northern Thai villages to cut human trafficking off at the source by sharing that every life is priceless.

On this ten day trip, I will have the opportunity to save a child’s life, share the story of Jesus with unengaged groups of Thai people, and leave behind a Gospel movement that will outlive my time on Earth.

Even if you are not able to donate, I ask that you would pray for our group to have a safe trip and for the Thai people and that God will open their hearts and they will see His love. 

A City on the Rise

Located in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a city on the rise where ancient culture collides with modern industry.  Its location among the highest peaks in the region makes it a bucket list destination for travel enthusiasts everywhere.  TripAdvisor recently listed it as one of the “25 Best Destinations in the World.”  

Chiang Mai sits squarely within the home of the Northern Thai people group.  Over 7 million of them live in Thailand, with another 37,000 residing in Laos.  Roughly 97% of the people follow the teachings of Buddhism, which was initially introduced in 329 B.C.  The rest follow various ethnic religions.  

Slavery Run Rampant

Sex trafficking is a scourge to the region.  Posing as religious leaders, successful businessmen, or sympathetic paternal figures, human traffickers enter impoverished villages and convince families to give up their children by promising a better life for them.  With identification papers in hand, traffickers are able to make their victims disappear from the public eye.  Many are smuggled across the border and forced into harsh labor environments while others are sold into sexual slavery.

In June 2014, the U.S. State Department released its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, downgrading Thailand to a Tier 3 state.   The scathing analysis revealed that Thai officials have failed to meet the minimum standards for protecting its people from forced labor and sex trafficking.  Even the most conservative estimates report that tens of thousands of victims are trafficked every year.

What We’re Doing

Throughout the year, we are sending teams to Chiang Mai to cut human trafficking off from the source.  Using the PricelessCube, we will enter Northern Thai villages and reveal the truth about what is happening to their children.  Through these efforts, we will have an opportunity to share the Gospel and leave behind new small groups and churches.  

In just ten days, you can save a child’s life, share the story of Jesus with an unengaged people group, and leave behind a Gospel movement that outlives your time on this Earth.  

Are you ready for the adventure to begin?