“Remember Nhu” Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 1, winter 2006
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We were just informed that the post office has not delivered some of the year-end statements we had mailed to those who gave to “Remember Nhu” in 2005. We put the statements in a card made by girls who had been rescued from the sx trade and the post office did not like the envelope. So, if you gave to “Remember Nhu” in 2005 and have not received your tax statements please let us know and we will send a copy to you.
There are many exciting reports about “Remember Nhu” that I could have shared with you. I tried to give brief updates on our recent trip, what has happened since coming home, and plans for the near future.
Exciting News about our Vision Trip in SE Asia, 2006
On December 31, 2005, 35 of us left Cleveland, met three from Portland in Los Angeles, joined four from Ireland, and teamed up with seven from Thailand for a vision/mission trip. Our team had 38 people who were in Thailand for the first time. There were five groups within our team.
- The “707” group, a young adult ministry in Cleveland, Ohio, with 27 members;
- The Portland guys, a youth Pastor, the principal of Westside Christian High School, and the
head of student affairs/Bible teacher; - The Ireland connection, a Pastor, a worship Pastor, and two children of missionaries;
- Grace Ministries members from SE Asia who served as interpreters and team members and
- Five “Remember Nhu” board members and Leigh Oberlin from RiverTree Christian Church in Jackson Township, OH. I consider everyone on the trip a friend.
Our group was a blessing to people in SE Asia. We packed our clothes in our carry-on luggage and filled two check-in bags with newer clothes for the children we visited. This allowed us to give several outfits to each child from infants to age 18 in the ten villages we visited, Grace Ministries’ neighbors, Asia’s Hope orphanage and Breanna’s House Orphanage. I wish all of you could have been with us, it seemed like it was Christmas morning. Smiles spread from ear to ear on the faces of the children and the adults, although tears also accompanied some of our smiles. Our teams painted, mixed concrete, assembled bunk beds (which our team paid for) and planted flowers at the children’s homes. Almost everyone in our group said they felt it was life changing to see the children’s eyes, and that they will never forget them.
God did too many things in the hearts of our team to mention them all. Here are some of the most exciting, visible movements of the Holy Spirit.
- Several of our team members will go back and teach English to the children this summer.
- The youth pastor, wife and children from Portland feel called to the mission field in Thailand to work with children who are at risk from the sx trade industry.
- The Portland guys are spreading the word about “Remember-Nhu,” and it looks like they will be opening a home with the help of Tutu, Luke Bee, and “Remember-Nhu.” Westside School would then take ownership (in the good sense of the word) of the home that Westside School and the Portland Guys will open. Their students would take several trips throughout each year to create relationships, teach English and the Bible. The students, parents, and staff of the school would provide the financial support to build the buildings and provide for the *physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of the children.
- The “707” group formed a seven-member board to determine how they can best help the children at risk for the sx trade. They are determined to raise an initial $50,000 to build a boys hostel at Grace Ministries and then look to take ownership of a new work that could save an additional 50-100 children from the sex trade.
A New Strategy and Partnership with New Life Ministry
During our trip, Remember-Nhu formalized a partnership with New Life Ministry in a major SE Asian city. This ministry takes girls who have fallen into the sx trade and meets their *physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs by providing them with vocational skills to help them find their way out of this lifestyle. Our proposed partnership has “Remember-Nhu” providing $500 to $1,000 for each girl’s specialized vocational training. After 3-12 months of training, “Remember-Nhu” will provide an additional $500 to $1,000 for the start-up money to begin their business. This strategy will shield the girls from the attractions of the sex trade and allow them to help their families as well. This is an opportunity for any of you to join a partnership with a specific girl, communicate with her, and help change her life forever. The initial cost for the training is $500 to $1,000, and then an additional $500 to $1,000 for those of you who agree with this strategy. For $25 per month for 20 months, you could partner directly with a girl rescued from the sx trade and provide her with a realistic opportunity to escape from it forever.
Further Developments of the relationship between “Remember Nhu” and the C&MA
On February 4, 2006, I was invited to speak at the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Central District Missions Training Day. When I finished, I felt I had done a terrible job and wondered if they would ever invite me again. However, God was teaching me that “Remember-Nhu” is God’s baby. Much to my surprise, many people commented at how powerful the presentation was and that they were positively affected. I realized God spoke to them even though I thought I did a terrible job. Soon after my talk, I received a letter (attached) from Dr. Kitchen, senior pastor at Stow Alliance Church (where the missions training day took place). Dr. Kitchen just spent a major portion of his time writing a book and is donating all of the royalties for the first year of sales from the book to “Remember Nhu.” You may remember that John David Geib is donating the royalties of his book and song called The Three Mary’s. There have been so many amazing things like this that have happened with “Remember-Nhu” that I have concluded only God can orchestrate these gifts and events.
The partnership with the C&MA and “Remember-Nhu” is emerging in solid form. We will be in Toledo, OH at a trade show for “Missions Mobilizers” in which “Remember-Nhu” will be one of 12 ministries represented. This will give “Remember-Nhu” exposure to some churches that are really committed to missions. We are also anticipating approval of our first partnership with the C&MA in two SE Asian countries.
Future Ministry Plans
The DVD documentary on “Remember Nhu” is now available. “Remember-Nhu” thanks Media Arts Group and Tom Wilson for the donation of their incredible talents, time, and money. If you need a photographer or videographer, I highly recommend using Media Arts Group (call Connie or Todd at 330.434.3960). If you have not seen the DVD or a presentation on “Remember Nhu,” I will be speaking on March 26th at Riverside Alliance during the regular service for 30-40 minutes and answering questions after lunch. Call the church at 330.644.7131 or email me for more information.
The C&MA Central District Alliance Women have adopted “Remember-Nhu” for their annual retreat this year. Stef May, a “Remember-Nhu” board member and approved C&MA missionary candidate, will speak, and a love offering will be taken for “Remember-Nhu.” This offering will provide several thousand dollars to save at-risk children from the sex trade. In a couple of weeks, Charles Harvey, Tutu Bee, Keith Simich (a friend of mine) and I will be visiting places hit by the tsunami. Apparently, there are still children in need. A Pastor who has been there for 12 years recently sold his truck to buy food for the children. We will then go to an infamous red light district beach where there is a ministry in dire need as well. We hope to offer encouragement and support to these brothers and sisters. Our group will also go to a major city in SE Asia where Charles hopes to be able to offer potential students some excellent educational scholarships.
I will most likely take two different teams to SE Asia in June or July of 2006. If you are interested in going with us, please let me know.
If you have not done it yet, please visit our awesome web site, donated by Cyndi Masters of Digital Business Solutions. The address is www.remembernhu.com.
With Jesus’ Love,
Carl Ralston, Founder and President, “Remember Nhu”
*See the full mission statement of “Remember Nhu” at www.remembernhu.com.