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“Sabbatical (from Hebrew: shabbat (שבת) literally a “ceasing”) is a rest from work, or a break, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described in several places in the Bible. For example, in Leviticus 25, there is a commandment to desist from working the fields during the seventh year.” (-Wikipedia) Many faith-based organizations put this into the schedule for their personnel, typically around every three to four years. There’s a desire from the organizations to give space to the personnel to reflect, debrief, rest, possibly do further training, research, etc.

This is my first “sabbatical.” It’s both a needed relief and awkward. The first two years overseas (in S. Korea) wasn’t long enough to take a break. My first move to Bangkok with the IMB was also just a two-year contract. At the end of that, I jumped into starting a non-profit, building a Board and fund-raising to start DtonNaam. DN has continually grown since August of 2009 and goodness, it’s been such a beautifully intense seven years. There is so much to process and give pause too. Countless people have come almost yearly and served whole-heartedly, helping us in so many ways. Several young guys and transgendered have been impacted positively too and are finding healthier solutions far away from the sex industry. I’m GRATEFUL and amazed.

But, the world still feels like it’s splitting and bleeding out, with wounds and serious needs showing up in so many cultures. Exploitation, poverty, vulnerabilities, racism, ethnic cleansing, wars… We are still a relatively small non-profit working in an area that has 12 million people with limited resources for young males and transgendered. A past statistic estimated 10,000 transgendered working in the Bangkok red light districts. This isn’t counting other notorious cities, just one city with 10,000. But, one red light district within BKK has opened several new “ladyboy” bars during the past two years. These numbers only seem to be increasing. Each number is a precious life. On top of this, we still cannot find an accurate statistic on how many young guys are working. But, we are meeting MANY. Boys from the northern hill tribes, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam finding their way somehow to Bangkok, working in massage parlors, bars that offer sex shows, and many other venues of prostitution. They too, matter greatly, each and every one. If they want healthier options, how do we connect them with good organizations in their home countries, especially since few actually exist for males? Fewer still for transgendered. Thai laws make it quite difficult for “foreigners” to have a legal job here; otherwise I would continue begging several Bangkok businesses to give the boys a chance at employment.

Plus, there are addictions, health issues, layers of trauma, family concerns all wrapped into why individuals end up in prostitution too. We need solid drug rehabs. We need preventive tools. About one in every three or four of the individuals we help, have contracted HIV and other serious complications. Several of these individuals also have stories of terrible abuse… Seven years of beautiful, heart-wrenching stories; trying to know how to best walk alongside each LIFE, while also leading a team of volunteers that are committed for different time periods has been continuously challenging. People often ask why I don’t go somewhere else, with probably fewer obstacles to face. There are needs everywhere right, they ask? (Secretly, I pray they are actually investing in needs where they are- the labourers are few everywhere). But, all I can say is this is where He continues to ask me to be and all of us here could not have made it this far without your support and prayers. There are daily conversations, continually hard decisions, and precious humans needing chances and their dignity restored somehow, usually at a much slower pace than desired. There’s been numerous times when the staff and I have felt utterly helpless one day and completely hopeful the next. In over our heads while exactly where we feel called to be. Wrestling with the depravity and pain, yet immediately elated when one succeeds.

So, with all these things constantly happening, it’s hard to hit the pause button, but I do need rest. My first sabbatical and I know He wants me to focus on resting, processing, being refreshed and inspired for the next phase. Hopefully, I can articulate adequately some of the processing that happens because everyone knows I’m terrible with updates, but truthfully, many of the difficulties do not need to be voiced. I am thankful for this sabbatical opportunity, even though it feels unplanned and unclear. But, I’m viewing it a little as entering the “wilderness.” Pulling away from the concrete jungle, the joys, busyness and trauma, and going to the mountains, for communion and re-fueling. “And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:31)

– written by Celeste