This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States of America.  This document was a statement made by Commander-in-Chief and President Abraham Lincoln that effectively freed slaves in states that were in rebellion to the United States (U.S. National Archives & Records Administration).

To many people this is simply history; it was a great point in the building process of modern America.  But if this history can teach us anything, it’s that there is still a need for people like Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who are willing to put it all on the line for the liberty of others.

By issuing a proclamation, we need to declare the end of modern-day slavery not by sitting back and waiting, but by standing up in courage and authority.  We need to tell the world that this evil is no longer acceptable.  Right now the world is falling behind a veil of ignorance, and it is our job to pull back the curtains to expose the truth of more than 20,900,000 enslaved people in the world (International Labor Organization).

Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the United States, would be filled to the capacity more than 200 times!  Those seats would be filled with men, women, and children as young as one year, and there are people in the world who have absolutely no idea.  It is our job to tell them and light the fire in their hearts to take action, and this action is crucial.

In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation changed the tide of the Civil War.  Just as we seek to change the tide of the war against modern-day slavery, let’s proclaim to the world that we are standing against this evil, and we will not back down until the day it is eradicated from the face of the earth.

Join ZOE in our efforts to “Fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.”

ZOE Children’s Homes is pleased to announce the 2013 High School Graduates!  This year ZOE is proud to have two students graduating from high school.  We are excited to see Nong A and Pan off to the next steps in their lives.  Both of them have excelled in high school and have carefully considered their plans for the future.

Nong A

Nong A will be attending university working towards a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Tourism.  She hopes one day to own and run her own hotel.  Nong A likes to listen to music and spend time with her friends and family at ZOE.  She will definitely miss them after she leaves for college!

Pan will also be going to university once his term starts in June.  Before he begins, he will stay at ZOE as a staff intern for the summer.  He will be working with Jessica Dodd to assist with the upcoming children’s camp, with Joe Chongsiriwatana in the Information Technology Department, and he is also a very skilled translator.  Once summer is over, he will be studying English, and he hopes one day to use the talents God has given him to work in the ministry, perhaps even at ZOE.

Pan hard at work

We cannot say enough how proud we are of these two young adults.  They are both extremely talented, and we know that they will go on to do amazing things.  Keep them in your prayers as they transition into adulthood.

There never seems to be a moment at ZOE Children’s Home where everything stands still.  Kids are running, cooks are cooking, students are studying, and staff is hustling.  The constant movement requires constant transportation, and fortunately for ZOE, we’ve been blessed with vehicles to get us to the places we need to go.

For the longest time, ZOE’s many ministries had to juggle and maneuver for the use of vehicles.  Until recently, this problem was becoming more and more noticeable.

Newly Donated Toyota Vios

In the past few months we have been blessed with two additional vehicles.  One is a small sedan for basic transportation that was donated by an in-country missionary family who recently bought a new car, and the other, a four-wheel drive SUV, that was purchased by the ZOE Foundation Australia.  The SUV is perfect for travel into the villages of Northern Thailand and will greatly assist the ZOE Child Rescue team as they continue to educate vulnerable communities about child trafficking.

Toyota Vigo used for staff and student transportation

With the addition of new vehicles, ZOE Fleet Manager Sam Ahn is looking to increase staff training in the care and maintenance of the ZOE fleet.

With 13 cars, trucks, and SUVs that need to be maintained and managed, Sam wants to train ZOE staff to care for the vehicles while recruiting more experienced staff who can not only care for the vehicles but can train some of our teenagers in the care and maintenance of vehicles.

“God is honored by taking care of the things we are blessed with,” says Sam.  This goes for the ZOE vehicles, but also for the kids.  When we ensure our transportation is safe, we can better protect the children who have been entrusted to our care.  And that is always our number one priority!