Six Country Government Conference on Human Trafficking...Yup, we were there!

Dad and I find ourselves in some of the most interesting places.  We were invited to a three day Conference this week attended by Government Heads from six countries.  China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.

 The Minister of Women's Affairs, Minister Phavi  ( she is so gracious to us) mentioned this conference to us about a month ago at lunch, as she was saying she was nervous to speak to all those government heads.  Anyway, at a later meeting with her Secretary General, Dad asked if we could get an invite.  I about fell off my chair.  She said she would ask the Minister. So yes, we got invited to attend.  It was a pretty fancy and impressive event. Held at a big luxurious  hotel across the river.   Simultaneous translations of the six languages and English.  So everyone there had a headset.  We  would just turn the dial from the language being spoken to English.  The government Officials had flags in front of them on the tables with their country name.  They each had a microphone in front of them.  We also sat at those tables.  Kind of funny, haha.  We could tell no one knew who we were or why we were there.  There was a lot of press and they kept taking our pictures, probably wondering what the US was doing there.  We had one person ask us what capacity we were there for.   We just said we were invited by Her Excellency Dr. ING Kanatha Phavi.  She quieted up pretty fast.  I'm sure she had never personally met her.

During a break the first day, following a photo session with the press, Minister Phavi, (She was the one they were all having their pictures taken with, only group photos) walked right off the stage over to us to talk.  Really pretty amazing.  Everyone who saw, now knew we were acquaintances of hers.  She even told us she messed up on a couple of lines in her Opening speech.

Well sorry, this is getting long, so more of those fancy delicious banquets, (Dad ate a ton) yummy break foods,  and meeting many high government officials.  Trading business cards, making great contacts.  Dad even had a conversation with the Advisor to the Royal Government, Secretary of State  His Excellency Sieng Lapresse.  Dad is so brave he addressed human trafficking.  Dad suggested that if families were strong it would eliminate the problem.  ( We are in the process of constructing our big Family Values Event in July, and are seeking government involvement ) The next day His Excellency walked right over to Dad at a break to continue their talk.  Pretty interesting...

We are being blessed to have these opportunities to put the name of the Church out there.  To meet key government people with influence and develop relationships with them for the Church.  We really are amazed at how things unfold for us.  How one thing leads to another...

We were sitting on the third row facing the 
Government Heads.










 A council of twelve high 
 school students from each
  of the six countries were 
invited for a brief part to share 
what they are doing to raise awareness
                                                      among the youth of the trafficking
                                                      problem.  

Here are some of them by one of their displays.

 This is His Excellency Seing LaPresse giving
his speech .  (Sorry not so good of a picture)