It seems we've only just arrived in Battambang, and now it's time to leave. We've been so busy here that it's been impossible to keep up with my photo editing and blogging.

On Friday and Saturday we joined all of the teenagers from Asia's Hope Battambang — and dozens of kids from other churches and Christian organizations, more than 400 kids in all — for the annual Asia's Hope youth conference.

We enjoyed youth-led worship services, delicious Cambodian meals, a hard-fought soccer tournament and a dance party under the stars. What a privilege it was to join pastors Touch Borin and Ek Manil in bringing words of encouragement to these enthusiastic and capable young people.

I took the morning sessions on both days. On Saturday I spoke about the decline of Christianity in the so-called West (or Global North, or whatever you'll have) and its explosive growth in the rest of the world. I urged them to take their place in writing the next worship songs that will be translated into languages and sung in churches around the world, to write the next great theological treatises that will instruct pastors in my country, and to plant churches in their own hometown — and maybe even mine.

This is their century and their movement. They're not the church of the future, they're the church now. We in the majority world need their leadership, their passion, their vision and their perspectives. I can't wait to see what Christianity will look like when led by Cambodian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Nigerian, Lebanese and Guatemalan sisters and brothers.

More than 20 of these young people have already committed to a life of pastoral ministry. They're already receiving special training and attention from world-class leaders from their country and from among our partnering churches in North America and Australia.

Please pray for these young people, and begin preparing to not only serve, but also follow them as they take their places at the new center of global Christianity. If you'd like to help Asia's Hope create opportunities for these, our new generation of leaders, please consider donating generously — and perhaps regularly. Every dollar invested in these amazing youth produces fruit that will nourish a world desperate for the saving and sustaining love of Christ.

Students lead worship during the Day 1 morning session

In a hard-fought match, the team from Battambang defeated the team from Prek Eng 3-1

I encourage the students to take their position of leadership at the center of global Christianity

Wes Polsdorfer cuts the ribbon at the Battambang 13 Children's Home

John McCollumJuly 4, 2017 Comment

"Beyond overwhelmed."

"Beyond overwhelmed."

That was Wes Polsdorfer's response at dinner when I asked him what he thought about the day.

Wes traveled to Cambodia with his wife Dawn and daughter Andra to visit our brand new Battambang 13 Children's Home. He and Dawn had dreamed of building a home for orphans since adopting Andra — then named Polina — as a baby from Moscow, Russia.

A year ago, I'd never met Wes' family. Heck, I'd never even heard of them. But when their good friend Stephanie shared through tears her experience visiting Asia's Hope in the summer of 2016, their hearts leapt and they contacted me. We met in December, shared our vision, and within a week, I had a check that covered not only the home's construction, but startup costs and a few months' operating budget. They also agreed to cover — indefinitely — ongoing operations at the home.

That interaction set in motion a plan that God was crafting long before the foundations of the world. Orphaned and abandoned children were moved from our waiting list into our admission queue. "Prospective staff members" became "home parents" and a new family was born.

After a few short months of construction, we gathered a group of scared, hungry and vulnerable children — taking care to keep siblings together — and we introduced them to their new parents. Yesterday afternoon, we met them for the first time.

Having done this more than 30 times, you'd think the thrill would wear off. But as I watched Wes, Dawn and Andra embrace home parents Savy and Dara, warmly greet the home's two help staff — themselves Asia's Hope graduates — and kneel down to tenderly interact with 20 children who had been for the past few weeks just pictures in an email, I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions.

I was thrilled for Wes, Dawn and Andra. As an adoptive father, I know how important this is to them. I felt proud for Savy and Dara — they've done such a wonderful job with these kids. Sure, the little ones are still a little tentative around visitors, but it's clear that they know they can trust their new mom and dad. They love their home and are eager to show it off, careful to point out where they sleep and which dresser is theirs.

In the few short days we've had together in Battambang, we've enjoyed meals, dedicated the new home, played at the pool, and danced under the stars. We've packed a year's worth of fun into a single week. But this is just the beginning. The Polsdorfers have started a journey with us that will see these kids grow, graduate, get married and create their own families.

I'm thankful for Wes, Dawn and Andra. Their courageous leadership is saving and transforming lives. But I know that they would rather you emulate them than admire them.

You may not have the resources to build and sponsor an entire home. And you may be called to support a differentministry somewhere else in the world. But God has given you resources. And he wants to use you to increase your joy and his glory.

John McCollumJuly 2, 2017 Comment

"Like a wonderful present I couldn't open at the time." Grown up, our kids share their stories.

We've had a lot of great times on this trip, but the highlight to this point was yesterday morning. Midmorning, I heard a knock on my door at the guesthouse, and I looked outside to see the smiling, moon-shaped face of Bui, one of the boys who grew up at and graduated from Asia's Hope here in Thailand. It was appropriate that Bui arrived early; when he was a child, he was always the first to greet me at the home upon arrival and always the last one to let go of my hand as I left.

Tutu Bee (L), Asia's Hope Thailand's Country Director, translates for an Asia's Hope graduate.

I knew that we would be sharing lunch with some of our college-age kids, but I didn't know exactly who was coming or how many would be able to make it. Some of our university students live only a short distance away in Chiang Mai. Others go to school many hours away and can rarely make it home for a visit. Over the next hour or so, more kids joined us, one or two at a time until we had 16 smiling teens, embracing us and each other, chattering away in Thai. For some, it was a reunion with siblings and friends three years in the making.

We settled into a second-floor meeting room overlooking the guesthouse pool, and someone produced a guitar. We sang a few worship songs, Jerod, Jamie, Pak and I said a few words of welcome and encouragement. We asked the students to share about their fields of study, their dreams for the future and how growing up at Asia's Hope had affected their lives.

One by one the students stood up, told us a little about their school, their major and their thoughts on where they had come from and what was next for them. Addison pulled out his phone and recorded some of it, so maybe we'll transcribe and share some of what they said later. I didn't expect to have such an emotional reaction to the gathering, but within the first 45 minutes I had wiped my eyes and choked back tears at least a dozen times.

What wonderful kids we've raised! They're studying to become mechanics, teachers, pastors, lawyers, bankers and hotel managers. Each of them has a different dream. But in their testimonies a number of common themes arose.

"I'm so thankful to Asia's Hope and to everyone who supported me financially. I don't know where I would be without them!"

"Growing up in Asia's Hope was a wonderful experience. It's so different out here in the world with all of the city kids — I'm just a hill tribe kid from the village. It's tough at first, but I know I can do it."

"Asia's Hope was a real family to me. My parents at Asia's Hope loved me, cared for me, provided everything for me — just as if I was their own child."

"Growing up at Asia's Hope, I never understood the rules and the restrictions, but now I see why you protected us and pushed us to study hard."

"If I hadn't come to Asia's Hope, I would have never even finished high school. I would have dropped out, gotten married and had many children by now like the other girls from my village. Now I'm in university and have a bright future!"

"I'm so thankful for Ajan Mae (Teacher-mom, what they call Tutu) and for all of her hard work. She made a place for me and my siblings, and we would not have survived if it wasn't for her and Asia's Hope."

One profound young woman said, "My childhood at Asia's Hope was like a wonderful present I couldn't open at the time, but now I get to open and enjoy it."

This is why we do it. Yes, it's important to rescue small children and give them safe shelter throughout their youth. But if we didn't work so hard to provide them the tools they'll need to succeed as independent adults we would be at best delaying their fate as paupers and perpetual victims of exploitation and injustice. But by giving them a real family and the promise of college education or vocational training, we're helping them break once and for all the chains of poverty that have enslaved their families for generations.

I've watched these kids grow up. I've known them since they were only small children. To see them achieving their dreams is humbling and exhilarating.

Thank you so much for all you've done on behalf of these hard-working young adults. Your generosity and courageous leadership is shaping them into the kind of men and women who will lead their families, tribes and country to a better tomorrow. I am — we all are — grateful for your prayers and consistent financial support.

John McCollumJune 25, 2017Comment

Holy Moses, that was a nice birthday.

At dinner last night, Justin and Jamie Perkins, owners of Columbus, Ohio-based barbershop Holy Moses, got a nice surprise in honor of their shared birthday. The kids at Doi Saket 1a made them cards, brought them cake and sang Happy Birthday. I know that Justin and Jamie are far from home, and that they appreciated the lovely sentiments expressed by our kids.

Jamie and Justin enjoying some sightseeing in Chiang Mai, Thailand

I'm thankful for Justin and Jamie and for all of their employees at Holy Moses. As a business, they're working toward sponsorship of our Doi Saket 1a home. It's a big commitment, and it requires a lot of extra work. I'm so glad that they've been able to hang out with us and see in-person the kids and staff they're supporting. I hope to write more about the Perkins family and Holy Moses in the coming days.

Please join me in praying for God to pour out his blessings on the Justin and Jaimie, on their kids, on their business and on Holy Moses' staff. And if you're a guy looking for the best haircut in Columbus, Ohio, make an appointment with Holy Moses and chat with them about your love of Asia's Hope!

John McCollumJune 22, 2017Comment

Jerod's a hit at Asia's Hope Thailand!

In January, ESPN reported on former New England Patriots player Jerod Cherry's 2008 gift to Asia's Hope, proceeds from the sale of one of his Super Bowl rings. This week, Jerod arrived in Thailand to meet the kids and staff who benefitted from that donation and to see the work Asia's Hope is doing to rescue and raise orphaned hilltribe kids.

Last night we visited the Doi Saket 1a home, and had dinner with the kids and staff. We played volleyball, soccer, takraw and bandminton with all of the kids living at our four Doi Saket 1 homes until it was too dark to see.

Jerod was a hit with the kids, especially with a little boy we rescued as a newborn just a year ago. Once he got his hands on Jerod, the little one wouldn't let go, and cried whenever anyone else wanted to hold him.

We're thankful for Jerod, for what he and his family did for us in 2008, and we're thankful that he's here today, showing love and support for the 200 kids living at Asia's Hope Thailand's family-style homes.

John McCollumJune 22, 2017Comment

A little barbecue with our family at Wiang Pa Pao

A decade ago, a group of us stood in the middle of a beautiful but overgrown and disused 13-acre plot of land in Wiang Pa Pao, Thailand just off the main highway that leads to Burma, about an hour and a half north of Chiang Mai. We prayed that God would give us the land, and that he would provide the resources we would need to restore the dilapidated house set on one far corner of the property, turning it into a home for orphaned hill tribe children.

Thanks to the generosity of donors big and small and to the faithfulness of Wooster Grace Church, we've been able to rescue and raise a generation of vulnerable kids at our two Wiang Pa Pao children's homes.

Yesterday, we gathered with some of our friends and family on the same spot and prayed that God would move once again and give us the resources we need to develop our 13 acre campus in Wiang Pa Pao to its full capacity. In faith, we asked that God would provide the funds we need to further improve the campus' infrastructure in preparation for a future expansion that could add as many as seven more homes — that's 140 new children and 20+ full-time staff. (You'll be hearing more about this project in the near future. If you're interested in how you can get involved, contact me at john@asiashope.org.)

On our way up to Wiang Pa Pao we stopped for a delicious Thai lunch and dipped our feet in streams fed by natural hot springs. When we reached the property, our staff and some of our older kids killed, butchered and cooked a 220-pound pig they had been raising in anticipation of our team's arrival. After a long afternoon of songs and games under the hot sun, we shared shared a delicious dinner before heading back to our guesthouse in Doi Saket.

We reached home exhausted but exhilarated. What an honor it is to guide God's people into courageous leadership on behalf of these precious kids. I hope you enjoy the pictures (although I have to warn you that some of them are a bit gory). I pray that you'll be blessed as you join us in this vital work.

Below: a stop at the natural hot springs on the way to Wiang Pa Pao.

Below: Afternoon and evening with kids and staff and Wiang Pa Pao. If you're squeamish about blood and guts, you may not want to scroll too far, as there are pictures of a pig being butchered.

John McCollumJune 20, 2017Comment

Guests aplenty

The last 48 hours or so have flown by. For our first couple of days in Thailand, my family and I spent time with our staff and kids, just hanging out and relaxing before guests arrived. First to fly in was the Hamilton family, who were just popping in for a two-day visit. They're long-time friends of Asia's Hope Cambodia, and had just spent about a week and a half visiting the kids they support at our Prek Eng 5 home outside of Phnom Penh. Next to arrive was the Davis family, Asia's Hope Thailand supporters from Columbus, Ohio. They were followed in rapid succession by Asia's Hope project manager Addison Smith and Justin and Jamie Perkins. The Perkins family owns Holy Moses barbershop in Columbus, Ohio, and they're here to initiate a sponsorship of our Doi Saket 1a home here in Thailand.

We're all staying together at a guesthouse in Doi Saket, where the guesthouse staff — assisted by some Asia's Hope Thailand family members — are taking great care of us. We've thrown pool parties for Asia's Hope kids, attended an amazing church service, played games and hosted an outdoor movie night. And we've also eaten really well, both at the guesthouse and at my favorite restaurant in the world, Auntie Cat's Khao Soi.

For each of our guests — except for Addison, of course — this is their first time in Thailand. It's a joy to experience the culture and ministry anew through the eyes of our friends. Tonight we're heading out to Chiang Mai's famous Sunday Walking Market. I don't really need any more Thai tchotchkes, but I'll certainly enjoy a smoothie and a couple plates of sticky rice with mangoes. Tomorrow we're heading up to visit our homes in Wiang Pa Pro, where we're more than likely to kill and butcher a hog.

Enjoy the pics. Maybe you'll join us here some day!

John McCollumJune 18, 2017Comment

There may be noodles.

According to my iPhone, which I've already set to Thai time, It's 9:46am. My body isn't so sure. It's 10:46pm back in Columbus. We've been at this for quite some time.

It takes a couple of hours to get from Columbus to New York, and then about 14-and-a-half hours to Seoul, 5-and-a-half to Bangkok, and an hour or so to Chiang Mai. Add in layovers and we're at 30+ hours from port to port. The interactive map glowing in the headrest of the seat in front of me says we're somewhere between Taipei and Hanoi. Which means that we'll be in Bangkok before long.

I slept well on the big flight, but I'm still exhausted. That's the way it goes; I'll be pretty tired for the next day or so, and then I should be pretty much done with the jet lag.

I'm traveling with Kori, Xiu Dan and Pak. Chien is staying in Columbus and working about 50 hours a week, holding down the homefront. This trip is a relatively short one in terms of days on the ground. Kori can only manage five weeks off, and that's taking all of her vacation days and leave-without-pay days in one big chunk. This year, I'm coming home with my family. Last year, they left after about six weeks and I stayed on for a total of 13 weeks, hosting various teams and accomplishing things that, frankly, can only happen in person.

Important stuff, yeah. But never again. You can hold me to that.

It wasn't just the duration, it was the pace. In 13 weeks, I figure I had a total of four days off. By the time week seven rolled around, I was already past tired and probably not at my best. We had our normal (well, "usual" is probably a better word, as none of this is particularly "normal") mix of wonderful yet tiring days — filled with hugs, laughter, tears, sweat, songs, meetings, games and dancing — and we also had some really rough, dark times. India, which I love deeply, presented a harrowing series of trials from which I'm still reeling.

So while I anticipate an aggressive itinerary on this trip, I think it's going to be a very different kind of summer for me. We're starting out in Thailand and finishing in Cambodia, postponing my visit to India to a later date. I don't really lead large teams anymore; I tend to leave visits from partnering churches in the capable hands of their own leaders. I do, however, like to give potential partners' "vision trips" my personal attention. I also am eager to meet up with new partners on their first visit to the projects they support. So if you're following this blog, you'll get a chance to meet a whole host of people who haven't yet shown up in my pictures.

I'll be hosting business owners who are committing to one of our homes in Thailand, families visiting Cambodia for an introduction to the staff and the kids at the homes they're currently sponsoring. We'll welcome a number of donors as they see for the first time how their courageous leadership is changing the world for some of the world's most vulnerable kids. I'll be joined by a former pro football player who sold his Super Bowl ring a decade ago to help us provide a place for dozens of orphaned children to cal home. Along with hundreds of teens and young adults, we'll attend Asia's Hope Cambodia Youth Conference at our Battambang campus. And we'll probably kill a pig or two.

For the last few days, we'll meet up with a group from my home church, Central Vineyard. And then we'll come home in time to enjoy a bit of barbecue season stateside.

I hope that you'll follow along, and that share our stories with your friends and co-workers. In a world discouraged by divisive rhetoric around race, politics and even religion, your Facebook and Twitter feeds can probably use some encouragement. Pray for us, too. We need stamina and wisdom and resources to continually answer God's call with integrity and courage.

With any luck, I'll have some pictures to post soon. I'm hoping that at least some of those pics will feature noodles. I like noodles.

Obligatory noodle shot. As eaten in the Seoul Incheon airport.

John McCollumJune 13, 2017Comment

John McCollum is the Executive Director of Asia’s Hope.

He’s been to Asia almost 40 times in the last two decades. He likes to take lots of pictures. To get an “on the ground” sense of our people and places, his posts are a great place to start.

Asia's Hope has earned the Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency for its commitment to financial accountability. Email us with any questions about Asia's Hope's financial policies.