Listening to Jesus from the heart of Diane Tirakis . . .

My name is Diane Tirakis and I am the wife of Ed, mother of Will, who is 6, and Lydia, who is 8. I am currently a stay at home mom, which is the best job I’ve ever had! I have been a runner for 9 years and began Team Hope in 2009 after God burdened my heart for the children of SE Asia. I traveled on my first mission trip as a junior in high school to the Dominican Republic and have desired to travel in a missions capacity since. I have since prayed about being able to visit SE Asia, especially to have a chance to meet the precious girl that our family sponsors in Cambodia and the amazing boys that Team Hope sponsors in Thailand. I feel certain that God has more to do through Team Hope and it is my prayer that He will give us direction for how we can rescue more children.


A Country of Contrasts

Hello from Siem Reap, Cambodia! We have finished another great day today, though most of us are still grappling with emotions from our time with the children of Grace Place Battambang. Today we took about a 3 hour bus ride to the city of Siem Reap. Approaching the city, we passed a “country club,” the first of those we’ve seen here! Then, began another day of great contrast. There are large, sprawling, Las Vegas style hotels lining the streets (well, not quite Las Vegas) and more modern shopping than we’ve seen. This is because Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat which is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, thus attracting a great deal of tourism. Among these hotels remains the extreme poverty we’ve seen everywhere on our trip.

We spent our day today visiting the ruins of the temples of Angkor Wat (google it to learn more!). These were built over a period of 600 years around the 9th century for Hindu gods. They are unbelievably large and beautifully detailed in the carvings and writings. What struck me was the amazing amount of work, time and cost to build something to gods that would never answer, never speak, never bless. Even today, within many of the inner chambers, people were lighting incense, making offerings to gods and ancestors. I even saw people shedding tears as they did this. I wanted to tell them that I know the One and Only. Jesus. He answers, He speaks, He blesses. He is alive!

The most difficult part of the day was to navigate through the throngs of people, mostly children selling trinkets, books and jewelry in an unrelenting manner. We had been advised to smile at them, say “thank you” but move along and largely ignore them so as not to be swarmed. Contrast. We just came from a place of pouring our every ounce of attention on children. Children who, if it had not been for Grace Place would be these very children selling goods to tourists for $1. The children we saw today were vacant. Their eyes were empty as the followed us repeating the same few phrases again and again. One little girl followed me all the way to our bus barefoot. She had no shoes. She just stared. This beautiful place, these beautiful people, so much poverty and need. Contrast. The children of Grace Place are lively, their eyes light, their smiles wide. They are thriving in the hope and truth of Jesus Christ. There are so many more children who need the chance to know Him.

Contrast this beautiful place of ancient history with Steve and Carlin planking. We seem to draw attention wherever we go!

Tonight we finished our evening enjoying dinner with the Pastor of Grace Brethren Siem Reap and the founders of White Dove, a ministry to young women leaving a life of prostitution. Our time with them was short, but inspiring to know that people from all parts of the world are following the Holy Spirit as He calls them into ministry. They are people of passion. We are becoming people of passion.

And we're also finding out that planking isn't half bad either:)Thanks for your partnership in prayer with our team. Lydia and Will, Mom and Dad love you and can't wait to see you!!