“Success is focusing the full power of all you are, on what you have a burning desire to achieve.”    
     ~ Wilferd A. Peterson (1900-1995)

On my last trip to Cambodia I met with many leaders from several different organizations. They are all doing wonderful work in the areas of Rescue, Restoration, Reintegration and Prevention of children and young women who are forced into the sordid world of commercial sexual exploitation.

After flying to Cambodia from Australia where I met with a Rescue Team and the most fascinating young woman I have ever had the privilege to meet, my meetings in Phnom Penh began straight-away. Each day from sun-up to sun-down I met with a myriad of leaders. In some of those meetings I was joined by a team of leaders I was co-hosting from Saddleback Church.

After each meeting, I gained greater insight and a stronger perspective of the needs of not only the various organizations – but especially the girls that are rescued or convinced that there’s a better life than the one they have working in the brothels.

During the past 16 months of traveling more than 100,000 miles on 5 trips to Cambodia and Thailand, I’ve gotten a clearer focus of how to reach and touch the lives of children and young women being used and abused in the most heinous, horrific way imaginable. Each time I think of what happens to these precious girls – my heart breaks a little more and I become more determined to see them set free.

I remember after my 2^nd trip I was ready to start a work there as quickly as possible. After correcting a hasty decision that would actually have taken me away from the vision God called me to, I took quite a bit of time to reflect on what happened. I was reminded of a line from the Simon and Garfunkel song: “Feelin’ Groovy”: “Slow down, you move too fast!” ~ And that’s exactly what I did. As difficult as it was for me, I realized that if I wanted things to be done right, so as to accomplish the best result, I had to do the following:  I had to slow down! I needed to take the time and effort to learn of the depths of this tragedy and have a deeper understanding of what could be done – in a proper way, so as to ensure that the best end result is realized in the life of each individual child and young woman.

You know what – it worked. What I have learned the past 16 months of going, meeting, asking, watching, seeing, and doing has given me a much greater insight and understanding of how JOY International can best be used. I found many organizations that do things right and many that do things wrong. I found organizations that claim to do Rescue – when they are actually doing Restoration. There’s a big difference. What I learned will result in a much more efficient use of our funds and a better end result in each life we touch. Although I was anxious to get something started as quick as possible, with each trip I had a tender peace as only God can give, because I knew He had His hand on me as He was directing each meeting, each experience and every step I took. I truly praise God for His loving-kindness and patience with me as He guided my steps and taught me valuable lessons that will result in greater long-term success for our work and especially in the lives of those in such desperate need.    

JOY International now has now established some key strategic relationships with some of the most successful organizations in this field. International Justice Mission, Precious Women, Daughters of Cambodia, Chab-Dai, Love 146, White Doves, MST Project and Celebrate Recovery – just to name a few. I have learned that in order to win the battle against this atrocity we MUST be willing to work together.  I have evaluated many organizations and have found the ones we will work with and the ones we had to walk away from. Those we have chosen to work with have the highest degree of integrity and ultimately – success.

When you give into the work of JOY International you can have comfort in knowing your funds are not just going to one organization – but to many that are working diligently – together – to accomplish the greatest end result you could ever hope for in the Rescue, Restoration, Reintegration and Prevention of children and young girls, who are brought out of a life of pain, a life horror and a life of sadness and guided into a new life of true JOY. Thank you for supporting this work through your prayers and financial gifts.

       Dr. Jeff Brodsky