In January 2010 we took a totally unscripted two week trip to Thailand to help a missions group with their communications efforts. From the time the plane landed the only set plans we had were when to meet the missionaries and when our plane home took off. For two weeks we were shuttled around the country spending time in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and in the jungle on the Myanmar (Burma)/Thai border. It was here that we were introduced to Karen refugees, mostly young children, who were fleeing violence and persecution of the most violent sort back in Burma. Beautiful kids, they had personalities that could simultaneously warm and break your heart and compassion — for one another, us and even their oppressors — to spare.

Now, just over a year later, we’re making plans to return but, this time, we’re taking our families so that they, particularly our children, can live, play, learn and grow in perhaps the most different set of circumstances from their own that they could encounter. We’re calling it the RiverChildren project. Our plan is to head out in December 2011 for two weeks and, upon return, to produce a photo documentary covering how our kids (ages 2-12 at the time of travel) reacted to and interacted with the Karen children. Yep, it’s an ambitious undertaking…we can’t wait.

You can learn more about the project, our fundraising efforts and how to get involved by visiting www.riverchildren.com.