BLUETREE
Formed in Northern Ireland Bluetree came together because of a love for music and for God. But in November 2006 the band came face to face with a horrible reality. Child sexual exploitation.
They were in Pattaya, Thailand, when a man came up to them and asked them to play in his bar. They were surprised, but said yes. Why not? It would give them a new cultural experience.
It certainly gave them that. But they got more than they bargained for.
As they began to play, they realised that this wasn't just an ordinary bar. The women who were serving drinks were more than just waitresses, and the little girls loitering in the shadows were not simply enjoying the music. The band had stumbled upon one of many gateways into the vast and sinister labyrinth of Thailand's sex trade. As the final chords of their last song died away Bluetree's lead singer, Aaron, suddenly felt these lyrics just pouring out of him - "You're the God of this city, you're the king of these people... and greater things have yet to come, greater things have still to be done here."
Since then Bluetree and Viva have worked to inspire people to help fight the injustice of child sexual exploitation; people who will StandOut - together for children.
Exodus is a Christian youth discipleship organisation based in Northern Ireland, committed to working with local churches to see young people transformed as they come to and grow in faith. In the summer of 2011 Exodus will be facilitating a StandOut trip to Cambodia.
www.exodusonline.org.uk