The spiritual atmosphere at the bars
is thick.The first few nights we went out, I felt the dark spiritual
climate so strongly it brought tears to my eyes, along with a range
of emotions. Walking down Bangla Road we see bars with flashy signs,
loud thumping music, half naked girls dancing on poles on the bar tops,
while others are beckoning for us to come and sit down for a drink at
their establishment. We are harassed by both men and women wanting us
to read their signs listing different options we can choose from to
have our own personal peep show. 
Walking the streets, I also see foreign
men locked hand in hand with young Thai women as if they were in love
and married for many years instead of just the girl they bought for
the night or the week. I also see ladyboys (men dressed in drag) who
quite frankly look better than I do on any given night. Seeing young
children (some as young as 2 and 3) out and about with their parents
late into the night, exposed to things some adults have yet to experience
is probably the most disturbing sight.
And with all this said.. we say speak Lord. Lead us where you want us
to go….speak through us to those who are lost. We meet new girls
each night, but we always make sure to stop by our bars where we’ve
really begun to establish relationships. The girls we’ve made some leeway
with we’ve invited to SHE for lunch to check out the digs, fun outings
in town, as well as dinner dates.
A week to the day we started ministryin the bars, God started shaking things up. As we made our rounds to
our favorite bars, we made our way to Bangla Sexy 69 bar to see some
of our friends. One woman we had been building a relationship with,
Ice, whispered to Holli as we arrived to her bar that she wanted to
come work for SHE. Permanently? was our question. “Yes, I want
to leave here and work at SHE”, she said in a hushed voice. Excitement
washed over our faces as the reality of her words set in. ICE IS LEAVING
THIS LIFE FOR A NEW ONE! I wanted to scream this, but refrained until
a more appropriate time. But alas…can I get an Amen anyone? Please
read Holli’s blog -an exceptional depiction for a more in depth explanation
of Ice’s departure from bar life to SHE life.
with my normal girls, TEAM BLING. This month a lot of teams were seperated
to accomodate the different interests in ministries. Before leaving
each other for the month, Blair presented little bracelets to each member
of BLING so each time we looked at it, we would remember to pray for
each other. Each bracelet had a different word on it….i.e….pride,
guts, heart, etc. I chose the Victory bracelet. It seemed fitting for
the type of ministry this month…and how true it is!
Despite Satan’s hold over the bars in
Patong beach (section of Phuket), victory is a sure thing for all of
us who are fighting the good fight. The exciting part this month is
that no matter how much darkness seemed to be lurking, we’ve already
won. We are not fighting for victory, but from victory in Christ Jesus.
There is power in that statement, so let me say it again…there is
VICTORY in Christ Jesus.
God is moving over Patong beach. Over
the past few weeks we have felt a noticeable difference in the
spiritual climate as well as visably…the area just seems to have more
light…and at night! It sounds funny but that’s the best way to describe
it. 
bars in Patong. Team Victory (Holli, Di, Taryn, and I), as we like to
call ourselves, are still processing the last few weeks of ministry.
Saying goodbye to our girls was by far the hardest to do this month
since I began the World Race. Not only was I able to participate in
a ministry I was truly passionate about, but prayerfully through I and
the rest of my teammates, we were able to be used as vessels for the
Kingdom. I believe God will continue to move in these girls hearts even
after our departure.
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.
Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the
Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
~ 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
