Over the past two weeks, I have gotten a small glimpse into the darkness that lurks on Bangla Road – Patong’s nighttime party scene. It is dark indeed.
But it is not too dark for God’s light to shine through.
Yesterday I saw God’s light in the midst of the darkness.
Before we go out to minister in the bars at night, we spend the afternoon prayer walking down Bangla. Amanda and I were walking the streets and praying over the area, the girls working in the bars, and the tourists who visit the bars each night. Suddenly, I thought that I could hear Christian music playing over a loudspeaker somewhere nearby. Amanda and I began talking about how amazing it would be to hear Christian music on Bangla. Just think of it – God being glorified in the midst of all the darkness and sin. What an amazing thought!
Amanda and I turned the corner onto a street called Sea Dragon. As we walked the length of it, passing bar after bar, God began to give me a vision for that street. I saw people dancing for joy in the middle of the road, fully immersed in worshiping God. In place of the darkness and hopelessness were light, hope, and joy. This beautiful chorus came to my mind 
and became my prayer for Sea Dragon:
“Open up the doors
And let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Fast forward to later that night. Amanda and I were out visiting girls in the bars and praying as we walked down the streets. We decided to go down Sea Dragon and visit a bar there. We rounded the corner and both of us stopped in our tracks.
They were playing the Casting Crowns song Who am I! We both stood dumbfounded to be hearing that song playing all the way down the street. God totally answered our prayers from that afternoon! The DJ might not have even known what he was playing, but we knew. I was so encouraged and excited to hear that song playing. I was reminded that God’s love knows no boundaries or limits. He is reaching into the darkest places, rescuing the captives, and turning them into His sons and daughters.
God is not through with Bangla Road. The Devil’s time there is running out. The Kingdom of God is coming.
