Pattaya, Thailand. A massive tourist destination. A city on the coast with most of the comforts of America- food, malls, running water. The travel pictures of the beach make it seem like a glamorous spot to hit up. The sex industry here is possibly the most shocking and disturbing thing I have ever seen. I was walking through a food court our first night here when the reality of this place hit me… I saw an old white man sitting alone eating his dinner, and I felt this anger flare up inside of me. I know why you’re here, I thought. In my mind I saw him wandering the streets of nightlife, buying girls for his entertainment and ego. I felt so sick. And then I felt so sad. The man’s own brokenness came into my thoughts, and I felt God leading me into a different mindset. Judgment is not going to change anything in this place. Only His love can.
After spending a little more time here, it’s become clear that the issue touches literally everything in this place. Our ministry has been scattered, and initially I felt disappointed that we weren’t directly working with the women in prostitution. But everything is related here. The kids we play with in the slums, the people at the Christmas parties we’ve been performing/speaking at, the children at the orphanages… they all trace back to the heart-breaking fact that selling your body is the prominent way of life in this city.
In all this darkness, there is something that is a blazing light of hope.
There’s something so different about Christians here. Maybe it’s because they make up approximately 1% of the population. Or maybe it’s that Christianity isn’t a hobby here, it’s not a social fashion. Maybe it’s because darkness beckons them so blatantly at every corner. Whatever it is, the Christians are different here. They are bold and unrelenting in their pursuit of Jesus. They eagerly chase after Him in prayer and worship. They are face down and weeping in their cries of intercession for the people hurting all around them. They dance and shout in ecstatic, matchless joy when they hear the Lord speak His promises of freedom and redemption. They are always asking for more, fighting for depth. They are in true community- intentionally invasive and encouraging with one another. They are full of a passion that I’ve rarely seen. They are completely sold out on the belief that God is worthy. So they are wildly dangerous; they will do anything for Him. They are inspiring and challenging.
Pattaya, Thailand. God is changing this place. His Kingdom is coming. Keep praying with me.
