The R-Squad aka “Joy” Squad has arrived in Thailand, we are staying in the Kathu area, very close to Phuket. This month we get to partner with Mark and Sharon and their family at She Ministries.
Here at SHE we have the opportunity to experience a type of ministry I’ve never done before- Bar ministry.
Our squad has been split into two large groups for the month, one group goes out to bars from about 9-11:30pm, while the other group stays back to intercede on their behalf.
During the days we have an opportunity to form relationships and hang out with the amazing girls who work for SHE in areas of baking, hospitality, and jewelry making. Also during the day time we have the opportunity to work on a new building project that SHE has in the works. Land has been purchased in another area of the island to create a training center for women who desire a way of earning income outside of prostitution.
My squad has been here since Dec. 9th and already so much has happened its hard to even put into words in a blog.
Thai culture is very much Buddhist, many Thai believe that to be Thai is to be Buddhist and you cannot separate the two or you strip them of their “identity”. Many of the Thai women believe that the best way to make money is to sell their bodies, and it is so easy to do here. We minister at night on Bangla Road which easily in a 1 block radius has over 200 bars and over a thousand prostitutes/ladyboys.
This month so far has been spiritually and emotionally the most challenging of any yet on the race that i’ve experienced. I will post another blog soon with more details about my experiences in the bars.
Please be praying for SHE ministries as they have several teams coming to stay over the holidays, they have an amazing ministry here and the more the word spreads the more groups are wanting to come and partner with the awesome work they are doing here!
Pray for our team as we experience a holiday away from home and miss families/friends.
Pray for our ministry as we enter the bars, make friends with the amazing girls, invite them to join us for lunch @ SHE and then offer them a way out of the prostitution lifestyle and into a life of true love…the love of their Savior Jesus….
