Chiang Mai, Thailand.
This country enchants me. I am drawn to its people, its culture. There is vibrancy present. Here exists “the color and fire and loveliness of life.” Yet, here is also darkest bondage, sinful depravity.
I am drawn to the charm and I am drawn to the horror.
Thailand is a dominant destination and source for sex-trafficking. This means it is a country which holds both supply and demand for the sex industry. Here, many are sold into the industry. And, here many remain, for this is a prominent “sex tourism” destination.
Right now, I’m sitting in a delightful café, frothy cappuccino on the table and the smell of brownie cheesecake surrounding me (yes, a piece of it will arrive shortly). I’m in a sanctuary of God, for this place was created to be that. Peace is present. Yet, a mere two blocks away lies horror—the red light district of Chiang Mai, where, in the low season, approximately 5,000 beloved image-bearers of God have fallen prey to the atrocities of this industry (and in the high season, approximately 20,000 men, women, and children).
During the day, the street is heavy, quiet, sleeping. At night, it comes alive, writhing in its darkness.
We are here to bring the light of Jesus into this darkness.
Six days a week, my team will be walking this street, praying over every particle of it. Six nights a week, my team will be present on this street, conversing and sharing story with all those we encounter, prostitutes and patrons alike.
Our heart is to show Jesus through cultivating a relationship, specifically with the women we meet. We cannot stay long in each bar we enter, for it is work hours and we seek to maintain favor with the bars, that we may continue to have open doors for conversation. We hope to build such relationships that we begin to meet with our friends in different environments—places where there is safety and time for intimate conversations, laughter, and tears. We pray they will feel rest, they will feel hope being restored, they will feel their chains broken, and they will see redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.
We need you to work alongside us.
Every night, we will be going to multiple bars. At each bar, we need to order a Coke (or soda/pop for you non-Southerners). We will also be buying a Coke for the girls who are working, that we may have an opportunity to converse with them. After this, we will be asking them to accompany us on various “dates” outside of the bars – coffee, lunches, excursions, etc. We do so that they might know the love of Jesus expressed through physical actions.
Our World Race budget is limited. We are unable to afford the above, because we have few resources on hand. We need you to come alongside us and partner with us in eradicating the sex industry here in Chiang Mai. We need you to shine the light of Christ in the darkness. We need you to “loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.” [Isaiah 58:6]
If your heart is moved because it is full, if you feel the prompting from the Lord deep down in your gut (or your “knower” as our dear squad coach, Betsy, states), if you feel the energy pulsing through your body knowing you are called to a tangible response, please walk in obedience. Please help us bring the light of Christ to the shadows.
We are here for a mere three short weeks, so speed is of utmost importance. Please mail a check directly to my parents (under my name). For address information, please email me ([email protected]) or Facebook message me. The sooner we receive the money, the more opportunity we have to use it for the glory of God.
Team & (Kylie, Kyle, Justin, Joey, Melissa, Julie, Chelsey)
