There is a small town, outside of Phnam Penh. Up until recently, this town was the place to go if you wanted to buy yourself a child. I walked the street that was once lined with children for sale. Our friend and guide explained to us that it was rather like a red light district, but for children rather than women. This, however, doesn’t mean that there weren’t plenty of women to be bought also. But this street/village specialized in children. It was was the culture of this little community.
We were given a short tour of the area by some contacts we had in Agape Ministries. Through Agape, God has renovated this little town.
We walked through what was once a brothel. It is now a home for young girls; specifically girls at high risk for trafficking. A place where they are well cared for and safe. The past apearance of this brothel was described to us in detail: a narrow hall lined with tiny rooms. The doors to the rooms locked from the outside to keep the girls in. There was only one doorway out of the building. Once a girl entered, there was no leaving. Most of the walls of these rooms have been torn down to make room for beds for the girls who now live there in safety. But one room, in the back of the building, has been left intact. This was the first brothel in the area to get raided. During the raid, the dead body of one of the girls was found in this room. The room has been left intact out of respect for her.
There were stairs by the door where we entered leading up to what was called ‘The Pink Room.’ This room was reserved for virgin sales and filming pornography.
After leaving there we saw the boxing gym that Agape runs as a means to minister to the men of the town.
We saw a clothing factory where the families of the town can work for good wages. A clothing factory where healthcare is covered and lunches are provided.
We toured a second clothing factory where they train and help actual trafficking survivors. This building also contained jewelry making and screen printing workshops. Have you heard of or seen 3 Strand Bracelets? This was were they are made! And the screen printing set up for t shirts was impressive. Is you EVER need to have t shirts printed for any reason, please have it done at aimapparel.com
We were then shown what was once the largest brothel in the area, where they now house and help survivors integrate back into society.
And last, but NOT least, we toured the school. The nicest school in the community. The building was built as a hotel for the sole purpose of renting rooms to the customers who had recently purchased a child from he street in front of it. The owner of the hotel hadn’t even finished building it before he sold it because there was no longer enough potential customers due to the progress of Agape Ministries.
Friends and family: God ARRIVED in that town. No human could ever have conceived of such a recovery. The town still has its struggles. They didn’t get here overnight, and they won’t yet be fully healed by tomorrow. But it was one of the most inspiring days I have ever had.
Praise God for His awesome works. And go buy yourself a 3 Strand Bracelet. While you’re at it, order yourself some custom t-shirts too.
And if you have any money left over, I still need $2600 by Oct 1, in order to continue my own ministries out here. Your support is urgently needed and much appreciated.
But whatever you do, do something to improve a life today.
