That’s how I started my first conversation with a couple girls at a local bar in the red light district. Before going out I asked the Lord to open the doors and give me opportunities to spark up a conversation with any of the girls. So He did. I love to play pool back home, I think I’m pretty good, ok not really but it’s the joy of the game;) so I thought this is the perfect opportunity. Thank You Jesus! The girls loved playing with me and Betty, and Krystina. It felt like it was a normal Saturday night out with the girls. We bought ourselves a coke (not allowed to just sit there creepily watching and waiting for your “in” to talk to a girl) and bought the girls a juice. You would have thought we took them on a shopping spree. They were so grateful that we bought them a simple juice, they are used to the men buying them a beer or drink because they want something in return from the women. We played 2 games of pool and 2 games of Jenga, I got to make small talk and ask them about them and their lives.
Our second night in the bars was last night and it was AWESOME! We went back to visit our girls and hang out with them. They were so excited and a little surprised that we came back. We resumed our spots at the pool table and ordered our drinks and theirs. It felt like the intro to Cheers, where everybody knows your name. This night we didn’t get to talk to the girls as much but there was a lot that was said without any words being exchanged.
Now don’t get this image of how awesome the red light district is. It’s not. It’s still a dark place with lots of hurt, pain, and loneliness. The girls want to be loved and accepted. Purely. Not bought and bargained for like an old lamp at your neighborhood yard sale. Yes the girls can be bartered down by the customers. So not only are the men putting a price tag on a girls head but also the girl has to agree and put a $ amount on her own worth. The pain here goes deeper than just sex for money. It’s psychological. It’s spiritual and emotional. It breaks them from the inside out. Some women also experience physical pain and abuse. The girls don’t get a background check before leaving with a guy. The pain and darkness is deeper than surface level assumptions and taboo conversations between tourists. The pain is real and it’s re-occuring day in and day out. The women, men, and lady boys are without hope. They believe in Buddhism in which you are stuck in your situation because of your past life (very vague definition of Buddhism). So they don’t believe there’s much to do and don’t deserve more. Ugh not true! God brings hope and redemption and salvation!!! Is what I want to shout out but that wouldn’t be as effective as actually showing God’s love, His hope, His redemption, and His freedom from chains.
He is good. He is faithful. He doesn’t forget about any of us. He loves us all equally. He is good.
Partner with me in praying for the broken-hearted in the red light district., for those back home and up early pray at 6am/7am and East Coast 9am which in Chiang Mai time will be when my team and I will be out in the bars. The power of prayer is ridiculous ya’ll.
Also if you feel led to financially support me and need an end of the year tax deduction, I am still in need of $4,972 to be fully funded by Jan 1st.
Thank You! God Bless.
