I don’t really have an eloquent way to open up this blog, and there’s honestly no time to ease into it anyways. Sex trafficking is something I’m sure we’ve all heard of in some capacity. For instance, I’ve always heard that Asia is one of (if not THE) biggest sex trafficking hub in the world. I’ve seen the inspiring videos that inform people against the atrocity, I’ve changed my Facebook profile picture to raise awareness, I’ve seen the movie Taken- thus, I knew this was all real. And since I was so incredibly informed and educated, I didn’t think it would be that surprising to me when I got here. But reality began to set in a little more when I realized that there is a brothel at the end of the block that I am living on this month. When we pass the door I can peer into the front hallway and see girls lined up on either side with numbers pinned to their bras.
I quickly got to a point this month where I felt so hopeless in the face of such a huge problem. “What the heck can I do about it?” I thought.
This month, Jesus used unexpected and totally sovereign encounters to awaken my soul and invite me into part of what He is doing here in Asia.
From the moment I knew I was going to Thailand on my race, I contacted my friends who are full-time missionaries there, and told them I wanted to visit them, and check out their ministry. When we got to Asia, Cambodia was our first stop, then Thailand. I got a message from Jon & Chrissy asking where exactly in Cambodia we were going to be, and it turned out that they would be spending 2 weeks in the same city at the same time as me! (Jon and Chrissy live in Thailand, but partner with trafficking organizations all over South East Asia and several times a year they travel to these ministries to refresh their skills and train new rescued girls, hence the reason why they were in Cambodia). Their hotel was only 15 minutes away from me- so on my free time, I was able to go spend time with them and check out what ministry on a regular basis looks like for them. This was totally sovereign, because during our time together, I learned that my ministry site in Thailand would be a solid 24hr bus ride away from them, and it was likely that I wouldn’t get a chance to see them next month while being there.
Jon and Chrissy founded a ministry called S.W.A.T. which stands for “Spiritual Warriors Against Trafficking.” They train both rescuers and rescued girls in self defense. The mornings were spent training the rescuers and the afternoons were spent training girls who were rescued out of brothels. They teach them how to get out of ugly and dangerous situations, and they rebuild the girls worth, cultivate strength, and restore their dignity.
I got to spend 2 of my off days training with Jon and Chrissy, and in those 2 days I came face to face with the reality that no Facebook video or Hollywood movie could convey: real people. Real faces. Real stories. Real souls.
“If a pimp comes at you with a knife, understand that you’re gonna get cut. Accept it now and know that you can still fight your way out and live. You just have to know how” Jon said to the rescuers as he trained them in various moves to execute during potential knife fights. I seriously sat there with no words, but each of these men were secretly my heroes.
“These men are probably gonna be stronger than you. But you are strong enough to fight and you are strong enough to get out” Chrissy said to the girls as they questioned their ability to truly be able fight a grown man off of them. But the best feeling in the world was to see these girls feel empowered and confident by the end of the training.
“But what do I do when he grabs me from behind? How do I get out?” said a 14 year old girl, as she demonstrated on her friend what had been done to her. This was the moment where I had to go to the bathroom and break down. This was the moment I knew I couldn’t just feel bad about what’s going on and then move on with my life.
So what now? I don’t really even have a good way to end this blog. My time spent with those girls feels like the last page of a good book got ripped out- unfinished. I don’t know much right now, but I do know that my heart was made to love these girls, and my life is changed. I’m curious to see what is to come.
I ask that you join me in the call to support our church overseas as they act as the hands and feet of Jesus and reach the places we cannot…please help me fulfill the call to give by supporting this ministry financially and prayerfully.
www.swatministriesintl.org
