There are over 200 bars and 1,500 women that work in Patong on Bangla Road. Within 3 weeks, we had met and build relationships with over 60 bar girls – girls that worked in the bars, selling drinks until they were “bought” at a price of 2000 baht ($60USD)! The Gentle Warriors prayed the streets every day but Sunday and ventured out to meet the women of Bangla Road. There are seven diverse ‘streets’ that make up the night life of Phuket, Soi Easy, Soi Gonzo, Soi Crocodile, Soi Eric, Soi Sea Dragon, Soi Lion, and Soi Tiger draw a crowd each and every night, ranging from young to old alike. Men and women, and every once in awhile, children walking the streets with or without their parents!
This just barely sets the scene that we walked into each and every night. The “ladyboys” of Soi Crocodile “pranced” around showing off who they have become, dancing and entertaining the many passer-byes as they took photo’s and video taped with laughter, smiles and eyes glued to the “unusual” site. Soi Eric is lined with Poles…and pole dancers wearing hardly enough to cover anything!
Yet, rather than judging, we chose to love. Rather than walking away when we were “grabbed” to have a seat at a bar and have a drink, we chose to walk away, or if we felt called, have a seat and have a soda or water with the women while playing a familiar “bar” game of Jenga, Connect Four, Jackpot or the Hammer game…
What went on during the three weeks were more than just small conversations that went nowhere or spending money on beverages we didn’t need. The ladies we met touched hearts and brought tears to our eyes. Many sleepless nights were had. Many prayers were said.
No matter the age of the women I met in Patong, they all held a special place in my heart. There are a few women who touched my heart deeper than the rest. One was a young 25 year old girl. She has only worked at her bar about 3 months. We saw through her loneliness and despair and quickly learned that it was her last night in the bar, as she was leaving to head “home” for a few days before going to an unknown Country “willingly” yet fearful knowing what is to come….selling her body in a dark room, where she has no control and no say. She told us she has a dream of being a baker…how perfect for SHE, yet she felt “stuck” and unable to escape. Her story goes so much deeper than I can explain, as this young women was in a terrible mess, one that I could do anything about other than pray…and that I did – all night. She needed it. She still does! For more of her story, check out Stephanie’s blog.
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Another story is of two women from a bar we “stumbled” upon by no accident – but by God’s leading. It was a birthday, and who’s to turn down a “party” with free food…there we sat, playing games with these women with no distractions – the bar was empty and the manager and owner’s were not around. 
We poured out the love God has given us. These women, Waew and June, quickly became friends and within a week, this bar has been changed. The way they interacted with us every time we walked their way…and watching them laugh and smile was a blessing! The hard part came when I would watch the girls I was close with leave my conversation to go “woo” a man is – especially when you know she doesn’t want to, yet it’s part of her job. It was a hard and long good-bye. This is a bar I learned a lot about the “job.”. The difference between being behind the bar and a girl out in front. The difference between a bar with a manager present or absent. Just before posting this blog, I got a phone call that Waew is coming by to look at SHE sometime this week…she is so interested in this place and new job opportunity. God has her in His hands!!
There’s always the young energetic girl. The one seeking attention, love and acceptance. This was my petite Mea. I only saw her twice, but in those two times, God moved. She is very touchy-feely and it was hard to accept at first, yet I knew this woman needed more than physical touch. 
She needed love. She longed for love. She sought after it in any and every way possible. She repeated she loved me more times than I could count. She just held me the entire conversation, looking into my eyes, kissing my cheeks and embracing someone who finally cared about HER not just what she can “put out.” This women melted my heart. I tried calling, yet it never worked. She cried when I told her about SHE. She didn’t like her job and wanted out. After the second time I talked to her, God was moving and I was hoping and praying that calling her would bring her to SHE and give her hope…yet I could never reach her. Not by phone. Not even at the bar. A week went by…still no sign of her. The bar hasn’t seen or heard from her…last they knew, she left drunk the last night I was with her, and haven’t heard from her since. Please pray that she is OKAY and out of the bar scene and onto bigger and better things. There is hope and she does know that she can be happy and not have to work in a bar to be happy or get money!
The last person who touched my heart is not like the rest. There was something different about her from the time I laid eyes on her. At first it was her stunning beauty that caught my attention – not just her outward beauty, but something about her heart! Then, when she spoke fluent English with an “accent” that’s not Thai, I was curious. 
This 24 year old, Tantawan, is a student in Australia, came home for a few months before heading back to school. She’s working in the bar to help a friend and make some money to go back to school…but she knows she has a choice. She doesn’t want to be there, but has a head on her shoulders and puts her values ahead of making money. It’s not about the men or getting drunk. Within the next two weeks, she will be leaving to go back home, and if God answers her prayers, it will be sooner than expected. Through watching her and spending time with her, her faith came out and tonight we were able to pray for her IN THE BAR and sing How Great is our God! Ah Lord, you are a good God! saying good-bye was like saying farewell to a friend I have known more than a week!
