Sawatdee Khrab!
Well I am happy to say that after a couple of ten hour bus trips and nearly twenty hours of flying we eventually did make it to our next ministry site in Phuket, Thailand. Thailand is definitely a bit of a culture shock considering it is Southeast Asia as compared to Latin America, but especially considering that much of our ministry takes place in a big tourist area.
Thailand has one of the highest percentages of women and men who are trafficked and also many who are involved in ‘sex tourism’. The contacts we are working with called SHE, is an organization that is trying to give the women who are working in the bars alternative options from the lifestyle they are living, many of whom are stuck in the sex trade. SHE is a self-help and empowerment organization open to those who want to get out of the industry. Nearly all of these girls are Thai, mostly from the north and many of whom already have children. Obviously they are trying to make a living and have turned to prostitution as their means. We were told that many of the women were promised jobs here in hotels, restaurants, and just in the tourism industry in general, but quickly find that to be false but are then presented with the opportunity to work in these bars.
As far as we know they are not forced to stay and work and are actually free to go whenever they want, however most feel they have no other option. That is where SHE ministry’s is trying to make a difference. Our contacts have us spending most nights (2-3 hours) building relationships with women throughout the hundreds of bars in Phuket. Then usually after a few visits once a relationship is established and if they are open, we will share the vision of SHE and let them know that there is a way out. They have set up Free English classes for anyone who wants to attend, specific hotel/hospitality training, and also a salaried job making jewelery with the condition being they quit their job at the bar entirely.
As well as going into the bars on a regular basis, we have also been doing some construction as SHE has rented about three acres of land with the intentions of building and turning it into a kind of half-way house for girls who come to work for them. It is undeveloped and some it was overrun with jungle and whatnot, so in the afternoons we have been cleaning it up and preparing it for the construct of buildings.
Overall Thailand has been great so far, the people are friendly and the weather is nice. However Thailand has many needs and is a very spiritually dark place. Only one-percent of the population claim to be Christian with about ninety-five percent being Buddhist. There is a huge need for long term missionaries to come and establish long term relationships, those who are willing to show what it means to live a lifestyle devoted to God. Pray also that God would continue to prepare hearts of not only the women who work here but also in the hearts of the men who come to Phuket for sex. So far we have also had the opportunity to get to know people who are just travelling through and have been able to talk with them, another great opportunity to share the good news of Christ. Pray for continued opportunities, and pray for SHE ministries as well as they are doing a good work down in Thailand.
Well that’s all from me for right now, I hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying summer back home!
