Walk three feet too far and you will miss the narrow corridor to the left that brings you to my house. Entering the gate you will find an open area that is filled with motorbikes and small children running about. You might hear a bell that rings every hour, on the hour, signaling the end of class. Students, ages ranging from four to twenty four, push back their stools from the wooden desks they share, exiting the small classroom just to pause right outside the doorframe to put their shoes back on. They are done with class, but will soon be back tomorrow.
Ten years ago this scene would be drastically different. The brothel easily drew attention due to the men who would pace outside of the gates, waiting to be led to a room. Instead of a classroom filled with eager students, you would have found women applying the last touches to their makeup. The small area did not leave much room for furniture, other than a chair and a mattress. Creaky doors and open legs held the promise of a quick and dirty solution to hallowed souls looking for more.
God reclaimed the area by building Legacy of Hope International, a tutorial school for students of all ages. Based on Christian principles, this school earnestly strives to reach out to struggling students by providing them with the education and resources they need to pursue a better life. God specifically placed my team here because our spiritual gifts directly applied to the needs of this ministry, whether in curriculum building, technology, or reaching out to young women. It was incredible to see how God transformed an area of sin and darkness into a place where students can chase their dreams through the education and knowledge they are gaining, not only about English but about the One who created them. God is continually blessing this area He has reclaimed as His own.
While I hope many of the women were saved after the brothel was shut down that cannot be said for all of them. The brothel may have been closed but that does not mean that the services the brothel offered were. Many of the women continue to sell their bodies. Some do so right outside of the school. Living a couple stories up, my team had a saddening view every few nights as we saw women leading men to an old battered brick building a couple yards away from the front gates. These women are wonderful people who would smile and wave to us every morning we passed them on the street. Those who knew English would offer a greeting and would not hesitate to speak with us. They are beautiful women. Many simply just do not know of a way out.
We cannot assume we know the circumstances behind what led these women to prostitution. Unfortunately, sex trafficking still takes place in Cambodia, on a rather large scale. Women are taken, bought, or exchanged without their consent. Once they are in the system it is extremely hard to get out. My team watched with heavy hearts as these events took place right before us. We did not know what we could do to help. While we could talk to them or give them the resources we knew of, we could not physically tear these women away from selling their bodies. Thankfully, God has given us each the power of prayer. I have often lacked faith that our prayers can help. By not fully believing in the power prayer holds, I have unintentionally told God that He doesn’t have a heart for me or the things I am praying for. I believe that God hears our prayers, as such that means that His heart yearns ten times more for whatever ails our hearts. Christians have the power to intercede for others. God has given us this gift and it would be a shame to not use it.
I am glad these women do not live at a brothel, but I am more concerned where they are not living: in the Kingdom of God. Heaven will have welcome banners hung on the day we ascend, and I will keep praying that these women open their hearts to a home that awaits them, to a Savior who hold His arms open to His beautiful daughters.
Stay tuned for pictures!
