My teammate Ashley and I talked on our way to Bangla and we shared how God uniquely touched us during prayer. For the first time, we both felt a new sense of joy and eagerness to go out to Bangla. I fully believe God used the other all-girls team to pray exactly what we needed to hear. When we arrived on Bangla, I was not overcome with anxiety, frustration, or judgment. Instead, I was ready and willing to do whatever God had planned. When we completely surrender our own agenda of what ministry should look like and trust that God knows what He is doing, we are set free from a performance mentality which ultimately can lead us to comparing ourselves to others. I know this routine all too well. Ashley and I both expressed to one another that we would be at peace if God led us into multiple bars or if he called us to pray the entire night.
As we started walking down Bangla, we were soon drawn to a strip of bars that had little to no customers. There were several women out who were working as bar promoters and as we approached a bar that no one was sitting at, we both felt compelled to go and sit down. I ended up talking with a sweet lady named Kim while Ashley sat next to us and prayed silently for our conversation. There were a couple women working as bartenders while some ladies were dancing on the poles. Kim and I’s conversation went a little like this:
Kim: 11 months. I left my hometown to come down here and work so I can support my family.
Me: Are there any jobs where you used to live?
Kim: Yes, but only in factories and you don’t get paid much money.
Me: How long do you want to stay here?
Kim: I want to leave in January so I can go back to my family. I am all alone here. My mom is helping me with my two kids.
Me: You are a great Mom with such a kind heart. I will pray that you are able to go back home to your family. Are you a Christian?
Kim: No, I am a Buddhist. I pray every morning.
Me: Oh okay. Well, I will gladly pray to my God to provide you the money you need to leave this bar.
Kim: Thank you, thank you.
I shared a little with Kim about the World Race and then told her we would come back on Monday to see her. She lit up and said she would be very happy for us to come again. Thankfully, Kim does not have to flaunt her body by dancing on the poles. She gets one day off a week and she told me she sleeps most of the day and does not leave her house. She lives in a lively city full of people and she’s lonely because her family is not with her. Would you consider taking some time to pray for Kim and her family?
After our time with Kim, Ashley and I went into another bar and we made some more new friends. We then walked along the street and said hi to some of the bar promoters we have come to know. The night ended with rain drops, smiles, and hearts of gratitude. Despite the difficulty of being immersed in an environment that makes me uncomfortable, I was filled with an abundance of joy. Gotta love how the Lord works sometimes. Our team only has three more nights of ministry on Bangla and I want to continue on with perseverance and hopeful expectancy for the miracles God can do. Favored 414 values and needs your prayers!
