The Day I Went to Prison in Thailand
This month my team and I are working in Chiang Mai, Thailand at a home for many rescued victims of sex trafficking. These children range from 10-23 years old. We teach the boys English, Bible, and Music/Worship every afternoon. In the mornings, they work making jewelry that they sell in the nearby market.
When I was home, I heard about sex trafficking, or 'modern day slavery' every once in a while.. I went to Passion and got extremely excited to be a part of this type of ministry after learning about their End It Movement…but the stories and the pictures don't mean nearly as much or seem nearly as realistic as it does when you meet these victims face to face. They are children.. normal children just like the ones I had in my 3rd grade class in Collierville. They still like to play with water balloons, eat candy, and giggle when one of their friends has a little gas. If you met these boys, you would never guess that they have been through some of the worst things that any 10 year old boy could possibly handle. It breaks my heart to see these precious, joyful children and to know that they were given away or sold by their own parents into a system that causes such pain and hurt. They have been hurt and abandoned by so many people.
Today I met some of those people. Men who are responsible for thousands of broken lives.. the men who used and abused children just like the precious boys in my class. Men who have murdered, stolen, and sold drugs all over this country.
Today we went to the Chiang Mai mens prison. Home to 4,000 male prisoners who are also guilty of rape, drug dealing, stealing, and murder. Many who are serving over 20 years in prison. Before entering, we were instructed to wear long skirts, sleeved shirts, and closed toed shoes(The high was 110' today), not to bring ANYTHING with us, to walk straight in, not looking to the left or right.. and not to talk to each other. We arrived at the prison and outside there were hundreds of people walking in and out who appeared to be visiting prisoners. Many of them women and young children. We entered and were thoroughly patted down and scanned through security. Once past the security check point, a guard took us out a door which opened up into a large courtyard. There were several men in this open area who seemed to have a lot of freedom. Walking a little farther, to the left was another area that was surrounded by 20ft. fences with barbed wire at the top. Inside this area were about 100 men all crowded under a covered pavilion in the middle of the field to escape the sun. A little further down we walked up towards a soccer field where many prisoners were involved in a game. It was a very quiet game with guards surrounding the field, and not much interaction between players. To the right was a line of around 60 shirtless men waiting to shower, who were completely covered in tattoos. As we got close to them one of their guards quickly instructed them to turn their backs to us and face the other direction. Walking a little further, we came to the large gymnasium.
When we entered, the men were sitting cross-legged on the concrete floor, their shirts color-coded by 'zone' (ranked by the severity of their crime/sentence)…facing a row of chairs in the front where my teammates and I were supposed to sit. Quietly I walked to the front of the hot gymnasium and took my seat looking out into a sea of solemn faces. A sea of dark haired, almond eyed men.. ranging in age from 18-60.. men who have committed all types of crimes. They were all very attentive and respectful.. and as I sat there trying to concentrate on keeping a slight smile on my face..all I could do was picture them as a group of eager little boys, just waiting patiently to hear a good story. A good story..? Shouldn't there be a more qualified and trained inspirational speaker here to give them that? God placed ME in this huge THAI MENS PRISON…in front of murderers, drug dealers, and rapists… a blonde haired, blue eyed, little white girl.. with nothing but a microphone, a prayer, and the freedom to tell these men whatever I felt the need?
After a few moments of inner warfare about wether or not I was qualified, wether or not I had the words… I boldly took the mic and began sharing with these men how God called and led me to where I am today. I shared how He led me to fall in LOVE with people. Not just people who I know, but all of His people around the world. I asked the men how and who they can LOVE better.. every single day..even in prison. The men attentively listened as I explained this to them, and as I finished.. they gave me the largest applause I have probably ever received.
Today was such a blessing to me. I am confident that God placed me exactly where I needed to be, and that He gave me the perfect words to say to reach the hearts of these men… His little boys, who are so hungry for a little acknowledgment and love.
Please join me in praying for these men. Pray that they heard the words today that they needed to hear, and that they took them to heart. Pray that they will be transformed and never go back to the ways that they were living, which led them to prison. Pray for their families, the people who were hurt by the crimes they have committed, and for the forgiveness of everyone involved. Pray for our contact pastor who continues to minister to these men and hopes to build them into strong men of God. And finally, pray for my team as we continue ministry here in Thailand working with our young boys, and possibly returning to the prison.
Comments and e-mails are greatly appreciated1
LOVE – MK
Comments and e-mails are greatly appreciated1
LOVE – MK
