Back to the land of internet! Last month in China things were all secretive. This month, we cannot go around telling people we are missionaries or we could get our visas taken, but that is unlikely and honestly, I am not worried about it. Now though, I have freedom to write blogs all I want…so let the blogs begin again 🙂
Thailand is typically known for the human trafficking that goes on here. We stayed in Bangkok a few nights when we first got here and actually had the opportunity to go down to the Red Light district one night. I have never seen anything like it. As I witnessed hundreds of men with lust in their eyes prey on young women, I felt a wave of a mixture of emotions: Anger, pity, sadness, frustration, and most importantly, I felt God. He kept giving me this peace. It was like He was saying, “look at my children, I made them, aren’t they beautiful.” Yes, yes they are, lust hungry men included. I thought I would leave that night broken and sickened, but instead just kept saying “God is so much bigger than this, He can change these peoples hearts.” He can, He can changes peoples hearts. He calls us to be the vessels though. It’s our job to go and do something about it.
After this night I as excited to get to Chiang Mai because I thought that is when our ‘bar ministry’ would start. I knew we would be working in an orphanage but thought we would at least be able to go out and talk to women at night on occasion; I was mistaken. During orientation we got a different picture of what our month would look like.
This month we will be doing a lot of construction…laying gravel and doing manual labor around the site. Funny thing, we are split up from the guys this month because they are supposed to have ‘man-istry’ and go be all manly. From the sounds of it we are going to be some man-istry ourselves. When I first heard the news did my heart break a little, yes. I would be lying if I said it didn’t. I have a heard for helping those in the sex trade. What we are doing though this month is helping prevent these girls from ever entering the sex trade.
Remember Knu takes at risks girls and places them in this orphanage. At risk meaning they chances of being sold by their parents or feeling they have to enter the trade out of desperation. I sit here typing this as a sweet little girl plays on my phone. I look at her and see the HOPE that God has given her by placing her here. I cannot help but love all of these girls here. I cannot wait to have stories to share about His beautiful daughters this month.
This month may not look at all like I had hoped it would while in Thailand, but knowing God, it is going to turn out to be so much better.
Please pray for our men this month as they are off together doing man-istry. Prayers for me and my group of women I am with and the ministry we have before us this month. That each of these beautiful girls here will get to have a life full of joy and hope because of our amazing Father. That more girls will find an alternative to the hopeless lifestyle so many others here have chosen, and that those in the trade will find a way to leave it.
