The only sounds are cars driving by. Not a single building is open, not a single street has more than two or three lights. The purpose of this area is clear. No one is mingling; there is nothing to see. Except the women. They stand and wait; wait for the car to drive up, the verbal exchange to take place, the price to be settled on and then they go. After a certain amount of time, they're dropped off and the cycle begins again.
Two nights ago myself and 10 others had the opportunity to deliver red roses to
the women. We chose this night because it was Valentine’s Day. Most of these women are not from Spain. How they arrived is a mystery. I don’t know if they were lured here with a different dream in mind or if they were out-right forced to come. But what I do know is that even a five-minute interaction can shift a heart. Having the chance to share the love of Christ through the exchange of a rose, a smile and a hug can have implications far beyond anything I can see, and I pray every woman knows just how special, cherished and valued she is.
I have done similar ministries, but I have to say this situation was different. Unlike other countries, there weren’t hundreds of women surrounded by thousands of people on streets ignited by bright lights and loud music. At most there were 30 women, which made it, at least to me, all that much more personal. I could actually see every face; I could take the time to watch their expressions and their mannerisms as they paced back and forth, waiting for the next “customer.” The setting may be different than other countries I’ve been to, but my heartache is the same. And I continue to pray that this heartache perpetually spurns me into action and into love. May I remain broken-hearted until the day no one has to stand on the corner.
