Some may say that despite the drinking and merriment at the bars in the Red Light district there are few smiles that are not encouraged by alcohol or marked by an intention to increase business. Although there is the occasional eruption of laughter from the pool table or the bar, rarely do they come unforced from the girls. However, as you walk down Loi Khro Road, it is easy to overlook the girls waiting for customers in front of the massage parlors, girls in bars without customers reaching for passerbys, the street children that look eager to sell roses, women with babies strapped to their back selling popcorn leis, and the homeless man sleeping on the steps of a local shop closed for the night. It is easy to overlook the prostitutes who no longer want to be prostitutes.
The first night out, Chelsea was led by the Holy Spirit through a vision during prayer to a girl with a flowery mini skirt and big bow in her hair; her name is Pai. Pai, student and bartender with unregulated after hours business to earn money for school and livelihood, lit up with a dimpled smile when we introduced her to Wongen Kafe. She eagerly initiated a conversation about the possibilities of alternative employment, inquiring about the hours of operation, the location and working environment, and the availability of a position. On her “vacation,” we invited her to meet for dinner to discuss with Emmi the possibilities of alternative employment paired with Christian discipleship through Lighthouse. Even though Wongen is just getting off the ground, Emmi feels moved to provide Pai with a way out. However, Emmi currently doesn’t have the means to provide Pai with a comparable salary of $200 usd/ month. Please prayerfully consider helping Pai find her way out of the sex industry by donating a portion of Pai’s salary for the next year, a total of $2,400 to Wongen Kafe. If you are interested in contributing to Pai’s salary with a one time or monthly gift, please write me for details through the contact me link on the left.
While Pai’s story is still being rewritten by the generosity of supporters and the mission of Lighthouse and Wongen, we knew there were many more like her who haven’t found a way out yet. Although we don’t have the means to connect everyone of them with alternative employment at this time, we do hope to brighten their lives in some small way. So last night, Brenda and I decided to put some smiles on
those faces, not with magic, or singing, or anything embarrassing; simply, with an assortment of wrapped candies for the women and children we see every night as we walk down
Loi Khro Road. With each small gift of a sweet, we were met with
delight and surprise. Eyes that were dark and gray before sparkled with
joy. Mouths fixed in a frown turned into toothy grins. Even the
homeless man, who sits on the corner near the phone booth, attempted to
speak a word of thanks in English. Children ran up to us eager to
receive a rare treat. Masseuses laughed in surprise at our gift but
became interested in these farang, foreigners, on a mission to
distribute candy. It was a simple piece of candy that opened the door
to conversations about school, work, family, and
eventually to God. Sometimes it doesn’t take an extraordinary effort to
put a smile on someone’s face. Sometimes it takes just a smile, a
“hello,” or a small piece of candy. Sometimes all it takes is showing that you notice them, taking the time to listen to their stories, and extending God’s love to them.
those faces, not with magic, or singing, or anything embarrassing; simply, with an assortment of wrapped candies for the women and children we see every night as we walk down
Loi Khro Road. With each small gift of a sweet, we were met with
delight and surprise. Eyes that were dark and gray before sparkled with
joy. Mouths fixed in a frown turned into toothy grins. Even the
homeless man, who sits on the corner near the phone booth, attempted to
speak a word of thanks in English. Children ran up to us eager to
receive a rare treat. Masseuses laughed in surprise at our gift but
became interested in these farang, foreigners, on a mission to
distribute candy. It was a simple piece of candy that opened the door
to conversations about school, work, family, and
eventually to God. Sometimes it doesn’t take an extraordinary effort to
put a smile on someone’s face. Sometimes it takes just a smile, a
“hello,” or a small piece of candy. Sometimes all it takes is showing that you notice them, taking the time to listen to their stories, and extending God’s love to them.
