My team is now in Baguio City, Philippines, serving with Crossover Ministries (CM) and volunteering as teachers in their ALS (alternative learning school) program. Most of the students in these classes are people who are involved in prostitution and who CM outreached to on the streets. CM invited them to participate in the ALS program so they get the education they need to reach their true life dreams.
During orientation at the Crossover Ministries headquarters, we played a game where we would put in order of importance job titles. The job titles were “doctor”, “lawyer”, “pastor”, “business man”, “engineer”, “teacher”, “janitor”, and “g.r.o.” (a.k.a. prostitues). Of course, according to status, we unanimously agreed with doctors and lawyers having a high status in society whereas janitors and g.r.o. were seen as low status. Then the question was how could we unite everyone. The answer was simple, but convicting. All together, we dropped our signs with titles as though we had the same idea and began holding hands in a circle. We knew that in unity there’s no division with status or title. All are one. I looked at everyone in the circle and realized that without the titles we were holding, I had no judgments or even prejudices. Everyone was considered equal in the circle, having the same potential to succeed in life and were created all by the same God and for the same purpose to live their life in worship to Him. It was a great reminder who we are in God’s eyes: “For there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).
Last night my team visited the red light district for prayer walk ministry. We got to witness to several prostitues and one prostitute I spoke to wanted to change her life. I prayed with her that God will change her life through His Son Jesus Christ. I invited her to the ALS classes my team will be teaching on Tuesday. She has a Bible, so I told her I will read it with her and show her how God wants to change her life. Please pray for this lady, Diana, for protection on the streets, that I will see her on Tuesday at 1pm for our discipleship time, and that she will begin to receive the change God wants for her life.
There was another young lady, Sheila, who I prayed over last night too. She had only been in the prostitution business for a couple of years and was vulnerable to abusive men. She said she would come to ALS on Tuesday, so pray that she does come and continues to come to ALS, that she receives the life that God wants for her, and she no longer returns to the destructive lifestyle found at the red light district.
Pray also for me and my team as we serve here in Baguio City. Pray for protection, safety, and continue good health. Pray that we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we plan to do red light district outreach and prayer walks next Friday as well. Pray for boldness and courage in sharing the Gospel of salvation as well as for brokeness and compassion for when we talk with the people on the streets. Pray that we study and prepare for our meetings with our new friends and as we teach classes at ALS.
At the beginning of this month when we got our next ministry assignment, I was afraid about going into this kind of ministry because I didn’t know how to relate with people in prostitution, but now I am excited and no longer afraid. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, no matter where we are in life or where we have been.
Thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging emails. Continue to update me and how I can be praying for you. I miss you all greatly!!
