Smoothie, Soda, or Sex?
For 1USD (4,000 riel) you can purchase a delicious mango smoothie or a Coke. A dollar can also buy you one hour with a young lady as young as 14 or 15 years old. Last night my team joined some wonderful friends and spend some time in a KTV club. KTV stands for Karaoke and Television, but more goes on then singing and dancing. Our team bought out one large room and ten young ladies for two hours. It cost us $2 per girl for two hours of their time. A Coke cost $2 at the club. To the club, a Coke purchase was just as valuable if not more then a young girl. I had to fight back raging tears when I purchased my drink upon hearing the price.
We started out singing karaoke and dancing. The songs were dated and the dancing was awkward at first. Some of the girls seemed nervous, semi afraid of what was going on. After dancing we settled down and sat next to the precious ladies. Some of our Cambodian friends shared their amazing testimonies and their stories. A few ladies started to cry. I put my hand around the young lady beside me. She jumped, and then eased as I rested my warm hand on her cold shoulder. I felt her relax and she melted into my embrace. She snuggle beside me and held my hand tight. Hot tears trickled down my face as she fit her cold hands into mine. A few of the precious ladies asked for prayer after stories were bravely shared. My friends and I prayed with the ladies if they so inclined. We where able to exchange contact information to further help them. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to let go of the beautiful sister beside me. I knew that she would most likely be in the arms of another later that night, but those hands would not be a safe embrace. I tried to conceal my tears and hug the ladies around me. We tipped each girl $2 which was the common tipping price. Upon looking at our itemised bill from the night, I saw that it cost us $20 for ten girls (for two hours), and the rest of the $138 bill was for the room space and drinks. It cost us $2 per girl because they were still young. After age 24 their price drops to 50 cents and then to 25 cents. 25 CENTS for a life! Therefore, because I will be 27 in a few days, my body would only be worth 25 cents. My heart doesn’t understand.
I felt God in the room. I knew He was pursuing the girls hearts like the great father He is! I felt extreme pressure on my shoulders as I left the back room and as I walked down the neon hallway. After we gathered outside the club we prayed and I felt the weight lift off my shoulders. We should off anything that waste suppose to attach. God is so good!
much love,
Sarah Amberley
***PS I’m trying to raise $4,000 before my birthday to be FULLY FUNDED when I turn 27! Please prayerfully consider donating.
