On Thursday we left Bangkok and headed down to Pattaya, the sun and sex city of southern Thailand. Pattaya attracts thousands of tourists each year offering a chance to indulge in just about any carnal thing possible, which is why it has been called the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Walking Street is the road that runs parallel to the beach and it is probably one of the darkest, most disturbing places I’ve ever been. The road is lit up with neon signs offering everything you can imagine. It is lined with bars that have chairs facing out towards the street so one can look as the prostitutes walk. Barely clothed women and lady boys (cross dressers) walk up and down the street in high heels smiling a fake, empty smile. Others stand outside bars in little outfits that beckon people to come in and enjoy the pole dancers and strippers. Tourists from all over the world are walking also, in pursuit of something that doesn’t fulfill and searching for love that will never satisfy. The emptiness of that street is overwhelming. Looking into the eyes of both the men and the women, it is almost frightening to see nothing. As I was walking down the street one night, a man ran right into me because he had his eyes fixed on a pole dancer to the right. At first I was just disgusted- and then it hit me. I realized that people are blinded to reality here. Sin has blinded so many that here in Pattaya, the unspeakable has become common. It’s easy to get angry at the men who are doing these things to the girls, but really- they’re all searching for something to fill the void- and the only person that can do that is Jesus Christ. And that’s what we’re coming to do.
We will be working with a ministry called the Tamar Center. We will spend time in bars creating relationship with the women and inviting them to free English classes and telling them about the one true Love. Up until this point, we have been attending “Pattaya Praise” which is a four day praise and worship session in the heart of the city. The ministries here are working hard to give this modern day Sodom and Gomorrah and new name and to penetrate the darkness with the Light. So we worshiped our hearts out with people from all over the world and from all walks of life with the intention of changing the atmosphere here. The Spirit of God brings freedom and light- banishing the enemy and his spirits of oppression, fear, and immorality. And from what I’ve heard from missionaries here, God is really shaking things up and bringing many people to make decision for Christ in this area. Please be praying for our team and for freedom in this place. Please check out the video below (excuse my poor videographer skills).
