The illegal trade of human beings is something we at Adventures are passionate about ending for good. So this January, Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’re telling real-life stories of people who have been trafficked, bringing awareness to their plight and hopefully an end to the trade.
When Rachel Lyons of 2015 T Squad prayed before going into restaurant/brothel in Nepal, she didn’t expect to spend two hours talking to a trafficked girl who knew Jesus.
In Nepal prostitution is illegal, but it still exists.
Brothels here are disguised as “cabin restaurants” and are usually a dimly-lit room with booths closed off by curtains.
Customers come to these establishments and order meals and drinks for themselves and the women who work there. The more they order, the more “services” they receive.
Usually the young girls who work there have no other choice, either they lack education or bar owners came to their villages offering “jobs” in the city without disclosing the actual work, and paid their families upfront. Once the young women become aware of what the job entails, it’s too late.
We decided God was leading us to visit a cabin restaurant, praying about which one we should go to before we left. As we prayed, one girl saw the color blue. We continued to listen, and felt we should pray for the armor of God to cover us.
Truthfully, I didn’t fully understand the need for God’s protection until I visited the cabin restaurants.
It was darkest place I’ve ever been. This world is at war for our souls – and this is where the devil plays.
*A booth damaged by the April 2015 earthquake, known as booth #4.
The second restaurant was blue – everything from the wall color, to the flowers on the table, to the eye shadow of the women. God had led us to that restaurant. so we sat down, ordered juice, and invited a girl named Mona* to sit with us.
At first Mona was reserved, but seemed happy to just talk with us.
Mona didn’t want to talk about anything personal, she started by asking us why we were there. We felt that the best way to tell her was to share our testimonies with her.
Our stories were about how each of us had at one time fallen away from the Lord even after knowing him, and how his redeeming love brought us back again, for good.
Then Mona opened up: “I know Jesus. I used to follow him, but my family does not know him and told me they wouldn’t love me if I kept following Jesus. I did anyway and got baptized. They kicked me out and that is why I am here. I have only been here for two weeks.”
Our hearts broke wide open as the Father’s words poured out.
“Mona, you are loved by Jesus!” “He sent us here to remind you of His love for you.”
“Even if you think you have turned away from Him, He will never turn away from you no matter what you do.”
“You are not alone.”
“He sent us here to sit with you as your sisters, as your family. Even when your earthly family gives you up, he will never disown you.”
Mona lit up. Her body language was antsy as she squirmed in the cabin booth. It seemed as if she physically recognized the love all around her.
We sat there with Mona for almost 2 hours before we had to leave because of the pressure our contacts felt from other customers waiting for their turn in the cabin. But I know in those two hours, Mona heard the message God intended for her to hear.
When we paid I asked for Mona’s number, trying not to think of what would happen to her after we left.
Our time in the cabin restaurant reminded me of how deep the Father’s love is for his children. I know it because of my own story, but also because of Mona’s.
Only two weeks after Mona started working, we were sent to her to remind her of her God’s love for her! God told Mona through our lips that no matter what she has done, even if she thought she turned away from Him, He would never turn from her.
Our Nepali contacts have a habit of building relationships with these women. The first was with the owner of the Mona’s restaurant. She is interested in God and going to church. It’s possible that she will allow the church being brought to her brothel!
However, because of this relationship with the owner, rescuing Mona (what would typically be easy in her case) is very challenging. If we were to call Mona immediately and offer her a way out: a new job, a new life, and freedom, it would be very obvious that this was the intention of the visit.
Should our contact’s intentions be revealed, it could close the restaurant off forever, making it impossible to rescue new girls. So we have been asked to pray fervently over this situation. Pray for clarity about what is the right answer from God, and how to proceed with the kingdom in mind.
But I believe, as God sent us there for Mona, that he has a plan. He wants to rescue every one of the girls working on this cabin restaurant.
The reality is that Mona is one of 35.8 million enslaved men, women, and children throughout the world – and there are an estimated 60,000 in the states.
There is actually more people in slavery today than at in any other point in recorded history. It just looks a lot different than we think it does.
It happens in dark rooms with booths in tucked away places in Nepal, but it also happens right next door in the US.
Please pray today for Mona, and for the millions she represents. And pray for those working to free these modern day slaves – for wisdom, safety, and God’s overwhelming strength and power to guide them in every move they make.
The good news is, we serve a God who sets captives free.
*Not her real name
Are you fed up with the sex trade? Do you want to be a part of seeing it end? Click HERE for Race Routes where you can join others in advancing the frontlines of freedom.
