What do you know about Thailand?
More than some, less than most? If you are like I was before I showed up here, that pretty much sums it up. Thailand is a country in southeast Asia that is beautiful, has a good economic relationship with America, and is popular for tourism. I knew that Thailand was notorious for its sex tourism, and that prostitution was pretty widespread, but I had no idea how far into depravity its sex tourism industry delved.
Westerners often come to Thailand for “SexCations”, I hope I don’t have to explain what that means. You can even book a SexCation, from the States, online, and “tour” different pleasure districts all over the country. Now, while that is terrible and needs to be stopped, what I am going to tell you next will make you sick. Children are sold here, every day, into trafficking. Three years ago the age in demand was 17, then it dropped to 14, then 12, and now children are being sold and purchased ( by locals and westerners alike ) as young as THREE years old. Let me make that more clear in case the severity of what I said was missed; children as young as three are being sold by their guardians to pedophiles and , essentially, rapists, all the time. I had no idea. As a man who loves and values children, I was disturbed to discover all of this. But, praise the Lord that here, as well as in every dark recess of the world, there are Kingdom Warriors holding their lanterns high, refusing to let the enemy prevail.
This country amazes me. It is so beautiful; the people here are so kind. It is honestly one of my favorites so far. This month we have the honor of serving an organization that has the main goal of preventing child trafficking. Their goal is to change a country by preventing this terrible business from happening. They find children in villages that are high risk, which means children who have traffickers literally watching them and trying to purchase them, and taking them out of that environment into homes with house parents that love Jesus. In these homes they are nourished, given a proper education, raised around the gospel, and have other brothers and sisters to grow and laugh with. ( Milestone family, sound like Angel House much? ) Once they graduate High School, the organization will send them to College if they choose to go. The goal is to raise children who will grow up to change their nation, Pastors, mothers, fathers, doctors, businessmen; people who will be influential Christ followers who will break the chains of child slavery that has bound this country for many, many, years. And its working. These kids are SMART. Many of them speak Thai, English and their local dialect, and their parents are noticing this when they go home for visits. They are noticing how intelligent these children are, and that they are much more valuable, and should not be sold like cattle. One village has even refused to sell children to traffickers ever again because they have seen the difference in their kids, and have learned how they are worth so, so much more.
We spend a few hours every day at one of the children’s homes; eating, playing guitar or playing soccer or badminton, and just simply spending time with them. It is such an honor to show these kids what a real man looks like. I am overwhelmed that I get to be that example for them, even for a short time. To show them that a man can love them, and care for them, with no inappropriate strings attached. To show them the pure love of our Father. What a beautiful gift I have been given this month. I look around at their faces as they play and laugh with each other, and It blows me away to think that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM was about to be sold into a depravity that might very well have ruined them, But God intervened. Its an interesting feeling to be filled with righteous rage at such an injustice, yet simultaneously filled with overwhelming joy that these little ones have been saved, that they now get to have a happy childhood and a future. I know that there are thousands of others who were not as lucky, but thank God for these ones that are safe.
Let me say again, I love this country, and amidst the darkness, Gods light is shining as bright as the first gleam of dawn against the night sky. While there are terrible things happening, I am also in the midst of dozens of little miracles every day. I am so proud to serve a God who has already won the battle against depravity, darkness and sin. I find my strength in the fact that I already know how this story ends.
