The reality before my eyes has too many dimensions and facets to even begin to describe. I can begin by stating that Thailand has stolen my heart. Today I can say I am confident that I will return here for a good chunk of time in my life. With that, here is my reality of the place that holds my heart…
As you walk down the streets on the island of Phuket, brokenness explodes before your eyes. Women flood the streets at 9pm each evening headed to their respective bars in the Patong District. While walking through the open air bar district you see lady-boys in the streets entertaining the crowd and girls attempting to lure you into their bar by standing outside in seductive clothing. As you enter the bar, the girls’ job is to entertain you with conversation, games, beverages, etc… For majority of the girls, the goal for the evening is to leave with a customer. When a girl has caught the attention of a customer, the customer must pay a “bar fine” to the bar for taking their employee. The payment beyond that is discussed between the girl and the paying customer. If the customer and the girl go to a local hotel, he must also pay the hotel a fee for talking a Thai woman to his room. To the girls, an ideal customer is one that books you for a week or longer so you have guaranteed income. Beyond the evening scene, throughout the day you see western men walking hand in hand with young Thai women. Their communication is little to none.
This is the scene before your eyes in the Thai bar districts; however, the reality is much different. I see women desperate to make money to send home to their families, who typically do not know about their occupations. I see women trapped in a lifestyle that they believe only this occupation can supply. I see women longing to have companionship and love. I see men that live in such deep loneliness that they are willing to pay for companionship and love. I see men and women living a life of addiction. I see bar owners that believe this is a justifiable means to make a buck and provide jobs for women. Ultimately, I see men and women desperately searching for a new life. Their relationships stem from deep brokenness and lack of contentment.
Our response is to build relationships with broken women. We go to the bars, buy a soda, get to know the girls, tell them about ourselves, bring up SHE when the time is right, invite them to hang out or visit us, etc… This relationship begins a path to freedom and restoration. The path begins with an opportunity to have an alternative job making jewelry exported to the US and UK with SHE ministries (Self Help and Empower). Any woman who desires to leave the bar has the opportunity to make 7,000 Baht (roughly $200) per month. The only condition is to no longer work in the bar. SHE is in its early stages, but has already seen significant growth. To say the Lord is working here is an understatement. The Lord’s power is present in the BIG moments all the way down to the daily details.
Three incredible girls have been working with SHE for about three months, another for one month, and another for about four days. In that time the first four girls have come to know Jesus Christ in powerful ways simply by engaging with Mark and Sharon Biddell as they live a life of worship. Now apart of our calling is to be sisters to our new sisters by coming alongside their journey through discipleship. Glon, Kung, Wan, and Kae are passionate about seeing other girls come out of the life they led. Last night I asked Glon what the best thing about being a Christian is to her. She responded, “Jesus answers me…Buddha did nothing. Now I love my life.” To me, that says it all. Jesus answers in a land that is dedicated to Buddha.
Night at the girls house…
Rose showed up last week as a result of wanting freedom, a relationship built with a former SHE volunteer, and pursuit by the Lord. Without a place to live, Rose finds herself living with 11 World Racers until she finds a place. Talk about dangerous ground…pray for Rose! The only Thai book in the house happens to be the Bible. Over the last 3 days Rose has read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! Never in my life have I seen someone so hungry for the WORD. She constantly has the Bible by her side asking various questions. When Esther was explaining some things to Rose, she referred to “God.” Rose’s response was, “God…I don’t know God.” She meant she did not understand the word “God,” but she was speaking more about her state than she knew.
Friends…the ground is fertile and the harvest is HERE! The girls in Thailand are becoming very aware of the brokenness their lives reflect. They are desperate to become new creations.
PRAY that…
- God leads us to the girls that are on the edge and ready to leave the bars.
- God uses the relationships we have built with several girls to send them in SHE’s direction and that they do not hesitate, doubt, or worry about transition to a new life.
- God continues to bless Glon, Kung, Wan, and Kae in their seeking to know Him.
- God reveals His truth to Rose clearly.
- God heals the broken men escaping to the Patong district.
