Since month 1 Sam and I have had quite diverse experiences with ministry. Typically we partner with existing churches or organizations to support them in any way they need. We’ve trekked to villages, taught in school, preached in churches, done landscaping and interior design- you name it and we’ve probably done it. This month ministry looks a little bit different. We have been given the amazing opportunity to spend our time in Thailand seeking out Unsung Heroes.
Unsung Hero (n.):
Men and women who are dedicated to serving some of the most impoverished populations in the world, yet rarely receive recognition for their dedication and service. These givers may also live with meager conditions but give consistently from an abundance of God’s love. Their names may not be in history books, their acts unknown to the rest of the world, while unrecognized, they shake a generation and move a culture, and ultimately build the Kingdom.
We have met with many Unsung Heroes this month. Let me introduce you to one of them. Meet my new friend Kelli Johnson.
As we networked one contact led to the next and my teammate Chrislyn and I found ourselves sitting in Starbucks across the table from Kelli. Kelli has been a missionary here in Thailand for a little over two years. Prior to Thailand she was long term in Bolivia. As her time in Bolivia came to an end God gave her a calling for a new people group: victims of the sex industry.
As Kelli did for us, let me give you a brief synopsis of the sex industry in Thailand.
Thailand is a beautiful country, filled with beautiful people. 95% of the population is Buddhist. It is also the sex industry capital of the world. And at least among the lower classes, sexual promiscuity and the addiction that often goes with it, is rampant.
90% of the prostitutes here in Bangkok are from North East Thailand. This rural part of Thailand is primarily populated by rice farmers. Families are poor and have a lot of children. It’s the responsibility of the sons, particularly the oldest, to earn merit for this family and bring his mother spiritual favor by serving as a monk. As a result they cannot be burdened with financial responsibility for their family. In turn, the daughters take the responsibility of providing for the family and alleviating economic hardship. Girls in these rural areas typically only get a 6th grade education before their parents sent them to the city to make a living for the family. Unfortunately for these young girls even to work at a 7/11 a 9th grade education is required. Limited education means limited opportunities. With the price for their virginity being $1000+ these girls quickly sell their way into prostitution. The problem is perpetuated when the girls send money home, in turn raising their family’s status, and pressuring other families to sent their daughters to the city so they can compete for social rank.
Even for an educated young lady prostitution is tempting. A prostitute can easily make $300 a night while Thailand minimum wage is $10 a day and a new accountant fresh out of school can only make a third the wage of a prostitute. The love of money has a powerful hold on many women.
So back to Kelli. A few nights a week she can be found at Soi Cowboy, or Nana’s Place, two of Bangkok’s infamous Red Light Districts. Outside the GoGo bars she strikes up conversation with young prostitutes. Week after week she pursues the same women. As their relationship progresses she takes them out to dinner. Here she doesn’t waste any time to share the love and hope found in Jesus. Kelli says:
“I realize it’s not my goal to end prostitution, but Christ can transform their lives and I keep my eyes on that prize.”
Kelli has shown me what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. When God says to go she goes. And she looks past the ugly sins so many men and women are slaves to and instead sees who Christ has made them to be. Mark 2:16-17 says:
“When the scribes and Pharisees saw the He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, ‘Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?’ And hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”
What a testament Kelli is to this scripture. She is an Unsung Hero. She inspires me and I pray you let her inspire you too!
