There are tons of bars in the Red Light District but I was drawn to this one. There was nothing special about it except for the woman sitting behind the bar. She wore a long dress that complimented her tall, thin frame. She had long, straight, black hair and tired eyes. After I got to know her a little, I asked,
"What is your biggest dream?"
"To make a good life for my children. I have three boys, no husband." She said, unable to look me in the eye. She didn't like to make eye-contact.
She then busied herself trying to light a cigarette, so I turned in my chair to face the strip of bars. Red, green and blue neon lights lit up the bars. Music blasted from everywhere. Foreign men walked about but it was still early and very slow. I was informed that things pick up a bit later, usually later at night when we're not there. I was well aware of what was going to happen that night with many of the women I met.
However, all I could feel at the moment was peace. Strange, I know.
I was with Hannah, a friend from a Passport Trip. I asked her what she was feeling about the woman and she said she feels shame. That seemed more logical. It made a lot of sense with her stories and body language. Maybe I was crazy.
So I tried to feel something more appropriate. Shame? Depression? Anger?
But all I got was peace. Foolish. Why was I trying to take away what God gave me? The peace was not for what was happening in front of me but for what was happening beyond what I can even see. Thailand belongs to God. He sent us here for a reason. Every word said to these women sows a seed. This woman needs to know that she is beautiful and absolutely not too dirty for redemption.
I needed to know that God speaks to me differently than He does to others. I still need to trust what He says to me even if it looks different.
Peace seems to be a consistent theme for me on the race and as long as He continues to give it to me, I'll continue to share it!
