We went to a placed called Bus Park. They have “Cabin Restaurants” and we would be doing ministry with women in this area for the day. We received a bit of training before we left our ministry location. This ministry only works with foreign teams because Nepalese would be confronted if they went alone. The food and drinks are expensive. They told us we would be paying a lot for Mountain Dew that day; maybe close to $70 USD for about 8 girls. We said it would be worth it because we would spend as many rupees needed to save a soul. They asked us to put on the armor of God for this. We prayed against anxiety or any bad feelings that were bothering us. Some of us were nervous but I was excited to go out to war. We were going into the enemy’s territory ready to save girls from SEX TRAFFICKING.
The Talk:
We were told that the women can sometimes be really nice or feisty. The women in the Cabin can call you beautiful or can call out your flaws. Even if it hurts we are told to say “Thank you!” We were told to ask questions to make the conversation flow. The questions are to be small talk and our host would tell us in English if we should not ask the question. We were told not to say that we were Christian, talk about our ministry, mention God or say key words like PRAY. We would have to spell them out if we needed to communicate in regards to these words. The team had to pretend like our ministry contact was our tour guide. Our host told us that we could ask for pictures with the girls. The ages vary from teens to young adults. Sometimes they have children. We could share our testimony if the opportunity was available. The place we were being called to had rejected two teams before. There was supposed to be no expectations of what could happen. If we were rejected, then we would intercede for the restaurant like Jericho; praying from the outside.
The Cabin:
A “Cabin Restaurant” is a restaurant that will over charge for food and drinks because it includes “other services”. The restaurants are very dim in lighting. One light bulb lights up the entire restaurant. I was able to take pictures but they don’t do it justice of the worn out atmosphere that was in place. We interceded the moment we stepped in. It was a small room with 3 cubicle areas to sit in. You could feel the heaviness of the events that had happened. Scratches, smeared unknown stains, cracks are all on the walls and tables. Each cubicle had one table with two small benches inside. We were able to cram in 5 girls to sit in it. There is a gap in between the ceiling and the end of the top of the cubicle. A door frame allows you to go in without a door in place. There’s a window frame without a glass so there is no privacy provided to the customer. The darkness ensues the evil that is in place.
The Women:
We met her a few minutes after we were sat down. There weren’t any customers at the time and I heard our host ask them to “bring the girls”. Her smile brightened the room. I couldn’t believe she would work here. There was nothing different about her. She wore jeans and a blue shirt that had short sleeves. I asked her for her name and introduced myself. Her name will be Esther to protect her identity. I asked her questions; many questions. What was her favorite color? What was her baby’s name? Was she married? How did they meet? Other girls joined in but I felt the most comfortable in intruding. Esther answered all of our questions. Her boss arrived and recognized our host. We ended our conversation and asked her out for coffee. I asked her if she wanted to be my friend and she said YES! We asked her for her contact information and set a date. She agreed! We would be taking her out on Monday with her baby. Monday sounded so far away from that Wednesday but that was the only day available with our ministry schedule.
The Change:
That’s it. It was a small visit with limited information exchanged. We befriended a stranger to try and further the gospel. It left mix feelings in our team but my heart rejoiced. I felt like we won! We met our first goal. This may seem so insignificant but the small things have BIG impacts. It made me realize so much. We sometimes have to do very little to allow God to do a big change. If we are willing, then we can change a life.
Our squad was later divided into groups that would do follow-up. They would meet the women that we met in the Cabins. Our host would offer them a way out. Many women have different stories and reasons for being there. Some were there because of lies that were told to them. A man goes to a small village and falls in love with a girl. He lives in the village for 2-3 weeks and “marries” the girl. Afterwards, he drops her off at this Cabin Restaurant to never see her again. Some girls are there because they have no other income. They support their family member that’s ill or are sold by families. Women are seen with little or no value in some areas of Nepal. Some women have children and this is the only job that allows them to bring them along. There isn’t one story that is the same.
When we leave we are told to brush off anything that is not from God. At that moment I gave up the right to believe I was bigger than the situation. I could not change Esther’s life. However, I would leave with HOPE. My God is bigger than this situation. He has allowed for people like me to come FREE her from the trap she was living in. We end the day with a prayer. I realized that Free People, FREE People! We live in Freedom in Christ. This allows us to show worth and a way out to the women in Nepal stuck in sex trafficking. Please continue to pray for Esther and the ministry in Nepal. Our God is greater and women are being saved from this situation.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
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