My squad and I have been in Bangkok, Thailand the past couple of days for debrief. Thailand was one of the reasons I chose the route that I did for the Race, because I wanted to do ministry in the red light district.
The hostel that we’ve been staying at during debrief, is in the middle of the oldest red light district in Bangkok. Walking through the streets, you can feel the heaviness in the air and the darkness that surrounds you on every side. I can’t wrap my mind around this industry. It’s heart wrenching and heart breaking to look at these women. You can see the hopelessness in their eyes.
Friday was our last night here in Bangkok. We, as a squad, had the opportunity to do ministry in this red light district. We prayed, we asked the Lord and we gave Him space to speak and give us visions, and then we went out in groups to be the Light in the darkness.
Me and the two squad mates I went out with, allowed the Holy Spirit to lead us. We ended up at a bar on the street that the night market is on. We walked inside and it was like nothing I’ve seen before. I want so badly to paint a picture of the reality that I saw and experienced. Girls lined up on a stage. Dancing. Men, from young to old, sitting around staring at them. It was a horrid thing to see. It was disgusting. I immediately felt angry at everything that was happening and every person that was apart of it.
You see, it is so easy to judge. It is so easy to get angry at the men that are feeding into this industry. It is easy to be absolutely disgusted at the Johns. It is so easy to allow the darkness and heaviness to consume you.
But the reality is, every single person in this industry needs Jesus, just like I do. Jesus loves them just as much as He loves me. He calls them sons and daughters, just like He calls me His daughter. They need the Hope of our Savior just as much as I do. They are just as worthy of His love, grace and mercy, as I am.
I had to pray and ask the Lord, the entire time we were doing ministry, to remove the blinders from my eyes. To allow me to see them as He sees them. To love them the way that He loves them. To speak life and truth into their precious souls. To be the Light that He’s called me to be.
My squad mates and I, sat down and asked one of the men working, if we could buy time with one of the girls. She came off stage and sat with us. She didn’t speak or understand much English, but thanks to google translate we were able to have a conversation with her. I got to pray with her right there in the middle of one of the darkest places I’ve ever been.
There was another young girl that kept making eye contact with us, and we decided to purchase her as well. Again, google translate quickly became our best friend.
It was loud in this bar. We figured out, through asking many questions, that we could pay to have them both leave with us, so we did. We took them both to dinner and then bought them ice cream. We walked through the streets and hung out with them. We became their friends. We had fun and enjoyed the three hours we had with them. We were able to give them the opportunity to act like any 18 or 20 year old should.
We had a Thai Bible and were able to share John 3:16 with both of them. We told them Jesus loved them and how beautiful they were.
I can only hope and pray that they saw something different in us. That they felt and experienced the Holy Spirit’s power last night. That they felt loved, seen, beautiful and worthy. That they experienced hope in a way they never have before. That they saw the Light and that they would want more of it.
Please join me in praying for Thailand. For the city of Bangkok. For these two precious girls the Lord allowed us to meet. For this industry. That the Lord would move and work in a way that only He can.
With love and grace,
Madison
