We have been in Malaysia for 2 weeks now and I have struggled with the desire to press fast forward so we can be onto our next continent…Central America! For those of you who know me, this will almost be like going home.
With that said, I am thankful that Jesus knows me well, and knew what I needed to get my heart back into focus.
He sent me to the red-light district.
Last night we met up with one of our hosts to do prayer walks and evangelism around the island. I ended up in a small group of 4 with Kristie, our host and a sweet local friend named Faith.
I do not have a lot of experience with ministry to the sex industry, nor have I ever been drawn to serve in that capacity. But there I was, following our host into some dark alleys in the center of the island.
If you read my dad’s last blog you would have seen a glimpse into our night of serving in the red-light district in Thailand. There were several bars, massage parlors, music blaring and several women standing around immodestly dressed. Without the knowledge of this being the red-light district, this place may be confused with a crazy college town.
Our experience last night was completely different. Our host explained that these prostitutes and lady boys were the lowest of lows. Many lived in poverty and were all in their later years. She has spent nine years coming to these streets and building relationships with the women.
We walked further down the dark alley and there was no music, no bars, and no massage parlors. There was darkness and a few women sitting on chairs smoking a cigarette. There was no question of what was going on in this place, no façade that it was a fun college town.
We approached one woman sitting on a chair and she was someone that our host has been trying to build a relationship with for the last few months. This was the first time she seemed interested in a conversation.
We barely got to introduce ourselves when a man came riding through on his moto and stopped to stare at our friend. He talked to her like this was a regular interaction between the two of them. Even though she said to give her a few minutes to talk to us, he persisted and she excused herself. As he followed her into the brothel behind us, reality settled in on what I just witnessed. I watched as he purchased her.
My heart dropped and I felt a great heaviness.
We continued on and approached a friendly woman named Apple. She was cheerful and kind, a single mother of two who desired to find a new job. This was the third interaction our host has had with her and it was beautiful to see the fruit of her efforts.
We explained to Apple why we were there and that we would love to pray for her. Her response was to ask, “Don’t you think I am too dirty?”
Instantly we hugged her and took that opportunity to explain that Jesus loves her, no one is too dirty for him.
As we moved on to pray with her and she gave us an innocent look and said, “how do I pray? Please teach me.” We explained that it was a simple as having a conversation with one of your friends. She nodded and our friend Faith said a beautiful pray.
When we said Amen, Apple looked speechless and commented on how relaxed she felt.
Isn’t it amazing what Jesus can do? Apple doesn’t even know that He is the Lord of peace, but that is exactly the characteristic she identified at the end of our prayer. She also asked if she could go to church.
It was a quiet ride for me on our way back to meet up with the rest of our group; I had a lot to process.
I saw a lot of darkness last night. Women being purchased, sacrificing their bodies to feed their families. As well as broken men looking for affection, satisfaction and love in all the wrong places.
But on the other side I saw the light in Apple’s eyes when she experienced a little taste of Jesus’ love through our prayer.
One thing I learned from someone in Thailand is that when we have Jesus in our lives, we never walk on secular ground. The Holy Spirit goes with us each step of the way, making where we go Holy ground.
As heartbreaking as it was to see the darkness of last night, I felt honored to be a carrier of the light.
