As I sit here contemplating what exactly to write, I feel like I need to issue a disclaimer before you fully read this blog.
*sensitive content. What you read here may sicken you, may convict you, or may call you to action*
Before entering Cambodia, I found the A21 campaign had just opened a safe house/rescue center in Siem Reap. I got so excited and prayed the Lord would send us there. (This month my team was ATL-ask the Lord-so we were able to do whatever the Lord placed on our hearts.)
We spent a couple days in Phnom Penh to pray and see where God would lead us. Every one of us felt Him telling us to stay there in the capital, so we started researching different ministry opportunities in the area.
One thing I prayed for before coming on the race was for the opportunity to minister to women in the sex industry. I have such a heart for women and children, and I just wanted to serve them.
One night in particular a few of us decided to have a worship night down by the riverside where most of the brothels are. The four of us stood under a streetlight directly across the street from the red light district of Cambodia; we sang our praise and danced in full view of anyone and everyone.
It was a busy Friday night, and we started walking around trying to find a good spot to worship. Immediately I noticed the occasional woman sitting on a bench by herself; her heels were high and her dress would be short. A man would walk up to her and sit down, they’d exchange some notes on their phones (I’m only assuming it’s google translate. A lot of men come to Southeast Asia from all over the world. They know what they can get and where to get it from.) He’d get out his wallet and count out money, and they’d get up and walk away together.
You’d see old white men walking around with young Cambodian women dressed to the nines. We even saw a middle aged white guy with a Cambodian girl. She couldn’t have been older than 7. SEVEN.
Child trafficking is a big thing in Cambodia. Parents sell their child in order to pay off a debt, and they continue to sell them after they realize how much money they can make. Eventually they might sell them to a brothel for months at a time. After a girls virginity is taken, however, she’s typically shunned from her family for her actions.
So once a child is sold into slavery, she’s also excommunicated from her family, friends, and home.
We made our way down the main street passing bars with names like, “Pussy Club,” “Secret Sessions,” and “Hot Lips Bar.”
In Asia, since prostitution isn’t technically legal, the brothels will use a bar as a cover up for the real operation. Girls stand outside in their short skirts, low cut tops, and high heels with their hair and makeup done. Whenever a man walks by they call out to him to get him to choose their bar. Once a man even steps foot into the entrance area, at least 6 women will flock to him and surround him until he chooses who we wants.
We walked through 2 streets full of bars and hotels with signs that said “$10 a night.” Children were running around trying to sell you gum or bracelets while their mom was working in the bar.
We walked through a back alley where the women were getting ready. They had racks of lingerie, skimpy clothing, and makeshift “salons” to get the girls ready. They’d do their hair and makeup then head out to work.
While walking through the streets, we just spent time praying. I cried. Tenaya felt sick. We all prayed through it.
While driving away I was angry at God. I spent the ride crying out to him, upset at Him for allowing this to happen, for letting such awful things happen to children and young women. I was distant and zoned out and didn’t want to talk to anyone. It was in that moment that God spoke to me in His still, small voice. “There’s redemption happening right now that you can’t even see.” I’m holding on tight to that promise!
Please join me in praying for the city of Phnom Penh in particular. We probably passed close to 1,000 women at the bars. There were children there; there are children being trafficked as you read this. There are women being raped as I type this…
What are you going to do about it?
Are you going to try to make a difference, or are you going to forget about this in 5 minutes and go back to living in denial that slavery is still active?
One of my favorite organizations is the A21 campaign. It’s a non-profit that fights for women and children.
A21 is abolishing slavery everywhere, forever. How? through awareness, intervention, and aftercare. Our legacy is freedom.
Follow the link to donate, volunteer, or see what you can do to put an end to sex slavery.
www.a21.org
