The first night we went in, we were able to talk to a few women, invite them out for coffee, and hear parts of their stories & share parts of ours. I was blown away at how open and receptive they were to us. For them, prostitution is a painful, yet logistically simple, means to an end.
It is legal in Costa Rica—meaning that women are allowed to prostitute themselves, as long as they are not under the authority of a pimp (although, that’s still pretty common). Because it’s legal, many women grow up believing that it is a natural fix when money is low. But the emotional side effects that come along with it cost so, so much more than any money they could ever receive. And we got a tiny glimpse of that.
I heard story after story about how these women were mistreated. Used. Abused. Discarded. I saw it with my own eyes.
Así, the first night, I left the brothel angry. Angry at the men who were there. Angry that they thought they could take advantage of these girls because they don’t speak the same language. Because they’re dressed a certain way. Because they need money. Angry that they have ZERO respect for these human beings that were formed carefully and intentionally by our Creator.
As we were walking out, we passed a group of American-looking guys talking crassly about the women they were about to meet. Once they were out of earshot, I literally kicked at the air & frustratedly stated that I wanted to punch them (funny mental image if you know that I RARELY get angry). But as I did this, I heard God gently instruct me to pray for them, not to punch them…whoops. He reminded me that He created them, just as He created the women that we’d just met. He reminded me that they are lost. That they are seeking. That they need Jesus just as much as you & I, and just as much as the women.
UGH. I am typically one to forgive easily, but goodness, I struggled with this a little. After seeing man after man take girls into the hotel rooms connected to where we were standing, it was hard to not remain angry.
but…
“Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others”
{Colossians 3:13b}
Wow. God has taught me so much about forgiveness in my own life, and yet, it’s still hard to give sometimes.
Let this be a reminder that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12a), rather it is against the enemy who wants this darkness. I can hate the sin that these men are living in, but I am called to love these people.
so, may we turn from judgment to prayer. from anger to love. We are all sinners & fall short of the glory of God — whatever that may look like for each of us. But there is FORGIVENESS & there is REDEMPTION in the Father. And praise God for that.
Please join me in praying not only for the women who are trapped in the cycle and dark world of prostitution, but also for the men who are seeking — that they may realize that the only true fulfillment in life is in relationship with our Abba God.
