I don’t know how to describe the anger mixed with pity that I felt today walking the Bangla Street of Patong, Phuket.
It was bar after bar, the tourism party central of Phuket.
We were doing our ministry prep prayer walk for the first time. Each and every day, before going into the bars for ministry at night, we will have a team out preparing the way through prayer.
My main prayer today was for supernatural love. I felt suspicious of every man that passed me by. I wondered if he came to Phuket to take advantage of and enjoy its “exotic pleasure’s”.
I wanted to point my finger in every mans face and scream, “How dare you! How can you treat these precious women as objects to be used for your own pleasure? How can you degrade their self worth and buy them as if they were animals?”
But I also know that these men are also lost and hurting. God is pursing each one of them with His merciful love. I want to love both the women and the men I meet this month as Jesus would. Jesus’ love is offered to ALL. His is a love that can forgive ANY. And a love that sees what CAN BE, and not what IS.
As we walked up one side street we saw a Go-go cage. Stripers cages are not uncommon, exotic dancers will be EVERYWHERE at night. But here in the afternoon, we found two little children innocently playing within the cages bars. As we walked passed them I was overwhelmed with how serious and sad the reality of this life style is. That cage is no child play. It made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to rush over and pull those kids far away from that cage, from every association the chains held, and from the entire atmosphere of this evil place.
And praise God there IS freedom! As we turned around and walked back by the Go-go cage the kids came running over to us for hugs! I believe God was giving us hope. Those children knew we were different and could feel the love of Jesus flowing from us. They were drawn to us and they wanted to be loved.
This month we will LOVE. Our love will atract women to the Jesus inside of us. We pray that chains will be broken and many will come out of their cages of prostitution and into the loving arms of the Savior!
Be praying for us.
We BELIEVE in the POWER of prayer!
We have faith to SEE:
BARS CLOSED DOWN
WOMEN SET FREE
MEN FIND LASTING FULFILMENT IN CHRIST
CHILDREN LOVED
DAUGHTERS COME HOME TO THEIR HEAVENLY FATHER
