Coming into the race, Thailand was one of the countries I was most excited about. And that hasn’t changed. I LOVE it here. We are working with an incredible organization here in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) this month, and Thailand in general is fantastic. Thai people are kind and smiley, Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and the fresh smoothies here are delicious! But the biggest blessing this month is definitely working with Lighthouse in Action.
Basically, Lighthouse in Action works to end sex trafficking here in Chiang Mai through several different specific ministries. Sex tourism is huge in Thailand, and it is heartbreaking. Emmi, our host, started this awesome organization, and she is an absolutely incredible woman of God. Here’s her story & the story of Lighthouse in Action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgBAxuiHqgI
This month is all squad month, so all 42 racers of L squad are all together working with Lighthouse in Action. Our different teams are working with all aspects of the organization (Zion Cafe, bar ministry, monk chat, and slum ministry). We are all staying at Zion Hostel (part of Lighthouse’s ministry), which is located right in the middle of the red light district here. There are many bars and “massage parlors” around us.
Many western men visit these places & these Thai girls. They look like your dad’s friends, a next door neighbor, a football coach, a business man. And that’s what is so hard. This whole time we’ve been here in Chiang Mai I have had such a hard time walking past these men all here for sex. Honestly, I had to not even look at them while walking by the bars so I wouldn’t give them dirty looks. It disgusts me that they are coming half away around the world just to be pleasured by these women (many who are unwillingly stuck in this life of prostitution). It makes me so mad. Trying to see these men as Jesus would is hard. But God’s been giving me his eyes and heart for these men. I have to ask myself, what had to have happen in their lives for them to get to this point? It breaks my heart that they think they can find satisfaction in this way, when the ONLY one who can satisfy is Jesus.
You can really feel the darkness of what goes on in this area. And that’s why I love Zion’s location. Zion truly is a light in the middle of such a dark, seemingly hopeless place. It’s a resting place, a safe haven.
My team is working in Zion Cafe (which is just below Zion Hostel, where we are living). We get to build relationships with the ladies who work in the cafe and help serve with them. Sometimes that looks like scrubbing dishes, mopping the floors, serving, or even peeling garlic! All the women who work in the cafe have amazing stories, are all such hard workers, and wonderful cooks/baristas! – we are learning a lot from them!
As a part of our ministry, our squad has worship every night at Zion. Every time I’m worshipping I can’t get over how cool it is that we are praising the name God in the middle of all this darkness. This place truly is a LIGHTHOUSE.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness covers the people, but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3
I always think of this verse and how it applies to Zion and everything Emmi & Lighthouse are doing here in Chiang Mai. God is working in this city. He is bringing people to the light of his goodness and love. Emmi always reminds us that we do our piece, and Jesus does the rest. And I know He will. God is here. Among the prostitution, the alcohol, the hopelessness, the broken hearts. God is working in Chiang Mai, and we get to be a little part of his sweet plan this month!
