There are almost 30 million people in the world today living as slaves. This trend is growing worldwide. No country has escaped this current abomination of justice. Thailand is a prime target for human traffickers. Life in the bordering country of Myanmar is difficult and illegal immigrants enter Thailand every day. They do not have Thai citizenship and become easy targets. Many of the villagers in Northern Thailand are very poor and are also easy targets for traffickers. The traffickers come dressed nicely with beautiful promises of education and jobs in exchange for the children. Sometimes out of sheer poverty and desperation, and sometimes out of greed – people sell their children to these traffickers. Because Thailand grosses $12 billion annually in prostitution and other sex trafficking ventures, it is a hot spot destination for traffickers. They bring women in from surrounding countries or the poor northern areas to work in brothels that serve either Thai men or tourists. Sex tourism is a huge part of the economy in Thailand and men come from all over the world to buy time with prostitutes.
When I first went to Thailand, I was not very well informed of these statistics. I went to Phuket, which is an island in the southern part of Thailand. We worked with a ministry called SHE (Self Help & Empowerment) that focused on the red light district of Patong. As part of our ministry, we went to Patong twice a day. The first time we went was to prayer walk in afternoons. This was a necessary preparation for the nighttime battle. We went back at night with the mission of creating relationships with the prostitutes and offering them a choice. For those we created relationships with, we would offer to take them to lunch at SHE. When they got there, former prostitutes who now work at SHE explain to them that SHE gives them a paying job making jewelry, teaches them English, provides a loving Christian environment, and offers them options for a better life. The women can come whenever they choose to come. There are stories of women who decide to stay after the initial meeting while others wait months before they show up. But at least they know that they have a choice.
As I went down these streets night after night, God began to break my heart for the entire situation. I began to pray for that area like I had never prayed before. I walked up and down the streets, praying for the glory of God to fall and for the whole area to be a place where God alone would be glorified. I had conversations with women that broke my heart. I had conversations with men that broke my heart. God was giving me His eyes to see the brokenness, the hurting, and the need for Him.
There is a lot of hopelessness in that area. There is a lot of hopelessness in Thailand. But when I go, I bring Christ with me – and so I also bring HOPE. I bring the love of GOD to one of the darkest places I have ever been. I believe that my prayers make a difference. I believe that my presence makes a difference. I believe that going, being love, and leading others to do the same can only bring change to a place described as “the pit of hell”. I can’t change the world by myself, but I can go to the places that need love and I can change one person at a time.
God has called me to work with SHE Ministries in Phuket, Thailand. After a lot of flipping out, arguing with God, sweet times of prayer, and eventually submission to his will, I committed 2 years of my life to this organization. I accepted a position as The Nighttime Outreach Manager. Some of my responsibilities include: hosting the short term teams when they come, showing them how to do ministry in Patong, leading times of worship and intercession, discipling Thai women that come to SHE, and anything else the Spirit leads me to do.
In going to Thailand, I will need approximately $24,000 for the 2 years of ministry to which I have committed. I will need about $2,500 to cover all of my initial costs (airfare, visas, etc) and $1,000 per month for the 2 years that I will be gone. Monthly costs will cover my living and ministry expenses. I am looking for people who would be willing to commit $10 or $20 a month to help get me to Thailand and for the duration of my time there. If only 100 people committed $10 per month, my monthly costs would be taken care of!! I am also in need of one time donations of any amount. I still need about $2,000 before I can leave. I need to get to Thailand in the first week of January. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me to bring freedom to Thailand?
If you cannot give financially, and are still interested in supporting me, I could ALWAYS use prayer support. If you would like to commit to praying for me now and while I’m gone, let me know.
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