The issue of human trafficking has been burning in my heart since I left my internship with The A21 Campaign in Greece last year. I have been praying that I would have the opportunity to work in the bars on the Race.
God answered my prayers.
My mom joined me in Chiangmai, Thailand for a Parent Vision Trip this week. We were able to spend three days doing ministry together- chatting with monks, playing with kids in the slum, and going to bars to befriend prostitutes.
Bars have never been my scene: I don’t drink, and I usually feel very uncomfortable around people who are drunk. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just knew I have a passion for these girls and wanted to love them.
Our first opportunity to go to the bars was my mom’s second day in Thailand, and jet lag was settling in hard. I knew she was tired and not feeling well. The struggle: I want to go, but I also need to take care of my mom. What do I do?
I went to the restroom, and when I came out I found mom standing up outside the door sleeping. I called to her, no response. I shook her a little, and she came back to life. Okay, this is my answer. We need to go back to the room so she can sleep.
Mom was determined we were going to the bars. After a few minutes of debate, mom won. She got her “nap” in and was feeling better.
Another element- pouring rain. We waited for a little while to see if it would pass. It didn’t, so we ventured out anyway. The rain turned out to be a blessing because the bars were not crowed with people.
Ricci, our PVT leader, took us to a bar where the World Race team from last month had already begun building relationships with the girls. The girls greeted us warmly with hugs and kisses as if we were old friend reuniting. They led us to a large table and took our drink order. Pineapple juice was overpriced but worth the sacrifice to spend time with these girls.
I ordered a drink for a girl named Barb (names have changed to protect the girls) and invited her to join me. She was in her 40s and spoke very little English. The entire evening she keep touching me a little too much and calling me baby. It broke my heart how hard she was trying to earn my affection and attention when I would give it her for free.
After 15 minutes or so of trying unsuccessfully to find out about her life (all I learned is that she has children, has been working at the bar for 7 days, and got the job from her sister Sue who was also at our table), we joined in the others at the table playing Jenga. This was really cool because my mom was able to join this interaction.
We all laughed, oooohh, ahhhhed, and strategized about which block to remove without the entire tower falling. Barb tried skipping her turn every time because she was afraid to pull the wrong piece. Even in something as simple as a game of Jenga I could see she had no confidence in herself or sense of worth.
The next night I returned to the same bar. Sue greeted me along with a girl named Maria. I looked around for Barb, but she wasn’t there. Sue had to take her to hospital earlier that day because of swelling and increased temperature in one of her breasts. Sue was nearly in tears as she told me she had to pay the hospital bill and was worried about her sister.
I played pool with Sue, Maria, and Ricci. We laughed, danced, and teased each other.
These girls are ordinary girls, just like you and me. Ages range from 21-45. They like having fun, playing games, laughing.
As our time together was ending, I asked Sue if I could pray for Barb with her. She didn’t understand and had drank quite a bit that evening.
That is the last time I may ever see these girls.
“God, why isn’t this my ministry for the month? You gave me a heart for these girls, and I only got 2 nights with them.”
I want to build a relationship with them, to earn their trust so I can speak truth into their lives. They are beautiful. God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They can choose another way; this doesn’t have to be their life.
His response- “Andrea, you don’t need a month. You will have a lifetime.”
I don’t know what life will look like after the Race. What job I will have or where I will live. I do know I will be involved in loving girls who have been hurt, abused, and have no hope.
Even though the bar isn’t my scene, I love the prostitutes. I know how to love girls who need it. It’s the same way I love any other person.
Would you join me in prayer that Sue, Barb, Maria, and the other girls we met will experience Christ’s love, become followers of Him, and leave the bars. That my squad mates will be “Christ with skin on” to these girls.
