Nepal has been a smorgasbord. We have spent our mornings filling up with Jesus. Our afternoons trying to love on slum children, playing soccer, going on prayer walks/hikes to Hindu temples, & trying to build relationships with women stuck in prostitution. Our squad of 54 people has the opportunity to bring light to a dark place. Ministry hasn’t looked like I expected 9 out of 10 times. And to be honest, its been frustrating. God has been teaching me the hard lesson of trusting His ways & timing rather than my own. It may be an hour by hour process, but its gonna happen!
Last night, we went to dance bars & got to know the girls who work there. We went in & sat down, ordered cokes & tried to get them to sit with us. The first girl that came over to Hillary & I was not interested in talking. The classic signs of “how fast can I get this conversation over with” were all there. We all know them: checking the watch, forced laughter, no eye contact…
So needless to say Hil & I were a little discouraged but determined not to be defeated. We enjoyed the music & danced in our seats while trying to make eye contact with another girl. A girl appeared on stage who looked stoic. She seemed to just be going through the motions. When she finished we waved her over.
Her name is Monissa. A twenty year old, abandoned by her mom & left to survive on her own. She & her childhood friend have been working at this dance bar for 4 months. Their work days: 6:00 pm- 12:00 am, 7 days a weeks at the bar; in their “off” time they are to have sex with anyone who calls them. No break. No money. No value placed on them as individuals. They hoped this job would give them the money they need to start their own life. They were wrong. Their boss keeps all the money.
This woman loves shopping. She dreams of working in clothing retail. Her favorite movie is Twilight; team Jacob all the way. 🙂 Favorite colors: black & white. Her smile lights up the room when she allows it to show. Her laughter makes you want to laugh.
Hil & I got to know Monissa as a human being. We didnt want anything from her. We wanted her to know her story matters. My heart broke last night as I heard Monissa’s story. Monissa wants a better life but she doesn’t feel empowered enough to chase after it. With a 10th grade education nobody will hire her. She has no idea she was made for so much more than sex.
I was disappointed that we weren’t able to build relationships with these women all month long. I strive for authenticity in all areas of life so it didnt feel authentic getting these women to open up to us & never come back. I want to build relationships not just come & leave. I am thankful for the long term missionaries that we have handed Monissa off too. They know how to fight for her, provide her housing & teach her vocational skills when she gets out.
