“Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the case of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
I love that we get to live out this verse on the World Race.
It seems so silly to me that American Christianity is most known for being
anti-gay or anti-abortion or just Goody-two-shoes when what we should be known
for is helping each other out, visiting the prisoners, clothing the naked and
feeding the hungry. I know that this trip will change me for the better, will
help to mold my mind to be more aware of the world’s issues, and to be prepared
to lend a hand in the most uncomfortable of situations. Though it is sometimes
scary to let go of the control, I am excited about the change that will
inevitably happen in me. I pray that I will never look at spending money in the
same way, I will never take any blessing for granted (Including hot water,
electricity, variety & availability of so many foods, healthcare, etc.),
and I will use what I know to be true as a way to fashion my life after.
This month, we are living in a place called “Asha House” in
the village of Godawari that is a part of the Lalitpur region. The people that
live here have been rescued from their role in the sex trade, the women from
prostitution and the children from being a product of the brothel and living
with the shame that comes from it. When we first heard about our ministry, I
was completely jazzed. Ever since I became aware of human trafficking about 5
or 6 years ago, it has gnawed at my mind, wanting to do something but not
knowing what. Once you are aware, it is a hard fact to ignore; that women are
being held against their will, paying their “debt” to their purveyor, thinking
that there is some money being sent back home. What a terrible existence. I
read an article in Texas Monthly a few years ago about the rampant sex trade in
downtown Houston, and have seen a few documentaries on rescuing those Thai
& Taiwanese women that are trapped in that city and in cities like San
Francisco. Even more than the exploitation of these women, I am appalled at how
high demand they are in for business. That there would be a demand for this
industry is so saddening to me, that men would pay to combat their loneliness,
to forget their own sins, and commit this crime against a fellow human being.
Though it is hard to feel anything but anger towards them, I also feel pity.
Pity that they have been brought to the end of their rope, that they would have
no moral compass to show them this is wrong, that they would do whatever it
takes to fulfill their selfish desires. I do have to say, though, how thankful
I am that I was born in America, as being a girl in the rest of the world is
undesirable and difficult. You are less valued, ignored, told you are not
worthy from the beginning of your life. How are you supposed to know anything
different if no one ever tells you? It is becoming more apparent to me that the
women are the ones who hold this world together, giving up their own needs for
the ones of their family, ignoring their own hunger, their weariness, to help
others. What a servants’ heart the Lord has given us women! This is why many get
caught in the sex industry-they think they are taking waitress or maid jobs
that will provide money for their families back home, but in all reality, they
will just be caught in a never-ending debt and told this is their only way to
pay it off. I would love to bust into the brothels, throw some money on the
table, and buy each woman’s freedom! Pray with me for these men, caught in this
awful sin, that they would be convicted and not steal dignity from these women.
I pray for the children, that they would know the TRUTH, that they are a
beautiful creation of the Lord and they are worthy of life.
Join me in this
fight by increasing your knowledge about this tragic industry. Read “Sold”, research on your own, find out how you can help locally and internationally.
Commit to praying for these women to be set free, to convict the brothel owners
to let these poor women go, and for opportunities and forgiveness to flow in
abundance when they do get to leave. Pray for those that already have been
taking action, that they would not grow weary in doing good.
For more
information about Asha Nepal, go to this website; or visit
nepaliyouthministries.com to learn about the larger organization.
