On April 1st we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand – our last destination on the World Race. After two days of cultural orientation, our three new teams headed off in different directions to bring God’s Kingdom to the Thai people. My team is staying on the island of Phuket for the next three weeks. We are working with SHE Ministries, which stands for Self Help and Empowerment.
SHE is dedicated to helping women at risk of being trapped in the sex trade in Thailand. They offer an alternative to working in the sex industry by training the women in cooking, jewelry making, hospitality, and other ways to earn an income. SHE also offers English classes as a way to connect with the local women.
Our main focus is bar ministry near Patong Beach, the center for much of Phuket’s nightlife and a main location for Thailand’s commercial sex trade. Each night we send out several groups to develop relationships with the girls working at the bars on Bangla Road. There are over 200 open bars on Bangla road, with an average of six girls working in each bar. That means that each night there are approximately 1200 girls working on this one street alone.
Our goal while we are here is to reach out to these girls with the love of Christ and tell them about SHE. We want these girls to know that they can choose to leave the bars and can find refuge, restoration, and healing in a safe environment. If you are interested in learning more about SHE, check out their website at www.SHEThailand.org.
My heart goes out to the girls trapped in this lifestyle. I want them to experience the hope and freedom that can only be found in Christ. I am looking forward to seeing God move in powerful ways as we walk into a very dark place with the light of the Kingdom. Please be in prayer for me and my team, as we will be up against heavy spiritual darkness. I know that Satan will not be pleased with us invading his stomping ground, but I rest assured knowing that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! Praise God!
