Before I left for the race I talked to a ton of alumni racers. They all said the same thing: “the race will be some of the longest days of your life and the quickest months.” As we finish up month 2 I’m finding this to be extremely true!
This month my team was in Chiangmai Thailand. It was an all squad month, so my entire squad of 40 lived together and partnered up for ministry.
My team and one other participated in bar ministry. We working with women and children who worked in the prostitute and sex trafficking industry. 90% of our ministry was prayer. We would start every day with a prayer walk through the red light district, praying for the women, children, pimps, john, ladyboys and everything in between. Then at night time a handful of us would actually go out into the bars while the rest stayed back to intercede.
At the beginning of the month, I was excited. I was excited to jump on the front lines and get to know these girls personally. I had done my research on the red light district, watched some documentaries, and overall felt prepared to enter into the situation. Boy, was I wrong. The Lord humbled me real quick.
To research and know is different than to experience. To actually walk these streets and experience what was happening there was a whole new ballgame.
I assumed my month would get easier. I thought over time I would get use to seeing the things around me at the bar. I thought I would become more comfortable there and ministry would become super fun. Again, I was wrong. It only got harder.
It got harder because now I knew these girls at the bars. I began to learn their names, their stories, their hearts. The more girls I met and the more I learned about them, the harder ministry became. Because now, instead of just knowing what the red light district was about, I had connections there. I had friends there. And with every new friendship came another heartbreak.
I wish I could say that I finished the month strong and that I had a fabulous time with ministry this month but if I’m being honest, I’m still extremely broken. I am still angry that this happens. I still cry myself to sleep some nights thinking about my friends that are knows where, doing who knows what, with who knows who… I’m still hungry to know more about my new friends. I’m still praying for the Lord to tear down the walls of those bars.
All in all, I’m passionate. I’m passionate about these girls. I’m passionate about them receiving the Lord’s redeeming grace and love. I’m passionate for the pimps and johns who are in search of something and turn to these girls to fill a void. I’m passionate about the things I’ve seen.
Thailand, you’ve been extremely difficult but I am grateful for the lessons you’ve taught me and the passion you’ve given me.
…
Today my squad and I will leave Chiangmai to head to Malaysia. We have roughly 3 days of travel ahead of us. My next financial deadline is TODAY and I still need $500. Will you please consider financially supporting me and keeping me on the race?
In His love,
Ash
