Written 2/2/11
I began to realize over the years that I am a visual
learner. Most people are. I mean, words are extremely powerful. They can hold
the power of life or death. They are an easy form of mass communication, especially
when written out in print or on the internet.
learner. Most people are. I mean, words are extremely powerful. They can hold
the power of life or death. They are an easy form of mass communication, especially
when written out in print or on the internet.
When I first heard about the issue of human trafficking and
prostitution, I did a whole lot of research. I read story after story about
victims of this issue, and I researched organization after organization that
combats the issue in different aspects. I even got involved with the fight
against human trafficking in the best way I knew how, through music and
fundraising.
prostitution, I did a whole lot of research. I read story after story about
victims of this issue, and I researched organization after organization that
combats the issue in different aspects. I even got involved with the fight
against human trafficking in the best way I knew how, through music and
fundraising.
And though I was prepared with tons of information, and
stats…nothing could prepare me for what I actually saw today on the sands of
White Beach.
stats…nothing could prepare me for what I actually saw today on the sands of
White Beach.
This has probably been the hardest thing for me to deal with
on the race so far. My stomach sank and my heart shattered every time I saw a
60 plus year old man with a 18 or under year old Filipino girl. Some men even
had two girls.
on the race so far. My stomach sank and my heart shattered every time I saw a
60 plus year old man with a 18 or under year old Filipino girl. Some men even
had two girls.
Look closely, you can see one man wearing a backpack, he was with two girls. One of
those girls I was able to simply smile at, and she smiled back. But I pray that
my smile said so much more. I pray the love of Jesus was exuding through that
smile.
those girls I was able to simply smile at, and she smiled back. But I pray that
my smile said so much more. I pray the love of Jesus was exuding through that
smile.
Do I hate these men? Well I did at one point in my life,
especially when I first heard about the issue. I wanted them to be tortured
till death, painfully and slowly. But God has broken my heart for these men.
God doesn’t hate them. He loves them. He sent Jesus to die for their sins too.
And I’ve been praying that God would give me His heart. With His mercy and
compassion. He’s forgiven me of my sins, they too can be forgiven if they ask
genuinely.
especially when I first heard about the issue. I wanted them to be tortured
till death, painfully and slowly. But God has broken my heart for these men.
God doesn’t hate them. He loves them. He sent Jesus to die for their sins too.
And I’ve been praying that God would give me His heart. With His mercy and
compassion. He’s forgiven me of my sins, they too can be forgiven if they ask
genuinely.
Will justice be served? Yes… but God is the judger of hearts… and all in all, in the
end justice will prevail.
end justice will prevail.
I met some more pretty awesome Filipinos today. I’m excited
to build relationships with them.
to build relationships with them.
Kira is an 18 year old boy who works in one of the stores on
the strip. We started talking because he was trying to hit on my male teammate,
who he thought was my boyfriend, yet he still tried to hit on him. So I used it
as a segue to start a convo with Kira. Kira is a pretty funny guy. He likes to
goof around, and not work too hard. He was never in his store every time I saw
him throughout the day, and that became our running joke. I’m looking forward
to hearing more about his life story.
the strip. We started talking because he was trying to hit on my male teammate,
who he thought was my boyfriend, yet he still tried to hit on him. So I used it
as a segue to start a convo with Kira. Kira is a pretty funny guy. He likes to
goof around, and not work too hard. He was never in his store every time I saw
him throughout the day, and that became our running joke. I’m looking forward
to hearing more about his life story.
Walking down the strip, I met Christian on the Rocks…yup…
that is what he said his name was. Christian on the Rocks is a Balka. Let me brief
you on Balkas, really quick.
that is what he said his name was. Christian on the Rocks is a Balka. Let me brief
you on Balkas, really quick.
Our contact explained to us that there is a large number of
men on White Beach who are, what the Filipinos call Balkas. They are men who
truly believe that they are women. They dress, look, and act like women. They
do not consider themselves gay because they believe they are women. They do not
like gay men. They like straight men, and are very vocal about it. They are not
attracted to each other, because they do not like women, and they are not
attracted to lesbians.
men on White Beach who are, what the Filipinos call Balkas. They are men who
truly believe that they are women. They dress, look, and act like women. They
do not consider themselves gay because they believe they are women. They do not
like gay men. They like straight men, and are very vocal about it. They are not
attracted to each other, because they do not like women, and they are not
attracted to lesbians.
They are a lonely group of people. They do not have very
many friends because straight men don’t want to go near them, gay men are not
attracted to them, lesbians are not attracted to them, and straight women don’t
bother with them.
many friends because straight men don’t want to go near them, gay men are not
attracted to them, lesbians are not attracted to them, and straight women don’t
bother with them.
Well, not this straight woman.
I’m really looking forward to getting to know Christian on
the Rocks, and some more Balkas, and hearing their life stories as well. I want
to hear their hearts. God loves them, and has a plan for their lives. He wants
them to live life to the fullest, and wants to give them the best. I want to
love them the way Christ has loved on me… His love has changed my life forever
and for the better.
the Rocks, and some more Balkas, and hearing their life stories as well. I want
to hear their hearts. God loves them, and has a plan for their lives. He wants
them to live life to the fullest, and wants to give them the best. I want to
love them the way Christ has loved on me… His love has changed my life forever
and for the better.
I also met Alma, a 19 year old store vendor. She was a sweet
heart, and explained how she likes to be honest about prices with both
foreigners and Filipinos. Most of the vendors see foreigners as dollar signs,
and jack up the prices. But I could tell that she was genuine. There is
something special about Alma.
heart, and explained how she likes to be honest about prices with both
foreigners and Filipinos. Most of the vendors see foreigners as dollar signs,
and jack up the prices. But I could tell that she was genuine. There is
something special about Alma.
Speaking about special girls, another special girl I met was
a street store vendor named Ayeth. She is 16, and has been working at the store
for three months so far. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about her
as well.
a street store vendor named Ayeth. She is 16, and has been working at the store
for three months so far. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about her
as well.
As some squadmates and I walked back along the beach strip,
to the never ending staircase that leads us on our road back to the village we
stay at, we couldn’t help but admire the beauty of creation all around us. I
mean… it truly is breathtaking! To see what almighty God designed for us to
live out life in…mind blowing.
to the never ending staircase that leads us on our road back to the village we
stay at, we couldn’t help but admire the beauty of creation all around us. I
mean… it truly is breathtaking! To see what almighty God designed for us to
live out life in…mind blowing.
Yet though I
saw all the magnificence of nature, I also couldn’t help but see all the
ugliness of sin that I viewed within the past couple of hours… Visions of
crystal blue water blurred by visions of young girls sitting next to men about two to three times their age…Sounds of
waves crashing drowned out by the cry of hurting hearts, being masked by smiles
and massages.
saw all the magnificence of nature, I also couldn’t help but see all the
ugliness of sin that I viewed within the past couple of hours… Visions of
crystal blue water blurred by visions of young girls sitting next to men about two to three times their age…Sounds of
waves crashing drowned out by the cry of hurting hearts, being masked by smiles
and massages.
Everyone seems to turn their heads and looks the other way…
I can’t. It’s not o.k…. it’s not acceptable… I’m here, in Puerto Galera for
some reason and at this specific time. Something needs to be done.
I can’t. It’s not o.k…. it’s not acceptable… I’m here, in Puerto Galera for
some reason and at this specific time. Something needs to be done.
God is going to do something… I pray he would use someone as
imperfect as me to impact at least one of these girls/men/boys.
imperfect as me to impact at least one of these girls/men/boys.
Please keep me in your prayers as to how to go about sharing
God’s love and truth here.
God’s love and truth here.
And please continue to pray about how YOU can share God’s
love and truth to the hurting and lonely around you.
love and truth to the hurting and lonely around you.
May He give you His eyes.
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
