While in Pattaya we did a prison outreach tthrough the Mercy center twice a week. The majority of them were from Cambodia and had illegially crossed the border to find work in construction, and then after the work was finished their employer’s turned them in as illegal immigrants which got them arrested and shipped back to Cambodia without pay. Both sides are obviously in the wrong.
The conditions they were living in were basically a concrete cell block with no windows housing up to 30 people in 10’ x 10’ rooms. Keep in mind that temperature’s average 95 degree’s, 105+ with the heat/humidity index. There are no showers. There is one ‘corner’ to be used as the bathroom and the cells are cleaned once a year. Without airflow, the smell and heat is enough to knock you out.We were there to bring clothing, food, water and prayer. Some stay there for months, some are shipped to Bangkok to get deported after a few days back to their respective countries. Bordering immigrants are sent back without charge (they would never be able to pay to leave), overseas immigrants have to pay their own way back. No body knows how long the process will take, but during transit they don’t get food or water and many of them are brought in to prison while sleeping or showering and don’t have any clothes or belongings with them.
One woman had crossed the river bordering Cambodia and Thailand to get supplies for her infant where it was much cheaper in Thailand. A van came offering her work and a lift to get the supplies, she got in and they stole her money and threw her out of the moving van. She walked for 24 hours until she found a police man to ask for help. He arrested her for illegially crossing the border and threw her in prison. Meanwhile her infant is back home not getting fed until she returns. But this happens everyday.
Most of them are 18 or younger.
Jesus said love. So that is why we were there, to LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.
