In the darkness of Patong, where women dance in glass boxes or cages, on bars and poles, I have seen clearly what the gates of hell look like. (In the photo, each circular sign is another bar. There are literally hundreds.)
A woman gives herself an English name: “Toy,” advertising from the very start of any conversation that she is available to be used as a play thing. Men negotiate prices for sex…no 500 baht for an hour is too much (which in reality means you’re not worth $15), I’ll pay 250???
I’ve seen Russian girls, in all probability trafficked here as sex slaves, walk the streets with empty eyes, tortured faces and drugged appearances. I’ve heard a woman say she feels ashamed to walk out of a bar with an old ugly customer, but when she has a young handsome man she wants to parade him up and down the streets.
And this is only a glimpse. To walk the streets, day or night, you can feel the darkness, the oppression. When you see it with spiritual eyes you cannot escape the knowledge that these are the gates of hell.
From my first day on the streets of Patong I have envisioned those gates. I have known exactly where I am, I am standing at Satan’s doorstep. And yet, from that first day, I have known that this battle is won. It was won 2 centuries ago, on Easter when Christ rose from the dead in victory.
Matthew 16:18-19
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
As the church WE can stand agains the gates of hell. I can walk up to those gates and laugh. I can stand at those gates with the JOY of the Lord as my strength and dance, DANCE upon the chains of injustice.
Should I take it lightly? No. We have prepared abundantly with prayer and worship. And I have gone out to those gates and experienced joy, I have felt my spirit dance at those gates and laugh at the enemy because I know the strength of Elyon (the God most high) and I hold the hand of my Elohim (creator) knowing that He is also Jehovah-sabaoth (the Lord of hosts, commander of angel armies). WE hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Question is…what do you do with a key?? You OPEN the door, let the love, grace and mercy pour out.
Its been an amazing month, I’ve met women (even family of one), I’ve prayed like I’ve never prayed before, I’ve found JOY and FREEDOM at the gates of hell, I’ve felt hopeless and tired and ready to go home, I’ve been up to my knees in mud, I’ve laughed and danced and cried. I’m not quite ready to leave, but I’m happy with God’s plans for my future (whatever they are??).
Keep this place and these women in your prayers.
LAST STOP: Malaysia!
