As we prayer walked the common, busy street, I couldn’t help but sense a different atmosphere. What typically is known as a busy street, full of street food during the day and early evening, appears dark, abandoned, and to be honest unsettling. A friend says, “why don’t you girls go talk to the girls on the corner”. I begin silently praying as we approach the “girls”.
Somewhat awkwardly I say hello and ask how he [a ladyboy] is doing. I introduce myself, and explain we’ve been walking around just trying to get to know people. Sharmila shares that she wants him to know that Jesus loves him.
As we briefly chat, I make eye contact with “Candy”. I give him a card for a local shelter that serves breakfast and lunch 3 days a week. I look him in the eye and say, “If you ever need a hot meal, or somewhere safe you would be welcome there”. My heart was heavy. I noticed him start to look around at his surroundings the longer we chatted. I too looked around, knowing what he was watching for. Sure enough, I notice them too. They are watching him; to make sure nobody is interfering with his work. I quietly say, “we need to get moving soon” to my friends. As we said our farewells, my heart is heavy. And I feel physically sick. True, we were being watched. But I was more concerned about his safety. It bothered me more that he was being watched, more so than my own safety.
For a week, I often thought of him. Praying off and on for him. Hoping that maybe he will show up at the homeless shelter. Then, I got a really crazy idea. As I sat in a one-on-one with my squad leader, I shared what was on my heart. I expressed my frustration with the situation, seeing women and ladyboys prostitute themselves, night after night, in a place where prostitution is “illegal”. I told her, “I almost want to just pay for a few hours, and take him to a coffee shop and just talk and share the love of Christ”. My leader smiles and tells me, “That doesn’t sound crazy at all”.
So I started praying. I began asking, “Lord, should I seek out this person”? After 7 hours of awesome prayer and worship…I had clarity. As we walked out, Teresa asks me, “So Chelsea, what did Jesus say about Wednesday night?” I smile and tell her I’m having a lot of peace. We also had been challenged recently to take a risk, as being halfway through the Race can become somewhat dull.
So here I am. It’s Wednesday evening. And I’m walking down the familiar street. Praying that the Holy Spirit would enable us with words and praying that “Candy” will be where I met him last. My heart is pounding. Lauryn gently rubs my back, assuring me I’m being obedient to the Lord’s voice. I see his face. “That’s him.” I knew at that moment, everything was going to be okay. Teresa joins me, as I walk toward him.
I smile and say hello. He remembers me from the week before. He tells us tonight his real name. Joel. We’re honest with him right away. “Who do we talk to if we want to spend some time with you tonight?” He looks at us confused. We had met some men in a car just in front of him. We asked if they were in charge. They claimed they were not. Luckily, they were backing up traffic, so they had to move on. We explain to Joel, that we will pay for time to just take him for coffee, and to sit and talk.
He is reluctant at first. “I cannot take your money”. Teresa and I explain we just want to talk and get to know him. He shares that he is scared. That broke my heart. He is scared: to go with two, very white, very kind looking women. But unfortunately, I’m sure there have been similar situations, and he has probably been taken advantage of many times.
Eventually he agrees to come for one hour. We find a table at a nearby restaurant. Within minutes, he begins sharing about his life. The Lord laid on my heart a few specific things. That there is love, there is hope, there is forgiveness, there is freedom, in Jesus Christ.
As we began pouring into him, we learn he knows of Jesus. I believe he mentions that he’s prayed before. As the minutes pass by, we are constantly mentioning “God loves you so much”, “no bad thing [sin] is too great for God”, “there is always room for forgiveness”.
*To the right: Me, Joel, Lauryn, and our new friend from the UK Sharmila.*
As we prepared to say good-bye, we mentioned our ministry that is available on Friday. He said he would consider coming. Also, they have a church service on Saturday mornings. And he is considering this as well.
When we asked if he’s ever had any women ask him about Jesus, he responded: “Many have come”. Praise God! We are not the first, and surely not the last. I told Joel, “I am so thankful that you took the time to talk with us and trusted us too”. He smiled, and we told him we hope to see him Friday.
Please join me in continual prayer for Joel. He left an impression on me, and my heart breaks for him. Pray for Penang, and our upcoming month in Thailand as these are huge attractions for the human/sex trafficking industry.
