During the daytime, Bangla Road looks relatively predictable- slightly sleazy, lots of bars, souvenier shops, street vendors, food, tourists mulling around. Even a beach at the end of the road.
But at night…it becomes the Devil's playground.
As I began to walk down the road, I can feel it.
I can literally feel the evil surrounding me.
My eyes began to take in…unspeakable things.
Girls, on display, dancing in windows of second story buildings.
Street "shows" that are full of darkness and deceit.
Tiny children roaming the streets, selling flowers, likely being closely monitored by someone nearby.
Bracelets being sold by Thai women declaring "I <3…." words I don't feel okay repeating online.
Thai women-girls- many questionably young- dancing on bars, on poles- wearing clothes that don't leave much to the imagination.
…being treated by men, customers, as objects, in any way they please, because that's their job.
Many likely being sold for the night.
Many of these Thai girls smiling and inviting people in for a drink- but others looking like they are somewhere far, far away from here.
The Thai "ladyboys" wandering the streets.
The "closed door" bars- which indicate the unspeakable things happening behind closed doors- even more horrific then what is happening right out in the open, right here in front of our eyes.
Tourist families walking around with their young children- who are seeing things that will be emblazoned in their young minds forever. Things that no small child should ever see.
Couples- old and young- taking a literal front row seat to these Thai girls who are dancing on the bars. Women, girlsfriends, wives…seeing the men in their lives look at another with obvious desire.
Men who have come to Phuket with the sole purpose of buying love- because they have been hurt and damaged so many times in the past, and don't see another option.
Girls my age, dressed to the hilt, being mentally undressed by every man that walks by.
All these people…looking for something.
Looking to be loved.
To be worthwhile.
To matter.
I feel revulsion stir up in me at the sin that is blatently on display for all to see- anger at the stronghold the Devil has on this place.
…But I also feel compassion for every single person I pass- man, woman, child.
Tourist or Thai.
The ones trapped, and the ones mindlessly perpetuating the cycle.
They are all the same.
All broken.
All looking for love in the wrong places.
All so completely and utterly deceived.
How do you not crack under the burden of it?
How do you maintain joy, how do you maintain hope?
I can never unsee what I've just seen.
A student in our English club last week asked me how I could believe in God when there were so many horrible things happening in the world.
Another student pulled me aside between classes and asked why it is I always had so much joy- in class, but also in my life.
And you know what? I didn't hesitate for a moment.
Because the answer is simple.
I know whose I am.
I know the treasure I carry.
I know the Spirit that lives inside of me.
I know the hope I have- because I too, was once walking in darkness.
I carry the aroma of Christ.
I look like Him.
I smell like Him.
I speak in His authority.
And where I walk, there is freedom.
There is a beacon of light in the sea of darkness.
There is face of love in a crowd of death.
Visit www.shetrafficking.org to learn more.
Love,
Courtney
