The night started rough as we walked through the bars of Soi Tiger. Though it seemed emptier than the previous night, doors simply were not opened. This street was not like the other. The bars were literally on top of each other here, the music was far too loud to carry on a conversation, and the women didn’t seem to be waiting for us, as they had been last night. We see a bar that catches our eye and choose to have a seat. 90 baht (about $3) for a diet coke and women who won’t even give us the time of day makes for a discouraging start to what seems like will be an even longer night. As we sat there, finishing our drinks and trying to figure out our “game plan” for the night, Bethany gets the idea, “Let’s just talk about the glory of God and how good He is.” So we do. No sooner than that does the first woman come up to us. It’s not much of a conversation but it’s a start. So we continue talking about how amazing God is, our favorite things about Him, the freedom He’s brought us, and wouldn’t you know, another woman comes up. This conversation goes a bit better, proving that the glory of God does indeed attract others.
The night continues with some good conversations as we move about a few more bars. We tell the women about SHE, invite a few to lunch, and leave that street, hopeful for those we did meet. We decide to go visit Grace, one of the girls we met the night prior.
It all starts well, as we simply enjoy a game or two of Jenga over some drinks and great conversation. We begin explaining SHE and the many opportunities it holds for Grace when it happens. “Get away from her,” I start silently praying. “Lord, give me grace,” I heard Drea say. They move into the bar as they toss back and forth “prices.” Lord, she’s worth far more than he could possible pay. I can’t help but watch as he flirts with our friend. Lord, she had just agreed to come to SHE. She wants out of this life. Please, let him leave. His friends call over to him and he walks away from her-she doesn’t matter to him at all anyway. She rejoins our game and Drea asks the question we’ve all had on our hearts (though honestly, think we know the answer to), “Grace, do you go home with men?” She looks down a little and tells us truthfully, “Yes.” She continues to tell us how much she hates it and how the only way she can get through it is to get drunk. With each word she says, I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
Never before have I wanted something so bad for someone. Never before have I had that feeling of just wanting to save someone, to rescue them from the life they are living. But as much as I talk to Grace, as much as I tell her of SHE and try to point out the opportunities out there, I can’t save her. She desperately needs God for that. She needs the Lord to intervene. Only He can save her from night after night of getting drunk. Only He can save her from this life that she’s living. And so I pray for her. I pray the Lord radically saves her, that He leads her to SHE. I pray He guides her every step, directs her paths, and makes her purpose known. I pray He lavishes love upon her, each second-waking or sleeping-of every single day. May He romance her in ways no man ever can. May He fill the voids of her precious and beautiful heart.
