They scan the crowds with deadpan eyes, they walk up to some, getting rejected 85% of time, they are seen as outcasts but necessities of the society. She sat on the edge of curb, away from the lights and crowded streets, phone clutched in hand, in the midst of grungy backpackers and conservative muslims, She stood out with her heavy make up and short cocktail dress. She looked confused when I walked up,( naturally, since I don’t look like her regular customers). I asked if she spoke English to which she replied
“yes very good I speak beautiful english”
I laughed and assured she did, I asked her name and her favorite color, she looked surprised, surprised at the innocence of the question or that I would care to know, Smiling she blushed,
“green, because it reminds me of the mountains and villages outside the city.”
After that it was like the floodgates opened, she told me about where she grew up, how she didn’t like the city, where she was from, she grabbed my hand as we talked and started swinging it back and forth absentmindedly like you do when holding the hand of a child.
“how old are you”? she asked interrupting herself, and abruptly stopping the conversation centered on her childhood.
“Im 21, you?”
She smiled again, “very close ! 23 ,although you a baby, I am old. “
I knew she was right,
I could look into her eyes and see the pain and knowledge of a thousand years.
Suddenly her expression changed from carefree to dark and guarded,
“you leave” she said suddenly
“costumers coming I don’t want them to think you are one”
She not so gently shoved me out of the way.
Of course I couldn’t stay we had only been talking for five mins but I knew there was no way i could keep her from work, I smiled and nodded that I understood, I started to walk away, ” come back ok. ” she whispered as I walked, when I turned she had already forgotten me, a mask of mischief and seduction was already painted on as she sauntered up to a group of middle aged men laying her hand on ones chest she started talking, I looked away, I din’t want to see her get rejected, or worse, accepted.
I felt helpless, nothing could be done that night, I hated the idea of her serving more costumers all night. I wanted to help, I wanted that glimmer of normal I saw in her eyes to be permanent, I wanted her to know jesus.
But I have hope, it was a 5 min conversation but I felt hope, I felt desire and I will go to the ends of the earth for a glimmer.
come back I will,
Even if all I ever can give is a hug and five mins of respite from her work, its worth it. If I can make her feel human, if I can say the name Jesus once, its worth it. one thing I have learned about people, its always worth it.
