The man in his 40’s/50’s wearing his wedding band sitting with the young aged but unfortunately not innocent 18yr old sit and chat at the bar, that is until he receives a phone call. From the way he rushed out of the bar across the parking lot to answer I presumed it was his wife. I could be wrong but I don’t think I am. Upon his return he resumed his seat next to the girl in her very short jeans and leopard print top with his left hand clutching his beer and his right hand caressing her back. This is probably the sight that has disturbed me the most this month of bar ministry. Apart from so much brokenness in the hearts of so many including the man and the young Thai girl at the bar, infidelity broke mine my heart.
I was filled with anger, frustration, resentment, and then sadness. Sadness for his wife and kids (I’m going to assume he has them, I could be wrong though but again I don’t think I am). It is another dark side to the already dark situations and heaviness that linger on Loihkroh Road/Red Light District. It is a darkness that fills so many homes back stateside. It is sadly a much too common theme that we have all experienced or seen around us. This man is I feel even more lost than many of the other men because he has a family the Lord has given him and he can’t see the goodness in that. The devil has such a hold on him and his temptation that he can’t see the good in front of him. That breaks my heart.
I watch him out of the corner of my eye and pray continuously for the young Thai girl, for him and for his wife. I try to continue to enjoy my time playing pool with the 2 girls I’ve started a friendship with but my sadness and frustration linger on the rest of the game. After paying for the drinks (non-alcoholic of course) for the girls we say our goodbyes and hugs and promise our return for next week. I approach the “couple” at the bar to say goodbye to the girl when ugh stab to my heart as the man reaches into her shirt to leave a “tip”. I muster a smile through that and tell her I’ll see her next week all the while praying the man runs out of money and leaves empty-handed.
Yeah so this was not a blog of leading someone to Christ and all that awesomeness. This was about the sucky realness that happens in the bars all too often. I don’t know of this man or his family or what happened the rest of the night, I just know that although in times like these it’s hard to “see” God working I know my God was present. He has promised to never leave or forsake us and He is a God of keeping His promises. I know I serve a good God.
Please continue to partner with me in praying for all those on Loihkroh Road and my team and I as we finish our last week of ministry here in Chiang Mai. Also if you are still looking for a tax write off I’m your girlJ I’m still in need of $4,974 to reach my deadline of Jan 1st to continue on The World Race. If you feel led you can donate online: elizabethgonzalez.theworldrace.org. Thank You!!!
