Thousands of tourists flock to Thailand to experience the culture – and its sex trade.
Bangkok and Pattaya, Southeast Asia’s Red Light capitol, thrives on its reputation as the wild night-life scene.
My heart sank as we walked up and down “Walking Street”, one of the world’s largest Red Light districts in the world, a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. I saw a foreign man wearing a bro tank that read “Good boys go to heaven, Bad boys go to Pattaya.” Yep. That about sums it up.
Lady boys, prostitutes, go-go bars, tourists, pole dancers, loud music, pimps, beggars, entertainers, horrific smells, neon signs, clubs, souvenir shops, and crowds of people. The entire street was clouded by darkness, literally and metaphorically.
And the worst part? Prostitution is tolerated by the authorities. Sure, prostitution is “illegal” on paper, but the government does very little to stop this economy-boosting industry.
What we forget is that this kind of tourist attraction dehumanizes women. The girls are looked upon as doing a job, a commodity, something to buy. Sex is the same price as a meal. These women are not looked upon as sisters, students, hopeful, friends, dreamers, mothers, worthy, daughters, resilient, hurting.
WORLD, HOW IS THIS OKAY?!
Rewind to a week before. I was placed on a new team called Golden Girls (cue the show’s theme song “Thank You For Being A Friend”). There are 7 passionate, courageous ladies on this team. We distinctly felt the Holy Spirit leading us to Pattaya, Thailand.
As our team was praying and listening to what the Lord had in store for our week, He set unifying themes in our hearts. Each team member felt the stirrings of fasting, prayer walking around Walking Street, and focusing on loving the people. Proverbs 3:5-6 became alive: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” He set our path straight to Walking Street.
Another theme that resonated with us was the Jericho Wall. The story of the walls of Jericho falling down, recorded in Joshua 6:1–27, is one that vividly demonstrates the miraculous power of God. We found so many similarities to our current situation in Pattaya, and we were hungry and expectant to see the Lord move in big ways!
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). We had made Walking Street our Jericho, believing that the Lord could cause these walls to fall. We desperately wanted to see freedom from all the sin, darkness, and oppression. We walked around it every day for seven days, and on the final day, we circled it 7 times in a row.
Some days it didn’t feel like we are doing enough. I totally related to the Israelites. “Really God, walk SILENTLY in circles and you will bring victory over the city?!”
Prayer is proactive. Don’t forget, dear heart.
And that’s when I discovered a divine thread of a number: 7 girls on my team. 7 circles around Walking Street. 7 days of fasting and praying.
Seven. What’s so great about this seemingly ordinary number? In the Bible 7 is often found in contexts involving completeness or divine perfection. For example, in the book of Revelation, the number 7 is used more that 50 times in several contexts. I won’t over-spiritualize it because it’s not explicit that 7 is the holiest of numbers, and I am definitely not suggesting it’s some superstitious good luck charm. But it does seem clear that God is using the number 7 in meaningful ways.
On the 7th day, we broke fast together and then circled walking street 7 times and prayed for hours! (Side note: I got 20,000+ steps that night, woah babyyyyy.) It was during the peak busy hours of the night that we walked around praying fervently; for liberty, our physical endurance, people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, and for the street to one day completely close down.
Furthermore, several members of our team were given visions of us standing in the streets with signs. So we made signs with “You matter. We will listen to you.” “We have Good News! Ask us.” “Tell me your Story.” It seemed like a crazy bold thing to do. We were all nervous, but confident the Holy Spirit led us to step out in courage. On a street flooded with vulgar signage and chaotic advertisements, we wanted to bring hope and light: the simple gospel. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
We were exhausted and overwhelmed by the darkness, but confident that the Lord was working in ways we couldn’t even see. Because faith is being SURE of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see!
And what was so divinely orchestrated was that earlier that day I prayed specifically for rain, so that consumers would flee the streets and businesses would loose money, and quite frankly less people would be exploited that night. And guess what happened? IT RAINED HARD that night.
We believe that on May 27, 2017 change took place. It planted seeds, and we know Christ will break every chain and wipe away all tears. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Please join us in praying for Pattaya’s Red light district. Do not cease until we see the sex-trade eradicated. In the POWERFUL name of Jesus Christ, name we claim VICTORY over it.
Dear world, look around you. There is darkness in every corner on this planet, but there is hope. Let your light shine. Today, how can you dare to be bold and walk in obedience?!
PS- I am now halfway done with the race, wowowow time flies!! Thank YOU for continuous support and prayers.
