“Trafficking is the exploitation of simply those who are vulnerable.” Napharious
It is peak season in the red light district here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The strip of bars and night life just a few roads down the way. Roughly 25,000 out to sell their bodies right now. Women, children, men, and ladyboys all the same. This is just one of many hot spots in this country. Foreigners are looked at with a questioning stare. 90% of foreigners come to this place simply for sex.
Tonight I found myself angry, frustrated, and saddened all in the span of just a few minutes. I was enjoying eating my dinner outside of the Zion coffee shop. It was worship night, and the inside was packed with hipsterly dressed missionaries swaying slowing and singing their love to God. I watched with horrified eyes as in the back of the room there was a Jon, as well as his lady for the night. She was simply a beautiful girl whose hand slowly ran up the leg of the man to grope him. Soon they left arm in arm walking down the street to God only knows where. I so desperately wanted to go and hug that girl and tell her to listen to the words pouring out of the front door of the coffee shop. While at the same time I felt so compelled to slap that man right in the face.
I was so wrong for this, and for that I am sorry.
My team is working for Light House in Action this month. One of our main ministries is to simply go into the red light district at night and build relationships. Become a friend to whomever needs it. Buying girls a non-alcoholic drinks for a few brief minutes if their bar mom seems ok with us being there. These encounters hopefully will lead us to coffee/ lunch dates in the days to follow. We are here simply to love them, and are praying that in the few minutes of freedom we can share with the girls, or even the Jons, that later we can share with them the love of Christ. While some of us are out on the streets, the rest of the team is to stay back for intercession. Prayer is the focal point of this mission. If there are no prayer walks in the day, and no one to intercess for you while you are in the bars on the streets, there is simply no mission that day. We do not want to give the victims ourselves. We want to show them Christ.
That is what they really are… victims.
I am in need of repentance tonight for the thoughts of hatred I had for that man tonight. He is a victim himself. Whether he is in need of some type of affection or affirmation, he too is a person who is in deep need for the love of Christ.
This industry of sex is simply slapping me in the face. Tight dresses, heals, and provocative signs on black tinted windows has been the trend of almost every southeastern asian country I have encountered. I am so amazed that God wanted to show me more of the gospel through it. I think of my own past sometime. I think about how much I have simply struggled with my own worth because of past sins and failures and how I can hardly comprehend that Jesus really sees himself in me and loves me regardless. Then I think about how I see the girls on the streets. I love them. I cry for them. And I think to myself, “ this is only because the eyes God gave me for when I see them. Well God is just showing me His eyes for me”.
“Our souls have escaped, like the bird from the fowler’s snare. The chain has been broken and we have escaped”…. Psalm 124:7
I am going to simply ask for three things as my team embarks on this new month.
- Intercession for us on your behalf. The power of prayer is a HUGE thing. I know that the Lord has Team Wet Souls here for some type of kingdom building. But really He is the only one who can work in the hearts of these victims- just like it was He who had to work in my heart many years ago.
- I am asking for some extra financial support for this month. As we go from bar to bar we need to buy drinks for ourselves to get in, and to minister to the girls we need to buy them one as well. Also lunch dates, coffee dates, etc… it all adds up. This money comes out of each team members personal budget, and we still have 7 months of the race to go. Just a few dollars can go a long way. If you are interested in helping out in this area please email me at [email protected].
- Awareness. I am asking for you to spread the word. Let this issue have the light of Christ shined onto it so that there will be no more darkness.
