During the race day (see Race Day Part II), God gave me a heart for the men who come to Thailand, employing ladies in the bar for evening companionship. Many are just broken men, often in need of a friend or companion, physical satisfaction, an alternative life—girlfriend stage in Phuket vs. wife commitment at home, or a ‘do-over’ relationship for those with grown estranged children at home thus eager to provide for the lady and her baby for the vacation week. I’ve been praying for these men daily, that they will not be satisfied in the physical, but find True Love in Christ alone.
A couple weeks ago, Lauren, Sarah, and I walked to do bar ministry. Despite our prayers, we felt unsettled, feeling drawn away from the bars and called to prayer. We walked up and down the street many times, praying over the tourists and workers, seeking God’s direction for that evenings ministry. After a hour or so, we sat on a curb near the ladyboys (guys who dress & dance like women). The area stunk of mixed foul odors as we sat in the small space between an overflowing garbage can and a sewage opening. I saw God’s perspective, seeing each person’s (including my own) sins through His eyes. It smells like garbage. Sewage. Yet He doesn’t give up on us. He pursues us. My heart opened with compassion for each individual on the streets–the tourist men, prostitute bar ladies, ladyboys, little boys and baby girls, bar owners, etc.
At that point, a man approached us, asking us why we were so sad. We told him that we were burdened for the people there and praying to God. We told him our heart for helping the ladies. The man was remarkably open to sharing his opinion, as he clung to his Thai girlfriend. He brought us to his favorite bar, introducing us to the owner and his friends, all of whom freely gave their opinions and welcomed us to come back and interview them on camera. It was the men’s ministry that I prayed for…. One man I spoke with mentioned that prostitution is “like any other business transaction, like if I were to buy a T-shirt. After the transaction, no follow-up would be needed; we would each go our separate ways receiving what we wanted.”
Unfortunately that’s the mindset of many men (and women!) here. And probably accross the world actually. Attached is a video that my friend Gabrielle put together on our bar ministry nights. We interviewed Phuket Island visitors, the bar owner that I had previously met, and a woman who worked at his bar.
Before you watch the video, consider this: Does SHE matter? Do I mean SHE the organization, Self Help and Empowerment? Yes. But also, and more importantly, does the bar girl matter? Is she property like a T-shirt? Or is she made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), beautiful and valued in His sight? I believe the latter.
