Our group did a prayer walk down the streets of El Alto in the Red Light District this week. We quietly observed our surroundings, and prayed for all those who are affected by this tragic industry. We went in the morning, so the streets were hustling and bustling with women, men, and children, just living their day to day lives; lots of vendors on the streets, cars everywhere, nothing out of the ordinary. But behind those walls the enemy reigns supreme and come 7 pm, these streets turn into the devil’s playground. Men crowd into small brothels, judging and dehumanizing women who have been trapped, kidnapped, beaten, raped… The men aren’t old drunks off the sides of the streets; they are priests, police officers, carpenters, young boys, old men, husbands, etc… These women to them are nothing more than a cheap toy they can buy, have “fun” with, and then toss out. They don’t think of these precious women as human beings, mothers, sisters, daughters. This issue reaches far beyond these streets in El Alto and fortunately there are ministries that help these women. The ministry we are working with gives these women the opportunity to learn new skills and then employs them so that they can have a healthy and sustainable income. They also pray with them, give them a safe place to go to, and provide a childrens ministry for their kids.
This issue is so large today, so I ask that you please pray for the women who are trapped, the children who are exposed, the ministries and people who work tirelessly to help combat trafficking and prostitution. Pray for the men… please pray that these men can be exposed to the Lord, to realize what they are doing is wrong, and to turn their lives around. Finally, please pray that the three brothers and their mother who run all of the brothels in El Alto could see the Light. That is four people, who if can finally see the damage they are causing and hopefully shut down their operation can change El Alto for good.
“Drink water from your own well- share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers… For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness” Proverbs 5
