BIRTHDAY!
Do you ever wonder what the heck you’re doing?
What day it is or what you’re suppose to be doing because you swear you’re suppose to be doing something? Yeah that was my whole day on April 17th of this month. We started our day as normal with 7:15 am going out to the slums to see the kids, by 11 am we were in English classes with at risk women. Lunch and back out again. Around 6 pm we got home to get some quick dinner before heading out once again for dance bar ministry. Dance bar ministry is mostly where we go in buy some soda and talk with the girls while they are not dancing. Asking questions about their life and eventually asking them if they like working there.
I had been feeling really heavy about this ministry because of my past history. I didn’t want to do it. Just thinking of seeing their faces scared me. just as we get all packed to go. We get the call that it was cancelled for the night and would be moved to another night.
Ok as selfish as this was I was happy.
Relieved.
Our translator lived with us in our same building upstairs, so he had walked down to go out with us that night. So instead of him going back upstairs we all stayed in our small living room and sang feeling 22 by Taylor swift among other songs. Of course we sang them as loud as we possibly could without a care in the world. Eating homemade cookie dough and grilled cheese. It was an amazing way to end my birthday. My teammates are amazing and so loving.
We did end up doing dance bar ministry that next weekend. That was one of the hardest ministrys I’ve done on the race yet.
I felt so much pain and hurt for and from these women. Some not even being 18 year old yet. It broke my heart to sit in that smoky room with loud music and flashing lights with girls/ women either dancing or sitting with men on couches. Knowing that I had the freedom to leave and walk away but this was their jobs and homes. They we rooted here by family responsibilitys and culture.
How many lies do they believe about themselves?
Has anyone ever told them they were beautiful and meant their heart not their body while saying it?
Had any man shown them kindness and respect with nothing expected in return?
God how do I help them!?
At this point in the night it hit me hard. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to pray freedom over this place. Even though I can’t physically set any of these women free. I can pray for them and the men in the bar here to use the girls. The men that come to these places need just as much prayer as the girls do.
They have a different prison to be set free from.
Leaving that dance bar after 2 ish hours was a breath of fresh air.The night air was freeing.
I may have left the foggy, smoke filled air but I took those girls hearts and faces with me. Something I will keep with me long after this journey is over.
It’s a another reminder of the fact God’s not done with me yet.
Thank you to everyone who reads my blogs and comments. I have loved all the love I receive from them.
