It was a night of firsts. First night out looking for street walkers, first night to a “massage parlor”, and my first time to a gentleman’s club. We started out at dinner-8 women, 6 World Racers and 2 Filipinas who are passionate for rescuing prostituted women, plus 2 men acting as guards and escorts as we headed to the Red Light district of Baguio City. We prayed for the evening’s events in the native Tagalog language, walked in pairs with arms interlocked for an additional sense of security, and went searching for new friends. Our purpose-to make connections for Kalinga Ministry, to pass out fliers for the Purple Rose Fair next week, and to put faces onto the statistics and stories we’ve been learning about in the Philippines.
First, out on the street, we met the “freelancers” who are the local victims of prostitution that choose to remain under the radar of the government oversight and “protection”. They work for a smaller wage but at higher risk. Surprisingly, the first woman we met could have been a cute little grandmother in the States. She was dressed much like someone you would see at church or at the mall. I was surprised and confused.
Next, we went into a “massage” business where we were welcomed into the small area where all the women sat and chatted awaiting assignments. We sat down among them and started becoming acquainted. Of the 10 women, 6 had kids at home. They were friendly but a little nervous about speaking English. They were eager to take pictures with us though. We invited all of them to our event next week at the Health Department building in hopes of connecting them to Marita and the ministry. One of our guides ended by telling the group of captive women about the laws protecting them as women and as entertainers, and about the options that are out there to provide health care for their families. She also ended in prayer and by hugging and kissing all the women. It was powerful.
One girl in particular, call her Lovely, just didn’t seem to belong. She was so shy and withdrawn. She was beautiful but just didn’t fit there. Marita talked with her for a while and discussed a friend of hers who recently passed her Alternative certification test and get a job in a department store here. “Lovely” showed up to our info fair this week and spent a long time counseling and praying with Marita. Tears flowed as they talked and prayed. I don’t know what the outcome was, but I know this girl is broken.
More to come on the rest of the night out soon…
