Thailand
"I've always thought there are people who leave an indelible mark on your soul;
an imprint that can never be erased."
– Fringe
In my travels I have met a lot of people. People from different races, religions, and creeds. Cultures and Outlooks change, but inheriently people seem to stay the same. And some leave deeper marks on your life than others. In Thailand, I've met 3 such people…
A mother of three, her children live 3 hours away with their father while she works the bars at night. Within minutes of meeting her, she warmly invited us to dinner with her and her children. It was an amazing buffet dinner at a Thai BBQ pavillion and Samantha and I had the time of our lives. On the way home, we asked if she enjoyed her work at the bars. "Sometimes yes, but sometimes no," she responded. There was a man once, she told us, who insisted she go home with him because he had bought her a drink. "I didn't ask him to buy me a drink," she said. "And I choose. I can CHOOSE." The passion rang in her voice as she proclaimed it and I wondered if she really felt she had any choices as all.
This 6 year old boy wanders down bar street every night selling roses. He is one of the many flower children… children forced to sell all their flowers (over 40) before they're allowed to return to their beds each night (or morning, as the case may be). They are exposed to the harsh reality of what goes on in the bars and their futures are far from certain. Many of them will end up in the bars as prostitutes themselves.
Jamie and I met this little guy our first night out. While purchasing a flower from him (for 60 cents), I asked his name and he leaned in and whispered it in my ear. In that moment, he stole my heart. He departed, but quickly returned 10 minutes later and just plopped down at our table, staring at us. Eventually he drew Jamie into a thumb war, which he won (and she didn't let him either!). He is the sweetest, most precious little boy, and his innocence, joy and laughter despite his harsh life was inspiring and heartbreaking.
She started working in a factory at 15 years old. 17 years later they closed their doors leaving her with little education, no skills, and no job. She came to the bars just 3 months ago, looking to provide a life for her 2 year old son, who currently lives 4 hours away with his grandmother. She talks to him everynight and proudly showed me a picture of him with the brand new tricycle her bar money had purchased for him. I wondered if she knew what I'm sure of in my heart… that he would rather have his mother, than all the money in the world.
I may never see them again, but I shall always keep them in my prayers and be content in the knowledge that God has their names written on his heart.
