Stolen from B.Cox… this blog gives you a good picture of what’s going on here. More blogs from me on the way soon. 🙂
Pattaya, Thailand. A massive tourist destination. A city on the coast
with most of the comforts of America- food, malls, running water. The
travel pictures of the beach make it seem like a glamorous spot to hit
up. The sex industry here is possibly the most shocking and disturbing
thing I have ever seen. I was walking through a food court our first
night here when the reality of this place hit me… I saw an old white
man sitting alone eating his dinner, and I felt this anger flare up
inside of me. I know why you’re here, I
thought. In my mind I saw him wandering the streets of nightlife,
buying girls for his entertainment and ego. I felt so sick. And then I
felt so sad. The man’s own brokenness came into my thoughts, and I felt
God leading me into a different mindset. Judgment is not going to change
anything in this place. Only His love can.
After spending a
little more time here, it’s become clear that the issue touches
literally everything in this place. Our ministry has been scattered, and
initially I felt disappointed that we weren’t directly working with the
women in prostitution. But everything is related here. The kids we play
with in the slums, the people at the Christmas parties we’ve been
performing/speaking at, the children at the orphanages… they all trace
back to the heart-breaking fact that selling your body is the prominent
way of life in this city.
In all this darkness, there is something that is a blazing light of hope.
There’s
something so different about Christians here. Maybe it’s because they
make up approximately 1% of the population. Or maybe it’s that
Christianity isn’t a hobby here, it’s not a social fashion. Maybe it’s
because darkness beckons them so blatantly at every corner. Whatever it
is, the Christians are different here. They are bold and unrelenting in
their pursuit of Jesus. They eagerly chase after Him in prayer and
worship. They are face down and weeping in their cries of intercession
for the people hurting all around them. They dance and shout in
ecstatic, matchless joy when they hear the Lord speak His promises of
freedom and redemption. They are always asking for more, fighting for
depth. They are in true community- intentionally invasive and
encouraging with one another. They are full of a passion that I’ve
rarely seen. They are completely sold out on the belief that God is
worthy. So they are wildly dangerous; they will do anything for Him.
They are inspiring and challenging.
Pattaya, Thailand. God is changing this place. His Kingdom is coming. Keep praying with me. 🙂
