Resolution to “When NOT to evangelize”
Greg and Donna chose the path of the long-term vision. Women were available for ministry, love, relationship and care but evangelism was not to be a familiar conversation. Greg and the visiting male missionaries would spend much of their time with the men evangelizing whenever possible. The tribal chief was of particular attention – for if the chief would endorse the message, the whole tribe’s future could be changed in an instant.
The process was still underway last I heard, but more men in the small village have become open to the idea of Christianity.
Sex is the Only Way
One of the most horrific realities to hit me last year on the race was to learn about the sex industry in South East Asia. There are some amazing ministries reaching out to the women of Thailand and Cambodia but are severely underfunded and understaffed.
In Thailand, a unique cultural norm is in effect that drives much of this industry from the inside out. Men are dominant in the society. They make the rules, the decisions, are unquestioned heads of their households and are respected. However, there is a underlying belief that men are innately irresponsible and lazy. They have far better things to do than take care of the family, thus it becomes the responsibility of the woman of the household to provide for the family.
The husband may or may not provide income in the poorer areas of urban Bangkok and the woman is expected to work (in a male dominated society) to provide for her family. In the fortunate experience that she is able to attain a job that will put food on the table, she is in the vast minority. For many women, the opportunities simply do not exist.
A woman is left with precious few opportunities – however one always seems to be incredibly lucrative: selling her body.
I heard a story when in Thailand from one of our ministry contacts recounting how one particular girl had been delivered from the life of slavery and was given a job by the ministry to help support her family. She was making progress in healing both emotionally and spiritually and saw this as her literal salvation.
Her home life, however, was not so supportive. Her parents and family were unhappy about the meager income she was providing (compared to her life in the brothels) and flippantly guilted her day in and day out to go make more money. They expected her to respond to their wishes at all cost and did not care if that meant returning to her life of slavery in the brothel.
How do you counsel a girl in this position?
