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This blog was recently posted from our July 2008 World Race Squad who is currently battling in the heavenly realms in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  May God rend the heavens and come down.  May he break our hearts ever more for those around the world who live in perpetual darkness.  Here is but a candle in the darkness but through the power of the Spirit, a single candle becomes a raging fire.

Dear Mothers and Fathers and supporters of July ’08 racers,

 
I’m sure that many of you have felt a mix of emotions since finding out where we are staying for our two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Many racers have already posted blogs about the fact that the bottom floor of our hotel is rented out nightly for prostitution. This is true. But, it is crucial that I add – our hotel is NOT a brothel. We do not feel as though we are in any danger. In fact, as a squad we feel the Lord brought us here to take back His territory and claim it as Holy. So that is what we are doing. 
(Us on Koh Samet Island, Thailand during debrief)

As a squad, we have been praying that our spiritual armor would take a beating this month. We are too squeaky clean. Daily, I can see scuffs and marks appearing on our shield of faith, our breastplate of righteousness and our helmet of salvation. Our feet of good news have been bruised a few times and we’ve learned to tighten up our belt of truth. Our sword of the spirit has been swinging full time since stepping foot in this land. As you know VietNam is a Socialist country and the air is thick with the spirit of fear, control, manipulation, intimidation, power, greed, sex…The sword has received a few nicks over the past week. Amen that the Spirit can cut through ANYTHING!

I also must confess something. As you know, I knew that I would be back in SE Asia this fall, so for the past 10 months I have been praying that the Lord would place me in the darkest of the darkest places. Prostitution is a black hole. Darker than dark. I know that the Lord is answering my prayer. I am living above this enemy…and 31 other individuals have been brought here also…

Here’s the facts that I know. Our hotel employs about 30 girls. A man pays about $15 for around 20 minutes with a girl. Some of that money goes to the hotel and some to the girl. The majority of what I know is what my heart and spirit is telling me. These girls have sold themselves short and have been deceived by the enemy. Some evenings I sit in the lobby and watch the transaction take place. Sometimes a girl may enter giggling. Sometimes that same girl will finish with one guy only to be bought by another. Any spark she had at the beginning of the night quickly fades. Her eyes become more hollow with each new customer.  

They are seen as property…cheap property. God sees them as flowers…beautiful flowers that are to be treated tenderly.

In combat, along with the rest of the squad, I want to invite you all to join us in prayer. We have been engaging in prayer through out the night – 2 people/hour from sun down to sun up. The Lord has been meeting us in this time and revealing his love for the girls and his desire to restore all of Vietnam. 

Like it says in Hosea (Ch. 2), “I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble  (hotel hallway to the left where prostitution takes place) into a Gateway of Hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt…At that time I will plant a crop of Isrealites and raise them for myself! I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ Then they will reply, ‘You are our God!'” 
 
We believe that the Lord not only wants to set the girls free from prostitution and to take back his land; but that he will turn our hotel into a “Gateway of Hope” or a house of restoration where the very same girls will learn about their worth and beauty that is bestowed upon them from a loving and caring Father. 

Sunday night we have been called to go deeper. Starting at 11pm we are engaging in corporate prayer and worship. All night long, we will battle the enemy through prayer, praise, prophecy…communion will set our hearts right and the spirit will tear down strongholds. We would love for you to join us. For you, it would be Sunday during the day, as we are 12 hours ahead of America. 

So, I hope that this lays your fears to rest. Aside from the fear of God, we do not walk in fear; but in the power of the Lord that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. That same power lives in us today and that same power is setting the captives free!

With Love,
stephanie (July ’08 squad leader)