As we walked down the streets of the red light district in Chiang Mai, Thailand last night, you could clearly feel the heaviness. The streets are filled with bar after bar and neon lights pave your way to destruction. Thai girls are lined up along the sidewalk calling out to men for business. Traveling through, the night air is filled with the smell of booze and cigarettes, and the women here are downing drinks to the point of slurred speech just knowing what they will have to do later on in the night.
Sadly enough, it reminded me of myself in the nightlife scene before getting sober close to three years ago. I clearly remember those lights, those very smells, and that yearning for something more. I remember wanting to be a part of something greater than myself, but looking for it in all the wrong places. It’s a life that craves attention and excitement, but you are constantly teetering on the edge with every decision you make.
So last night, my squad mate and I decided to minister to the heart of the red light district in Chiang Mai. We started the night off by praying for the Holy Spirit to take the lead, and we asked for guidance and courage as we ventured off into the chaos.
I met a 32 year old woman last night that confided in me for a moment. She had graduated from university to major in finance and had always dreamed of working on Wall Street in New York City. Because she thought she was too old she had decided to take massage classes to further her current work. As she continued to tell me about her life, I just kept building her up and telling her how smart and beautiful she was. I let her know that if fought for her dreams, she COULD possibly one day work on Wall Street. I let her know how God has such large plans for her life, and all He wants her to do is love Him in return. The woman kept telling me how much it meant to her all the positivity I was bringing to her, and she hoped that one day I would be right.
All I wanted to do was hug this lady and let her know that she is worth more than the life she is living.
She is worth more than any amount of money.
She is worth more than any worldly treasues.
And she so very worthy to our Father in Heaven.
I continue to pray for guidance for these beautiful princesses. Many of them are hungry for more in life, but just can’t seem to catch a break. In the Thai culture the girls must send money home for their families. They have to get it any way that they can, so many lead into prostitution thinking it is their only way to accomplish this.
I’m determined to fight for these girls. I want to let them all know how amazing and talented they are. As we continue to minister to these ladies, I ask that you partner with me to pray for them as well. I pray their chains will be broken, and they find value in being a daughter of the one true King!
As I’ve learned myself, brokenness leads to the strongest of testimonies, and these women will one day be able to say the same!!
