To tell someone’s story…
It’s truly one of the highest honors that I’ve ever had to work in the bars this month. And I feel like that’s something that people might say a lot with little meaning behind it.. that something is a high honor. But know that I mean every word. I am honored that God selected me to work with some of the most incredible people I’ll ever meet. God allowed me, and I am so very grateful.
His name is Q (Pronounced “Q”). He’s about 5 foot 4, like most of the Thai men around here, and from the moment that I met him, I loved him.
The first night that Moe and I were out, working the bars we met him. Actually, we met him twice. The first time we met him, he was dressed from head to toe like a woman. Blending in with all of the other ladyboys, he sat behind the bar and smiled at us. Moe asked his name, and he replied, “Q.” Nothing more was said. He left, and we continued to talk with the other ladyboys. Probably 10 minutes later, a young man, dressed in jeans and a tank top sat next to us. From the moment I spotted him in the corner of my eye, I couldn’t stop looking at him. Not because I recognized him, but I believe God was drawing me to him. He looked lonely and innocent. Way too young to be in that bar.
We made eye contact and he smiled at me. That was my confirmation. His smile reeked of the love of Jesus. Innocent joy shot out from between his teeth and captured my heart. I was supposed to talk to him.
Now, just because I love the Lord, and for the next year can be called a missionary, doesn’t mean I always instantly act on what God is telling me. I stutter, and slip, and am often full of fear. But God is teaching me. So I hesitated. I pointed him out to Moe and told her that I needed to talk to him. I sat uncomfortable for about an hour, and then finally worked up the courage to approach him.
From that moment, it was on. He was shy and awkward in conversation, but you could tell how grateful he was to have the company. And every day for the next three weeks, he would show up in the bar within minutes of us being there.
We later found out that he works at the gay bar across the street. Now, I know this may not sound like a big deal to you, but let me explain. The ladyboys, women, and men that work at the bars don’t leave. They are obligated to work when they are there. They are to bring in clients and show them a good time. But every single night, he left his bar for the 2 hours that we were there and sat with us, laughed with us, and kicked my butt in pool. No English on his end. No Thai on ours. But we loved each other. We found a way to be friends. We fed him and hugged him and loved him the best that we know how.
After the entire month, our time with Q came down to one last night together. 2 more hours to see our new little brother. (This was the same night that God turned out the lights in the Red Light District in the last blog). We sat in our usual spot and waited, but he never showed. So with one last attempt after the lights came back on, we decided for the first time to venture into *his* bar. When we arrived we were greeted by many young men, but Q was not one of them. He was nowhere to be found. Our last night, and we didn’t get to say goodbye to him.
I was so disappointed, but I had a strange peace about it. This night was anointed, and we did our best. We loved him in the best way we knew how, and now God could take over.
He was there before we got there and he’ll be there after we leave.
So I just prayed for him. I prayed for God to seek his heart and for someone that could speak Thai to offer him the gospel. I prayed that he and his brothers would escape the bar scene and the emptiness that goes with it. I can trust my God.
So we left Chiang Mai trusting in that. We went to our debrief and shared our ministry experiences with the rest of the racers. Q lay heavily on my heart.
That night I got a message from Mitchi. (She’s the [amazing] long-term staff member that we worked along side this month). She was updating me on our new friend Banks that we also met the last night (Another blog, for another day). As I’m reading, I’m getting so excited to hear that she’s continuing our relationships. I’m blessed to pieces to just know that she loves them so well. But then I get to the last line of the message. I began to tear up as I read it.
“oh yea more good news…Q left the bar…he went home to continue studying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
………………….
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I am still left speechless. It was nothing I said, because he couldn’t understand me. God had put me in a situation to where all I could do was love him from a distance and pray on his behalf. And He took care of it. He took my little brother out of the bars. No longer will he have to seduce foreigners. No longer will he have to be used. He can just be a 20 year old, again. He can just be Q.
I will never hear that letter the same again. Q. It’s the letter that now has a face that rests in my heart. The precious face of someone being pursued by my very own Father. And I know so clearly that God will continue to work in him. To bring him freedom. I’ve seen it happen, and it will happen again. God is so good. He hears me. And he answers me. As his sons and daughters, we can rest knowing that we are heard and dearly loved by the Father.
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”- John 14:13-14
