There are many times when we Racers enter into a ministry and see only one aspect of the vision while we are there. We may be working at a hospital and see the patient in their hurting state, but never see where they come from or them healed. We may be building a church, but were never there in the beginning stages to see the struggle and God’s provision. But this month has been different… This month, I have seen it all.
I’ll start with the Hill Tribe Village: My team and I got to go to one of the villages on the outskirts of town. We walked the dirt streets and saw where the little kids, who now live in the homes, come from. There were children playing in the streets, men beating metal, and old women cooking outside of their house which are built on stilts. We could tell which houses had sold their children into the sex trade because those houses were significantly nicer. And at that sight, I thought of how there would have been many more beautiful houses had Remember Nhu not entered the village and surveyed for children who were at risk of being sold.
The night before we went to the Hill Tribe Village, we visited to the Red Light District and did a prayer walk. I will spare the details of the things I saw and heard, but I will share enough to give you a picture. I saw men, white men from America or Europe, walking the streets looking for women to buy for the night. I saw young girls, maybe 8-10 years old, getting off the back of motorbikes, being returned to their brothel. I saw young boys being preyed on by men, and other boys who were forced to have a sex change because they can bring in a lot of money. My stomach turned at the sight of these things. I battled hating the men, and loving them because they are just as in need of the Gospel as any. When I saw the young girls crying because they had just been violated, I thought of my brother and sisters, and I told myself that I would do anything to help them, just like I would my babies at home.
And that brings me to here: The children’s home. I saw where they came from. I saw where they are sent. And I daily see where the Lord has brought them to. These girls have never been sold, have loving house parents who teach them the Word of God, are sponsored all the way through college, and know the saving love of the Father. What could be better than that?
I’ll be honest, I want to be a part of this for forever. I have was able to see the whole scope of God’s hand here in Thailand, and His passion for rescuing His children in just 24 hours. I cannot think of a worse thing to be done to a child that to steal his or her innocence. The good news is that we can prevent it from happening all together!
Cindy and I at the girl’s baptism
Cultural Dinner
Traditional Thai Dancing
