Heavenly Father –
I sit here with seven squad mates, sweating in a tea house, on the side of a dusty intersection in Kathmandu, Nepal. There are 6 of us stuffed in a booth built for four- dirt caked under our fingernails. The smoke is heavy of cigarettes and chilis. The paint is chipping off the walls. There is a layer of dust covering everything from the cars zipping by. Green tile overlays the open kitchen where 3 locals are preparing food. We just killed a spider crawling near us along the wall. The humidity is so thick that my 35¢ glass soda bottle is already dripping with condensation. However this is the exact spot you want me in today.
We are currently praying and interceding over 9 other squad mates working to rescue women at a dance bar next door . This booth is usually a dusty place to enjoy momos and curry, but today it is a church. We are praying for women to be set free from human trafficking, that they find their worth in you, and for the safety of our friends.
God I thank you that you already know these women. I thank you that you know their names, stories and fears. In the book of Ephesians it says that you have chosen us before the foundation of the world and that you lavish us with your grace. You don’t just give grace but you lavish us in it.
Let’s define that real quick.
Lavish- verb
give freely to, spend generously on, bestow on, heap on, shower with.
God I pray that these girls would feel the light that we bring to this situation- to soak in your grace. That they would understand that you knit them together. You handpicked all of their characteristics so they were not lacking in anything. God we know that you count humans as your masterpieces. We are more beautiful to you than the mountains, canyons and oceans created by you. Therefore I pray that these women count themselves more beautiful than the snowflakes on Mount Everest.
Father I pray for boldness of our squad mates. I pray that they feel that they are exactly where they should be today. I pray that they are planting seeds in your name. I pray that they can see you in the eyes of each of these women. God I pray that they can hear our prayers from this tea house. That they know what words to speak and who those words go to in this place. I thank you that you have chosen us to do this for you. For you are so mighty that you don’t need us to carry your name, but you chose us to be in the testimonies of these women today. To multiply your goodness in this part of the world. God I thank you that we were made on purpose, with purpose, for a purpose.
“… having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope in which he has called you..”
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:17-19 ESV
There is nothing more I would rather spend this day doing.
– Amen
The truth is: there are too many of these women. Women here get sold into sex trade all too often, by their own parents. People are only found worthy when thy can bring money into the house. If the family has little money boys will usually attend school to learn necessary skills, but girls will either learn necessary skills to be a wife or sold as young as 3 years old.
Our hope is to make contact with these women and invite them outside of these places to talk and share the Gospel. We have a shelter they can go to and learn skills for other work. Please continue to pray for these women.
An hour later it was time for the teams to swap places and it was my turn to go through the alley and down the stairs to meet these women who sell themselves in a dance bar…
