Bar ministry is tough. Sex trafficking is so prevalent here in Chiang Mai. A few nights a week, my team and I roam the streets filled with bars, seeking the Lord is what He would have us do that night. We ask where we should go, we talk to people, we mingle. We pray, we walk, we pray some more…… and then we pray again.
It's kind of interesting trying to figure out what we should do or what this ministry should look like. I was hoping to have this ministry this month and now that my eyes are being opened to the hurt and the heartbreak involved, I'm not sure where to go from here. My mind is like a whirlwind. Some of these girls choose this lifestyle. Others are tricked into coming into the city to get a better job, to be able to earn more money to support their families. Then they end up in the sex trafficking industry.
As you walk, there are ladies lined up outside waiting for a customer to come buy them. Bar after bar, it's the same thing. Some of the girls are outgoing, asking you to join them for a drink. Others just stare, with blank expressions. It breaks my heart every time.
The first night we went out, one of our squad leaders prayed for us. She began praying and thanked God for the men who were planning on buying girls that night. She thanked Him for their lives. I immediately had to check myself. I realized that I was filled with anger about these men. I didn't want to thank God for them. How could they do what they do? I saw them as horrible, dirty people. And then God began showing me that He loves those men too, just like He loves those women…. just like He loves me. —-Boom— that was hard to hear. I didn't realize I was harboring so much hate for these men.
A few days later, I was walking with a couple girls from a different team who are doing bar ministry as well. We were doing a prayer walk when one of the girls said something that helped to change my heart. She said that she really felt like the men who came here to buy girls really were just looking for love, not sex. As I reflected on what she was saying, it made sense to me. I'm sure there are guys out there that are in it just for the sex, but also I think that they are lost souls just like the rest of us. They are yearning for something more. Maybe they've been rejected by the world, by other women, whatever the issue is. Maybe they really are just looking for love. They're just looking in all the wrong places.
I want so desperately to show them that there is One true Love: Jesus. These men need to know that there is Someone who accepts them and loves them just the way they are. They need to know that they do not need to buy His love, but that they can receive it freely and abundantly.
Please be in prayer for these men and for the sweet ladies who know no other way to earn money. Pray for open doors for myself and the other teams as we go out and try to build relationships with both the men and women.
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FUNDRAISING UPDATE!!!!!
I am currently at 90% funded!!! Praise the Lord!! I have $1,488 left to raise to be fully funded! Thank you so much to all who have/are supporting me. I could never have done this without you! Sending out thank you cards from Thailand is a little more complicated then at home, so please allow me to thank you here! Thank you for your contribution, it means the world to me!
Also, I am asking people to consider supporting my personal finances. I had to use my savings to purchase gear/supplies for my trip. Right now, I am on an tight budget but I am finding myself in need of help. By supporting my personal finances, you would be helping me to buy soap, shampoo, other toiletries etc. as well as food for when I'm not with my team and transportation to other places for exploration or team time activities. Please pray about it and see if the Lord puts it on your heart to help me out in that aspect. I really do appreciate each and every one of you. You have enabled me to sow seeds for the Kingdom. This is an honor and a privilege and I am so blessed to be here right now.
With love,
Kayla
