I’ve been told the average age of girls who are exploited are between 13 and 14 years old. This statistic has always baffled and saddened me, but it has also in some ways seemed unreal like maybe it wasn’t true. The other night for ministry we went to some of the dance bars to talk to women and I saw it firsthand. There was a girl dancing and she looked like she was about 14 or 15, but she probably would have said that she was 18. She was dancing and wearing a smile, but it looked so forced. A man went up the the stage and gave her money and she eventually went and sat down with him and his friend, so we never got to talk with her. She smiled and died a little inside.
There were other women who had almost blank faces. It was like they were numb, didn’t care anymore, or that was how they were “supposed to look.” It was difficult trying to smile and talk with the gals knowing what was actually going on. But we wanted to get to know them, and tell them they are worth more than this; they are worth more than people using their body for pleasure, and actually they are too good for this life.
There were many other women that we were able to talk to, though. Mostly we talked with them about their dreams, goals in life, and their families. Some of the women said they liked being there, but others said they didn’t want to be there but finding another job was hard. Our goals going there were to get to know the gals, and then if anyone wanted to get out, then we would get their number and give them a certain number to call and our ministry contact would be the one to meet up with them. Our ministry contact has a network of people and ministries that help women in those situations get jobs and find sustainable housing. They are the ones here long term helping exploited women find their worth again, introduce them to Jesus, and show them a different way of life.
After we left the dance bar a couple of my squad mates and I were talking about how this is something that we would love to help out with back in the states. We feel like we have practical tools now to know how to approach the issue. The first step is connecting with organizations who can help with long term care, like job skills, housing, and recovery. Then it’s going to the places where the women are at (but being smart about it), building relationships with them and then helping in their transition out.
In one night we probably talked to 50+ women and either planted a seed, helped along in their process to getting out, or provided that way out. And that was just one night! I was so encouraged to see the way our ministry trusts the Lord to guide, and is committed to going to the hard places and bringing kingdom. There is such darkness, in the world, but “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 ESV)
Keep the faith,
Malia
