We spend our days at the Well.
The Well has three rules: Love, Love, Love
These are our friends from the Well’s “Center 1.” Some are as young as thirteen and others are in their twenties. After two weeks with them, they feel like little sisters to me, with all the playful teasing and mischevious attitude included.
They have come from unhealthy homes and/or working in the bars, and the Well provides them with a safe, encouraging work environment. The girls work every day, making intricate, beautiful greeting cards. This helps them have a consistent income and send money hoome to their families. The Well also gives them a sense of family and “parental figures” who really care for them and seek their best interests. More than once, I have seen Jim pull one of the girls aside to talk one-on-one and to give discipline and encouragement. The Well also holds Bible studies every morning and a youth gathering every Sunday night. Some of the girls know Jesus personally, and others are interested in learning more. Almost all of them come from families that would not support them becoming a Christian, which complicates matters for them. More than anything, I just want them to know that Jesus loves them and that they have a Father that wants to take care of them.
Michelle and I have been “teaching English.” Now, I hesitate to say this because I’m not sure how much English we’re getting across. Neigher Michelle nor I have taught English as a second language before, and with our combined efforts, we may know fifteen words in thai. We stick to basic vocabulary and review games. The Well is currently restructuring their teaching schedule, and will have more able teachers pick up where we leave off. The goal is to prepare the girls to a GED-type-test so that they can earn a degree. Many of the girls have only a fourth grade education or less. At Center 1, they are taught math, english, art, and special topics.
I love these girls. I love spending time with them, and the Well is a much-needed breath of fresh air compared to the red light districts. It is a valuable reminder that God is working here, that he is touching lives and breaking through with light in dark places.
The vision of the well is to reach all of Thailand through building relationships with bar girls. It began with a woman named Prang who left the bar life and joined what is now known as the Well. Her life was powerfully impacted by Jesus, and she returned to her village to share the love and truth of Jesus with others. “The Well” is taken from John 4, where a Samaritan woman has a life-chaning encounter with Jesus and then begins telling others about her Savior. See the passage below…
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst…” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John 4
Please pray for the Well, as they continue to invest in the lives of the young women and men of the red light districts. For more information, check out www.servantworks.com/well.
