The sex trade industry is something that is rarely talked about and yet I see it literally everyday right before my eyes. Women being bought, sold, and used for sex in the red light district of Patong, Thailand. This month I am serving alongside with SHE (Self Help and Empowerment) ministries which is a Christian charity committed to helping women and children at risk in Thailand, many of whom are trapped in the commercial sex trade.
Every night before we go into the red light district, we spend an hour in worship and prayer. We put on the armour of God and pray for the broken women in Patong and that God would open up doors for us to minister.
We visit many different bars in a night and spend time with the women and lady boys (aka transvestites). We buy a coke and sit down and talk to them about life. We play games like Connect 4 (which they are really good at by the way!) or Jackpot and have fellowship with them.
We do not go into the bars shoving our bibles in people's faces or hoping to be people's "saviors" from this industry but we go to build relationships with the women. Once a friendship is established after a few visits, we hope to spend time with the women outside of the bars and share the vision of SHE with them to let them know that there is a way out. That they can have a salaried job working at a hotel or making jewelry at SHE and that they have a choice. SHE is dedicated to providing employment, vocational training and counseling for women who want to help themselves out of this industry. SHE teaches them skills such as baking, english classes, journal making, etc. that allows women to make a living outside of prostitution.
As I go to different bars, my heart breaks because the women's faces who are dancing on the poles and waiting to be sold are so broken. Their faces are empty, lifeless, and have little hope. They have come to Patong because they are poor and searching for money to provide for their familiies. They fall into this lifestlye and then cannot find a way out. As I talk to different women, they tell me how they do not like their job but they do not know how else to make money. They have little to no self worth and are seen and treated like objects here.
My only desire, my only purpose in being there is to bring the love of Christ to people. To bring the joy, hope, and light of God and pour into these women. I hope to bring everyone I meet one step closer to Jesus.
Whether it's through a smile, cracking a joke, or playing a bar game, I want to show these women the love and Christ and that they are more than just an object. They are more than just a one night stand.
These women are beloved daughters of God and the Father is fighting for them. Although it may seem like the enemy has the upperhand because the sex trade is very much alive and profitable in this country, God is at work and the enemy has no authority. The red light district is known as the devil's playground but I know that in those bars, on those streets, and all over this country, women are being redeemed. God is at work and He is powerful.
I declare freedom over this country, Father bring Your freedom to these people.
