When you read the title of this blog you might think you will be reading a testimony of somebody who was physically blind and who can now see. That story would be a miracle. This story isn’t quite the miracle of somebody’s physical vision being restored, but is definitely still a miracle. This story is about how I now see all people. How I see a girl in the bars trying to make her living through sex, or a ladyboy on the street calling out to me to come over and talk hoping it will lead to something more. I know that as some of you read that last sentence you cringed inside. I would have had the same feeling a month ago.
Three weeks ago I had the amazing privilege to be in these exact situations through the organization “Wipe Every Tear.” Then to add to the privilege I was able to have my parents join me in these experiences. It was such a joy to have them along side me and watching them step out in faith and in love for Gods people who are still lost. People who where forced are now trapped in a lifestyle of sin in order to have food on the table each day. These beautiful girls and ladyboys live day to day thinking there is no hope for them out there. Thats what was so special being able to bring that hope to them where they were in the middle of their current lives. Just how Jesus came to each and every christian. Where they were in their sin, shame, and brokenness.
For most christians, myself included before this week, would not think of going into these places. We wouldn’t even want to associate with these type of people. To think of “christians” not being willing to do this saddens me now. You say you are a follower of Jesus, the Man who went to the worst of the worst places to share the hope of salvation, but you would ignore and walk right past the ladyboy calling out to you, and heaven forbid you to step into that bar to share hope with a prostituted woman wearing just a bikini or in some cases even less. Do you think Jesus would have turned His head and went in the opposite direction? I don’t think so. I think He would have went right up to the ladyboys and loved them. I think He would have walked into that bar and stared all those beautiful girls right in the eyes and loved them. If thats what Jesus would have done than that is what I am going to do. So that is what I did. I went into those bars and loved on those girls showing them how worthy they are because of the work of Jesus Christ. I walked up to those ladyboys and loved them. I never said what they where doing was wrong or sinful. I just loved them. Just because they are ladyboys doesn’t mean I don’t love them, or because they are girls who have sex for money that I don’t love them. That would be stupid not to love them. The one who saved me from my life of sin and death also loves that ladyboy or bargirl just as much as me. He wants a relationship with them just as much as He does with me and if I can be used by God to bring that hope of a relationship with Him to them then I will.
Im going to be honest in saying that I was nervous to go out that first night. I was nervous that temptations would rise, that it would be awkward and hard to talk to the bargirls or ladyboys. Before going out that first night the team got together and had a time of prayer and worship. During this time the Holy Spirit was so evident in that place. Once that time was over all fear and nervousness left me and turned into excitement to go out to show love. All forms of temptation that could go along with that type of ministry where erased. It was a complete miracle of God. I was able to look at these girls and see them through the eyes of Jesus. Eyes that when looking at these girls only see beautiful image bearing creation that I am called to love and share hope with. By the second night I was so excited to get out to Walking Street. When I stepped out in faith and just loved these girls the Lord did amazing things. I count is such a privilege that God would use a guy like me to help bring His kingdom her on earth. He doesn’t and didn’t need me to be there to help but He allowed me to be apart of what He is doing here. He is redeeming lives and restoring lives that have been stolen from Him. Mercy was pouring down like rain. Lies that were meant to defame were being crushed by the truth that He spoke. Healing is coming. Miracles are happening. Girls finding Jesus and getting lost in His Love.
