Thursday night I experienced something that I never had before. Something that I never thought I would. Something that made me angry, something that made me want to cry, something that broke my heart. I walked into a club where prostitution was occuring. There was a live band playing popular American music, there was a bar – so it was like any other bar that I have been to. Except the fact that there were young women there “working” and men ranging from young to old. 
We met up with team Seven (love you guys!!!) in the city and headed out to the bars. Half of us went in while the other half waited outside and prayed.
The goal for us going was to just get the expeirence. In just five days we will be boarding a train to Thailand where the five of us girls will be doing prostitution and sex trafiking ministry in the bars and clubs for the month of May. So as I sat there sipping on my Pepsi and looking around I felt numb. It didn’t seem real. As hard as it was to believe – IT WAS REAL. I sat there hurting for these lost people. Women and men who are so desperate for love. God loves them. HE loves all of them. As I prayed – in front of me flew by a white butterfly. If you remember back at training camp one of the WR staff prayed that God would send a butterfly during times that I needed to know that he loved me and was proud of me. God is so faithful.
You see the last two weeks of the race has been hard for me personally. The hardest days yet by far. God has been asking me to walk in BOLDNESS for HIM. I was faced with decisions and challenges that forced me to be confident in who I am and to have BIG FAITH in my God. I now know why – it was preparation for what is ahead. While at The Beach Club I talked to a few women. In my head I wondered what their response would be if I whispered to them that God loved them. Now, that is BOLD but it is simply speaking TRUTH.
Oh yeah, we have changed our team name. We are no longer GLO but S.W.A.T. which stands for Soilders with an Armor of Truth. Pretty sweet huh?!? : )
Please start praying for us girls as we walk in faith and boldness for this upcoming month. The boys will be doing what they call “manistry.” : ) Love and miss you all so much!
– Michelle
