Month 8. Bangkok, Thailand.
New Month. New Start. New Continent. New Country.
A whole new WORLD.
I stepped off the plane with my worn-out sandals marked by the dusty African roads and found myself questioning,
“Whhhheeeere am I?”
I walked in a fancy bathroom with mirrors all around, flushing toilets with toilet paper, striking women with long flowing hair, fancy sparkled dresses above the knees, high stilettos, and fresh powdered faces fixing themselves in the mirror. I realized it’s been a few days since I last showered and haven’t looked in a mirror in ehhhh 3 months (if you don’t count the reflection of a dirty bus window). I looked down at my frumpy worn out cotton dress with leggings and glanced in the mirror and saw my greasy hair pulled back in a pony tail with a mysterious rash on my face (thank you Uganda), and thought, “Yaaa, I’m ok not looking at you today..” And I officially feel like a missionary.
I no longer hear, “Mazungooo, how are youuuuu!” everywhere I go or see little kids running up to me grabbing onto my arms. I haven’t walked in a mud hut or danced for hours at a church.
I'm now walking the bustling streets in Bangkok, Thailand and overwhelmed by all the street vendors, 6 story shopping malls, and cute lil cafés and restaurants.
We no longer challenge ourselves to see how many days we can go without taking a bucket shower. Rather, we remind ourselves its normal to take multiple showers in one day here.
As I type this, I’m sitting on a comfy couch with a perfect mug of brewed coffee in Starbucks wondering again, “Where am I?”
Culture shock.
We went from village living using bucket showers and outdoor squatty potty’s to city living using warm running water, flushing toilets, wifi, and living above a quaint little coffee shop.
This month I’ve joined team “A Team” with Kendall, Julie, Sav, Rachel and Jill and have LOVED my time. It’s been exactly what I needed- from worship jam out sessions and prayer walks, to staying up late laughing till we cry and having the ultimate girl’s night with brownies and ice cream.
The first half of the month we’ve been partnered with a ministry called Dton Namm, meaning “Living Waters.” It is a non-profit organization that rescues and provide aftercare for those at risk or presently involved in the sex industry. They help Thai individuals, specifically targeting ladyboys, leave prostitution and rebuild their lives. Currently, this is the only ministry reaching out to ladyboys in Bangkok.
You may be wondering, like I was, what exactly is a ladyboy?
Ladyboy’s are biological men that dress and consider themselves to be women. They are men that are often raised to be women or have come to the belief that they want to be women. Many times it’s the boy that was teased the most in school. Sadly, they are quiet common here in Thailand.
In the past I have read books and articles on the hard truth and reality of human trafficking all over the world. But this month I have seen it vividly with my own eyes and have felt the spiritual darkness all around me.
When I walked down the red-light district there is a thickness in air which makes it hard for me to breathe.
I’m overwhelmed with all the evil and perversion around me. I’m in disgust.
Girls and boys are identified by a number. They are sold to countless men a night and hide behind their smile, trying to survive another day.
Prostitution in Thailand is illegal,although it is tolerated. Local officials with commercial interests in prostitution often protect the practice.
Human Trafficking is pure evil.
The Sex Slave industry exists.
Child prostitution really happens.
Spiritual warfare is real.
It’s happening. Right in front of our eyes in Thailand.
You hear the cries. You see the confusion. You feel the heaviness.
The devil is conniving. He never plays fair. His demons are all over this place.
Yet- Jesus is RISING. There is victory in HIM. There is hope. And His perfect love casts out ALL fear. He has conquered the grave.
HE is GOD of this CITY.
This month we are called to PRAY. Intercede. Fight. And to be the voice for the voiceless.
Some nights we pray through the streets and red-light district and ask the Lord where He wants us to go. We follow His leading and prompting. Our hope is to make friends, build relationships, and be the love of Jesus. To show them they are worth it and care about them as a human beings- sons and daughters of the living King.
These are some of our new ladboy friends. Please pray for them.
During the days we spend time with the ladyboys that have left the Red Light district. Dton Naam Ministry offers programs focused on education, job training, Christian discipleship, individual and group counseling, and helping them find legitimate jobs. They have a coffee shop/bakery where men and women learn new skills and work in a safe and legitimate job while receiving healing.
This week we have taught english classes, led Bible studies and worship, sewing sessions, taught about health and nutrition, and worked on various projects around the building.
Dton Naam is making a difference in Thailand and I'm thankful to be a part of the movement.
Please pray for the Lord to prevail in this city. Pray for the ministry, staff, current students, and relationships that are being built right now in the bars. Pray for FREEDOM in this city.
And ask the Lord what He wants you to do to help STAMP OUT human trafficking.
Be the LIGHT in the darkness.
